https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Jul 2026 23:22:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789968 Mon, 04 Dec 2017 15:04:51 +0000 snowjewelz 2789968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just ordered a mini trampoline for my 3 year old for extra physical activities inside! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789817 Sun, 03 Dec 2017 12:22:31 +0000 Silva 2789817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>bubble bath. audio stories. we have a big boat/stair thing that i get out. a giant rubbermaid bin filled with birdseed and small scoops/trucks. baking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789814 Sun, 03 Dec 2017 12:07:20 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2789814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We go on walks with flashlights... movie nights if they deserve it... or if I am super tired and need to just sit or clean in peace. </p> <p>Sometimes we just go upstairs for a change of scenery and they find stuff to do because we aren't up there too often. Early/long bath. My kids love bath time so I just extend it to kill time when needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789811 Sun, 03 Dec 2017 11:17:12 +0000 Mama Bird 2789811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm teaching the kids bits of gymnastics and karate - they love it, although convincing DS not to use furniture as gym equipment is a work in progress. I'm working on finding him an actual class where he can do this stuff safely... </p> <p>We also discovered that a small flashlight + glass objects means awesome light shows. Definitely a good after-dark activity :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789672 Sat, 02 Dec 2017 00:40:39 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2789672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t have a ton of great ideas, but we do go to the library a lot. The one by me has lots of fun toys and there’s typically other kids there. There’s a larger branch about 20 minutes away that has an amazing selection of board games and toys that you can play with as well. </p> <p>My last resort is usually a fast food playplace. And on Friday’s our local children’s museum has a discount day. </p> <p>Sometimes she’ll “help” me with dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789661 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 22:12:28 +0000 jhd 2789661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: that’s a great idea! </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: we are struggling with the same thing. 3.5 year old needs a nap some days still and then he’s sad when it’s dark so soon after he wakes up. We went to the play area at the mall one evening recently but when a ton of other kids showed up he was ready to leave! :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789660 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 22:08:34 +0000 Ms. RV 2789660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We back one (or both) of the cars out of the garage and let her ride her cozy coupe or tricycle in there, or even color with sidewalk chalk on the garage floor. She still has to wear a jacket but it is warmer than playing outside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789614 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 17:39:30 +0000 Foodnerd81 2789614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dahlia: we do have a lot of dance parties! Or “ballet class” and the 4 year old “teaches” the almost 2 year old. Walks have been tough since the little one is teething and makes me carry her the whole time- I literally held the 24 pound kid for two hours the other day just to make sure the 4 year old has enough outside running around time. That’s the main reason we didn’t go out tonight-my back can’t take it all the time. </p> <p>I’ll have to see how and indoor playground area nearby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789613 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 17:32:35 +0000 Dahlia 2789613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Indoor playground (our tiny mall has a small playspace), walk in the dark to look at Christmas lights, dance party, walk like different animals, obstacle courses, and then quieter activities like play doh, art projects, cooking, etc. It's hard though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/activities-for-long-dark-afternoons#post-2789611 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 17:26:14 +0000 Foodnerd81 2789611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do you do in the afternoons when it’s cold and gets dark so early? It’s not even winter yet and already my kids are just bouncing off the walls by dinner time and not sleeping as well- I think in part because they have too much pent up energy. </p> <p>By the time my almost 2 year old wakes up from nap, around 3, it’s close to getting dark. If I have the energy and am good about it I can get their coats and go out for a walk right away and get an hour or so before it’s getting dark. But sometimes it’s so hard to motivate and then I lose my window and we are just in the house until bedtime slowing losing our collective minds. </p> <p>Currently my 4 year old has a ballet class one afternoon. I’m thinking of signing her up for swimming lessons another afternoon to burn off that energy. </p>