It’s Cold Outside: Ways to Have Fun with Your Baby in the Winter

Having a newborn can sometimes give restrictions to your personal active lifestyle. This is especially hard in those winter months when you’re trying to keep baby warm. You may feel that you can’t have fun or entertain your child while indoors, but the truth is your child loves you and anything you do to make them smile, they will be happy. Of course as infants their attention span is very short and changes from day to day. This means that your activities will have to vary in style and in time. Just put your imagination caps on and get silly and have fun with your baby!

Your child is like a sponge willing and ready to soak up everything they can about this new world they live in. You may feel like all your baby does is cry, poop, and sleep, but during those intervals of “alertness” your child is learning. A great way to mix learning with fun in the winter months is to engage some of your baby’s senses like touch, sight, smell, and sound. It is important to remember that not every baby will respond outwardly to the activities, but with time they will learn to enjoy it.

Dance

Sound and movement really attract baby’s attention. Sit your child in the swing or bouncy chair and start moving! Making jazz hands and shaking all around really gets them going! This technique works even when baby is a bit fussy, just pick them up and groove to the music together. You are sure to have a good time, and as an added bonus burn some calories.

Show and Tell

Infants love bright colors! Grab items in your house that are bright and let them look at it. As they get older you can add more objects to the list and allow them to touch them for another moment of excitement. It is important however, to keep objects that are harmful away from their reach, only show items in which are safe for your child to touch even as they begin to move around.

Sing a Happy Song

Who cares about your less than perfect voice, your biggest fan is right in front of you and will smile at the sound of your voice. Sing songs that are friendly in nature such as “Pop Goes the Weasel”, or “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Your child will enjoy the melody and as time goes on they may sing along in their own way!

As you can see having fun with baby during the cold winter months can pay off! It helps them to learn about the world around them, as well as develop their senses. Activities can occur in just about everything that you do. Spending time with your infant is important, and more importantly it doesn’t have to cost you anything. By simply using the items around your house and your imagination your child will come to enjoy every moment of the time you spend together.

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