If you find yourself in charge of a group of young children while their parents are out, you will almost certainly be looking for useful ways to keep them entertained. Unless you undertake to make a few preparations, you may find that your wards become bored very quickly; the best way to ensure that the children stay active and occupied is to plan one or two possibilities before they arrive.
Focus your attention on putting together a few activities suitable to the age group with which you are dealing. You might want to consider assembling some arts and crafts, for example; children are invariably more interested in exercises that promise to yield a concrete result at the end.
Collect a variety of tinsel, yogurt pots and glittery paint and help the children to get on with making their own kids Christmas ornaments and heirlooms. Alternatively, organize fabric scraps, stuffing, buttons and felt and get them on track with the business of creating their own toys.
Remember that you will need to be very much involved in this kind of task and, indeed, it may not be appropriate for every age group. If there are scissors and sewing needles involved, for example, you will want to take full responsibility for these.
Looking after children in a group can be tricky. It is important that you keep them occupied and happy for as long as you can and the best way to do this is to engage them in a productive activity.