Kick the Cabin Fever: 6 Indoor Activities For Toddlers

Last week Olivia and I were both sick and we spent most of the week inside our house watching Frozen, Finding Nemo, and Hocus Pocus on the couch. While I am usually all about down time and a little R&R, that week was waaaayyyy too long. But this week we are feeling much better and ready to take on the world again. The only problem is that it’s the middle of January in Chicago and we’re limited in what we can do because of the cold weather. I like to keep things fun and interesting for Olivia (and for me too) so I’m always trying to come up with new activities to entertain ourselves and thought I’d share my most recent activities with you.

6 Indoor Activities For Toddlers

1. Go to a pottery painting place. Over the weekend, Eric and I took Olivia to the cutest little pottery place where you choose something to paint. We chose a mini teacup and saucer but there was a ton of things to choose from. It’s also a great gift idea for moms/dads/grandparents. If you’re local, definitely go to Pik a Pot and Paint.
2. Put up some window clings. You know those sticky little holiday themed gel things that stick to your window? They are a time consuming joy for toddlers! Target has a bunch of different kinds in their dollar spot and I buy new ones every time the seasons change. We had some snowmen up and just switched them out for Valentine’s Day clings. (Pro tip: make sure your little one doesn’t leave them on furniture because they can stain)
3. Color and stickerize (yes, I just made that word up) a cardboard box. A couple months ago, I ordered something online and it came in a huge box. I saved the box for Olivia and put string lights inside of it and she LOVED it. For weeks (okay, it was actually 3 months) that box sat in our family room and Olivia played in it every day and would drag everyone in there with her.
4. Clean your house. Okay, stay with me on this one. Your house has to get clean and you have to entertain your kid, right? Kill two birds with one stone. The first time Olivia saw me Swiffer the house, she just HAD to do it too. So, obviously, I let her. And then I told her to mop the floors too. 😉 You can also give your little one a wipe and tell her to clean her toys, the table, the cabinets, whatever you want!
5. Take photoshoots and home videos. Put on some goofy hats and have a selfie sesh with your little one or record them doing something silly. Olivia loves when I take videos of her and could sit there and binge watch the videos of herself aaaallll day.
6. Find your local bouncy/jump zone. Let your kid bounce all morning long and then hope that they take the longest nap ever.

Hopefully these will keep you busy for a week or at least a day! And if you need more ideas, check out THIS list I made last year.

XO,

L