When the January chill sets in, all any of us really want to do is curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket and a favorite movie. We all need those slow, restful days to recharge, but we also know that too much cabin fever can make little ones feel a bit wiggly and restless. We’ve put together some of our favorite ways to keep the energy up and the fun going, even when you’re stuck inside. Think of this season as a great excuse to get creative and find new ways to play, move, and explore together until the warmer days return.
Why Moving Matters Most
For babies and toddlers, movement is their favorite way to say “hello” to the world. Every time they roll, crawl, or climb, they aren’t just playing—they are working hard on their strength and coordination. It’s also a big boost for their growing brains, helping them learn how to focus and figure out how things work.
At Keystone Daycare Center, we love seeing that “light bulb moment” when a child masters a new skill. We make sure our days are filled with plenty of space to wiggle and move in a safe, easygoing environment. We’ve found that when kids get to burn off some energy they actually find it much easier to settle down for naps and quiet story time later on. It’s all about finding that healthy balance that works for them.
Fun Ways to Keep Moving at Home
You don’t need a gym or a huge playroom to get your kids moving. Most of the time, the best equipment is already sitting in your living room!
- Family Dance Party- Music is a total game-changer on a gloomy afternoon. Put on some favorite tunes and let loose! You can take turns being the star of the show or learn some silly new moves together. It’s a wonderful way to share a laugh and get everyone’s heart rate up without even realizing you’re exercising.
- Build an Indoor Trail- If you have a crawler or a new walker, try making a “crawling trail” out of pillows and soft blankets. It’s like a mini-mountain range in your living room! For the older kids, you can turn this into a scavenger hunt with simple clues. Having them bear crawl to the next clue or hop like a bunny to the kitchen keeps things exciting and gets those muscles working.
- Interactive Reading Time- The next time you’re reading together, incorporate some real time interactions! If a character in the story jumps, everyone jumps. If there’s a gust of wind, everyone waves their arms. It’s a fun way to help them connect more with the story. Or collaborate to write your own family story, each member chooses a character name, story setting, etc.- imagine our own MadLibs turned into a play!
- The Ultimate Living Room Fort- Never underestimate the power of a good fort. Pull out all the pillows and couch cushions, some bed sheets, and a few clothespins or chip clips to hold it all together. The stretching and lifting it takes to build it—and the crawling it takes to hang out inside—is great for their physical development.
- Simple Home Workout Circuit- Creating home workouts as a family helps to model the importance of being active indoors and can be a routine everyone looks forward to. Set up a few stations around the room. You can use hula hoops to jump through, a laundry basket for a sock or ball toss, or just have a station for animal poses like stretching like a cat or balancing like a flamingo. It feels like a game, but it’s a great way to help them practice following directions and building motor skills. Here are a few more ideas to rotate into your new workout routine!
Getting Crafty Together
When it’s time to slow things down a little, crafts are a wonderful way to keep small hands busy. These activities are great for fine motor skills—the little movements that eventually help them learn to tie their shoes or hold a pencil.
- The Mitten Match- Cut out some mitten shapes from different colored paper. Mix them all up in a big pile and let your child find the matches. Once they’ve found the pairs, they can decorate them with markers or crayons. It’s a simple way to practice colors, shapes and patterns.
- Cotton Ball Snow Trees- Using some blue paper and a simple tree trunk cutout, let your child dab “snow” onto the branches using cotton balls or sponges dipped in white paint. It’s a fun, tactile way for them to see how their movements create different patterns on the page.
- Sticker Name Art- Write your child’s name in big, light letters on a piece of paper. Give them a sheet of stickers or some dot markers and let them trace the letters. It’s a great way for them to get familiar with the shapes of their name while strengthening their fine motor muscles.
Embracing the Great Outdoors
Even when it’s chilly, a little bit of fresh air can do wonders for everyone’s mood. As long as everyone is bundled up like little marshmallows, a quick trip outside can be the highlight of the day.
- Sledding and Tubing: Even a tiny hill is a big adventure for a toddler.
- Nature Walks: Bundle up in the stroller or take a walk to look for pinecones and other natural treasures. If you have a pair of toy binoculars, bring them along to look for any animals out and about.
- Snow Science: Make your own bubble solution for indoor experimenting! Try blowing bubbles in the cold air outside too—sometimes they’ll freeze right on the wand or in a pile of snow. Bring out your magnifying glass to look at the bubbles up close and for “clues” in the snow, like boot prints or little animal tracks.
- Snowman Families: If there’s not enough snow for a big snowman, try making a bunch of mini snowman for the window sill.
Join the Keystone Family
At Keystone Daycare Center, we truly value the partnership we have with our families. No matter the weather, we’re here to support you in keeping your little ones happy, healthy, and active. We’d love to welcome you into our community and show you how we make every day—even the snowy ones—a fun adventure for the children in our care. Contact us and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have. If you’re looking for a place where your child can grow and thrive, we’d love to meet you. Schedule a tour today!