Fun and Educational Activities to do with your Nanny Kiddos (Ages 0-5)
As a nanny, one of the most rewarding parts of your job is creating a stimulating and enjoyable environment for the children you care for. Whether you're spending time with an infant or a
preschooler, it's important to engage their senses and support their development through fun, interactive activities. Below are some creative and easy-to-do activities that will keep your nanny
kiddos entertained while encouraging learning and growth!
Read Books Together
Reading is one of the best activities you can do with young children. It helps build language skills, stimulates imagination, and strengthens the bond between caregiver and child. Choose age-appropriate books with bright pictures and simple words to keep their attention. For infants,
board books with textures or flaps can be especially engaging!Tummy Time with Toys
Tummy time is crucial for developing strong neck and upper body muscles. Spread different toys around a blanket to encourage babies to reach for them. This simple activity can be both fun and beneficial for motor skills development.Imitate Animal Noises and Movements
Young children love animal sounds! Make it a game to imitate the noises and movements of different animals. This helps with language development and can be a fun way to engage their imagination. "Can you bark like a dog? Meow like a cat? Hop like a bunny?" You’ll both be laughing in no time!Build a Tower with Stacking Cups
Building a tower with stacking cups is a great way to help toddlers improve their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Let them stack the cups themselves and cheer them on when the tower topples over—it’s all part of the fun!Color Matching and Sorting
This activity is fantastic for toddlers working on color recognition. Spread out blocks, clothes, or toys in different colors and encourage the child to sort them into piles. As you sort, name the colors aloud to reinforce their learning.Sidewalk Chalk Fun
Sidewalk chalk is perfect for outdoor play. Encourage your nanny kiddos to create colorful drawings or simply enjoy the tactile experience of drawing with big, chunky chalk. You can draw shapes, letters, or animals together—learning can be as fun as it is creative!Finger Painting in a Bag
Finger painting can get messy, but it’s also a sensory-rich experience for kids. For an easier, less messy version, set up a "no-mess" finger painting activity by putting paint into a ziplock bag. Tape the bag to the table, and let your little one squish the paint around inside the bag. They'll love the sensory experience, and you won’t have to clean up a mess afterward!Create a Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are a fantastic way to engage children’s senses and improve fine motor skills. Fill a box with materials like rice, beans, socks, pom poms, or small toys. You can make themed sensory bins to add excitement. For example:● Ocean Theme: Add water with small bubbles and food coloring, along with toy sea creatures and seashells.
● Farm Theme: Use shredded paper, corn, and plastic farm animals.
● Holiday Theme: Incorporate festive decorations and toys related to the season. Sensory bins are highly customizable and can keep kids entertained while helping them explore
textures and shapes!Dance Party to Kids Bop!
What better way to get some energy out than a fun dance party? Put on some fun tunes from Kids Bop or any favorite children’s music, and have a dance-off! It’s a great way for kids to develop coordination and rhythm, while also getting in some physical activity.Play Simon Says
Simon Says is a classic game that’s both fun and educational. It helps children develop listening skills, improve their ability to follow directions, and practice body movement. Plus, it’s a great game to play indoors or outdoors, and you can adapt it to any age group.Puzzles
Puzzles are a wonderful activity for toddlers and preschoolers to work on problem-solving, fine motor skills, and shape recognition. Choose puzzles that are age-appropriate, starting with simple ones with big, chunky pieces for younger children and working up to more complex puzzles for older kiddos.
