Winter Activities to Do With a Newborn That Won’t Leave You Frazzled
Key Takeaways
Cozy Indoor Activities Nurture Bonding: Tummy time, baby massage, and interactive classes at Canopy help you connect with your newborn while fostering their development.
A Thoughtfully Designed Space: Canopy’s thoughtfully designed space includes age-specific zones, a lactation lounge, and sunny open-play areas, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for babies and parents.
Calm, Community-Centered Programming: Canopy prioritizes calm, predictable settings through our member-exclusive open play areas and structured group classes, which create opportunities for families to connect and learn together.
Winter may feel like a time to hibernate, even with a newborn in your family. But it can also be a season for meaningful bonding and gentle exploration. Finding fun things to do with your newborn doesn’t have to be a challenge. When it’s too cold to venture outside, indoor activities can be the perfect way to engage with your newborn while staying warm and comfortable. With some preparation, you can create memorable moments without the stress.
In this article, we’ll uncover some excellent things to do with your newborn during the coldest months of the year and some of Canopy’s best options to make your snowy months shine.
Indoor Activities for Cozy Bonding
Winter can pose a unique challenge for parents looking to find things to do with newborns. The cold weather isn’t inviting for tiny explorers, and keeping them entertained indoors while sticking to their routine becomes the day’s main agenda. Here are some cozy indoor activities that promise meaningful bonding experiences without the harsh winter winds:
Baby Massage and Yoga
A baby massage or a parent-and-baby yoga class can be a great way to bond with your little one. These activities provide a warm, tactile experience and help stimulate your baby’s growth and development. At Canopy, our Baby & Me Yoga classes are designed to cater to both of you, offering a peaceful retreat from the chilly outdoors. You’ll learn strengthening and restorative movements that energize you while your baby benefits from gentle stimulation. For an activity to try at home, use baby-safe lotion to give your little one a soothing massage, promoting relaxation, improving circulation, and strengthening the bond between you and your baby.
Arts and Crafts for Tiny Hands
While your newborn might be too young to wield a paintbrush, it’s never too early to introduce them to the joys of colors and shapes. Our 30-minute Arts and Crafts sessions include baby-safe materials that your baby can freely touch and observe, helping to spark their early artistic curiosity. Led by NYU-trained artist Sarah Richman, she brings a new hands-on project designed to spark imagination and learning each week. If you’re a Canopy member, you can attend our weekly arts and crafts classes for free!
Storytime Snuggles
There’s hardly anything more heartwarming than snuggling up with your baby and a beautiful book. Storytime ignites your child's imagination and fosters a love for reading early on. Our cozy corners at Canopy are perfect for these magical moments, offering a quiet space to explore worlds far and wide together. Better yet, you can loop your baby’s friends in on the fun and read aloud to them as a group bonding experience. We also offer Canopy Storytime – an interactive storytelling session where imagination comes to life! This is free for Canopy members and ensures half an hour of fun-filled stories and games.
Music and Movement
Music has a remarkable ability to soothe, entertain, and teach. Joining a music and movement class can be a wonderful way for you to connect with your baby. The rhythm and melodies stimulate your baby's auditory development and motor skills. At Canopy, our Babywearing Dance Class offers a delightful opportunity for you to sway and bond with your baby in your arms. For a music-centered experience, jam out with Michael to modern kid-friendly hits at our Blue Balloon Sing-A-Long! This high-energy musical extravaganza encourages dancing, singing, and playing percussion instruments. It’s perfect for infants, crawlers, and toddlers alike, and you might even be able to create a new song together during class!
Sensory Play
Engaging your newborn in sensory play is a fantastic way to aid their cognitive and motor skills from an early age. At Canopy, we provide a variety of sensory play materials that are safe and stimulating in our open play area. There's plenty to explore, from soft, colorful plush toys to tactile mats. And the best part? Every detail of Canopy is designed with your baby’s safety in mind so you can relax and enjoy the moment.
Between play sessions, our expert staff thoroughly cleans and sanitizes each surface and checks that each toy is suitable for use. Although we ask that you please keep an eye on your child at all times, we have trained early childhood educators and child development experts on the Canopy team who are certified in CPR and first aid. They are always on standby to ensure every activity is safe and enriching for your child.
Get as much open play as you want when you become a member. If you’re interested in checking out our studio and seeing if it’s the right fit for your family, we encourage you to book a free tour and enjoy a free hour-long play session in our space. For any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! We are more than happy to help you.
Tummy Time
Tummy time is crucial for strengthening your baby’s neck, shoulders, and core while fostering visual and motor development. Lay your infant on a soft mat with high-contrast toys or baby-safe mirrors to captivate their attention and encourage movement. At Canopy, we provide age-specific zones to ensure you and your baby can practice tummy time safely. These dedicated spaces offer a calm environment free from the bustling activity of older children, giving your little one the room and focus they need to explore.
