Rainy Day Boredom-Busters!

If you are a nanny, babysitter, or even a stay at home parent, you know the feeling of being trapped inside with your little ones for extended periods of time when it's pouring rain outside. If you're going to keep your sanity, you'll need to keep the kiddos busy! Here are some tips:

Dress up: Hunt down Halloween costumes and old clothes of your own. Let the kids create their own outfits.

Baking a goodie: Although it can get messy.... Most kids love to help out in the kitchen. I would suggest something simple and fairly healthy like a homemade banana bread. Its a great recipe for little ones, because they can smash away at the bananas. Here is a simple recipe to get you started:
                             
                                   Simple Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs,vanilla, and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture just until combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for about 10 minutes. Turn it out on a serving plate, and serve!

 

Build a fort: Cushions, chairs, and sheets. Need I say more? (Just be sure to clean up before the parent's come home)

Crank up the music and Dance: Great exercise for you and the kids! The 2 and 4 year old girls that I nanny LOVE music and dancing around with me. I've never been much of a dancer, but I don't let that stop me when dancing with the girls :) So let loose, be silly, and dance!