When the weather turns frosty and the days grow short, it can be a challenge to keep little ones cozy, cheerful, and engaged—especially when outdoor adventures aren’t on the cards. But winter days indoors can be just as magical! Here’s our suggestions to help create a warm, joyful home atmosphere packed with creative play, simple baking, and imaginative fun. Plus, we’ve handpicked a few favourite gifts from our Toy collection to make your winter even brighter.
Bake Up Some Memories
There’s nothing like the smell of fresh cookies to warm up a winter afternoon. Baking is a wonderful way for kids to learn simple skills—measuring, mixing, and decorating—while making sweet memories together.
Try this:
-
Classic sugar cookies with fun shapes and colourful sprinkles, keeping the ingredients simple:
2 cups white sugar
1 ½ cups butter, softened
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
-
Chocolate cornflake cakes for a quick, mess-free win, again keeping ingredients simple:
50g butter
100g milk or dark chocolate broken into chunks
3 tbsp golden syrup
100g cornflakes
Recommended pick: Cookie cutter & mini spatula - Unicorn / Baby Dino, for easy and fun shapes.
Crafty Afternoons
Crafting is a perfect way to keep hands busy and minds active. Set up a simple “creation station” with paper, glue, recycled boxes, and safe scissors.
Ideas to try:
-
DIY winter garlands with cut-out snowflakes and stars, easy to find guides online.
-
Make-your-own puppets with socks or paper bags for an indoor puppet show
Recommended pick: The Wildflower Bracelet Making Kit is a lovely, all-in-one kit for making floral-themed jewellery—great for solo play or crafting together.
Imaginative Play: Let Their Stories Unfold
Encourage hours of screen-free play by setting the stage for imagination to take flight. Build a cozy den with blankets and cushions, then add a few props to inspire adventures.
Ideas to spark play:
-
Host a teddy bear picnic (invite all the soft toys!).
-
Set up a “mini shop” or “café” using play food and a toy till.
-
Put on a performance with a handmade puppet or animal toy as the star.
Recommended Pick: Woodland Stores And Theatre, with its charming shopfront and built-in puppet theatre, it encourages children to create their own stories and role-play.
Reading Nook Retreat
Create a special corner for snuggling up with books. Layer soft blankets and cushions, add a gentle lamp, and let your child choose their favourite stories.
Recommended Pic: Mouses Wood: A Year in Nature, its nature-themed story invites children to explore the changing seasons alongside Mouse, with beautiful illustrations and interactive flaps its perfect for a cozy reading session.
Move & Groove
Keep the wiggles at bay with music and movement.
-
Have a kitchen disco with favourite tunes.
-
Play “freeze dance” or musical statues.
-
Try simple yoga or stretching together.
Shop Musical Toys Here
Final Cozy Tips
-
Keep a basket of warm socks and jumpers handy for chilly toes and quick changes.
-
Rotate toys and books to keep playtime fresh.
-
Light a scented candle (out of reach!) or simmer cinnamon sticks for a comforting winter aroma.
However you spend your winter days, a little creativity and a lot of coziness go a long way. Explore more gifts and cozy picks here, or pop into our Southsea shop for inspiration and friendly advice.
Wishing you a warm, happy, and joy-filled winter from all of us at Edith & Blanche!
