5 Best Outdoor Winter Activities with a Baby – From a Canadian Mom

Don’t let yourself go stir crazy being stuck inside with your baby this winter! Whether you plan to stay close to home or are planning a winter trip with a baby, you can rest easy knowing there are plenty of fun outdoor things to do with a baby in winter.

Outdoor winter activities for babies aren’t all that different than what you may have done before having a baby. While your winter outings may be shorter or at a slower pace, you can still do many of your favorite fun winter activities with a baby.

What’s better is that these winter activities are all great ways for new parents to stay active in the winter with a baby!

While I specifically talk about outdoor winter activities for babies, these can all be adapted to be winter activities for toddlers too! These are also fun things to do with a baby or toddler when traveling to winter destinations on a family vacation.

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5 Fun Outdoor Winter Activities with a baby

1. Walking with Your Baby in Winter

Walking with a baby in the winter will be the easiest thing to do with your baby in the winter. If it’s your first winter with your baby and you’re dressing your baby for family winter walks for the first time, it’s best to start with a family walk close to home. This will allow you to quickly get back to the warmth of your house if your baby starts to feel cold.

Winter walks with your baby don’t have to be anything epic to start. Getting outside with your baby is the main goal, as fresh air and sunshine will do you both a world of good.

You have two options when taking baby for a walk in cold weather: you can use a stroller or a baby carrier.

Winter Walks with a Stroller

A stroller with large wheels or with attached skis (like these) will get your stroller through deep snow when taking your baby for a walk in winter.

A stroller weather shield to block any wind, rain or snow is must-have winter gear for babies. A weather shield will go a long way to keep your baby warm in the stroller outside in the winter.  

Winter Walks with a Baby Carrier

If you choose to use a baby carrier for walking with a baby in winter, you have three options for keeping your baby warm. You can get your baby a warm snowsuit, use a baby wearing winter jacket or get a jacket extender.

I recommend that you wear your baby carrier front-facing when walking with a baby in the winter if the temperature is mild and there’s little wind.

Using a baby wearing jacket or using a jacket extender, your baby is more likely to be snuggled up to your chest for the walk. Both of these ways work to keep your baby warm when walking in the winter and also will help to protect your baby’s delicate skin.

Personally, I like the jacket extender for the baby carrier because it is a low cost option. Not only will it allow you to wear your own winter jacket, but if you are traveling with your baby in the winter it’s small to pack. A jacket extender also gives you the flexibility to switch off babywearing with your spouse.

As you might imagine, you don’t want to slip and fall while winter walking with your baby. If you are winter walking with your baby on city streets or parks, these Yaktrax traction cleats easily slip over your boots and are great for slippery sidewalks or pathways in the winter.

2. Hiking with a Baby in Winter

As you become more comfortable being out in winter weather with your baby, you can start heading further afield. Winter hiking with a baby is similar to winter walks with a baby, except you need to factor in the extra time to get to the trailhead. You also need to do all feeding or diaper changes in the car or on the go.

Hiking in winter with a baby is a great option before the snow and ice make the trails a little more tricky. Be prepared with a set of microspikes (such as Kahtoola microspikes) in case you run into some slippery hiking trails.

For winter hiking with a baby, you can either carry baby in a baby carrier or a hiking backpack carrier. For winter hikes with a baby on colder days, carrying baby in your jacket will work best to keep your baby toasty warm.

A hiking backpack carrier for winter hiking with baby is great option for milder days. It will be much harder to offer your baby’s face adequate protection from wind and cold in a backpack carrier.

3. Snowshoeing with a Baby

It might be time to switch from winter hiking to snowshoeing with baby when the snow starts to fly. There are two main options for taking your baby out snowshoeing based on the trail and the weather:

Snowshoeing with a Baby Carrier

Similar to winter walks and winter hiking with a baby, keeping your little one in a baby carrier on your front is an excellent way to keep them warm, especially on cold days.

Snowshoeing with a Bike Trailer with Ski Attachment

On really cold days, a fun, but effective way to keep your baby warm is a bike trailer with a ski attachment (we used a Thule Chariot and ski attachment). I’d always dress my baby in fleece bunting and put them in a down sleeping bag. They’d always be toasty warm when I checked on them!

