35 ways to avoid boredom - how to keep your host kids entertained

Sometimes, when being an aupair you simply run out of ideas what to do with the kids you take care of. Obviously, depending on their age, the weather and how much time is available different things are suitable. Discover this collection of games, trips and anything to entertain the kids with for every occasion.

During the holidays, it is likely to happen, that you have to take care of the kids the entire day, as they are off school, while the host parents still have to work. But no need to panic! There are so many things you can do, especially when you have a little more time on hand

1. Go and visit a museum together: this can be a perfect day trip, or at least half day. Best is to pack a picknick for lunch. You can do this together with them. That way they learn something, are entertained, you have less work and can leave earlier. So many advantages at once!
2. Visit a park/playgorund area further away.
3. Go on a day trip with another aupair and his/her host kids
4. Go to the zoo: Every child loves to go to the zoo to see all those special animals. You can also bring a book that your host kids love to read, which contains more info on every animal.
5. Go to a swimming pool/the beach: This is great if our host kids are already a little older and most importantly can swim. Keep in mind that this will be an exhaustive day for you though, as you will always have to watch them very carefully

Bad weather means being stuck at home, which can get pretty tricky with active kids. Still, there are many different things you can do at home, apart from just playing board games, doing jigsaws or making up adventures for all the toys:

1. Have an indoor picknick in a self-built tent: Let the kids built their own den under the table, in their rooms or whereever. Then you can have your lunch as a packed one in their.
2. Cook or bake together: Most kids are pretty curious to help in the kitchen a little bit and it is a great way to teach them something.
3. Teach them about the country you come from: Mostly you as an aupair will be from a different country than your host family. Tell the kids about some traditions you have, trach them some words in your mother tongue.
4. Do a photoshooting together. You can wear costumes, involve toys, try some fancy tricks and positions or simply cuddle to create some memories.
5. Watch a youtube totorial on how to draw something: Every kid has a sportsperson, a superhero or a character from their favourite novel that they love. There are so many tutorials on the internet that teach you how to easily draw these characters step by step. Try out some different ones together.

When it is summer time and you have great weather, it is preferably to go outside. However, on those afternoons, there often is not too much time between school, holidays, cooking dinner and bath time. Here are some quick, yet healthy and outdoor ideas for you:

1. Play hide and seek in the garden
2. Go to a nearby park/playground: You can take a football or similar.
3. Play with the hose/make a water fight in the garden
4. Go for a walk through the neighbourhood and make up stories about who might live where. You could also do this with their bikes/scooter/skates.
5. Make a picknick in the garden/park nearby: Let the kids help prepare for it. In case it is a really nice and bright day, you might as well do this as their dinner

In the evening, you usually have to fill some time between dinner, showering and going to bed. You don't normally want to have too much action going on here, so it is better to find something to calm down.

1. Tell them a made up story. You can use some toys to "play" the single characters.
2. Let them tell/read you a story. You could also take turns if you want to.
3. Give each other a massage.
4. Do some arts and crafts or colouring together.
5. Let them tell you about their day at school, the week end or what they did at their friends'.

There will be days, when your host parents want to go out in the evening and ask you to babysit. Especially on weekends, this means the kids being awake a little longer than usually.

1. Have a movie night together, with popcorn and snacks.
2. Prepare and have an elegant dinner with several dishes.
3. Turn on music and have a dance contest
4. Do each others hair and makeup. Okay, I admit this makes sense for girls only mostly.
5. Prepare a present/surprise for the host parents together.

Kids have a lot of energy and are supposed to move a lot in order to live a healthy life. Here are some ideas how you can get them away from their screens and do something actively:

1. Teach them you hobby. Most of us probably have a sportive hobby, might it be dancing, basket ball or cycling. There certainly is something you can do together with them to teach them tricks or help them get better.
2. Lean some circus tricks together, for example juggling.
3. Ask them what they are doing in PE in order to practice what they need to do there,
4. Let them teach you their hobby. Most kids go to some clubs, like ballet or football, You can let them show you what they learnt. They will be so proud!
5. Do a race. It is so easy ro get kids to race you. You can do this in any variation: Just running, or jumping on one leg, walking backwards, crawling, and so on. It is even possible indoors. Just make sure noone gets injured by anything/-one.

During the year, there are a few special occasions that seem almost perfect for some specific activities:

1. prepare halloween costumes
2. wrap presents together
3. decorate the house. During Christmas time, you could also decorate the Christmas tree
4. Let them explain you their traditions, holidays and religious rituals. Even if it might seem like everything is the same, you'd be surprised what differences there are between countries so closely together.
5. Have a snowball fight/easter egg hunt/etc.

You see, there are so many things you can do, Simply check out the available time frame, maybe ask the kids what they want to do, and there you go. The days will be filled so easily!