What to Bring Babysitting? (18 Essentials to Pack + Checklist)

24 May 2024

Written & Illustrated by
Matthew James Taylor

Babysitting Video by
Lydia Kutz

Reviewed & Edited by
Renee Irving Lee, B.Ed.

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Babysitting can sometimes be an intimidating job. Children can be unpredictable, and the last thing you want is for the parents to think that you can’t keep things under control. So what things do you need to bring?

Here are the top 10 things to bring on a babysitting job:

Portable First Aid Kit.
Kids Games, Puzzles, or Books.
Basic Craft Supplies.
Hand Sanitizer.
Notebook and Pen.
Tissues and Wet Wipes.
Emergency Contact List.
Your Cell Phone.
A small amount of Cash.
Snacks.

The best way to bring your A-game is to be prepared for everything. Well, almost everything. In this article, I’ll help you pack the ultimate babysitting pack. You’ll be more prepared than Mary Poppins.

Lydia Kuts as been running her babysitting business in Florida, USA since 2010, in this video she shows her favorite games and activities to bring in her babysitting bag depending on the age and interests of the children she's caring for.

What Items Should I Put in My Babysitting Kit?

Babysitting packs should be full of everything needed to handle any emergency situation or challenging behaviours thrown your way. There are a lot of situations that you need to be ready for!

Being well prepared is the first step in ensuring that the parents will be totally confident in your ability as a childcare provider. If you show up empty-handed or don’t seem sure of what you need to do, the parents may become understandably nervous about leaving their child in your care. But if you can ask them questions,or anticipate potential problems that they haven’t thought of, they’ll be flat out impressed.

In this list I’ll go over not only what to pack, but how to tailor your bag to all the common situations that you need to be ready for.

Let's start with planning items.

No parents like it when a babysitter is constantly calling with random questions. If they’re out on a date, they want to be able to spend time together, and don’t want to be stuck on the phone or worrying if the babysitter is capable of looking after their children.

These are the items that will help you stay organized. You’ll be able to handle any special requests and have all the information you need to follow the parent’s instructions.

1. Notebook and Pen

An old-school notebook seriously works better than a memo in your phone! Don’t rely on your memory if the parents have a mile-long list of instructions for you. This is also a great way to come across as being super prepared for the job.

Here’s a list of things to ask the parents and record in the notebook.

Bedtime routine and times for each child
Any appointments
Time parents are expected back
Any restrictions; tv shows and time limits, off-limit rooms, etc. Don’t just expect the children to tell you.
Expected activities
Homework that the children need to finish
What kinds of games do the children like
Discipline; what would the parents like you to do with challenging behaviours
Is it ok for you to do homework or other activities if the kids are asleep?
Any allergies or medications?

One way to make sure that you won’t forget to ask anything is to have the questions already written out in your notebook, along with room to write the answers. Some parents might give you a one-word answer, some might give you several paragraphs!

Print out some copies of our parent details form, it's perfect for capturing this information.

There’s also a lot of medical questions to ask, but I’ll get into that later so we can cover it in more detail.

2. Cell Phone

Ok, it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll forget this one, but it helps to be prepared! Here are a few ideas to help you to use your phone in a practical way:

Set alarms for yourself

Do you need to put the kids to bed? Set an alarm not only for when it’s time to get ready but 5 minutes before you need to start the bedtime routine.

Young children need a little bit of notice before it’s time to turn in. If they’re having fun playing, you’re guaranteed to push them into a meltdown by telling them that they need to stop right now.

Set your alarms for 5 minutes before the bedtime routine starts. When you tell the children that they have 5 more minutes, they’ll have time to mentally prepare themselves for the transition to bedtime. You’ll be surprised at how well this one little trick works in improving the behaviour of young children

Use Google or other search engines

There might be a lot of things that you don’t know the answer to. For example, if the parents told you about an allergy, and you’re not sure if a food is ok, Google it!

A cell phone is a great way to do quick research or to find inspiration on the fly for any topic.

Running out of ideas for games for children with low attention spans? Look up “games for __-year-olds” and you’re back in business! Or better yet, check out our 200+ entertainment ideas for kids and you're sure to find something for every age group.

If you want to really impress parents while babysitting then bring one of our recommended kids books and try out the follow-on games that are perfect to keep children entertained.

Download some kid-friendly games, videos or shows

This can be a great backup, and it’s something that I’ve used with my own kids.

Let’s say that you’re at the park and one of the children gets hurt. Screaming ensues, and you’re having a hard time calming them down. Play a video of babies laughing on your phone. It’s impossible to feel miserable when babies are laughing. This will totally distract them from their discomfort.

Or maybe you had to take them somewhere and there was a delay. If you have some educational or drawing games downloaded, you can keep the children engaged and happy in a pinch.

Or maybe the power goes out. Having a show downloaded on Netflix can be an absolute lifesaver. Build a giant fort out of chairs, cushions and blankets and use it like your own movie theatre. The children won’t be scared of the dark and they’ll have the time of their lives.

See our recommended entertainment apps for kids for more ideas.

What about emergency items?

