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Games for Kids When Looking After Babies

Caring for a group of children of different ages can be a challenge. Most of your attention will need to be focused on the baby's basic needs, leaving the older children to play independently. You can avoid difficult behaviors and conflicts between the older children by planning a few simple games for them to play while you are occupied with the younger babies and toddlers.

Board Games
- Elementary school aged children are easily entertained with an assortment of board games. Have a wide selection of games on hand that can be played in a large group, as well as games for just two children, such as checkers and chess. In addition to store bought games, allow kids to design and create their own board games. Provide poster board, construction paper, markers, pencils, rulers and coins or buttons to use as game pieces. Let the children create the rules to their games, and laminate or cover the board game and all of its pieces in clear contact paper for durability.
Scavenger Hunt
- Split a group of older children into two equal teams. Give each team a list of items to collect around the home or child care center and a large pillowcase or garbage bag. Give each team a time deadline. Whichever team makes it back to you within the time allowed and has the most items collected will win a small prize. Be sure to include some items that are very easy to find, as well as those that will be a challenge to locate. For example, ask each team to find an empty baby bottle as well as a book by an author whose last name starts with "G."
Recycled Art Commercials
- Collect cardboard boxes, empty 2-liter bottles and milk cartons, soup cans and toilet paper and paper towel tubes. Set these items out in a large open space with some duct tape, paints and other craft materials. Have children work in teams of two to create a new product with the recyclable materials. After making their product, the children must write a commercial explaining their product and what it does. Have the kids perform their commercials for you and award prizes such as "Most Innovative" or "Best Use of Materials" to each team along with a small prize.
Building Blocks
- Find and print out pictures of famous structures such as the Eiffel Tower, the Sears Tower, the Empire State Building and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Laminate them or cover them in clear contact paper for durability. Children can work in teams or independently for this game. Shuffle the pictures and have the children pick one without looking at it. When you give the signal, each child or team of children will flip their picture over and attempt to build the structure using wooden unit blocks. Give a time limit and award small prizes to the winners of this game.

Kids Games