Babysitting in a box? Keeping children occupied so you and your partner can have an indoor date night.

I can imagine it must be difficult for parents to find a moment to themselves for a date night. Once you have children they dominate all areas of your life.

I used to work in childcare managment and trained to become a nursery manager, so I do know a thing or two.

You cant always get a babysitter but you need to get the kids happy, tired and ready to g to bed at a sensible time for you and your partner to be able to enjoy a date night in.

This is why I have thought up "The baby sitter in a box".

The idea of the box is there are lots of activities inside to keep your children entertained, happy and help them use up any extra energy.

The box is ideal to be given to your child in the afternoon just after an early dinner.
Interact with them for a while and make a big deal out of the box, so they get very excited for it and look forward to seeing what is inside. This is a very important step.

Inside this box its good to put things in the following catagories inside.

Creative:
Playdoh and plastic cookie cutters.
Lego and ask your child to build something simple like a "house".
If your child is older, consider a bead making set and let them create jewellery.

Choose one of the above or something similar. Put everything you need for it in the box. Remember to praise your childs work and let them have a little prize for after. (perhaps a new toy from the poundshop wrapped up? It doesnt have to be expensive, just let them feel valued and keep the fun going.)

1) Active:
Play a game of musical chairs
Play a game of twister
If you have a garden maybe do some running or skipping

With this section choose two games and keep them going until your child is getting tired. Thsi part is important as it will help get rid of that extra energy.

2) Snacks:
Ready some snacks for your child. Sweets and chocolates are not a good idea, as the idea now is to try and calm them down a little. Perhaps consider some cheese scones? Or something heavy like that. Anything high in sugar will keep your child up.

3) Calming:
Colouring pages (google and print?)
Let them play with their new toy they won
Anything soothing, pop it in your box ready.

End with tucking them into bed with a short story.
Your child has had a lovely evening and you now have time for a lovely night.

Hopefully now it will be arounf half past 7 and you have all evening with your partner to focus on just the two of you. Wine, chocolates, film and a takeaway?

SEE BELLOW FOR COLOURING PAGES TO PRINT!

All found on google.