Winter can be gloomy and draining, especially if you’re stuck inside the house with an energetic toddler! However, with a few simple supplies and activity ideas on hand, you can romanticize every day of winter with your toddler and become a happier parent! Here are 35+ ways to romanticize winter with a toddler:
(PS, we’ll be posting one of these ideas on TikTok every day this month! If you want a daily idea on how to romanticize winter with your cute toddler, feel free to follow along – https://www.tiktok.com/@rachaelruthporter)
Step 1 – Cozify
First things first, during the winter with a toddler, chilly weather is going to make you crave ALL of the cozy things. One way to romanticize winter with a toddler is to gather instant-cozy supplies. Here are a few items you can add to your ‘Emergency Cozy Kit’.
Wear matching slippers. You can instantly romanticize a gloomy day by putting on slippers that match your toddler’s!
PS, I wouldn’t buy extra socks, those come off SO fast! stick to some velcro slippers with a soft interior instead. We got these from Walmart and my toddler asks to wear them every day! Linked here.
Put on cozy toddler sweaters. Another instant way to cozify your day is to put your toddler into the softest sweaters or sets. You’ll feel like you get to hang out with a teddy bear all day!
Light yummy candles. One of the best ways to wind down after a day of mom-ing is to light your favorite scented candle and curl up with a good book. You could also take a shower by candlelight. Trust me, it’s heavenly. Shop my new favorite scented candle here. It’s goooooood.
Gather thick blankets. You can use thick blankets all winter long to snuggle, watch TV, build forts, and more!
Pick out a new plant. If you already have plants, recruit your toddler to help you water them. Otherwise, you can instantly add some life to your wintery home by letting your toddler help you pick out a new plant at the nursery.
Share hot chocolate. Have you introduced your toddler to hot chocolate yet?! If not, they’re in for a treat! You can easily romanticize your day with a toddler by making them some hot chocolate. You can even go crazy and make an entire hot chocolate bar, or take your hot cocoa in a thermos while you explore the snow.
Step 2 – Prep for Snow Days
Have you heard the saying “There’s no bad weather, just bad clothing”? In the wintertime, this couldn’t be more true! You can enjoy the outdoors with your toddler by grabbing a few extra accessories.
Buy a snowsuit. Buying a water proof snowsuit allows your toddler to enjoy the snow! It might take a while for your toddler to understand how to play in snow, but getting them suited up and out the door is the first step! Our favorite toddler snowsuit is linked here.
Find some boots. You can get some toddler wiggles out by strapping on those boots and heading outside! You and your toddler will be able to walk through the snow or stomp in rain puddles. On a budget? Consider asking friends or family members if they have any waterproof boots from last year to share.
Grab some mittens. If your toddler seems to like spending time outside, even in the winter, you might consider getting some toddler mittens! These will keep your little one’s hands warm while you play outside and go on walks.
Try some mommy and me beanies. Sure, you can buy a beanie for your toddler… but you can make this purchase extra special by finding a matching mama beanie! I see deals on mommy and me beanies all over the place, so shop around until you find the perfect pair. You’ll be so excited to match with your beanie baby! Our favorite pair is linked here.
Build a baby snowman. An easy way to romanticize a snow day with your toddler is to build a baby snowman! You can teach your toddler to gather some sticks and stones for the snowman arms and legs. So cute!
Sled together. You can ask another adult to come pull a sled with you and your toddler on it. Or, if you take it slow or can get them to hold on, try pulling your toddler on a sled yourself! You might be surprised at how much your toddler enjoys this one!
Put up a swing or slide. There are a few toddler toys that work just as well in the snow as they do in the sunshine – for example, a swing or a slide! You can grab your own or find a park to play at. These are especially helpful if you’re trying to spend #1000hoursoutside!
Pack your stroller. You can still enjoy those nice long walks with your toddler by packing your stroller with a blanket and pair of toddler mittens. It will feel so nice to get outside!
Try a baby carrier. When the snow in our neighborhood got too deep for our stroller, we realized we could carry our toddler on walks in the baby carrier. Even if you live in a place that gets a lot of snow, you can still enjoy your walks by using baby carrier or letting your toddler walk on their own!
Step 3 – Master the Bath
Once you’ve enjoyed some time in the snow, you’ll want to warm up with a bath! You can easily romanticize winter with a toddler by adding a few simple things to bath time!
