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If you’re trying to think about your spending, you might have opted to cut back as you go into the second month of the year. All the activity ideas in your app use things you’re likely to have at home or just outside the front door – so check out your child’s personalised activities as well.  

Our first idea needs nothing other than you, your child and a bit of time! 

You are here because you know experiences in the first years of your child’s life lay the foundations for health, learning and well-being for the next fifty (or more!). Sometimes when people talk about that it can feel like they’re piling on the pressure, but you know we’re here to help parents ditch the worry and find the joy  – and that’s why we’re all for celebrating ‘inchstones’.  

Pinterest produces an annual trends report,^[1] telling businesses the things they expect to take off in the upcoming year. These are often things like colour trends for interiors or weddings, but this year’s report caught our attention because they expect to see parents celebrating ‘inchstones’ and we’re here for that!  

Getting outside in all weathers gives your child the opportunity to experience the changing seasons. But if you’re looking for ideas for after a chilly walk or when you just want to stay inside in the warm read on!  

The simplest idea for staying inside on a chilly day is to snuggle up together with a favourite book. Find a spot where you’re both comfortable and look at a book together.  

As the rain and puddles turn to snow and ice, we have ideas for play whether you want to explore the weather outside or stay inside and keep warm.  

Our first activities involved exploring snow and ice outside, so wrap up warm and see what you can find.  

Talking about things that interest them is a great way to help your child learn new words. Even if your baby isn’t talking yet chatting with them helps them develop and learn. This weekend enjoy some wintery words together with our play ideas. 

As we said last week, wrapping up warm and going outside whatever the weather is a great way to help your child experience the changing season.  

January can sometimes feel a bit like a month of Mondays. It’s cold, it’s still dark, and we’re all feeling pretty exhausted from the festivities. But that doesn’t mean so-called ‘Blue Monday’ is the most depressing day of the year! 

The concept of Blue Monday was introduced by TV travel channel Sky Travel Shop in 2005 and isn’t a scientifically proven concept at all. 

After all the excitement of the festive season, you might be feeling stuck for ideas of how to entertain your little one. That’s why each weekend in January we’re going to share ways to use your winter playkit, this weekend our ideas are all linked to the senses, and the winter weather.  

I am writing to you from the millionth day of winter. The Christmas chocolate stash is long gone (possibly mainly into my mouth), I might have tea coursing through my veins where there used to be blood, and I’m wondering whether I have gone from being cosy to feeling stuck and lethargic. 

It can be difficult to give ourselves a break at this time of year, but it is definitely worth thinking about our biology and how our bodies work. For those of us living in the northern hemisphere, the shorter days and longer nights have a real impact on our bodies. Fewer hours of daylight mean we have less exposure to light, which has a direct effect on our circadian rhythms (or body clock). 

It’s cold outside, the days are short, and you might be feeling you’re running out of new ways to play. That’s why this month we’ve put together a list of things that will help you with some fresh activity ideas.  

Each weekend in January, we’ll give you ideas for using the winter playkit, so don’t forget to check your app! 

The first five years are important for many aspects of your child’s development – including learning how to regulate their emotions and understanding the behaviour expected in different situations. In our articles you’ll find out more. 

We’ve included a few here, and you’ll find articles linked to the skills your child is developing now in your personalised articles selection.