Hopefully, nothing will happen on your watch, but if it does, you need to be ready! Handle any high-stress situation professionally with the following:

3. Emergency Contact List

Having one of the parent’s cell numbers is not enough. What happens if you can’t get a hold of them? Their battery could die, the phone could get lost or stolen, or they might leave it on silent.

If there’s an emergency, you need to be able to contact people to help.

Try to get at least one backup number, but the more the better. Maybe numbers like the neighbour, an aunt or uncle, a grandparent, or a close friend of the family that can be on the scene quickly.

There are a lot of situations where you might need to use this. Maybe one of the children has an allergic reaction and you need someone to take you or meet you at the hospital. Maybe there’s an earthquake, fire or hurricane. Maybe a breaker blows in the house, the lights go out, and you don’t know how to fix it.

Having a list of people that you can contact will go a long way in making sure that everyone’s safe.

Looking for an emergency number list for your country? Download our free emergency contact sheets here!

4. List of Medication and Allergies

This is very often overlooked. Do the children take any medication? Does one of them have something like asthma? Do they have any allergies or need an EpiPen? How is the medication administered?

Don’t accept the answer that the child knows how to take it. Make sure you understand too. What if the child isn’t able to take it, or isn’t conscious? Do you know where the medication is if you need it?

For allergies, be thorough. Get a list of allergies to medication as well as food allergies. For any food allergies, be specific. If a child needs to go to the hospital, you’re going to be asked this.

For example, let’s say the parents tell you that one of the children has a nut allergy. What kinds of nuts? How severe is it? Can the child have anything that was prepared in a factory that contained nuts, or do you just need to make sure that nuts aren’t on the ingredient list? Are there nuts in the home?

5. First Aid Kit

Not all homes have a first aid kit, so you may want to consider investing in one yourself. You can often pick up a basic kit for under $30 and they’ll last a long time. Here are some important items that should be in it.

Band-aids of all shapes and sizes, bonus points if they have minions on them
Instant cold packs to prevent swelling from hard ƒbumps
Large bandages in case of a sprain
Hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting cuts and scrapes
Saline for rinsing
Eyewash in case they get sand or something in their eyes
Cotton balls and swabs to clean injuries
A thermometer to tell if a child has a fever

Beyond having everything accessible, make sure you know how to use this stuff! It won’t be worth anything if you use it incorrectly.

All babysitters should be qualified in First Aid, and you would have reviewed these items during your course. If your memory needs refreshing, spend some time on YouTube and Google so that you can familiarise yourself again.

Read our article on how to be a safe babysitter for other essential safety tips that you should know. And see our Kids water safety tips if you're babysitting at the pool or beach.

For career babysitters, you may consider getting nanny insurance, see our article: Do babysitters need insurance to learn if this is right for you.

What do I need for outings with kids?

This might not be happening if you’re watching children late at night while the parents go on a date. But if you’re watching them during the day, the children are going to need some fresh air.

There’s hardly anything more upsetting for children than having to go back early because something was forgotten. Use this list to keep the kids happy at the park for as long as possible! (See our guide to babysitting at the park for more ideas)

6. Tissues and Wet Wipes

Believe it or not, children get filthy. Whether they’re stuffing dirt in their mouths, blowing snot bubbles, or rolling through the grass and dog poop, you can expect that they won’t return in the same condition as when they left.

Tissues and wet wipes are great for tidying them up quickly. You can usually pick up small packs at the dollar store that will last you a while. These are handy to have, not just for babies, but even for older children. Just remember not to flush wet wipes unless they specifically say that they’re flushable; otherwise, there’s a major risk of a nasty clog.

7. Cash

It’s really practical to have at least $5 in change. Maybe the children are crying so you decide to take a bus back from the park instead of walking. Or maybe you drive them to the park but there’s paid parking. Or you need to bribe some rug rats with ice cream.

You get the idea. Bring some change.

8. Sunscreen

UV is really dangerous for children! Aside from just the risk of sunburn, UV rays can lead to more serious long-term health problems.

While the children will likely have hats and light jackets, these can be hard to keep on them. Another thing to consider is that you can get a lot of UV radiation even on a cloudy day!

Bring some strong sunscreen so you can always keep their skin protected.

9. Snacks

Young children don’t always recognize when they’re hungry. Usually, their behaviour will gradually become harder and harder to keep in check.

You can be proactive by bringing snacks. This can be something simple like a granola bar or an apple, but it’ll make a huge difference.

This is probably something that you won’t want to pay out of pocket for. Ask the parents in advance to make sure that something’s available, and keep your bag well stocked.

10. Water

Once again, children often don’t recognize the signals that their bodies are sending them. Actually, a lot of people are saying that if you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

Bring water with you whenever you go out, and remember to remind the children to drink. If they don’t, they could develop headaches and other symptoms that will be uncomfortable, and they’ll get really miserable.

11. Hand Sanitizer

No surprises here, but children touch dirty things. Before offering them something to eat, give them a shot of hand sanitizer to disinfect those grubby digits.

They probably won’t even remember all the nasty stuff that they’ve been in contact with, and keeping their hands clean will go a long way in keeping everyone healthy.

