Winter can be rough when you have toddlers to entertain and you’re limited to indoor activities. We’re not big TV people, so we try to encourage imaginative or educational play. Luckily, there are TWO of them, so they do pretty well with entertaining each other. #butnotalways
Big mama isn’t very active these days, as I near my 9th month. And the girls seem to understand. We employ a lot of these toddler entertainment strategies, but some days… we just gotta let them out for some sub-zero fresh air.
They L.O.V.E to play outside. And on this particular day, the wind-chill was well below zero. We bundled them up so well that only their eyes were showing… yet we still figured they would only be out for 5 minutes or so before wanting to come in and snuggle to warm up.
Not so.
They were out for a good 45 minutes… helping Nick shovel, making snow angels, chasing each other, or just laying in the snow. Hilarious to watch.
I’m not going to lie… I was happy to stay indoors and take pictures. Sometimes the ‘pregnancy card’ is handy. (SHHHH!) Paisley was first to come in and defrost.
Girlfriend is passionate about hot chocolate, so I had some ready for her when she came in. This girl. I could just gobble her up.
Here’s to winter and embracing the frigid temps, excessive snow, and cabin fever with the littles. It’s only January! Let’s not start complaining until at least March.
Do you have any tips for entertaining little ones indoors? Please share!
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I love the idea of my girls sharing a room; whispering and giggling into the…
I would try getting some audiobooks for the girls if you’re not that into TV. My parents did this for me and I would spend hours sitting in my room listening to them and coloring or doing craft. It’s also great for long journeys 🙂
I agree! We tried this with the boys on our 10 hr trek to Michigan over the holidays and both boys sat still as stones just listening!
Those painted nails holding a hot choc cup! KILL ME! They look so adorable all bundled. <3 <3 <3
We played lots of hide and seek and I taught my boys how to play hopscotch by taping it onto the floor.
I bought fake snow called Instant Snow to Go. It’s natural and you add water and pour into a large plastic container and it makes fake snow that feels real. My daughter (3) loves playing with it. It last about 4-5 weeks. She drives cars in it and puts her little people in there. I found ours at our local hardware store.
http://zillymonkey.com/products/copy-of-instant-snow-to-go-blister-tube?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=918217543&gclid=CjwKEAiAxNilBRD88r2azcqB2zsSJABy2B96GSJKoaRPdeRbVbxDw14nrETKbtpw0Fi9ta9awo0hRBoCIznw_wcB
Playing outside in the snow for kids is a lot different than just being outside for adults. Just give them containers and let them make forts and igloos. As for inside, mine spent hours with anything that would allow their imaginations to run free: legos, drawing, dress up clothes, forts with blankets, etc… When they can use their imagination, they seem to better entertain themselves without requiring an adult. PS: Your girls are adorable. And, why does daddy have goggles and not the girls? lol
At least you get snow to make the cold temperatures worth it! White is better than grey, grey, grey. Try a book on science experiments for toddlers.
I’ve heard good things about kenetic sand. Thanks for the suggestion! I didn’t know they carried it at Walmart. Definitely going to check it out!
Dry white rice in a tote…about 6″ deep. Toss in some of their smaller toys, add some kitchen items like cups, funnels, and spoons and they’ll play like it is a sand box-pouring, scooping, digging. Kept our kiddos busy for hours and the rice vacuums up easily.
Wait. That last sentence was creepy. We won’t be “close behind you” as in watching through your windows or anything. It’s too cold at your house for that. You know what I mean. I’ll have my baby soon after you have yours. Just wanted to clarify for those who don’t know that I’m too cold natured to be your creepy stalker. 😉
Ugh. I hate to be a downer, but those photos make my face hurt just thinking about it. I’ll never forget the year we lived in Kansas and got 2 feet of snow the week before Easter. I almost cried. I’m such a wimp. All the best to y’all as you’re in the home stretch of pregnancy. I can’t wait to see photos of your new addition! We’ll be close behind you…
You may be close behind me, but based on the last pic I saw of you… you look like you’re carrying a baby gerbil, compared to my giant baby alpaca. If we lived closer, we could sniff margaritas together and talk about your cute baby bump. 😉
my 4 yr old got kenetic sand (crazy sand, squishy sand etc.) for Christmas….OMGosh, hrs of entertainment. get two packages because they only give you a small amount in each package, about a cup or so. Wally World has it and so does Joannes and Michaels. So worth the money!
I love seeing family time interspersed with your DIY stuff, Beth. I remember Grandpa Klinge coaching us kids: “Be the best at whatever you choose to do…and be home on time!” You are a great example of juggling work and family. Two more ideas for inside activities: Daddy’s after us and piggy-back rides…and both of these get you off the hook!
There’s lots of ‘Daddy’s after us’ and piggy back rides around here. Nick does a great job of stepping up knowing that my energy level is at zero. I’m still waiting for my nesting instinct to kick in.
Paisley is so like you – would swear the one of coming inside was your head on her body!
You should see pics of my when I was her age! The similarities are CRAZY!
Your little ones are adorable inside or outside! Hot chocolate is a winner anytime. Good for you for staying inside. It’s been brutal!
I know it’s been brutal for most… but I’m actually HOT pretty much all the time. I would keep the heat set at 60 if Nick would let me. HAHA! I literally planned the timing of this pregnancy for just that reason, because I hate being cold! 😉