I hate winter… and I know I’m not alone in this. Even though I live in SoCal the 40 degree winter air is almost too much for me to bear. So thinking of activities to do with your baby all day when you’re freezing and don’t wanna go outside can be hard.
One mom on Reddit vented, “I loved having a summer baby… now it’s winter in Ontario and every wake window is just mat play, bouncy seat, tummy time, repeat. Winter sucks.” Sound familiar? If you’re feeling like the walls are closing in, you’re in good company.
Being a stay at home mom can be isolating. So finding ways to stay busy and get out are lifesavers for mental health and preventing that burnout feeling.
Here’s your guide to real mom-tested winter baby activities, indoor sanity-savers, and ways to get outside without freezing your face off. It includes inspiration from actual moms who’ve survived these chilly months with their little ones and lived to tell the tale.
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🌟 First: Yes, You Can Still Take Baby Outside
Moms from Minnesota to Montreal swear by layering up and getting outside, even when it feels like the Arctic tundra. A mom from Reddit said she walks every day in winter with her baby in a stroller with a snowsuit, bunting bag, and a wind shield. Another mom swore by babywearing with a jacket extender and keeping outdoor time part of their routine for everyone’s sanity.
The benefits are big: fresh air, light movement, and better naps. Even five to ten minutes outside can shake off cabin fever. The trick is good gear and pushing past you’re cold weather anxiety.
Gear that helps:
- Puffy snowsuit or fleece bunting
- Stroller bunting bag or cozy footmuff
- Baby carrier + jacket extender or carrier cover
- Vaseline/Aquaphor on baby cheeks to prevent chapping
Start small with a short walk to grab a coffee, circle the block, or head to a nearby park and back. You’ll both come home refreshed.
🏫 Where To Go (That’s Not Your Kitchen)
The inside of your house starts to feel really small by mid-January. Here’s where other moms find relief:
- Libraries: Many offer baby story time, singalongs, or just a warm, quiet space with soft toys and board books.
- Community centers: Look for local programs with baby drop-in classes, music, or movement.
- Mall walking: Yes, this is a thing. Strap baby in the stroller, get your steps in, and reward yourself with a latte.
- Indoor pools: Baby-and-me swim lessons or just floating can be super fun. Most of these places have heated pools for the winter. Bonus: great for sleep afterward.
- Rec centers: Some offer stroller fit classes, baby yoga, or toddler gym time that welcomes pre-walkers.
- Museums & conservatories: Warm, stroller-friendly, and visually stimulating for curious little eyes.
One mom mentioned that her community center has a dedicated baby playroom with mirrors and soft mats. Another said her local library’s baby music hour is her weekly lifesaver.
🌟 Easy Indoor Activities (For When You’re Snowed In)
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect playroom to survive winter days inside. Just a few creative ideas (and maybe a laundry basket or two).
For tiny babies (0–6 months):
- Tummy time on a beach towel or foil blanket for extra sensory fun
- Visual cards taped to the wall or placed near a bouncer
- Sensory bottles filled with rice, glitter, or colorful pasta
- Book time while snuggling in a cozy rocking chair
- Baby “pool” made from a laundry basket with soft toys or crinkly paper
For older babies (6+ months):
- Obstacle course: use couch cushions, tunnels made from boxes, or low hurdles
- Sensory bins: dry oatmeal, cereal, or water with floating toys (supervised!)
- Baby-safe finger painting: yogurt mixed with food coloring on a highchair tray
- Basket dump: Fill and dump soft toys into bins (they love the repetition!)
- Music time: Let them bang on pots and pans, or turn on a dance playlist
A clever mom said she sometimes just pushes her baby in the stroller around the house when the roads are too icy. Another shared that her baby is thrilled with kitchen dance parties and book cuddles in bed.
🧡 Remember: You Don’t Have to Be “On” All Day
Winter can feel long and isolating, especially when you’re trapped inside with a little one who needs constant attention. Give yourself permission to keep it simple.
Your baby doesn’t need constant entertainment or stimulation. If they’re warm, fed, safe, and loved, you’re doing amazing!
As one mom put it: “Most days we hang out. She naps. I cook. She kicks on her piano mat. We repeat.”
Another mom said, “You don’t need 100 activities. Just one or two things that feel doable.”
You’re not failing if your day doesn’t look Instagram-worthy. You’re still being a good mom. That’s enough.
Keep Yourself Sane!
I just wanted to add a quick note in here that it’s not all about the baby. You are important too!
Over my 17 years of being a stay at home mom I’ve learned to lean into self care.
For me that includes:
- Small breaks for reading and watching shows I like
- Subscription boxes. Something to look forward to is lifesaving as a stay at home mom. My favorites are FabFitFun and Ipsy!
- Taking time to get out of the house. A quick shopping trip or walk can be a lifesaver.
- Staying active. It can be easy as doing a Yoga
✨ Steal This Real-Life Winter Baby Routine:
Wake window 1: Change diaper, nurse/bottle, tummy time, music or bouncer
Wake window 2: Mall/library trip OR babywear walk outside
Wake window 3: Sensory play or bath + story time
Evening: Warm bath, books, and cozy snuggles
A routine like this gives structure without pressure. Mix and match based on your energy level and baby’s mood. Some days you’ll do all the things. Some days you’ll just survive. Both are valid.
Being a winter mom is no joke, but you’re not alone. Whether you’re dancing in the kitchen, pushing a stroller in -10°C, or just surviving on coffee and cuddles it’s that you’re trying to be the best mom you can be that matters.
Bundle up, hang in there, and remember: spring will come with warmer weather.
⛄Want more real-life tips like these? Grab my free printable list of 20 indoor baby activities HERE! ⬅️
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