Fun Family Activities for Your Infant and Toddler During Winter Time

While older kids can easily build their own snowmen or go sledding in the park, you just cannot let toddlers and preschool kids play in your snow covered backyard for hours on end. On the other hand it is not healthy to let children watch TV all day and there is a limit to how long your kids can stay cooped inside. Here are some creative ideas to let even very young children join in the winter fun.

Bundle up kids it's time to go out and play!

A twist on an old time classic

Building snow men and snow forts is one of the most popular activities during winter time but when eye hand co-ordination is still an issue, help your little one make snow castles instead of snow men. Simply let your toddler pack snow by using the same sand shovel and bucket he uses on the beach, and try to build a series of snow castles that can be decorated with twigs and small stones.

Little kids can also help build snow men by using their sand shovel to carry the snow and pat it in place.

Make Fruit slush

We all know that children simply love to eat snow or let snowflakes fall on their tongue, but you can make a tasty treat using fruit syrup , a cup and freshly picked snow.

Help your little one pack some clean white snow in a cup. Dissolve a table spoon of ice cream syrup or fruit jam into a couple of table spoons of water in a separate cup (alternatively you can use a small amount of fruit juice) and let your toddler pour the mixture on the snow. Gently mix the dissolved syrup or juice with the snow and enjoy.

Make a winter bird feeder

Heat five tablespoons lard or cake shortening in a small saucepan until it becomes liquid - no need to boil. When mixture starts cooling, pour the liquid into empty yogurt or jello containers, until each container is three quarters full. Let your toddler mix in bird seed or sunflower seeds into the containers. Place into the freezer until the mixture solidifies. Hang your cups onto a nearby tree so that the birds can pick on the seeds.

Let your child see the birds picking at the seed and explain how food becomes scarce for wild animals during winter time.

Go for a short winter walk in the park

Bundle up your toddler into his stroller and go for a winter exploration in the park. Let your child enjoy the novelty of seeing a familiar place covered in snow. If your child is old enough you can let him play in the snow or make snow angels.

Tip: Keep the trip short, as little ones get cold very fast. Constantly check that the child's hands and face are not cold. Remember to bring in an extra pair of socks and gloves in case the child's clothes get wet during play and apply plenty of moisturizing cream on child's face before going out to prevent cold chapping.

Make a winter scrap book

Take family pictures when making the activities listed above and create a scrap book for your winter memories. Involve the kids in the process of choosing the pictures and decorating the scrap book. You can also use their drawings and handicrafts to embellish the project.