Have you just had a baby and you’re ready to get out and about with your newborn? Keep it low key and you’ll find there are so many places you can go. While it can seem like a faff packing up the baby equipment, having a grab-bag of nappies, snacks and spare clothes to go should help it get easier with practice.
So make the most of your maternity and paternity leave in those early weeks with our handy guide to days out with your newborn baby.
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
1. The Local Garden Centre
You can’t go wrong with a good garden centre. A firm favourite for toddlers to explore, it’s also great for new parents and their babies. You can push your buggy indoors or out, and just take some time for yourself. As most garden centres have cafés nowadays, it’s a stress-free environment to sit for a while too.
Top Tip For New Parents: Get some shopping in while your baby naps. Most garden centres sell books, toys, gifts and clothes, as well as the usual plants and trees.
2. A Park Or Splash Park
If you are in touch with other mums locally, or maybe met some new parents through the NCT, a park or splash park is a great place to meet for a morning or afternoon. It means no one has to host (no last-minute tidying up of all the baby stuff) and you all get out and about. Just grab your pram or carrier and go! Think picnics in the summer, brisk walks in the winter. While your baby will be too young to enjoy the water, the sound of fountains and water splashing will be a soothing background noise for them while they sleep. Many splash parks have facilities like toilets or a small café. You’ll find yourself going back, as little ones love the repetition of splash parks. Plus, the daylight will make for great days out for for you and your newborn.
Top Tip For New Parents: Splash parks are a relaxing place for you as well, particularly if they’re surrounded by trees as well as water.
3. A Baby Sensory Or Massage Class
Great for building new networks, you’ll find loads of other new parents in exactly the same position as you. Having that regular slot to just decompress and be with your baby can be just what you need in those early weeks and months. Find baby sensory and massage classes here.
Top Tip For New Parents: Sign up to a regular class and make a block booking so you have the routine of going every week. It should work out cheaper than ad-hoc drop-ins, even if you miss a week or two. Read more about the benefits of baby classes here.
4. The Local Registry Office
For many newborns, this can be one of their first proper trips ‘out’ to the nearest town. Why not make the most of it, by having a walk or celebratory coffee or lunch once you’ve got all the official stuff done?
Top Tip For New Parents: Leave plenty of time to get to your appointment and remember your ID.
5. Cafés, Diners Or Restaurants
Grab lunch with your partner while you’re both on parental leave. It’s amazing how quiet some cafés can be in the mornings and off-peak afternoons. So make the most of those very long naps, not to mention the many eating places which now display the ‘breastfeeding welcome here’ signs. You can also go for afternoon teas and evening meals with baby in tow: definitely easiest while they’re still having regular naps.
Top Tip For New Parents: Wrap up warm and you can make the most of outdoor seating, even in winter. It’s usually easier to maneuver your pram round outside as well.
6. Local Walks
Maybe you have lots of paths or a greenway in your local area. Having a pram or baby carrier actually can free you up to explore paths and routes you might not usually take when hopping from A to B in the car. If your baby will nap in the pram, it’s a great way to get your steps in while your baby snoozes.
Did you know that all that daylight will help your baby regulate their sleep patterns, especially as napping gets established? Aim for daylight during the morning or early afternoon as it will help with the development of their circadian system and balance of melatonin (the sleepy hormone) in their system.
As your baby starts to sleep for longer periods at night, you should begin to notice a difference. Read more here about how children are more sensitive to light than adults and how daylight habits can affect nighttime. You can track your time spent outside using the 1000 Hours Outside app.
Top Tip For New Parents: You don’t have to go solo for walks if your partner is also on paternity leave, or you have friends and family visiting.
7. Any National Trust Or English Heritage Property
With so many properties, gardens and countryside around the UK, you’re sure to find something to suit you at all seasons of the year. Mix it up for longer or shorter walks, play areas and restaurants. National Trust or English Heritage places are also good for meeting the grandparents or other family members with children.
Top Tip For New Parents: Under 5s get in free to National Trust properties so you only need to pay for the adults or take out an adult membership for return trips.
8. An RSBP Site
With 170 RSPB sites nationwide, here’s another opportunity for you to get out and about in nature while your baby snoozes. It’s amazing how calming trees and the sound of birdsong can be for babies and children, as well as giving you a good dose of serotonin. You might even get in a bit of forest bathing in more wooded areas.
