Fun Things to Do with Your Infant During Winter

Feeling cooped up in the cold months with your precious, albeit boring, baby? Let’s face it. Babies sometimes aren’t all that interesting. They are terrible conversationalists, and their interests stop at whatever object is in front of them. While there are fun things you can do at home, it’s also nice getting out into the world. So, what fun things can you do with your infant this Winter? Try some of the suggestions below:

1. Drive-thru holiday lights

If you’re looking for something to do in December, check out a local holiday light display. The benefit of going to a drive-thru one is that you don’t have to worry if your baby is cold walking around; You stay in the comfort of your heated car. A bonus of the drive-thru option is that it’s typically much cheaper than ones you walk through. In the DC metro area, the Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival is a great option; $15 per car during the week and $25 Friday-Sunday. Comparatively, the Enchant walk-through festival in the heart of DC is $30+ per person.

2. Drive-thru carwash

A drive-thru carwash is another visually cool thing for a baby to look at with the added benefit of getting the salt off your car. The carwash by M’s doctor’s office is a touchless car wash complete with cool lights and large brushes whacking at the windows, so it was a real treat for her. I also played some Disney music for her to make it more fun.

3. Go to a brewery

Generally, breweries are a chill atmosphere with a lot of space. It is less intimidating than a restaurant because there’s ample space to walk a fussy baby around without disturbing a lot of people. A brewery is also a more inclusive feeling space; Often there are board games or corn hole boards out for you to play with others. Perhaps it’s the booze but the patrons at breweries are more relaxed about a crying kid. It’s also great neutral ground for my kid-less friends who want to hang out.

4. Museums

Living in the DC area has its perks, mainly the free museums. The Smithsonian museums on the Mall are an excellent place to take children of any age. There is plenty to look at, educational, it’s primarily indoors and close to the other free museums nearby. This makes a trip to the Mall worthwhile.

5. Aquarium

Another indoor and visually cool activity is visiting an aquarium. The darker, quieter atmosphere will soothe and awe your baby (probably). Can you look at a beluga whale and not be happy?

Not only are these ideas more fun for your baby, but they are fun for you to experience again through the eyes of your baby. Seriously, when M went through a colorful carwash for the first time and gaped at all the lights I was just as giddy watching her experience it. Watching her discover new things in her surroundings is genuinely a thrill for me.

Ta-da. We’ve reached the end of my ground-breaking suggestions. In all seriousness, I hope this helps with some of the more mundane parts of entertaining your child, and yourself. Enjoy!