Work From Home Parents Pt. 3: The Yard Is An Oasis
With many parents working from home now, some children may be less inclined to worry about having a new childcare provider if they are able to get out of the house and have a change of scene. With a little bit of imagination and a lot of silliness, nannies are sure to have a great time exploring the great outdoors, otherwise known as the yard, with their charges!
When you arrive at the house, be sure to ask the parents what type of outdoor games and equipment the family has. Later, they may be too busy with their work to point you in the right direction.
Bubbles are a hit with every age! From babies marveling at bubbles shining in the sunlight to big kids racing to pop as many bubbles as they can, bubbles are a classic for a reason!
Water play with toddlers and preschoolers is so much fun! Simply filling and pouring plastic containers can make for hours of entertainment. Try adding a few drops of dish soap for added silliness! How about watering the plants with a spray bottle?
For the big kids, squirt guns and water balloons are the way to go, but prepare to get wet!
You can create an obstacle course for just about any age group. For crawlers, place favorite toys around the yard for them to make their way to. The obstacle course can be simple. Maybe a few roll-up towels for them to crawl over, and a lawn chair here or there to crawl around before they can reach their toy. You can go all out for a big kids' obstacle course. Maybe they need to step on 10 leaves, then do 20 jumping jacks, crawl under the patio table, and, finally, make a basket in the hoop for a point. 10 points wins! Make it up as you go so you'll keep them guessing on the next move they make, and more importantly, keep them giggling!
A nice lawn is the perfect place to pitch a tent and get into a day-long game of camping! All children love tents, and it's an easy, fun, and engaging game that nannies will enjoy, too. Your tent can be an actual tent if the family has one, or beach towels strewn over chairs, even sitting under a patio table will work. Pretend you're on a road trip, and you have to camp along the way. Figure out together what you will need. Flashlights? Sleeping bags? Books and snacks? You may have to forage for food! Make a game of hiding oranges or packets of crackers around the yard.
Whatever outdoor games you play with the kids you're caring for, remember, getting out of the house for a bit will help parents get their work done, give the kids the fresh air and sunshine they need, and will be a blast for you. Enjoy!