How to Plan a Hygge Winter for Babies & Toddlers
My daughter Scout will be turning two years old this upcoming spring. The winter time is a challenge for toddlers like Scout, she loves to be active and play outside. Battling cabin fever is a true reality for us parents, especially on cold and rainy days when we can't take them outside to the playground.
Currently in our city of Sacramento, California the days are filled with rain, and the temperatures are in the 40's. So I’ve been working on creating the perfect hygge home to make our winter hibernation warm and cozy.
The Winter Essentials You Need for Babies & Toddlers
Zutano Organic Cotton Pajamas
On cold winter days we have a lot of pajama parties that often last all day. Zutano is our go-to brand for finding comfortable pajama sets. I especially love the selection from Zutano because their cotton is so soft and breathable, yet still very warm and cozy.
Scout has been living in her Zutano Pink Zebra Pajama Set, and the best part is they get softer after every wash! Online you can find 40 different pajama prints and styles, and the sizes range from 12 months - 7 in toddlers.
Zutano Primrose Organic Cotton Pajama Sleeper
Cozie Fleece Gripper Baby Bootie
Keeping little feet and toes warm is an essential part of a hygge winter. Zutano carries a line of very special booties which are both very warm but also super functional. The bottoms of the booties have grippers which assist in learning to walk and will prevent slipping. Shop Zutano’s wide selection of bootie colors and style.
Hats & Mittens
We just returned from a winter trip to Yosemite National Park (blog post coming soon!). In many areas of the park the ground was covered in snow, and the temperatures were freezing. We made sure Scout was warm with both a fleece hat and mittens.
Velour Pom Pom Hat
Swaddles for Babies
Scout was born during an intense heatwave and I never really got the opportunity to give her warm and cozy swaddles. For mommies with babies under 6 months old, swaddles are a great way to provide both comfort and warmth.
All Terrain Shoes for Walkers
Scout loves putting on her socks and shoes because she knows it means she gets to go outside. Although we do spend most of our winter days indoors, when we get slightly warmer days without rain we are sure to take advantage.
If your baby or toddler is walking, it’s important to have shoes with rubber soles. With sturdy sneakers they can grip the damp ground and stay dry while walking through puddles. Zutano’s shoe line Morgan & Milo makes very stylish and comfortable shoes for kiddos ranging in sizes 6 - 13. Scout has a pair of the Rose Gold Nina Double Velcro Shoe.
Cozy Fleece From Head to Toe
Zutano has the best selection of fleece clothing for babies and little toddlers. It’s one of the few brands that carries fleece dresses, overalls, tops and pants. These fleece clothing staples make keeping baby warm so easy!
Indoor Activities to Avoid Cabin Fever
As a parent it can be tempting to use movies and Netflix as an easy source of entertainment for little ones. But it is strongly advised to avoid and limit screen time for young children. My list of activities are not only boredom busters but are also meant to stimulate their mind and aid in learning and development.
Sensory Bins
A great indoor activity for kiddos 16 months and older is a homemade sensory bin. They have a blast exploring all the gems inside the bin, all the while stimulating their senses. Every few days I will switch out the objects and leave new surprises for Scout to discover.
Books for Story Time
Reading and singing to our children is so important for their development. Verbal communication is vital for them to learn how to speak and grow their vocabulary.
We make weekly trips to the library so Scout can find new books for story time. Books are also great for solo-play, she will look through the photos and make up her own stories. She especially loves books where she can identify the objects and animals.
Imagination and Pretend Play sets for Toddlers
For Christmas Scout received a cooking play set complete with pots and pans, utensils and faux play food. She’s always watching me cook in the kitchen, so she was really excited to have kitchen toys her own size.
Other popular imagination and pretend play sets for toddlers are grocery shopping carts and groceries, tea time play set, musical instruments, baby dolls and strollers, and even play cleaning sets. I make a fun DIY cleaning kit for Scout with old rags, bubbles and warm water… she loves to scrub the floor!
Bath Time Toys
On days when we have to inside most of the day, I make bath time into a big event with extra toys and fun bubbles. It’s a great way to engage with kids while also getting them clean.
Art Projects for Little Ones
I’ll admit that art projects can get a bit messy inside the house, but the toddlers love all the colors! I put a large tarp down in a designated area in the house and bring out the paints, crayons, stickers and markers. Make sure you’re using washable paints, and you probably want to put an apron on them too.
