What are good ideas to do this summer for kids?

I am baby sitting two kids this summer and need some ideas?

• I am baby sitting a 7 year old girl and a 4 year old boy for the summer. I watch them during the day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and in the evenings on Thursdays and Sundays. I am trying to find some things to do with them that cost little money. I can drive and take them places but they are naughty little kids. They don't listen very well and often throw tantrums and think they rule the house. So i don't like rewarding them by taking them to the park after they are bad and stuff. I want some things to do in the house. They are messy too so I don't want art projects and things like that. They have been banned from kool-aid even, because they spilled it everywhere. I need soem ideas on discipline and activities. It would be greatly appreciated.

• Answer:

  I can understand how taking them to parks or out places might seem like a reward for being "bad" but it really is a biological need for them to get outside, run, exercise, and see and do new things. Without meeting the physical and developmental needs, I would expect that their behaviors will actually get worse! not better! Whenever I summer nanny...I like to get out early in the morning...out the door by 9am-1:00ish...pack snacks and lunch, and don't come home until after we have ran, swam or walked A LOT, and had a picnic ( no kitchen clean up for you) Then the afternoon can be calmer, quieter things, reading books, playing games, doing simple crafts. Crafts don't have to be that messy. Paper, scissors and glue are enough to do lots of fun stuff. You can also make homemade playdough and use it outside. Or paint outside on the patio or whatever. Specific ideas: Drawing (take turns drawing whatever they like, butterflies, silly faces, monsters Making paper puppets and then having a puppet show Reading a story and then make up your own with a different endins Sidewalk chalk (you can take turn drawing things, make a hopscotch, draw a box for bouncing a ball Here are some ideas of educational activities that they might like http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/index.html If you really feel like you don't have control of them, to the point of it being a safety issue (they will run away, get lost, get hurt, etc) then instead come up with a long list of things to do at home and reward them with an end of the week outing if they are able to control their behaviors. You may need to make a list with them of what behaviors will get the outing taken away. That way they know what to expect, and you have set your boundaries. If they misbehave you don't have to get angry or yell...you calmly explain that it must be disappointing that they don't get their reward and they can try again the next week. * also, you may want to think about what foods they are eating and see if you think it is affecting their behavior. Yes things like popcicles and kool-aid and yogurt have tons sugar...but crackers and carbs are basically sugar too. make sure they get lots of fresh veggies and protein. I sometimes skip the bread, and just pack turkey and cheese, tuna salad, veggies, and fruits. How are their parents? Can they back you up, maybe you can all sit down together and talk about some of the struggles. That way the kids know that you are all working together! The best of luck to you!