How To Babysit Toddlers

This post contains affiliate links. This means I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase using them. Please read my Disclaimer Policy for more information.

Toddler years are children ages 12 months (1 year) to 36 months (3 years). During this stage of their lives, you’ll start to see some very significant changes and advancements in their physical development. They’ll start to walk, speak, and engage with you a whole different level. They’re now truly little people. In my experience, it’s a very fun age for children.

However, it’s also a lot of work to babysit a toddler. You rarely have time to sit down, you have to be on constant alert, and they often think that doing something bad is funny.

Keeping that in mind, there are certain things that you want to consider before accepting the position.

1. Understand Their Energy Level and Yours

Toddlers are very mischievous, full of energy, and incredible adorable all in one! One minute they’ll do something that’ll make you want to pull your hair out and in the next minute, you’ll be laughing hysterically at one of their antics. There’s usually no in between.

Toddlers require a lot of work on your part to watch them. They need your constant attention, not necessarily to entertain them, but certainly, so you can see what they’re up to. Silence is suspicious!

I remember when my niece, Layla was in her toddler years. If my sister turned her back to her for a minute, Layla would be up to something in no time. For instance, we’d be talking on the phone when she’d suddenly have to hang up. “I’ve gotta go. Layla is trying to eat out of the garbage again.”

If you’re going to agree to babysit a toddler, you’ll want to make sure that you have the energy for it. A lot of your time will be spent chasing after them and redirecting them to a safer situation. They’re much quicker than they look!

2. Prepare Yourself For Everything

Much like Layla munching on eggshells from the garbage pail, toddlers are both unpredictable and predictable at the same time. If they try it once, they’ll try it again. And again. And again.

Always maintain a watchful eye. One minute they’ll be happily playing with their playdoh and the next they’ll try to play tea party with toilet water. They love to go where they’re not supposed to. And after they’ve been correct and redirected, they’ll probably try it again. They’re pushing their boundaries.

3. Ask a lot of questions!

Be proactive about getting to know the toddler before you watch them. Every toddler has at least one thing they love to do but that they should probably never do. It usually falls into the category of dangerous and/or extremely messy.

Ask their parents if they tend to get into anything or if there’s something specific you need to look out for. No child is without one of these things!

Most families have baby-proofed their house to cover sharp edges, lock their cabinets, and block off electrical outlets. However, toddlers like to put things in their mouths and this is a serious safety hazard.

Ask them if there’s anything that the toddler likes to try and put in their mouth that could be a choking hazard. If they have food that should be cut to a certain sizes if you’re feeding them.

Also, if the parents want you to feed their child while they’re away, ask about what foods are off limits. Just like toys, certain foods are potential choking hazards.

Lastly, make sure to ask about any allergies and how severe they are. This includes any food, pet, or seasonal allergies. You may want to bring a treat with you, or you may live with animal and their dander and fur may be on your clothing.

4.) Communicate Freely But Don’t Overwhelm the Parents

If a babysitter is needed, that means that the parents need to be kid free for a period of time. If it’s not something that needs immediate parental attention like a bad injury or crucial instructions that weren’t given like the location of birthday party, don’t bother them.

They’ll likely check in with you to see how things are going and at that time you can give them an update.

Talk with the toddler’s parents prior to watching their child to determine the rules of the house and respect them! Know what’s expected from you and the child.

See Tips for First Time Babysitters for more information on communication.

5.) Never Leave Them Alone

Toddlers can get into a lot of trouble if ever left alone, even for a minute.

If you have to leave the room to use the bathroom, I would suggest strapping them in their highchair or putting them in their pack-n-play. They might cry, but it’s better that they cry for that reason than from a serious injury. If they’re buckled into their highchair or in a pack-n-play, they should be safe, but don’t leave them alone with food or any potentially harmful items within reach.

If after reading that, you feel that you’re up for the challenge, it’s now time to have fun. So what fun activities can you do with a toddler while you’re babysitting them?

Good babysitters have lots of fun and engaging activities to do with toddlers while they’re babysitting. Parents don’t want to their kids to sit in front of the T.V. or ipad while they’re away. Although that is a good option once they need some downtime, they’ll need more stimulation to use up their energy.

• After determining with the parents what’s off-limits while they’re in your care, such as electronics, games, or trips to the playground, planning activities will be easier.

• Only play with one thing at a time. Don’t overwhelm them with too many options. If a toy is played with, it should be put away before you move on to the next activity. They have short attention spans so this will most likely occur more than once.

• Kids need structure at all ages! Learn the rules of the house and enforce them. Also, set your own rules for things that you don’t feel comfortable with concerning behavior and activities. You’ll likley hear “But Mommy lets me.” But you’re not Mommy so the same rules don’t apply or they’re lying.

Some things to do are…

1. Take Them Outside and Play!

Children need outdoor time to run around and exert their high levels of energy. Check out the 5 Benefits of Kids Playing Outside.

If they have a gated backyard this a great place for them to do it. You’ll know that they’re in a safe space so they can’t just escape at a moment’s notice.

Bring a ball or several with you! Play catch, play soccer, roll it around. You have to be just enthusiastic about playing games so that you grab maintain their attention during the activity.

Blow Bubbles! Toddlers love to blow bubbles (though most aren’t that good it just yet). But even if they aren’t good at blowing them, they’ll have fun chasing and popping the bubbles that you make!

Play a little game of tag! A fun variation is called rag tag. Instead of touching the other person, you have to grab the rag or another clean cloth item from them. Think of it like flag football, but without the ball. Whoever has the rag must run from the others have to avoid getting the rag stolen.