Top Tip For New Parents: Sign your baby up for RSPB membership and you’ll get free parking all year round – from as little as £2.34/month.
9. The Zoo
While your newborn may not appreciate all the animals and birds, you certainly will! If you’re going to be out and about walking with your pram, you might as well do it where there’s something exciting to look at. Most zoos are really family-friendly too, so you can break your day up with picnics and trips to the café/feeding stops.
Top Tip For New Parents: Make the most of a zoo membership. Under 3s go free to all ZSL zoos so don’t worry if they’re not awake.
10. Local Town Centre
Go old-school by ditching the internet shopping and seeing what your local town centre has to offer. Slowing down with the pram can really help you appreciate local features like parks, water fountains and more. An amble round local shops (even if you’re just window-shopping) can be a much-needed refresher for you all.
Top Tip For New Parents: Head out during the early morning for some much-needed daylight.
11. Department Stores
While it’s easy to shop online now, nothing beats getting out and about with your newborn, particularly if you have been stuck at home all day/night cluster-feeding. The beauty of department stores is that you have everything under one roof – and enough room to push a pram around in quieter periods. Even if you just browse the baby section and then head for the café, it will give you a change of scene.
Top Tip For New Parents: John Lewis have family rooms/breastfeeding rooms with a chair, while M&S has weekly parent & baby mornings in their cafés. Also check out IKEA with their baby food warming facilities.
12. The Museum Or Art Gallery
Now might be a good time to have days out with your newborn to one of your local museums, particularly during off-peak hours when older children are at school. With lifts and large spaces to wander in, taking the pram should be easy (and good to carry your baby stuff on, too).
Top Tip For New Parents: Some of the larger museums have basement areas or kid-friendly areas where there’s plenty of space to sit and feed your baby. Also look for quieter corners with seating where you can take some time out and chill for a bit.
13. The Library For Baby Rhyme Time
Your baby may be asleep half the time, but regular trips to the library make for surprisingly great days out for you and your newborn. Make some time and space to flop down and chill with them at your local library. Libraries can be some of the friendliest places and the biggest parent-child communities. As well as being a great resource for books, the routine of going to a regular session gives you another opportunity to meet other new parents. And when your baby starts to be more alert, the repetition of the rhymes will really help with their early language development.
Top Tip For New Parents: Search here for baby rhyme time classes near you.
14. Baby Cinema
A lot of local cinemas run baby-friendly screenings where you can wander in and out with your baby and they expect parents to bring their prams. Expect the lights to be left on and a bit of noise, but you’ll still be able to kick back and enjoy the film.
Top Tip For New Parents: You’ll often find the background noise lulls your baby to sleep during the film.
15. The Swimming Pool
While many parents will wait until their newborn has their first jabs at 3 months, others choose to get their baby into the water a bit sooner. Water Babies offers classes from newborn while other swimming class providers usually go for 3 or 6 months as a starting point.
Top Tip For New Parents: Make the most of cafés and eating areas at leisure centres for reasonably-priced food.
16. A Baby Play Café Or Soft Play Centre
Think regular café but with an area for toddlers and babies to play in. You’ll find a relaxed vibe and no one bats an eyelid at crying babies.
Top Tip For New Parents: Play cafés and soft play centres usually have loads of seating, so can be a good place for a regular meet of larger groups of parents. As your children grow, they can begin to make use of the baby/toddler play areas as well.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Are you a parent who can be really tough on yourself and sometimes needs reminding that you’re actually doing a great job with your children?
The physiological benefits of positive self-talk are well documented, so remember this applies to parenting too, even in its most challenging moments. So read on for some mindful affirmations to remind yourself that you’re still a great parent whatever is happening!
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
1. “I Am Good Enough.”
Stuart Smalley – Saturday Night Live (1990s)
Whether you’re new to the parenting journey or have several children, babies and toddlers are never predictable. There’s always a learning curve, and what worked yesterday may not work today. But trust yourself – you’ve got this. It won’t be perfect, but it doesn’t matter.
2. “We Got Through Today.”
You survived, right? It may not have been perfect but your baby or child got fed, was cuddled, and had a sleep. Here at Happity we remember a dad saying, ‘you might not have done X – but look how happy he is!’
