Winter Activities: For Toddlers!

This is a message to all of the resilient parents out there juggling more than you ever thought possible. Consider this an invitation to embrace the spirit of connecting with your little ones AND the importance of self care in the midst of holiday chaos. Take a breather - I've got you covered with simple, no-stress activities that boost connection, social-emotional skills, and your energy levels!

This time of year means that winter break has come, and now entertaining children suddenly becomes a necessity, especially for those with toddlers that are bursting with endless energy! Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I understand the need for simplicity and efficiency. You can add some intentional activities to support your rapidly developing young child's brain AND ensure that you have the energy to implement these activities. These are not only a breeze to set up, but also are designed to seamlessly integrate into your busy schedule. Imagine the giggles in a quick dance party or winding down into a cozy story break. Lets get into some fun ways to engage with your toddler that boost their social-emotional development skills.

Activities to boost the winter fun with your toddler:

1. Holiday Story Time: Gather up your favorite winter-themed books, get cozy, and use all the silly voices! Reading together with children encourages language development and creates a love for reading. Point to the pictures of the story first and ask them what is happening, then read the book together to discover how close their guesses were, "Hmm, what is the snowman doing here? He's dancing with a puppy. That looks fun. I wonder what will happen next."
2. Winter Sensory Bins: Create sensory bins filled with items like cotton balls, fake snow, winter animals, scoops, tongs, and other holiday-themed objects. Sensory bins offer a tactile experience that stimulates their senses, while also engaging their fine motor skills. Spark their interest by being curious about the items, "Wow, what is this white fluffy snow hiding? Can you find what's in there? Wow! A polar bear, and a penguin. Do you think they like to live in the snow?"
3. Puzzle Play: Work on puzzles together, while teaching problem-solving and teamwork. This low-key activity allows for connection and mental engagement. "This looks like a snowman's hat. Where would that go? Oh, his head! You're right. Now, where is his head? You found it, thank you! Do you want to put the hat on, or can I?"
4. Blanket Fort Building: Bring out all of the blankets, pillows, and cushions. This sparks creativity and provides a snug special space for story time or imaginative play. Include your toddler by asking for their input, "Hmm, where should we put this cushion? Here, okay. Is it standing? No, it fell. What can we do to help it stand up? A pillow? Let's try it. It worked. Great idea!"
5. Puppet Theater: Create fun stories with little life lessons using puppets. Childhood is bursting with opportunities to turn challenges into stories with examples on how to overcome obstacles, and puppets are a great visual aid! You can even use items found around the house, like socks or paper bags. Work together on a story to create a fun show. "What is this puppet's name? What is it going to do in this story? A snowy adventure in the mountains. Wow, that sounds fun. I can't wait!" Using this as a way to find their interest we can then weave a story of the puppet that climbed up the mountain through the snowstorm, and overcame the obstacles they faced.
6. "Northern Lights" Dance Party: Simple string lights strewn around the living room can create a colorful atmosphere to dance under at night time. You can even take it to the next level by laying down pillows or cushions to stand on, pretending that the floor is the Arctic Ocean, and the cushions are ice! Get creative and let loose with some festive tunes as you dance out the evening energy before bedtime. "Here comes an ocean wave! Jump to the big cushion, and I'll follow you. You made it! Victory dance!"
7. Arctic Animal Hunt: Hide animals, plush or plastic figurines, around the house for a scavenger hunt. This is a playful way to introduce arctic wildlife while engaging your toddler indoors. Allow your toddler to be the lead, and encourage their investigation with curious questions. "Where could the polar bear be hiding? What color is a polar bear? White, hmm, do you see anything white?"
8. Snowflake String Art: Craft snowflake string art using materials like cardboard, construction paper, printer paper, yarn, string, or even floss. The sturdier the material, the longer it will last! To add something even more special you could use glitter, cotton, and paint as well. This craft enhances fine motor skills, and results in a beautiful winter-themed decoration for your home. Asking your child their thoughts on the process brings connection and teamwork, "Where should I cut the paper to make the snowflake? What shape should I cut, can you draw it? Awesome! Now it's time to string it. What pattern should we make?"
9. Penguin Bowling: Save those empty plastic bottles! They can be painted into penguin bowling pins. Roll a soft ball to knock them down, and give someone the job of keeping score. This provides endless indoor entertainment with a fun winter animal twist. "Alright, it's your turn. You've got this. Yayy! You got some. That was awesome. Do you want to help set them up for my turn?"
10. Frosty the "Sock"man: You can create a sock snowman using old socks, rice, and buttons. It's a wonderful activity that doubles as a cute winter decor for your home. The possibilities are endless with how your little snowmen will come out, and making it a family activity can make it more special. "How big should I fill up this snowman's belly? All of it. That's a lot! Do you think all of it would fit? We can use measuring cups to see how much will fit. Do you want to fill the measuring cup, or pour it?"

Embracing the joy of connection and nurturing your little one's social-emotional skills can enrich your family's bond during the cooler season, and create lasting memories for a lifetime. I hope that this sparks some ideas, and gives your holiday some added radiance and joy!