9 seasonal activities for toddlers – winter edition ❄️

Happy winter solstice! 🕯️ I’ve been genuinely enjoying the slow season this year. But I will say, entertaining a toddler (mostly) indoors is proving to be quite the challenge. I’m thinking back to this time last year, and Juniper was barely mobile which was an entirely different era of parenting for us. These days, her favorite winter activity is running as fast as she can from one side of the house to the next (truly only a few feet, we live pretty tiny).

Here are the winter activities that are keeping us entertained during the cold season:

forts! (or nugget builds)

We’re going through a big fort phase in our house, and boy do I love it. Once, we decided to create a multi-room fort–it was so much fun! Juniper’s baby lived inside it for days until we finally had enough and tore it down.

coloring

Color Wonder markers are my absolute dream. They color on specific Color Wonder paper and show up clear on every other surface. It allows Juniper to have some creative time yet and lets mama actually enjoy it instead of stressing over the mess.

baking

We’ve been doing lots of baking lately as we’ve been spending more time indoors. Not only that, but we’re making all of our holiday gifts this year, and baking has been a huge part of it. Juniper is a wonderful helper and must be wearing her apron anytime mama’s wearing hers.

we rearrange our nature table

A nature table came via inspiration on Pinterest. I believe it’s a Waldorf thing, or maybe a Montessori thing, or maybe both. Either way, June and I both love picking up rocks and sticks and bringing them home with us. Now we have a place to display all of our nature findings. I plan on revamping it every season as a way to celebrate each solstice/equinox.

reading

We go to the library about once a week and check out 10+ books each visit. It keeps both juniper and I entertained and keeps mama from having to read the same book over and over and over (okay let’s be real, she still chooses the same book so this may be unavoidable. iykyk).

pretend play

Just the other day, Juniper was catching fish, then she’d pop the fish into her pot (the one I used to play with when I was little 🥲) and cook it with her play kitchen. It was so fun to witness her playing pretend while working adjacently and participating when she’d bring me the finished “meal.” My inner child was thriving as well.

we go outside!

Yes, even in the cold, even in the rain, and even in the snow. We really try to go outside no matter the weather. But I won’t lie to you and say this happens every day. Sometimes mama just doesn’t wanna, and I’m learning that lazy days are okay too.

we do chores

Just like all of the seasons, chores are an important part of running a household! Juniper often joins in on whatever mama is doing, whether that be doing dishes, folding laundry, or sweeping the floors.

we cook soups

I’m not sure about you, but I don’t think there’s anything better than a warm, nourishing soup during the cold season. Juniper participates by helping mama chop vegetables, stirring our soup, or simply watching and learning while mama creates magic in the kitchen.

The winter solstice feels like such a wonderful time to celebrate. Sure, it may be the longest night of the year, but it can only go up from here! We’re planning to have a solstice gathering in the coming days. I hope you do too. 🫶

Longer days are ahead!