Winter with a baby can feel longer than usual. The days are shorter, the weather is unpredictable, and staying cooped up inside with a little one daily can be tough. As a current stay-at-home mom/teacher on extended maternity leave, I spend a lot of time at home, but even I knew I needed to find ways to get out and keep my son, Gem*, entertained.
Earlier this winter, we took Gem to Sesame Place Philadelphia for some seasonal Furry Christmas fun, and let me tell youโit was frigid. Like, in retrospect, we were nuts to bring a 7-month-old out in below-freezing temps, but we survived without a single frostbite or cold in sight. We bundled Gem up in a fleece-lined snowsuit, wrapped him in a sherpa blanket, and tucked him into his stroller ganoosh before topping his head and hands off with a beanie and some baby mittens.
Despite all the layers, it was a lot of work keeping him warm, as many performances are done in outdoor theatres as you sit on metal bleachers. We quickly realized that outdoor adventures this winter would not be go-to activities for us. After that one frosty experience, we vowed to find some fun indoor baby activities to keep Gem entertained for the rest of the season!
Jenkinsonโs Aquarium Polar Pass: A Wintertime Lifesaver!
One of my favorite ways to get out of the house this winter has been visiting Jenkinsonโs Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. During the holidays, they offered a Polar Pass, a great deal for families looking for indoor fun during the colder months. It allows for unlimited visits from January through March, and trust meโitโs worth every penny!
Gem is fascinated by the bright, colorful fish and the gracefully playful sea lions. The penguin exhibit is a huge hit, and watching his little eyes widen as they waddle around is the cutest thing ever. The best part? The aquarium is small enough to be manageable with a baby but still packed with enough excitement to make each visit worthwhile. Bonus: itโs stroller-friendly, warm, and never too crowded on weekday mornings. We tend to go weekly and time our visits with the animal feedings!
Monmouth County Library Baby Storytime: Socializing & Stimulation
Another hidden gem (pun intended) has been the weekly baby storytime sessions through the Monmouth County Library System. These free programs are perfect for little ones who love songs, fingerplays, and listening to fun stories in an engaging setting. Our favorite session is with Ms. Heather at Library Headquarters, located at the Manalapan branch.
Gem absolutely adores the interactive songs, stories, and bubbles at each session. Itโs been a great way for him to socialize with other babies. It also allows me to meet other local stay-at-home moms and swap parenting tips (or just commiserate over sleep regressions and teething). Plus, the children’s library section has cozy play areas for babies to explore, so we often stay a little longer after storytime to extend the fun!
More Fun Indoor Baby Activities for Winter
Not in or around Monmouth County, NJ? No worries! If youโre looking for ways to keep your little one entertained and avoid going stir-crazy this season, here are some general indoor baby activities that have also worked wonders for us:
1. Mall Walks & Indoor Play Areas
Many malls open early for walkers, making them a perfect (and free!) place to push the stroller when you need a change of scenery. (Local parents, check out BellWorks in Holmdel, NJ, for a unique indoor space to get those steps in!) Some malls also have soft play areas designed for little ones, which are great once your baby starts crawling and cruising.
2. Baby Swim Classes
Swimming isnโt just for summer! Many indoor pools and gyms offer baby swim classes during the winter months, which is an excellent way to get some energy out while working on your little one’s water confidence and motor skills.
3. Mommy & Me Gym Time
Check out local baby-friendly gyms or programs like The Little Gym or My Gym, which offer structured play sessions for babies and tots of all ages. These classes focus on movement, sensory play, and social interactionโperfect for keeping wiggly little ones entertained! We love our local Gymboree for open gym hours, and they do structured classes as well.
4. Sensory Play at Home
If leaving the house isnโt an option (hello, snowstorms!), there are plenty of fun sensory activities you can do at home:
- Water play in the high chair โ Let baby splash with a small bowl of water and some floating toys. You could also try this in the tub! Gem is obsessed with these mold-free friends and water wheel.
- Edible finger painting โ Try yogurt or mashed banana on a highchair tray for a safe and fun sensory experience. Yes, there will be mess, but I find sensory play to keep Gem’s attention for a decent while without overstimulating him.
- DIY obstacle course โ For older babies, use couch cushions, blankets, and tunnels to encourage crawling and movement. We got Gem a versatile wooden gym set for Christmas and he pulls up to stand with it all the time! The grandparents got him this Nugget couch dupe. With 16 pieces, our building possibilities are endless! I love how both big-ticket holiday items will encourage creativity for years to come.
5. Visit a Childrenโs Museum
Some childrenโs museums have dedicated baby-friendly areas with soft play mats and sensory-friendly exhibits. Even though Gem is still on the young side, he enjoys a variety of sights and sounds. Leaving the house gives us both something new to experience!
TL;DR: Surviving Winter with a Baby
Winter doesnโt have to be isolating or monotonous, even with a young child! From aquarium visits to library storytime and baby-friendly gyms, there are plenty of ways to keep your little one entertained while keeping yourself sane. ACTIONABLE STEPS: Iโd love to hear what youโve been doing to survive the winter with your little onesโdrop your favorite indoor baby activities in the comments below!
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