“Baby it’s cold outside”
We have been to many different winter destinations with babies and toddlers. With preparation, they can be a really lovely family trip and remain some of my fondest memories.
I have to say winter in Canada at -28°C really was quite an ordeal and I think in the future we wouldn’t go somewhere as cold with toddlers.
Though from this trip and others, I have learnt what does and doesn’t work to help keep your little ones warm in climates colder than your Mother in Law’s heart.
Cuddle your baby
I had a terrible fear that my 12-week-old would lose all of his fingers and toes in minus temperatures. However, I actually found keeping an inactive baby warm easier than my active 3-year-old.
This is because he was constantly in the baby carrier so my post-partum whale blubber kept him nicely insulated.
For milder winter destinations I loved this Happy Mama fleece as there is a removable section that covers the baby in a carrier as well.
I was kindly gifted this from a friend and it is one item I still recommend to new Mums today.
I can’t seem to find the exact one I had but you can now find similar (and cheaper) on Amazon or Shein.
What pram to take on winter trips with toddlers
The actual answer is none, or a hover pram.
Prams and snow go together like baby shark and a hangover.
Even if you have the Range Rover of prams – pushing them in heavy snow is just an absolute nightmare. For our first winter trip we planned on doing lots of lovely hikes with me carrying the baby and our toddler in the pram.
Does two meters count as a hike? We even buggered one of our pram wheels from all the salt on one trip!
One solution is carrying babies and just pre planning on shorter outings that you know your little one can handle.
Another idea, depending on your destination, is taking or buying whilst there a sled to pull your toddler around on. The problem with this is carrying it around with you when it is not being used.
Pack more layers than Rachel from Friends trifle
Be sure to check your destination’s weather before you start packing but just remember – especially in snowy climates – the temperature can drop dramatically. Take it from someone that experienced iguanas freezing and falling out of trees in ‘sunny’ Florida.
This is why I always suggest packing plenty of different layers.
Click here for a full winter packing list for toddlers.
Snow activities for toddlers
I find winter destinations so expensive…I mean costly….sorry no, magical….just magical.
There’s no doubt that add a layer of snow and add another zero on to any excursion or activity.
We have spent hundreds on a beautiful husky ride for our two toddlers to fall asleep.
Though these excursions can be just fairy-tale like I think a lot of them are lost on younger children.
I am not saying to not do them – just have the expectation that you will probably enjoy it more than your toddlers.
And make sure you are wearing sunglasses to hide that you are, too, asleep!
The good news is that there are so many free activities to do with your toddlers, especially in the snow, which will also help to give your toddlers some free play time.
We live in Kent, so these winter trips are really the only time our children have seen proper snow.
Simple activities like making snow angels, snow balls and a snowman can keep toddlers occupied for hours.
Another thing we like to do is go to the park. I know this is not the first activity that springs to mind in the cold but a snow-covered park can be really fun!
We have purchased or rented sleds on trips before. But for our upcoming snowy adventure I have purchased small portable snow sliders and snow tubes to take with us.
I don’t know if this is still a bit old for them but I will be sure to report back how successful they are or how many broken bones we return with!
Snow toys for toddlers
Just like if you were to go on a beach holiday, you would pack sand toys and activities. You can keep your little ones entertained by doing the same with snow toys to winter destinations.
The good news for all those frugal parents? Most sand toys can be used in the snow! Yay!
We take sand moulds, shovels, buckets, etc.
Another thing we love and really want to make an igloo out of it one day (to hide from our toddlers) is this sand wall building set.
Snow crafts for toddlers
Taking a couple of small items allows my artistic daughter to have hours of creative free play in the snow.
Some of our favourites are…
- Food colouring to make snow spray paint.
- Snow volcanoes.
- Watercolours to paint snow.
I mean there is another way to make yellow snow that requires no equipment and saves a nappy change!
Breastfeeding in winter aka Freezing Nipsicles
Our winter vacation to Canada was one of the main factors my breast feeding journey ended sooner than I would’ve hoped for with my youngest.
It is something I never really took into consideration.
I’m not shy to whip out a nip to feed my baby, but the freezing temperatures made it unbearable. Sometimes we were too far away from any inside space to take appropriate cover.
Luckily, my son had already taken a bottle but I can imagine this being quite traumatic if I was exclusively breast feeding.
This is just something to bear in mind and maybe plan in to your daily activities. To ensure you are near your car or a café to duck in to if your little one gets hungry.
Winter destinations can be magical and they are some of my fondest memories with my toddlers. If you fancy a trip to Narnia but are not sure where to start then check out my travel advice page where I can help make this become a reality.