It’s enough – even if you feel you muddled through today.
3. “There’s Always Tomorrow.”
There’s Always Tomorrow – 1929 novel by Ursula Parrott
Readjust your expectations when you have a new baby. Particularly if you have an older child as well. Just getting to school/nursery/a baby group/out of the house is a win-win. And in the early days, you may get very little done at all. Keep readjusting your expectations as your baby moves into toddlerhood and beyond.
4. “This Too Shall Pass.”
13th century Persia
Your baby/child is always in a growth spurt, right? Whether it’s teething or just growing, remember that what can feel like a month can actually pass in a few days – or even less. Here at Happity we understand the first jabs, the pain relief and the non-stop teething. Sometimes you just want to cuddle up on the sofa with your little one, and that’s perfectly fine.
5. “Children Remember The Time They Spend With You, Not The Amount Of Money You Spend On Them.”
“In the end, kids won’t remember that fancy toy or game you bought for them. They will remember the time you spent with them.” – Kevin Heath (b1950)
Think back to your childhood days. What’s the happiest, most fun memory you can remember? We bet it’s not the clothing you wore, or exactly what you got for your 3rd birthday. Here at Happity some of our most cherished memories are running round in the park with friends and cousins, playing cricket and rounders with the grown-ups as well. And family holidays where we just spent time together.
So try not to feel guilty if you don’t want to splash out on the latest gear or toy. Just being there for and with your child is enough.
6. “I’ll Take The Small Wins.”
“Celebrate the small wins.”- various, including psychologist Charles Snyder (1944-2006)
Perhaps your toddler tipped a whole bowl of cereal, milk and all, on the floor today. Maybe your baby threw up on you. But then later on you had a moment where your toddler was cuddling you as you read a story together, and your baby gave their first smile.
So as you’re sitting there among the dirty nappies, discarded clothes and general mess, remember there are also moments where it all feels worth it! If you want a good read about the highs and lows of parenting, try The Unmumsy Mum. We’ll guarantee you find something hilarious that totally resonates with you.
7. “A Messy Home Is Full Of Love.”
Here at Happity we also love this letter from a health visitor to a new mum. It’s so reassuring to know that professionals see the love and care for a new baby, not the pile of clothes in the corner!
8. “The Washing And Tidying Can Wait. My Baby/Children Can’t.”
“Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow, for babies grow up, we’ve learned to our sorrow.” – Ruth Hulbert Hamilton (1958 poem)
Sometimes parents can be so determined to ‘get something done’, that they’ll focus all their energy on one area of the house, only for another to be rapidly getting out of hand where the children are. Why not be kind to yourself and set a 10-minute timer to blitz the most pressing jobs? Then kick back with the children? After all, you might look back at your day and wonder why you didn’t spend much time with them. And if you’re more ‘present’ with your children where they are playing, you’ll probably find you can keep more of a handle on the mess.
If a job is really bugging you, setting your toddler to ‘work’ alongside you can be a good strategy. Sure, it may take longer, but your toddler might learn how to sort clothes, put away their toys, or pair socks.
9. “It’s ‘Good Enough’ – It Doesn’t Need To Be Perfect.”
Various, including pediatrician Donald Winnicott (1896-1971)
I think we’d all agree that ‘done’ is better than ‘not done’. If you’re a perfectionist, it can be hard to let go. Giving yourself permission to do things ‘well enough’ rather than to your highest standards can actually be really freeing.
10. “There’s No Such Thing As The Wrong Weather, Only The Wrong Clothing.”
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong kind of clothing.” Alfred Wainwright (1973), based on a German idiom (1874) attributed to Heinrich Simon
It’s amazing how getting out in nature can have a calming effect on us and our children. Babies will happily snooze in their pram under the shade of trees, while all that toddler energy gets channelled into stomping through leaves and mud.
There are loads of nature classes and outdoor forest school toddler groups that run through the winter too if you want a more structured approach.
11. “My Children Are Fed, Clean, Safe And Happy.”
Of course they are – and that’s all that matters.
Remember it’s also OK to say ‘no’ to other people who are asking for your time – whether this is for a playdate, outing, visit or other commitment. Prioritising you and your family’s needs, health and time is absolutely OK. So no need to feel guilty if a sofa day or or a chilled afternoon playing is actually what you all need.
