Kids just want to have fun, especially when spending time with a babysitter. Parents primarily want their kids to be safe. And therein lies the challenge for grandparents who have secured the babysitting gig: finding the perfect balance between delighting grandchildren while pleasing their parents.

Master the challenge—and be the best babysitter ever—by considering the following tips.

Pack your Grandma Bag

Every grandparent needs a Grandma (or Grandpa) Bag, a tote filled with goodies that comes out for play, creativity, and entertainment only at special times. For long-distance grandparents, that means when visiting the kiddos. For local parents, that may be when on babysitting duty. Grandma Bags include various games, books, craft projects, movies and more for Grandma to share during the visit—then return to the bag afterward. Not leaving items with the kids makes them a special delight every time. I rotate the contents of my Grandma Bag and, of course, one trinket or treat for each grandchild to keep makes its way into my bag each and every time.

Note medical/emergency needs

When on babysitting duty, a parent should provide Grandma phone numbers of nearby friends or family who can help if needed as well as directions and dosages for any required or possibly needed medications. Updates on any current ailments along with temps to watch for before giving any pain relievers is important, too. Write it all down so forgetfulness of any degree won't be a matter during an emergency. Also, Grandma should have car seats—and know the proper procedure for installation—for each child in her care, even if there are no plans to leave the house. Better safe than sorry.

Rules of the roost

Breaking—or at least bending—the rules when Mom and Dad are away is part of the fun for kids. Some rules are not okay to break, though, at least in the eyes of Mom and Dad. Always ask for the non-negotiables from Mom or Dad in front of the kids so everyone is on the same page. Things such as time limits on playing with electronics, off-limit sites and television shows, which physical feats they have permission to do (trampolines or pools, anyone?), and so forth.

Let loose

Once you know the rules, allow grandkids to break them—within reason. Extra snacks, later bedtimes, missed naps, additional rounds of tag despite darkening skies. Such things never hurt anyone when done in moderation. Those and similarly sneaky treats help grant Grandma and Grandpa the crown for Best Babysitter Ever.

Let them lead

Sure, you have loads of fun packed in your Grandma Bag, but allow grandchildren to teach you a thing or two. Perhaps they learned a new card game—or new game system game. Kids love to show off their recently mastered skills. Be a good sport and have them show you how it's done. Or how well they can read their favorite book, hit a T-ball, teach the dog tricks, beat you at a basketball game of H-O-R-S-E.

Old-fashioned fun

Always have a backup plan for times grandchildren can't decide what they want to do or when Grandma Bag goodies fall flat or are gone through more quickly than expected. Perhaps an indoor game (card games, checkers, flashlight shadow puppets) or an outdoor activity (freeze tag, ghost in the graveyard, Red Rover).

Who goes first?

Teach the kids a thing or two as well by offering fun and memorable ways of choosing who goes first or chooses the next movie, game, book. Simple options include choosing whose birthday is nearest/farthest, who has the most teeth (or most missing teeth), who had the most recent haircut, or who has the longest hair. Be creative, fun, memorable—and fair.

Build in downtime

Depending on how long the babysitting stint, kids of all ages may need downtime. Even those who no longer require naps can benefit from quiet time reading a book together, snuggling for a film, or enjoying a calm round or two of Go Fish. Preventing crabby kids and pooped grandparents makes for a better babysitting experience for one and all.

Signature snacks

Create a snack or meal the grandchildren have only when Grandma or Grandpa makes it. Plus, having them help make it provides another activity. Pack supplies for your signature treat in your Grandma Bag for food-based fun—and the passing down of family recipes. Have a few "Meals Only Grandma Makes" in your menu arsenal for your babysitting stints, as well.

Bottom line

When it comes to babysitting grandchildren, actively participating, listening, hugging, laughing, and loving inevitably leads to someone spouting "You're the best babysitter ever." Doing so while maintaining a balance between fun and safety ensures accolades come not only from delighted grandchildren but from their perfectly pleased parents, as well.