12. Diapers and Changing Items

Obviously, babies poop. If you’re going to go out with a baby or toddler in diapers, make sure you bring a few extras, along with other things like wipes, baby powder (if the parents use powder), and a changing mat.

Need help changing babies? See our complete guide to changing diapers which includes all the tricks that babysitters should know.

Even if the children are out of diapers, it might be a good idea to pack an extra pair of underwear and pants. Accidents happen.

What about fun things to pack for kids?

I switch games and activities in and out of my babysitting bag depending on which house I'm going to, if I know what the kids like, bring some stuff, leave other stuff at home. If it's a rainy day I leave all my outdoor activities at home.

Lydia Kutz babysitter and nanny — **Lydia Kutz**
Little Bugzz Babysitting
St Petersburg, Florida, United States

Sometimes children get bored with the stuff they have. Bringing something new is always a novelty and will keep them engaged and interested for quite some time, plus, they’ll think you’re the coolest babysitter on earth.

13. Games

Bring some cool games that are age-appropriate. For toddlers, this might be some cards with shapes and colours, some building blocks, or matching games.

For 5 to 8-year-olds, maybe some board games like Candy Land, Connect 4 or Jenga would be more engaging.

For 9+ try games like Monopoly, Guess Who? or Pictionary.

Whatever you choose for games, make sure they’re suitable for the age of the children. It’s also better if you can play games that allow everyone to play at once, so nobody is waiting for their turn.

Even if the family has games at home, sometimes it’s more fun to bring some new ones. The children will be excited about learning a new game and will likely talk their parent’s ears off about how much fun they had.

See our list of fun kids games for inspiration.

14. Toys

Kids have great imaginations, and sometimes all they need is something to focus their attention on. The best toys are open-ended toys that can be used in a variety of different ways like LEGO, magnetic blocks, dress ups or dolls.

Sometimes you can just hand it to the children and they’ll be happy to play by themselves. They’ll have even more fun, though, if you play with them.

15. Crafts

These are super fun! Crafts can be really simple and keep the children thoroughly engaged for hours.

Homemade playdough is an absolute blast, especially if you make it with them. Or bring some popsicle sticks and glue to make a castle. Construction paper can be used for nearly everything, and crayons are the perfect quiet activity.

Download and print out the Kidsit Colouring Book and bring it along with some coloured pencils.

Or explore our 30+ awesome craft ideas, for some creative inspiration. You can try a different idea each week and the kids will never get bored.

16. Books

Babies and toddlers love books. Bring a few of your childhood favourites and they’ll love story time. If you don’t have any, swing by the library and pick a few up, or better yet, go on an outing to the library and find some together!. Here are some popular ones:

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Green Eggs and Ham by Doctor Seuss
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Sometimes children are more open to the idea of bedtime if you tell them that you have a new book to read to them. Make sure that the book doesn’t have anything that might frighten them before bed, or they’ll probably wake up from bad dreams. It can be surprising at times what alarms young children

It’s a good idea to coordinate this with parents beforehand. Find out what books the children already have, and if there’s anything in particular that will give them nightmares.

Read our comprehensive list of the best books for babysitters and try our engaging follow-on games to learn why books are one of the best babysitting activities. I can't recommend them enough!

17. Extra Clothes

Aside from extra clothes for the children when you go on outings, bring some extra clothes for you!

I can’t tell you how often I’ve been peed on, puked on, and spilled on. If you bring a change of clothes then you’ll be significantly more comfortable after a child decides he doesn’t want his cookies any more.

See our handy article on What to wear on a babysitting job too see examples of clothes that are perfect to pack in your bag.

18. Ziploc Bags

These are super handy!! If you keep these in your bag, then you’ll always have a place to put stuff.

If you wipe the boogers of a kids face with a wet wipe and don’t see a trash bin around, you’re covered. If you need to quickly pack some snacks before you head out to the park, you don’t have to rip apart the kitchen looking for some Tupperware. Or if you have to change a diaper... You get it.

The large freezer bags are especially tough. This can prevent all kinds of weird stuff, wet stuff, and smelly stuff from spreading. The last thing you want is for your fun bag to turn into a funky bag.

Miscellaneous Good Ideas

Take some pics of the children when they’re happy and send them to the parents.
Avoid bringing things that make huge messes. For example, glitter for crafts. You’ll regret them when it’s time for cleanup.
Coordinate with the parents beforehand to see what supplies they have. You don’t want to have to spend more than necessary on your babysitting kit!
Decorate your bag! This can make it way more exciting for the children; who knows what kind of surprises are in that babysitting fun bag.
Get the children involved in cleanups. Make a game out of it and it’ll be done faster than you ever thought possible!

Babysitting Kit Printables:

Obviously, this is a lot of information to remember. You can Download the Kidsit babysitting kit, print it out, and keep a copy in your babysitting bag so you can always make sure that you have everything in stock.

Keep your receipts!

If you're buying things to use while babysitting you may be able to claim them back on your tax. See our tax guide for details: How to write off babysitting expenses.