When our 19-month-old Isaiah was just a swaddled little bundle, my husband and I used to enjoy snuggling alongside of him and gazing down at our beloved son. These days we have to bring a bit more to the cuddle table to engage with our busy wiggle worm. Here are a few ideas on how to make the most of chilly days now that cuddle season is in full swing.
Come together for ol’ fashioned food fun
There is something about making waffles that gets the whole family in the mix. I gave our little guy a front row seat to the waffle-making marathon this weekend. He watched casually as the batter went in, but when “voila!” the cooked waffle came out he was so excited that he started clapping. I found an easy recipe that I like, because it incorporates melted butter into the batter, so you do not need to grease the iron for each waffle. It doesn’t matter if you make it from a box or from scratch, just enjoy the process of whipping them up and eating them together. Also, I firmly believe that waffles taste best when the whole family is wearing pajamas.
Another favorite at our place is homemade popcorn, although our little guy does not partake just yet. We used to opt for the microwave variety but when I realized that the homemade kind only entails cooking kernels with a bit of oil, I was hooked. I use a big pot with a glass lid, and I bet older kiddos would enjoy seeing the tiny kernels “magically” turn into fluffy bites. Top the homemade snack with, you guessed it, melted butter and salt, and enjoy.
Snuggle up for a family movie
Grab a blanket or three, and get cozy on the couch for some quality time watching a kid-friendly movie. Depending on the age and interests of your kiddos, there is sure to be a great fit that the whole family will enjoy. A few of my recent movie picks for families include “Moana” and “Beauty and the Beast” with Emma Watson. A couple of older ones that I enjoy are “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and “Happy Feet,” which pretty much makes a family dance party inevitable.
Cuddle in for a family read-a-thon
Our toddler had us worried for a while, because he wanted nothing to do with books. He was simply too busy testing out his new walking skills. These days he will sit down (occasionally) and flip through a book on his own. He is also game for me to read him a few books before bedtime, which is one of my favorite times. But my all-time favorite reading time is when things slow down a bit on the weekends and my husband joins us for an impromptu reading / cuddle fest.
“Huggy Kissy” by Leslie Patricelli is a fun read and “No Matter What” by Debi Gliori is very imaginative. The illustrations of “I Love You More and More” by Nicky Benson are beautiful. “The Little Engine That Could” is Isaiah’s favorite and “The Boss Baby” by Marla Frazee always does the trick when my husband and I are in need of a laugh.
Is your family’s cuddle game strong this season? What are your favorite ways to spend a cozy day together? Chime in! I would love to hear from you!