Canopy’s Developmental Movement Playgroup is here to help if your baby struggles with tummy time. Led by Adele, this class uses play and touch to support your baby's learning process. You'll discover gentle techniques to enjoy tummy time while addressing concerns like comfort, digestion, and development. Whether you’re practicing at home or joining us at Canopy, tummy time can be a wonderful opportunity to bond and grow together.
Avoiding Overstimulation and Keeping It Calm
Babies thrive in calm, predictable environments. This is especially important to maintain during winter months when their routines can shift. Overstimulation can lead to fussiness, trouble sleeping, and heightened stress for both baby and parent. Here’s how Canopy ensures a calm space packed with convenient features for parents:
Safe, Age-Specific Zones: Babies, crawlers, and toddlers up to age 4 can explore and play at their own pace without interference from older children. Tummy time, collaborative play, and exploration are all encouraged in a stress-free environment.
Bright, Sunny Spaces: Flooded with natural light from large windows, our inviting space features toys and activities that foster motor, cognitive, and social development.
Lactation Lounge + Nap Room: For moments of rest and retreat, parents can enjoy plush seating, rocking chairs, dim lighting, and a tranquil atmosphere. Perfect for nursing, bottle-feeding, or giving your little one a quiet space to nap.
Comfortable and Climate-Controlled: Our studio is designed to be a warm, welcoming, and relaxing escape from the chaos of city life – no loud noises, no sensory overload, just a cozy, family-friendly vibe.
Thoughtful Amenities for Families: Canopy has a fully stocked kitchen with complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks on tap. Our restrooms are equipped with all the essentials for diaper changes and clean-ups. Plus, stroller parking and wide pathways allow for easy navigation and storage.
Community-Focused Programming: Canopy isn’t a daycare or drop-in play center. Instead, we offer exclusive member benefits like open play and classes and events designed to foster learning, connection, and fun. Classes are open to members and non-members alike! Make sure to reserve your spot before you come, and we hope that you leave with a new friend after every session!
Final Thoughts
Enhancing cozy indoor moments with Canopy is an inventive way to create meaningful experiences to nurture your baby’s development and strengthen your bond. Whether attending a music class or snuggling at home with a storybook, winter offers countless opportunities to connect and cherish these early months.
Read Also:
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do With a Newborn
Is it safe to take a newborn out in the snow?
Yes, but it’s essential to ensure your newborn is properly dressed in warm layers of clothing to protect them from direct exposure to cold air. Keep outings short, and use a stroller with a weather cover to shield your baby from wind and snow. Plus, continually monitor your child for signs of discomfort.
What are some indoor winter activities suitable for newborns?
Indoor spaces like Canopy provide a perfect environment for newborns during winter. Engage in sensory play areas, enjoy music classes for young ears, or sign up for gentle Baby + Me Yoga sessions. At home, reading to your newborn, playing with soft, high-contrast toys, or simply enjoying cuddle time can stimulate their senses, deepen your bond, and foster development.
Are there any winter-themed baby events or classes?
Absolutely! Canopy offers a variety of cozy seasonal events, such as our Pajama Party in January 2025 and our upcoming Valentine’s Day Party in February 2025, that embrace the wonder of winter in a warm, engaging setting. These group activities are designed to create joyful memories and introduce your baby to new experiences.
You can find us on Instagram or Facebook to stay up-to-date on our latest announcements.
What are some tips for managing a winter stroller walk with a newborn?
To ensure a pleasant winter stroller walk, consider these tips:
Equip Your Stroller with a weather shield to protect against wind and snow.
Dress Your Baby in warm layers and use blankets to keep them cozy.
Plan Your Route to avoid icy patches and choose the sunniest time of day to go out.
Keep the Walks short to prevent your newborn from getting too cold.
How can I keep my newborn entertained during the winter months?
Simple activities like singing lullabies, tummy time, and gentle play with age-appropriate toys are great ways to entertain your newborn. Canopy’s classes and play spaces also provide enriching opportunities tailored for winter months.
What items should I always have with me when doing winter activities with a newborn?
When venturing out for winter activities with your newborn, be sure to bring:
Extra Layers of clothing, including hats and mittens, to adjust for temperature changes.
A Blanket for extra warmth, particularly if you'll be outdoors.
Baby Skin Protection, like hypoallergenic moisturizer to protect against dry, cold air.
A Thermos with warm water or milk for feeding. And snacks for you!
Diaper Changing essentials and a portable changing pad for convenience.
