Fun Baby Activities You Can Do When It’s Cold Outside

Photo credit: @chrismvilla

It might be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of seasonal activities for babies that you and your family can do. There is still lots of fun to be had during the winter months. Whether you want to get out of the house or just stay in, these nine fun-filled winter infant activities will keep you all busy and connected… and may even get the creative juices flowing.

Activities for Infants When It's Cold Outside:

Chill Out with Family and Friends

After so much time spent at home, it’s time for your baby to get acquainted with friends and family—and for you to get some much-needed grown up time. When visiting, bring along the hot cocoa and a portable playard with an easy, one-handed set up so you can put your baby down safely to play or sleep while you catch up.

Hit the Books

The local library is a great escape any time of the year, but especially in the winter months when it’s too cold to spend much time outside. Admission is free, and most libraries offer storytimes for babies where you can join other children and their caretakers to sing songs, hear stories, learn rhymes, and so much more. (And while you’re at it, you might even meet some new parent friends, too!) Look up your local library’s programs and services for fun baby activities!

Take a Stroll

This winter, be sure to enjoy one of the the all-time classic activities for babies whenever the weather permits: a walk with the stroller. It’s safe to bundle up and head outside for 15 minutes or less as long as the temperature is above -15 degrees Fahrenheit. On days when it’s too cold or you need to stretch your legs for longer, head to a local mall, museum, or other indoor space where you can stroll and explore for hours.

Family Movie Night

It’s never too soon to start a family movie night tradition, one of our favorite newborn activities. Pop some popcorn, get everyone their own snacks and beverages, and sit down to watch a favorite flick. Make your baby part of the fun by pulling their electric baby swing into the room—they can enjoy the bouncing and swaying motion while you relax and enjoy the show.

Just Dance

Join in on the baby activities and get dancing. Blast some baby-friendly tunes, pick up your baby, and get ready to show off your best moves—and when your arms get tired, place them in their calming infant swing to relax and enjoy the music.

Not only will you all have fun (and burn off some energy), this indoor activity is so much more than entertainment for your baby: Research shows exposure to music helps babies get better at recognizing patterns and predicting rhythm, two skills that are vital to language development. 

Get Crafty in the Kitchen

Unleash your baby’s creativity—and maybe even get a little messy—with one of he most creative baby activities. Turn your baby’s easy-to-clean high chair into a fun creation station. Buckle your baby into their high chair so they are safely positioned and use the tray as a space to create.

For more fun activities for babies, try giving them different shaped fruits and vegetables—think sliced banana rounds, chunks of mango, and melon balls—and encourage them to stack and build (and maybe even taste!) a fruity tower. If you have a toddler, try out No Time For Flashcards' Marshmallow Snowman Craft and give them some marshmallows, pretzel sticks, and chocolate chips and show them how to “build” an edible snowman.

Play Ball!

As soon as your baby can sit up unassisted, they’re ready to play ball! Sit across from him or her and gently glide a soft-sided ball in their direction—most babies will reach for the ball by about six months. Look around your house for creative ways to make ball play even more fun: an ironing board, for example, makes a great ramp that will likely get a delighted belly laugh from your baby.

Bring on the Bubbles

Bubbles aren’t just for outside—they’re just as much fun indoors and can help to pass the time on a cold, wintry day. Set your baby down on a blanket or in the bathtub and get down to their level. Gently blow bubbles in their direction and watch as your baby reaches out to grab them and marvels at the way the bubbles bounce through the air and suddenly pop. They’ll be building eye-hand coordination and learning about cause and effect while having a great time!

Get Them Ready for Their Close Up

Here’s an idea for a newborn activity that you’ll treasure forever: do a baby photo shoot! Dress them up in their cutest outfit or get creative and style your baby as Baby New Year, a Valentine’s Day cupid, or another seasonal “costume.” And pro tip: older babies respond well to praise and excited voices, so talk them through the shoot ‘til you get the perfect ‘gram-worthy shot.