Given its width, the bike trailer may limit your options for snowshoeing trails, especially if you are hauling a double chariot.

Snowshoeing with a Backpack Carrier

If it’s a warm winter day and your baby is at a suitable age, a hiking backpack carrier is also a good option for snowshoeing with a baby.

Using a hiking backpack carrier for snowshoeing, you will have plenty of options for trails and you don’t have to worry about getting too sweaty with a baby inside your jacket. The best hiking backpack carriers also have plenty of room to carry all your essential winter baby gear.

4. Cross-Country Skiing with Baby

If you are an avid cross-country skier, you’ll love to know it’s fun to go cross country skiing with your baby. Using a ski pulk for baby or a bike trailer with the ski attachment will be the best way to go cross country skiing with a baby. Again, be sure to check on your infant frequently to make sure your child is warm and comfortable.

Also, expect it to be significantly harder to cross-country ski while pulling your baby. Start with shorter outings without steep inclines until you have a good handle and control over the pulk or chariot with ski attachment.

With any luck the rhythmic motion of cross-country skiing will get your baby to sleep while you enjoy your workout!

5. Ice Skating with a Baby

Ice skating is a wonderful winter activity and it is pretty easy to do with a baby. Find an outdoor skating rink and enjoy gliding across the ice as a family.

Your options for taking your baby skating can be either using a small baby sled with a weather shield or ice skating with a baby stroller. If you go skating with your baby in a stroller, bring a weather shield to ensure your little one doesn’t get too cold.

5 Tips on Planning Winter Outdoor Activities for Babies

1. Get Proper Winter Gear for Your Baby

Having the proper winter baby gear is essential to keep your infant warm and happy while you enjoy your time in a winter wonderland.

Always keep in mind that for many of these outdoor winter activities, your baby will not be moving and won’t be generating any of their own body heat. Check on your baby’s temperature frequently during your family winter activities.

2. Plan for Outdoor Feedings and Diaper Changes

Just like traveling with a baby, these winter activities with a baby will require some preplanning. Before taking an infant out in cold weather, you’ll want to have a plan.

Know where you are planning on going and how long it will take to get there. Feeding your baby and diaper changes will be your biggest considerations. For bottle fed babies, pack a travel bottle warmer.

On mild winter days, you can feed your baby anywhere. Doing diaper changes outside in the winter will not make for a happy baby, so pack all your diaper essentials and get it done quickly. Don’t forget a good portable change mat.

Don’t forget a change of clothes (or two) for your baby. Blowouts always happen when you aren’t expecting them or aren’t prepared.

3. Plan Naps Before, During or After Your Winter Activities

When planning your winter activities for your baby, you’ll also have to factor in their nap time. Your baby’s nap schedule may leave less time to be out enjoying the snow with your baby, but that’s ok – simply spending fun time outdoors with your baby is the goal at this age.

With any luck your baby will have a wonderful nap during your winter activity. I’ve found that if they are toasty warm and comfortable, they tend to nap easily on the go.

4. Check Weather Forecasts

Always check the weather forecast and prepare for any potential changes. Winter storms can happen quickly and without warning, so ensure you bring several layers of clothing for yourself and your little kids.

5. Have the Right Expectations

Finally, keep your expectations low and stay closer to home for your first few outdoor winter activities with your baby. Even if an outing is a complete disaster, don’t give up as every outing will be a learning opportunity. Some days will be wonderful, some will be less so, but keep at it and you’ll be loving these winter activities for babies all season long.

How to Dress Your Baby for Winter

What’s most important when taking baby out in cold weather is keeping your baby warm and protecting your baby’s skin from the elements.

Your baby won’t be moving, so you should add an extra layer or two on your baby (compared to what you will be wearing).

I also recommend being prepared with a backup when taking baby outside in winter. For example, bring your jacket extender even if you are planning on using your hiking backpack carrier for your winter hike with a baby. You can’t always predict when the winds will start to blow and make it unsafe for your baby’s unprotected skin.

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