At-Home Winter Activities for You and Your Toddler

The winter months can be a challenge for those of us caring for a toddler. The following are some suggestions for keeping your little one entertained.

Clean together. Give your toddler a dust rag and let him (her) dust the low tables and shelves while you take care of the higher areas. I let my twenty-month-old help me wash cabinets, take care of laundry (he helps put the wet clothes in the dryer). I try to find ways to include him in as many chores as possible.

Get Crafty. I am not talking Martha Stewart level crafts. Get out the crayons, stickers, coloring books and paper. The paint with water books are my absolute favorite. The worst thing that can happen is a little spilled water. Feel free to try more involved crafts if you have a preschooler. There are tons of ideas online. If you have a toddler, I would keep it simple.

Go on a Safari. Most toddlers have an abundance of stuffed animals. Hide the animals around one or two rooms in the house. Make a pair of pretend binoculars out of two toilet paper rolls glued or taped together. You could attach some yarn so that they can be worn around the neck and go through the house searching for wild animals.

Sing together. Put on a CD with children's songs and sing along with your child or if you do not have any children's CD's just sing together. It doesn't matter what you sing, but I like to do songs that require some hand motions like "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Ring around the Rosy". Pots and pans and wooden spoons make simple and fun musical instruments. Put some uncooked rice in a plastic container and you have an instant maraca.

Call a friend. Chances are you are not the only one in your neighborhood home with a bored toddler. Reach out to other stay at home moms and invite one or more over for a play date. It has been my experience that multiple children can be much easier to entertain.

Create a reading area and read together. Pull out some blankets and pillows and create a cozy reading nook. Gather up your toddler's favorite books and read to her or let her look at her books while you leaf through a magazine or book of your own.

Savor this special time that you have together and remember winter doesn't last forever.