Making A Babysitters Activity Tote

I have the best babysitter right across the street from me.  Lucky, I know.  Last time I had her babysit she showed up with a tote in hand that had everything from crafts to a first-aid kit.  She even had babysitter dollars that the kids can earn if they are good and “buy” a little toy from her babysitter store.  Best idea!   My son was so excited and every time she comes he is looking for her tote.  If you have kids coming to the babysitting age or family members this would be the best gift.

What to put in a babysitters tote

Start with a plastic tote that can be carried easily, and fastens securely to keep curious fingers out.  A first-aid kit is a great idea, along with basic instruction of how to handle minor bumps and scratches.

Sheets of paper listing all the information they should know before the parents head out.  Keep them in a binder so that when they return to the same family they already have the information written down.  Her list included:

• Where the parents can be reached at
• Emergency numbers
• Important house rules like should the kids watch tv, anything they should not be playing with, when is bedtime
• Instructions for meals
• Notes for anything else they may need to remember – do they need a bath?

Here is a free printable babysitter checklist.

She had a bunch of activities that can be done with paper, and maybe a few other items.  It would be a good idea to have a master list with all the activities and the appropriate age group, that way in a moment of turmoil all they have to do is pull that out.  Here are a bunch of free printable activities for kids, and here are some more!

Play money for the store, and little inexpensive items for the kids to buy.  Make sure they know not to include toys that may be a choking hazard for kids under 3.  Here is a free play money printable.

She had paper airplanes, tissue pom poms, ingredients to make salt dough along with the recipe.

Preschool games that don’t require any supplies would be great too.  She had some that were appropriate for multiple children and just one child, along with different age groups.

She kept things organized with manila envelopes.  Drawing paper, her store supplies, coloring pages, activities all had their own place.

A few other things to include that cost a dollar or less:

• bubbles
• crayons
• sidewalk chalk
• marshmallows and toothpicks

This may seem like a lot to get together for a job that doesn’t really require it, but you can bet they would be the most popular babysitter in town.  Investing in your business brings a better return, parents are apt to pay more for a babysitter that shows up prepared.  Plus all these things should last through multiple babysitting adventures, so really cost for the tote goes down with each job, all great lessons to be learned!