Throw in a cup. The first bath toy we ever used was a simple cup from our kitchen – my toddler loves it! Level up your simple bath time by showing your toddler how to scoop and dump water with a cup.
Consider a bath toy. Has your toddler already mastered the bath cup? You might consider buying a new bath toy! From stick on letters to baby faucets, there are plenty of fun bath toy options that will make winter bath time even more fun.
Pour some bubbles. You can find some kid-friendly bubble bath soap to create an amazing new experience for your toddler! There are also kid-friendly bath bombs you can try.
Crack some glow sticks. Create the ultimate cozy winter bath by turning off the lights and putting some glow sticks in the tub!
Use a hooded bath towel. Finally, dry off from bath time with a hooded bath towel. They look so cute on babies and toddlers and help to quickly dry off hair.
Step 4 – Plan Some Indoor Activities
When you don’t want to brave the cold, there are plenty of ways you can romanticize winter with a toddler by staying inside! You might spend more time playing with your toddler’s favorite toys or even trying a few new indoor hobbies! Here are some easy ideas to romanticize winter with a toddler indoors:
Do a puzzle together. You can grab a few new age-appropriate puzzles at the dollar store, or you can try to do one of your classic puzzles upside down.
Snuggle up to read a good book together. You might teach your toddler how to pick the book they want to read, or you can film yourself reading to them as a special keepsake.
Snuggle stuffed animals. Help your toddler sit her stuffed animals in a row, collect them in a bin, or accessorize them with necklaces.
Play with a baby doll. You can teach your toddler to rock, snuggle, dress, kiss, and even feed her baby doll.
Bake together. Pull up a chair to the counter and let your toddler help you bake a warm treat! She might be able to dump in ingredients, stir the batter, or taste test the final result!
Build a movie fort. In the mood for a cozy afternoon in? You can level up a movie afternoon by building a movie fort! All you need are some blankets and chairs, plus maybe some popcorn to share.
TV + back massage. While you watch a show with your toddler, romanticize the moment by giving her a back massage or head rub.
Step 5 – Romanticize Your Daily Routines
Dance while you brush your teeth together. You can put a stool in your bathroom so your toddler can reach the sink and brush her teeth with you.
Let her push the buttons on the washer/dryer. You already know that toddlers love buttons! You can romanticize laundry day by recruiting your toddler to push the washer and dryer buttons.
Put on music while you clean. Turn up the volume on your favorite playlist and get some wiggles out by dancing around… you might even tidy the house along your way!
Get dressed in coordinating outfits. You’re going to get dressed every day… why not make it a special occasion by coordinating an outfit with your toddler?! You could wear a matching accessory, matching hair, or similar colored outfits.
Cook together. Pull a chair up to the counter so your toddler can help you cook meals! She might be able to throw ingredients into a pan, throw away wrappers, or spread condiments.
Serve a beautiful/silly plate of food. You can easily romanticize a random meal by arranging the food on your plate into something beautiful or silly. For example, you can create a smiley face or a snowman on your toddler’s plate.
Get her a hand broom. If your toddler loves to watch or help you sweep, consider getting her a hand broom and dustpan that she can use to sweep on her own!
Let her carry in a grocery bag. Toddlers love to be helpful and to walk around – you can put those skills to good use by teaching your toddler to help you carry in groceries!
Wipe surfaces together. You can teach your toddler to say ‘uh oh’ or to sign ‘clean’ when they spill – then you can hand them a paper towel and teach them how to wipe up their mess.
Buy a mini toddler vacuum. Every time you vacuum, pull out a toddler-sized vacuum so your little one can ‘help out’! I bought this one because it has working suction, and I think it would be so cool someday to ask my kids to help me vacuum the house with their own vacuum!
Step 6 – Follow Your Toddler
Last of all, since each toddler is different, the best way you can romanticize winter with YOUR toddler is to do whatever they enjoy! Try all of the activities on this list, and then redo the activities that your toddler seems to love the most.
Making an intentional effort to romanticize and enjoy winter with your toddler will help you feel excited every morning to spend time with your kiddo. Romanticizing motherhood has helped me to be a happier, more passionate mother, and I know that can work for you, too!
Best of luck mama,
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