By late fall in the Pacific Northwest, parents of toddlers have already made their peace with weather as a lifestyle. Rain isn’t an event; it’s a personality trait we all share.
Still, every year around November, something shifts. The clouds settle in, the light turns murky, and in certain cities (Seattle, I’m looking at you), the sun starts clocking out around 3pm. Suddenly, “let’s go to the park before dinner” feels less like an outing and more like a polar expedition.
It rarely gets truly cold here (one day, when my daughter complains about the weather, I’ll tell her about waiting for the El in grad school in a down parka, frost forming on my eyelashes). But some days, being outside simply isn’t in the cards. Maybe you have a looming deadline; maybe the drizzle has crossed from charming to punitive, with sneaky patches of black ice hiding under the last of the autumn leaves. Even with all the good gear, it’s just not a “play outside” day. On days like that, you need a plan. Or at least a loose bundle of semi-sane ideas to keep everyone from melting into a puddle of Bluey and parental despair.
This isn’t a list that requires a degree in early childhood education, a Pinterest-worthy craft arsenal, or your willingness to be a full-time imaginary-play line cook serving invisible omelets (my daughter’s current specialty for all her stuffed animal clientele). Think: low-barrier, minimal-mess activities to encourage independent play, offer small bursts of connection, prevent panic-purchasing, and maybe even allow you to drink at least half your coffee while it’s still warm.
Read more: How to Hit Reset on Your (and Your Kids’) Sleep Schedule
When They Need to Get That Energy Out
Anything that channels hurricane-level toddler chaos into something vaguely manageable counts as a win. You don’t need special gear, just a few couch cushions you’re not overly precious about.
Couch Cushion Olympics
The holy grail of the toddler energy burn: a pile of cushions that instantly becomes a lawless soft arena. Let them stack, climb, body-slam, and roll with the single-minded joy of small people trying to defy gravity. Add stepping-stone toys or tape lines on the floor for a DIY obstacle course.
Fort Building
There’s no universe where a toddler won’t be thrilled by stacking two chairs and throwing a blanket over them. Add a cozy blanket and a few favorite books, and suddenly it becomes a low-sensory sanctuary.
Laundry Hamper Sled
Pull your toddler around in a laundry hamper, or fill it with books so it’s heavy and let them push it around like it’s their own tiny CrossFit session. (Speaking of laundry: Shauna Tominey, assistant professor at Oregon State University, says, “Children love to feel like they are contributing to the household. Pushing a full laundry basket back and forth down the hallway is one way to get energy out.”)
Dance Party
Put on music you actually like, or can at least tolerate. My daughter is deeply devoted to anything Peanuts, so we put on the Charlie Brown holiday soundtrack and she lets loose.
A music player like a Yoto or Toniebox can also be a good investment if you’re looking for instant tunes sans screen time.
Red-Light. Green-Light
Perfect for developing the gross motor skills toddlers are mastering right now, and bonus, it’s also a sneaky lesson in pedestrian safety. LoveEvery has a few tips for putting a fresh spin on this classic.
Scavenger Hunt
Toddlers live for the thrill of a mission. Make a list in advance (for this age, one with pictures is helpful), and tuck it in a drawer so you’re not trying to think of objects on the fly.
And yet, because toddlers love a plot twist, some play more independently when you’re not trying to make play happen. If I sit on the living room floor with my coffee and stretch a little, my daughter usually finds something to occupy her (or, depending on the day, I become a human playground). It doesn’t always work, but I’ve found it surprisingly helpful to leave some breathing room during an indoor day instead of filling every square inch with activities and stimulation.
Read more: Tread Lighter, Live Fuller: How to Raise Eco-Conscious Kids
When You’re All Ready to Dial It Down
A few ideas for when you’ve hit the point in the day where everyone’s a little overstimulated and there’s still an hour until nap time:
Puzzles, Stickers, Magnets, and Other Low-Sensory Activities
Novelty goes a long way — pull out “new” stickers or a fresh coloring book you’ve had stashed in a drawer for the past year, or even something they just haven’t seen in a month and it’s basically Christmas morning.
Yoga or Stretching
Great for giving kids a gentle reset while getting some movement in yourself.
Story Time
We all know that reading to kids helps build vocabulary, sharpens attention and memory, and sparks their imagination. If you couldn’t possibly read Grumpy Monkey another time, try a podcast created specifically for small humans or play a read-aloud Youtube channel on your phone (this list is vetted by educators).
Get Some Fresh Air
The thought of getting a toddler into a jacket and shoes may feel counterintuitive but if it’s not an actual monsoon or blizzard, bundle up and step outside for 10-15 minutes. It’s just long enough to reset everyone’s nervous systems, even if the activity is just, “walk to the end of the driveway and back while stomping like a dinosaur.” (These tricks work even on my clothing-resistant child.)
Simple Baking Projects
Pick something low stakes, with a short ingredient list. Toddlers will stir anything you put in front of them, and flour on the floor is a small price to pay for twenty minutes of focused engagement.
Plan Your Post-Bedtime Reward
You might need to just collapse on the floor, stare at the ceiling, and remember who you were before the relentless snack requests. But don’t underestimate the power of having something to look forward to after bedtime — a long bath, your favorite pajama set, your emotional support sleep mask — whatever helps you feel vaguely human again.
Winter with a toddler is intense, hilarious, exhausting, and weirdly tender. You’re doing great.
Read More: 3 Amazing Environmental-Science Activities to Do With Your Kids
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