BUDGET FRIENDLY WINTER ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS.
Winter seems like such a magical thing in December with the anticipation of Christmas coming, especially for the little one’s in your life. There are Christmas tree’s to decorate, baking they can help with, arts and crafts for them to make for relatives as little Christmas gifts. I mean even I can admit the twinkling lights on Christmas tree’s make things feel special. Before you know it though Christmas is gone in a flurry of ripped wrapping paper strewn about and a Christmas tree that’s shedding needles faster than postpartum hair does. All that “magic” about winter is far gone and you are left with a vast emptiness of literally nothing to look forward to except bitter cold. Dramatic much, I don’t think so. If you’re a Canadian you completely understand how horrid and long winter can be.
It’s really tough to keep cooped up kids engaged, occupied and temper tantrum free when one day feels like an entire month. Especially since we’re in lockdown mode, yet again, and there’s really nowhere to escape to safely. Since I lived this exact scenario last year, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve this winter to help ease the utter despair and pain winter brings for parents and kids alike. Again, dramatic much? I don’t think so… Until you are confined to your home with a 3 year old for like a year straight don’t tell me I’m being over dramatic, ok?
I hibernate in the winter so most of these suggestions are indoor based, and though some are specific to winter most can be activities you can do all year long.
Board Games. These are GREAT for the days where your brain is fried from figuring out what to do to keep your kid entertained. The “thinking” part is already done for you! Some of our favourites and toddler appropriate are Doggy Bags (2 person game), Monkey Around (2 or more players), Walk Like a Chicken (3 or more players), Wobbly Worms (2 or more players), Count Your Chickens (2 or more players) and Acorn Soup (2 or more players).
A trip to the post office to mail letters. Ok, this sounds kind of ridiculous but honestly kids love mail. I had my kiddo draw pictures or colour pictures from a colouring book, make some crafts and then we mailed them out to relatives via the post office. Bonus you have to drive to most post offices and kids love car rides! This is like a triple threat activity in my opinion and one that can take up the whole day if you play your cards right.
Kinetic Sand. It’s WAY easier to clean up then Playdough, though it’s not exactly mouldable like Playdough but it still provides the same enjoyment. It also comes in varying scents & colours which is exciting for kids.
Busy Boxes. These are handcrafted boxes made by an Ontario teacher. The boxes are filled with engaging learning activities as well as fun activities and crafts. Again, perfect for days when your brain is fried and you can’t come up with ideas anymore. Visit the Etsy Shop for current and seasonal boxes available for purchase.
Baking. Kids love to feel included in “adult” activities. Baking is super hand’s on which kids love, it seems like an adult activity because it’s like “cooking” and you can incorporate learning skills into it. Count how many chocolate chips you have for cookies, count out the number of tablespoons needed of an ingredient etc. You’re not a good baker? No problem, buy the Pillsbury pre-made stuff, no shame in that. It’s still hands on, less clean up which is great and you can still incorporate learning skills.
Alphabet scavenger hunt. We use our alphabet letter cards, pick a letter at random and then find an object, or two, in the house that starts with that letter. Once we find the object we then practice writing that letter out on paper.
Grow a plant. I found ours at Indigo, in the checkout section. They have a few plants to choose from and this is obviously more of a committed activity that transpires (hopefully if you aren’t a plant killer) over a few months.
Crazy Ice Bubbles. Ok this is obviously an outdoor activity, so bundle your ass up. Kids LOVE bubbles, so why can’t you continue to enjoy bubbles in the winter? These bubbles work in -7 or colder temperatures and are more solid. You can hold them in your gloved hands, stack em’, put them on tree’s as decorations. Super unique and mind blowing for a cooped up toddler. Maybe even a cooped up adult?
A fort or mini-tent picnic. Often last winter I would set up the Ipad with a big body pillow and blankets in my daughter’s tent. Then I’d let her eat her lunch in there while she watched a little Netflix. It’s different and special feeling for a kiddo.
Snow paint, not some new idea but one that provides endless fun. You can even make your own snow paint with food colouring which could be part of the day’s activity.
Bird seed. Maybe it’s just my kid, but she absolutely loves watching the birds come and go eating bird seed. Sometimes we quietly watch them fly to and from, other times we make little funny voices for them as if they’re talking to one another. You can even hit up Hilton Falls or Riverwood Conservancy and the birds will eat the seed right out of your hands! Beauty of this “activity”, you can enjoy it from the comfort of your warm house or you can venture outside if everyone’s getting stir crazy.
Dancing Channels on Kids YouTube. My child loves music and dancing, I’ve been wanting to put her into dance classes forever but, ya know Covid. We found two toddler friendly dancing channels on Kids YouTube that she gets groovy too. SamCam, which actually does a lot of Disney inspired dance videos with your kids favourite Disney songs. However, her absolute favourite and one she asks for often is Move Dance Learn. There’s a whole playlist of what I’ll call “interpretive” dancing where there’s dance moves but then you act out being a safari animal, or a farm animal or even a dinosaur. She LOVES it! There’s also dance videos that incorporate colour learning, story time and math skills. It’s our favourite and even mum and dad can join in which your kid will love!
I don’t want to toot my own horn but most of these ideas are also free or incredibly budget friendly, which who doesn’t love saving moolah while keeping your child entertained, learning and engaged. Hope you enjoy some of these activities with your littles, and don’t forget to shoot me a DM or tag me on Instagram if you try any of these ideas out or have a family game night with any of the games I shared!