If the weather is warm, a great way to cool down is with a water table or sprinkler play. While watching the toddler in the parent’s home, ask them if they have either of these around.

Should you be watching them at your home, it’s a great toy to have around because it lasts for years. My niece and nephews had one of their deck and it was used EVERY spring and summer. And when the weather got cold and it started to snow, they’d still use the table to hold snowballs or as a base for their snowman. A simple toy like this is hours of fun for kids!

Check it out on Amazon:

Water table

2. Sing Nursery Rhymes

One of the best ways to get toddlers moving is to put on some music and have a dance party or just old fashion nursery rhymes.

Here’s a playlist for nursery rhymes.

3. Play Sorting & Counting Games

Most toddler toys are large and colorful. They’re made this way on purpose to attract the attention of the child and make for safe play.

If they have toys like mega blocks. Dump them out and have them sort by color, shape, or size.

A great thing to do with these blocks is to stack! Toddlers love stacking games! Do you know what else they love? Knocking things down! Toddlers can freely stack blocks or cardboard bricks and safely knock them down. It’s loads of fun for them!

You can also teach them how to count with the toys too. Learning through play is one of the best ways to teach children. Start off by simply counting yourself out loud. The older they are the more likely they’ll count along.

If they’re not talking yet, they’re still absorbing information. It’s important to always be talking to toddlers and younger children. They’re always learning because everything is new to them!

4. Read A Book To Them

Reading never gets old, toddlers and kids of all ages need to hear someone speaking to them. Hearing others talk is how they’ll learn to talk and improve their vocabulary. Reading together is a great way to bond.

They may have some on their bookshelf already, but there are a few of my favorites that my nieces and nephews loved to hear me read to them when they were little. Change your voice for inflection and different characters to make it even more entertaining for them.

Here’s a list of books that have always been a big hit with younger children. 

Check them out on Amazon:

Chicka Chicka ABC

Rhyming Dust Bunnies 

Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny

Don’t The Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Goodnight Moon

5. Go for a walk

Toddlers are too young to walk independently in the street. However, you can put them in a stroller and allow them to enjoy the scenery.

You can talk about things that you see along the way like birds, flowers, grass, trees, different colored houses, etc. It’s also not a bad idea to sing a song or have some music playing on your phone. It makes the walk that more enjoyable.

Make sure to double check that you’ve properly locked up the house and have your phone and keys before leaving.

6. Art and Creative Play

Creative play is a great activity for toddlers. Encourage them to explore their artistic side with some crayons, washable markers and some and blank white paper.

You can also come prepared with a fun coloring activity. Teach them their ABC’s, different animals, and let them color all at the same time with my free ABC animal coloring book!

Things to Keep in Mind

1.) Bathroom Breaks and Diaper Checks

With toddlers, you can never be too sure when they’ll have an accident. Or, they’ll most definitely need a diaper change. If they’re potty training, they may forget to tell you they have to go to the bathroom. Regularly ask if they have to go and have them try a few times. If you leave the house, you’ll need to bring a change of clothes with you.

If they’re still in diapers, you’ll need their diaper bag with you. You’ll also need to check they’re diaper pretty regularly. You can smell poop right away, so they’ll be no surprises there. However, pee pee is more covert, so just be mindful of when their last diaper change and how much liquid they’ve consumed.

2. They’ll get hungry!

With all their running around, toddlers need snacks and a drink. Give them parent approved drinks and snacks.

If they’re not talking and can’t tell you that they’re hungry, a good indication is when they get cranky. If they’re craking it’s either time for a nap or they need some food in their bellies.

Common snacks might be something like pretzels, animals crackers, goldfish, or fruits. Drinks might be juice, water, or milk, depending on what the parent wants to give them. Juice should be watered down as it’s often too sugary for kids and is bad for their teeth.

Again, be mindful of choking hazards when it comes to foods and never leave them unattended while they’re eating.

3.) Minor injuries are probable

Even when toddlers are on carpets and playing in kid-friendly areas, they may still have a fall or two. It happens. These little guys aren’t that stable on their feet so they fall more often than old children. Don’t freak out. Kids are resilient and often cry out of fear and not necessarily pain.

Always check for bumps, bruises, and or bleeding. If it’s just a little fall, don’t be alarmed. Should you discover a mark, put ice on it immediately. If there’s blood clean up their wound right way and put a bandaid on it.

Let the parents know how the injury occurred right way. Don’t wait for their parents to find the bump or cut.

4.) Toddlers are parrots

Though I’m sure you’re not planning to curse or use any other foul language in front of kids, just be cautious of your word choice. Things slip out. If you wouldn’t use the words in front of the parents, don’t use them in front of their children. Toddlers are little parrots often repeat what they hear.

5.) Naps are likely and needed!

Toddlers have a lot of energy, but they also need to replenish that energy with a nap. Talk to the parents about when they’re nap time is. Having a schedule will make your time with the child much easier.

If they get upset that their parents are there to put them to bed or for their nap, try to ease their pain. It’s scary for kids to endure change. Let them know that they’re parents are coming back, you’re just with them for a little while. Sing them a song to sooth their sorrows.

6.) They’ll get in trouble.

Ask the parents how to handle bad behavior. Most are okay with time-outs, but spanking is never allowed!

Sometimes toddlers will do things to get your attention. It’s often referred to as acting out. They’ll touch something they know they’re not supposed to touch, hit you, or throw things.

Since you’ve already gone over the rules with their parents, time outs or other takeaways should be enforced. Give a warning for most bad behavior, but hitting of any kind should result in a punishment.

Becoming a babysitter for toddlers is a big commitment, but it’s also very rewarding at the same time. With a little practice and a lot of patience, you may find it the best age to babysit children! I know I loved it!