In Dubai, where the intense summer heat binds kids indoors for weeks, babysitting becomes more than just a convenience. It is how children stay engaged, active, and entertained without relying on screens all day.
With the right support from a trusted nanny in Dubai, your child’s summer can be full of creativity, fun, and structure. To help guide daily routines or inspire fresh ideas, here are ten practical activities that actually work and turn long indoor days into something kids genuinely enjoy.
1. DIY Craft Stations
Craft time does not have to mean painting on the walls or glitter stuck in your carpet for months. You can put up easy, clean craft spots in various parts of your home. For example, set up one spot to fold paper, one to make bead crafts, and another for stickers or coloring. Every week, you or the nanny can mix up the games to keep ideas fresh.
2. Indoor Obstacle Courses
Use sofa pillows, small seats, crawl tubes, and plush toys to make a simple indoor track. You can also use other everyday items like cardboard boxes, footstools, or yoga mats to change the layout. Play some upbeat music, and use a timer to add excitement as the child navigates the course. No need for screens, just energy, movement, and fun.
3. Put On a Puppet Show
Help the children create their own sock puppets, paper cut-outs, or even shadow shapes. After the story ends, they can retell it, add their own new twists, or put on shows for the family at the end of the week. This is a great way to expand their imagination and build confidence.
4. Sensory Fun
Create amazing sensory experiences using simple items like rice and lentils already in your home. You can use a plastic tub and ask them to use small cups and tools to scoop, pour, and feel different textures. This activity keeps kids busy and builds focus. It is perfect for little ones who enjoy relaxed, hands-on play.
5. Brain Games
You can choose card games for memory, puzzles, word pairs, or dice for math. Books with dot connecting or easy thinking tasks are also good. If these are introduced in small bits, say 30 minutes after eating, it creates a nice flow and sneaks in some learning with ease. Older kids can create their own quizzes or teach you something new, swapping roles for a laugh.
6. Performance Play
Kids love singing, dancing, magic, and making jokes. With some help, they can work on it each week and set up a “show”. They can prep the room, create pretend tickets, and perform for family or simply for fun. It offers them something to be excited about, which keeps them focused and busy with such creative plans throughout the week.
7. Cooking Time with the Kids
Set out pre-cut fruits, bread, spreads, and cookie ingredients on a low table. Guide kids to layer yogurt dessert bowls, build sandwich faces with vegetables, and shape oat and seed mix into no-cook bites. Let them mash soft fruits, stir gently, and plate their creations.
8. Find It First Challenge
Choose 8 to 10 household items and hide them in safe, visible spots around the home. Make a list of all those items for older kids who can read. For younger kids, describe each item and give simple clues too. They can collect the items in a basket or a bag. This encourages active movement, focus, and adds structure to indoor play.
9. Picture Prompt Play
Print or draw simple images. Have the child pick a picture at random. Tell them to think of what might happen next. They can sketch, write, perform, or tell the story. Make sure to rotate prompts for variety and use new themes weekly to keep ideas fresh.
10. Build-a-Book
Fold and staple sheets into a booklet. Let the child choose a theme, maybe a story, a comic, or a how-to, and make them draw and write one page per day. You can also help with spellings or ideas if needed. Keep it going until they finish their own handmade book.
Conclusion
The beauty of these babysitting ideas is that they do not require anything complicated. They are built on time, creativity, and an understanding of what sparks a child’s interest. But the real magic comes from who puts them into action. Parents in Dubai who have had the support of a professional babysitter know just how transformative it can be.
If you are looking for the same or a trusted nanny agency in Dubai, visit the ServiceMarket website to book vetted babysitters near you. Book with confidence, save time, and let your child enjoy a summer filled with fun, laughter and learning.
