Winter months and a toddler - ideas?

[cpaige]

Last winter I didn't have to find things to entertain my son when we couldn't go anywhere due to the weather, but this year is a whole new ball game! I get cabin fever long before him so I'm hoping to pick your brains as to some things to do that can keep both him and me entertained!

My son will be 16 months old at the end of this month, is pretty darn smart (if I may say), and understands 99% of what I say. I just bought an Elmer's finger paint set that uses a powder and only works on their 'special' paper, so that's one thing. He loves to listen to music and I have my Ipod in the kitchen for us. We dance and play tag, do puzzles, and read. What other ideas do you have for those winter months? TIA !

[amylynne01]

Crafty things like coloring or making snowflakes. Stickers! My 19 month old loves stickers. Build a fort using an old sheet and some chairs. Bake something and have him help stir. Give him a rag to help clean while you do. What about trips to the library, aquarium, children's museum? Are you part of a playgroup? Check out your local YMCA to see if they have toddler classes. Ours has a toddler music class, structured gym class where the parents help the kids explore the gymnastics stuff, and open gym every morning in the winter. Or a mommy and me swim class? Make everything an experience - grocery shopping, folding laundry, anything.

[CW&M Mom]

Lots of Benadryl.......

LOL my 2 year old really likes baby signing time video's.

Baby Signing - Baby Signing Time teaches American Sign Language. ASL signs are straightforward. | Signing Time

[mfilas76]

A couple of things that my kids loved were:
1) Playing with their cars/trucks in flour. It would keep my son entertained for HOURS...used his bulldozer, put it in a dumptruck. Kindof messy...but worth it. I just set him up to the kitchen counter and let him make a mess.
2) Playing with rice....put a big old bowl with rice in it....they love the texture and running their hands through it. Dumping with cups, sifting.

Obviously - has to be supervised....for both.

Let's see - coloring...painting...stickers.. I always go to the dollar store and stock up on art supplies.


If there is snow on the ground, and it's over 15 degrees...bundle him up and take him outside!!! They love the snow at that age (well, who doesn't love the snow at any age unless you are driving in it or shoveling), and it's easy to make a little sledding/slide hill with a pile of snow.

I will see if I can think of some more stuff. We go through it every year in MN!

[amylynne01]

Painting with shaving cream in the tub. I know you've got some that you got for free lol. Or do bath time in the middle of the day. Do you have an art easel - could do chalk pictures. Even quick walks outside in the cold are a good change of pace. People watching at the mall?

[moxi]

I get cabin fever, so I look for things to get into outside of the house occasionally. My favorite is the library's "wee-read". For birth to 3, I bet your library has something comparable. It's a great way to meet other moms too. Then I get together with a friend and we take our kids to the pizza place playland or McD's once a week. I borrow different books, cd's and movies from the library for variety.

[motherofmolly]

we take once a week trips to the "cookie store" ..schnucks gives the kids a free cookie...it is a treat for them and time for me to shop

painting
clay- fairly cheap at target and they can pretend to make things.....if you bake it it will make it hard.
playdoh

stickers

drums with the pots n pans

indoor swings (they have them that go in doorways and are sturdy enough that a child can use them)

tent city-use sheets and clothes pins or chip clips to help keep them together

box city use big boxes (appliance boxes are best, or toilet paper boxes from the store) and make tunnels with them...you can also stack them to make big rooms to stand in you can also cut windows in them or doors and paint pictures on them

[cpaige]

Lots of Benadryl....... <-------

LOL my 2 year old really likes baby signing time video's.

Baby Signing - Baby Signing Time teaches American Sign Language. ASL signs are straightforward. | Signing Time

I almost spit my coffee out!

I wish I could figure out how to do the whole multi quote thing b/c you all have great ideas!!

I really don't know anyone in my area except for my neighbor and she has 4 girls. They LOVE BUG!! OMG!! So when they're home on those wonderful snow days, I know that I'll have entertainment for him aside from me!

I just bought him a Baby Boggin so I can put him in the sled and pull him around! IF we get enough snow for it. I live down the shore and my yard is all rocks so might be tough, but we'll see.

I DO have free shaving cream (low at the moment though), so that sounds fun...I think I'll have as much fun as him!

I will look into the clay and all of the other things! I used to build 'forts' when I was younger, so that will be fun to do with him as well!!

I am also teaching him sign language as my sister bought me the 'baby's first sign language' (or something like that) for xmas last year. So that we have been doing.

He's not big on watching TV. He'll go back to it once in awhile, but prefers having the music on. SO MY CHILD!! LOL

Keep em coming!! I'm sure there are plenty of us newbie moms trying to figure this stuff out, they just don't want to admit it!!!

[motherofmolly]

if he is picking things up quickly, now is a good time to start on rhymes. also start doing his colors and shapes and animals. jump in with the abc's and 123's too. my oldest had most of the abc and 123's before she was 2.

[MrsPinecone]

Indoor picnics. We had one for dinner the other day.

Extremely long bubble baths.