Winter Activities for 20-Month-Old - Need Ideas! 🥶

Rose2021 ↓

Yesterday at 5:39 pm

I'm struggling a bit with entertaining my (very active) 20-month-old son now that winter is here. During summer, it was easy - we'd go outside and meet neighbors, but that's not really an option anymore with the cold weather. I'm finding myself relying on screen time more than I'd like because he gets bored indoors.
Looking for suggestions from other moms who've dealt with this! What indoor activities keep your toddlers busy and engaged during the cold months?
TIA!

teachkids

Yesterday at 5:50 pm

First of all check out your local library. Or ones a bit farther away- many have nice play spaces.

See if there’s an indoor playground near you that you can get a subscription/membership to.

Research sensory play bins.

AshkenazMom

Yesterday at 6:02 pm

Books, cooking together, doing chores with you, looong bathtub when you want some silence (I used to have my coffee with my oldest in the bathtub when he was arround that age), building blocks (magna tiles, duplo, trains), jumping obstacles (cushions on the floor), music while painting, watching through the window, puzzles, cars races, magnets on the fridge, having some tea together... if you had the time to go outside and meet some neighbours, use that time to actively be with him and play/ enjoy. The activities with emerge without thinking.
I found sometimes that when I am at home I have the urge to do things (so I don't pay kids enough attention).. then they become fussy. But if I was outside with them I wouldn't do anything at home.. I try to remember that and just play with them and enjoy what the cold weather and the rain give us. Home can be a very cozy place 🥰.

↑ Rose2021 ↓

Yesterday at 9:48 pm

teachkids wrote:

Such good ideas, thanks!
Just checked out the sensory play bins, it looks like something I myself would love.. I think my baby would want to eat it though.. Wink

↑ Rose2021 ↓

Yesterday at 10:01 pm

AshkenazMom wrote:

Love this long list of ideas, thank you! And what you said about having the urge to multitask at home is so true - I'm also much more present when we're outside, because I can't be doing housework. Such a good reminder to just be present! Heart

amother

Catmint

Yesterday at 10:05 pm

Having a hard time too my 15 m old is not good at playing which is even all the more reason to sit and play but after two minutes she just cries and begs me to go outside by standing and crying at the front door . Sometimes we’ll bundle up and go out but she only lasts in the stroller for a few min and then wants to run wild in the middle of the street . LOL

I forgot about libraries will try that but I wish there were more small lowkey indoor play areas

↑ Rose2021 ↓

Yesterday at 10:09 pm

smss wrote:

Look up busytoddler.com and mothercould.com
Lots of good ideas!

The first link didn't work on my end. Love the sensory activities on the mothercould.com site.
Thank you!

↑ Rose2021

Yesterday at 10:18 pm

amother Catmint wrote:

I forgot about libraries will try that but I wish there were more small lowkey indoor play areas

That is so cute! Smile

(and probably frustrating too..) I feel like some babies need the outdoors more, my baby also doesn't love to be indoors.