To all our fellow East Coasters, I trust you’re embracing the winter storms of 2015. While many may find “crippling” and “historic” snow events daunting, I find them exhilarating—especially when I get to share them with my toddler! Experiencing this snowy adventure alongside a young child guarantees an entire day filled with delightful surprises and, of course, a few headaches.
It’s a little-known fact that toddlers can be the most entertaining companions during times when venturing outside is not an option. While the challenges of caring for a little one in confinement may test your patience, I have compiled a practical list of activities to keep you both engaged while snowed in. My goal is to help you turn this potentially dreary day into the best one yet!
- Create a Toilet Paper Wonderland: Begin by unrolling all the toilet paper in the house. Then, host an interpretive dance party using the rolls as colorful streamers. Your toddler has high expectations for your dance moves, so give it your all!
- Healthy Breakfast, Toddler Style: Prepare a nutritious breakfast, and then marvel as your toddler decides to launch it onto the floor and incorporate it into their hair styling routine.
- Analyze Daniel Tiger: Watch Daniel Tiger closely, particularly noting when and why certain characters are dressed (or undressed).
- Drawer Exploration: Open and close every drawer in your home repeatedly. Toddlers find magic in this simple action—embrace it!
- Yogurt Hand Feast: Share yogurt with your toddler using your hands as makeshift spoons. It’s messy, but it fosters bonding and provides nutrition too.
- Goldfish Cracker Fun: Repeat the previous step, opting for goldfish crackers instead of yogurt. A little variety can keep the excitement alive!
- Calliou Tolerance Training: Watch Calliou with the volume turned down. Mentally escape to a peaceful place where Calliou doesn’t exist. You might even doze off with your eyes open while your toddler picks up his annoying habits.
- Laundry Cycle: Fold some laundry only to have your toddler immediately unfold it. Repeat until your patience wears thin—then pivot to a new activity.
- Window Shenanigans: Press your nose against the window, much harder than you think. Your toddler will find this hilarious!
- Tampon Science Experiment: Drop tampons into the toilet one by one and watch them expand alongside your intrigued toddler. This may provide an amusing distraction, reminiscent of a day at the beach.
- Blame Elsa: When all else fails, direct your frustration at Elsa from Frozen.
By this point, it should be around 9:15 a.m., and the day is still wide open. What other creative activities can we come up with?
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Summary: Surviving a snowstorm with a toddler requires creativity and patience. Engaging in whimsical activities—from toilet paper dance parties to messy snack times—can help make the day enjoyable. Finding ways to bond, even through chaos, can turn a potentially stressful day into a memorable one.