A survival guide for parents who've discovered that AI makes a surprisingly good babysitter
This definitely wasn't the guide I thought I'd be writing when I started exploring AI applications, but here we are :)
1. Collaborative Coloring Page Creation
You ask ChatGPT to create a coloring page, then invite your 5-year-old to describe what they want. ChatGPT, bless its artificial heart, will attempt to create this masterpiece. The results are usually amusing, and you can continue working and modifying the coloring pages together. When you're done, print it and enjoy a few precious minutes of quiet while they color.
You can also upload an image of your child and ask for a coloring page of them with their favorite superhero.
Pro tip: You can create coloring pages that they can cut and glue.
2. The Great Joke Exchange
(Better on mobile, works with any voice AI you have on your device)
Here's where things get dangerous. Ask ChatGPT to tell you jokes suitable for a 5-year-old, and you'll unlock dad jokes so bad that you'll both laugh, though probably for different reasons.
Warning: This activity may result in your child becoming a joke-telling machine for the next 48 hours. You've been warned.
3. Animal Fun Facts
Ask ChatGPT for fun animal facts appropriate for young kids, and you'll get responses that are actually engaging rather than the usual "elephants are big" variety. These facts are perfect for car rides, waiting rooms, or any moment when you need to fill time with something.
4. The "What Am I?" Guessing Game
Have ChatGPT describe an animal, food, or object using kid-friendly clues, and let your child guess what it is. This game is good for developing your kid's communication skills. The back-and-forth nature makes it feel like a real conversation rather than passive screen time.
5. Personalized Bedtime Stories
Ask ChatGPT to write a bedtime story suitable for your child's age, then let your kid choose the main character (usually an animal, a superhero, a talking vegetable). The stories I've gotten so far are sweet and feel special to the kid. You can even ask for a story about your child and how they did something brave.
Bonus: Ask ChatGPT to generate images to make it extra magical. There's something about seeing their custom story come to life visually that makes bedtime feel like a real adventure.
If you try any of these activities, let me know how it goes!
Got other creative ways to use AI with kids? Please don't judge me for writing this instead of a serious business article, and send me your tips! I'm always looking for new ways to keep the entertainment fresh (and my sanity intact).
