Make slime | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

12 Fun Things To Do With The Kids You're Nannying This Summer

Keeping kids entertained all summer long isn't as easy as it seems.

373
12 Fun Things To Do With The Kids You're Nannying This Summer
Peyton Kline

For anyone that takes up full-time nannying as a summer job, you are all too familiar with hearing, "What are we going to do today?" Either that or being hit with the classic, "I'm so bored!" I've come to find that the key to keeping kids entertained all summer long is coming into every day with a plan including something to get them excited to do each day, whether that be a place to go or an activity to do. Here are some easy and inexpensive ideas for those days when there is "nothing to do."

Go to the park

Clear Lake Park in Iowa

For days when it's not too unbearably hot, it's great to get out of the house and go to the park to play on the playground or ride bikes. Plus, after the kids are done burning off all of that energy, you're likely in for an easy rest of the day.

Wash the car

Kids washing car

Pull out the old fashioned soap bucket and big sponges and turn the driveway into a carwash! It's refreshing on a hot summer day, the kids love it, and your car gets clean- win-win!

Go out for ice cream

Ice cream cones

Every once in a while, treat the kids (and yourself) to some delicious ice cream at your favorite local shop! It may cost you a few dollars but it's cheaper than going out to eat and totally worth it. Making sundaes at home can also be a fun option. Don't forget the chocolate syrup and sprinkles!

Have a board game day

Variety of board games

For the rainy days, have a board game day! It's very easy and provides entertainment for an extended period of time. Some favorites of the kids I watch include Connect 4, Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Sorry, and card games such as Go Fish.

Have a movie day

kids watching movies in a fort

Another rainy day favorite is movie day! Pick out some of their favorite movies and pop some popcorn. You could even make a fort out of the couch to watch the movies from with blankets, pillows, and other household items.

Make slime

purple and green slime in hands

For some reason, making slime was one of the favorite activities for the kids I watched this summer. Mix together some glue, water, contact solution, and food coloring and you have yourself some gooey slime! There are tons of recipes online- you could even make it glow-in-the-dark or glittery!

Have a picnic

Picnic blanket on grass with fruit

Make lunch a little more fun by eating it outside of the kitchen. Whether it be at the park or in the backyard, roll out your picnic blanket and enjoy the beautiful summer sunshine while eating a healthy lunch.

Do arts and crafts

glue, scissors, glitter, arts and crafts

Unlock your creative side by doing some arts and crafts! I bought my kids canvases and flower pots, gave them some paint, and let them do their thing! Make sure to cover the workspace though, because paint can be messy and easily spilled! Another easy craft is making bracelets with string a beads!

Bake cookies

Cookies with icing and sprinkles

Satisfy the kids' sweet tooth by baking some cookies (after a healthy lunch of course)! You can even cut them out into fun shapes. When they're out of the oven, let the kids decorate them with icing and sprinkles!

 Play in the water hose

Kids playing in the water hose

A great way to cool down and entertain is playing outside with the hose, if you don't mind getting sprayed! It keeps kids entertained for hours and you can even get a nice tan.

 Have a spa day

OPI nail polishes

This one is for the girly-girls. Pull out all your fun nail polish colors and turn the house into a nail salon! Don't be afraid to paint every nail a different color!

 Let them play with the Snapchat filters on your phone

snapchat logo with black background

I've come to find that Snapchat is the most underrated form of babysitting entertainment. Kids get an absolute kick out of seeing themselves with Snapchat filters and recording themselves with the voice effects. Be careful to supervise, though, because you don't want them to accidentally (or not so accidentally) send things to other people or see something they shouldn't see on your phone.

Now, you have 12 ideas to entertain your kids in the summer. Summer is a lot longer than 12 days though, so for the rest of the days, good luck!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

1634
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

448192
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

20926
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44067
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments