What are some fun things to do with a 5 year old in the summer time?

Question

I just told my mom I would baby sit my sister one day a week [for about 2 hours] so she can put more hours in at her job. My sister loves going outside and playing but I do not like being around people so the park is not a good idea. She's kind of a tom boy. She loves playing in the dirt and climbing trees. I'm 16 but I have no idea what is fun for a 5 [about to turn 6] years old. What are some fun things to do with a 5 year old in the summer time? Thanks.

Answer 1

Run through the sprinklers

Teach her to tumble

Squirt guns or water balloons (aim low!)

Blow Bubbles  (get the kit for monster huge bubbles and discuss surface tension. YEAH!)

Hopscotch

sidewalk chalk

foot races

jacks

jump rope

hand clapping games

ball games == catch, kick to each other, etc

kites

build a fort indoors

go to the library for story time if it fits your schedule

Let your sister add all of the pretend elements. Let her say "Ok, you are the blank and I'll be the blank."  

Take a LOT of photos. Turn this into a summer to treasure.

Be prepared for a bad day, too. Be ready to shift gears if one activity is not suiting her mood at the moment.

Answer 2

cloring is fun they like tha,t blocks, barbie lol

Answer 3

If you don't like the park stay at home play in the front yard. The easiest game to play with a five-year-old is pretend let your sister choose the people, place, and things that happen then write it all down later and turn it into a book where she can draw the pictures. It will make her feel creative and smart.

Answer 4

It's ONLY 2 hours~~that goes by quickly! My kids are content with bike rides, walks, exploring~~anything outdoors! I have a 5 yr old and a 7 yr old (both girls) and they like to look for "pretty" rocks, they flip rocks to look for little bugs...a trip to the park is always nice~~maybe go by there some time around the time you would normally be watching your sister and see how many people are there~~maybe it will be a comfortable amount for you. Or play in your yard...run through a sprinkler. Is there a pool you'd feel ok going to?

My girls also love playing kickball with me or catch or baseball, basketball, etc. and racing!! Really most anything that she gets to do with you that is one on one play time is going to be fine with her!

Good luck!!

Answer 5

Picnic at the park

Go to the zoo

a day at the beach

play baseball with her

go for a bike ride

take a walk to the ice cream parlor

rent a movie she would like

play a game with her

Answer 6

do you have a pool? have her go swimming (just be sure to watch her and be with her at ALL times). or get out the sprinkler. maybe go for a walk in the woods, or around the neighborhood. you could also maybe make up a scavenger hunt with her. kids are fairly easy to entertain, just ask them what they like to do, and they'll tell you. you could maybe swing on the swing set, or play tag, or some sport.

hope i helped.

Answer 7

You are an awesome daughter/sister for volunteering to help out!  Since your sister likes to play outdoors, I would focus on doing things that cater to her interests and then gradually add new topics for her to explore.  Just for fun you could explore your yard for various types of bugs and/or plants and then you can turn that into a week long activity for her to engage in, like making a binder where she can draw each bug/plant and then the two of you can research the internet to find out about the life cycle.  You can make a scavanger hunt for her inside or better yet outside in the yard so she can safely search for hidden treasures.  Finger paints and clay/playdoh would probably interest her as well as mud pies and playing with water toys in the yard.  You can also try to grow some flowers/veggies and track the changes each week.  Another idea is to have her help prepare dinner where she can be the chef or help you make a dessert like cookies or decorate cupcakes one day .  The inside fort is also tons of fun, especially with flash lights and you can also do a picnic indoors or out!   For a rainy day you can also have her dress up and perform a music concert or just hang out with some snacks and play board games and puzzles.  Have fun and I'm sure you'll make her summer one to remember!

Answer 8

take her to the mall and let her play in the kids play area (Fun for both of you) Take her to like a childrens museum they are busy on the weekends but usually on the weekdays there are not too many people there.

Answer 9

IF she is a tom boy let her choose. Or give Ideas. Set up the sprinkler in the yard or take her to ride a bike. Play games inside and out. Throw a ball back and forth. Just simple things like that. Shes only 5 so it should be to hard to please her.

Good Luck!