12. “It’s About The Journey, Not The Destination.”
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” – attributed to American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
Wouldn’t life be dull if everything went smoothly from A to B? Focus too much on the destination and you miss all the fun stuff in between. So embrace the dirty nappies, the snot, the mess and the emotions of your children. There’ll be plenty of laughs and giggles to get you through, even in the hardest of times. Sometimes it’s all about the ride.
Where Else Can I Find Some Mindful Affirmations About Parenting?
The Bump has a whole list of positive parenting affirmations, as well some to use in more challenging moments. Here at Happity we love ones like “I’m doing the best I can for my family, and it’s enough”, “Today is a new day for our family”, “My child is not giving me a hard time, they are having a hard time, and I can help” and ““My child and I are learning as we go.”
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Parenting is full of precious firsts—those tiny moments and big milestones that you want to treasure forever. From the first cuddles at home to their first steps, every moment deserves a celebration. That’s where My 1st Years, the leading personalised baby brand, comes in.
Founded in 2009 by two friends, My 1st Years has become a trusted name for creating meaningful, premium gifts for families. Their range is carefully curated to celebrate every stage of a child’s early years, offering high-quality, personalisable products that bring joy to children and parents alike.
Why Parents Love My 1st Years
1. Beautifully Personalised Gifts
There’s something truly special about a gift that’s uniquely theirs. My 1st Years offers a range of personalisable items, from adorable robes and blankets to wooden toys and backpacks. Each piece is crafted with care, making every gift a keepsake that families will cherish for years.
2. Top-Quality Products
Whether it’s soft fabrics for their signature clothing or durable materials for their toys, My 1st Years ensures every product meets the highest standards. Loved by parents, celebrities, and even Royalty, their commitment to quality speaks volumes.
3. Perfect for Every Occasion
From newborn essentials to gifts for starting school, My 1st Years offers options for every milestone. Whether you’re celebrating a christening, a first birthday, or their first day at nursery, you’ll find a thoughtful gift for every occasion.
4. Making Memories Last
My 1st Years doesn’t just provide gifts—they help families create memories. With their timeless designs and personal touches, each product becomes a part of the story families share with their little ones.
Gifting Inspiration
If you’re looking for the perfect present, here are some of our favorite picks from My 1st Years:
Cosy Robes and Blankets: Perfect for snuggles at home or after bathtime.
Personalised Wooden Toys: From trains to puzzles, these timeless toys spark joy and creativity.
Adorable Backpacks: Great for little adventurers starting nursery or heading out for family days.
Keepsake Clothing: Bodysuits and baby grows that are both practical and precious.
Why We Recommend My 1st Years to the Happity Community
At Happity, we’re all about celebrating the joys of parenthood and making life easier for families. My 1st Years shares those values by providing products that are not only functional but also deeply meaningful. Their dedication to quality, excellent customer service, and thoughtful design makes them a perfect fit for the Happity community.
Whether you’re looking for a gift for your own child or a present for another family, My 1st Years offers something special for every milestone.
Shop and Save with Happity
As part of the Happity community, you can enjoy 20% off your My 1st Years purchase when you book through Happity. It’s the perfect time to treat your little ones or surprise a loved one with a thoughtful gift.
Celebrate your family’s firsts with My 1st Years—because every moment deserves to be cherished.
Disclaimer: My 1st Years are our partner brand for January 2025. This partnership will help us in our goal of connecting more parents with classes and to help find support near them.
Want To Get Out And About, Have Fun With Your Baby Or Toddler, And Meet Other Parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
As new parents, you want to save money anywhere you can, and one of the first thought for many is about how to reduce your energy bills. Whether it’s the middle of winter or the start of spring, there are some quick and easy ways to reduce your energy bills as parents without compromising your baby’s comfort.
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
Quick Ways To Reduce Your Energy Bills As Parents In The Short Term
With a new baby in tow, you’ll be looking for easy things you can do now to save some cash. So read on for our heating, laundry, meal, bedtime and bathroom tips.
Heating Hacks: How Can We Reduce Our Energy Bills In the Short Term As New Parents?
1. Be Heating-Wise
Move your thermostat into the room you spend the most time in with your baby. Turn your radiators off in rooms you don’t use regularly and shut the door to retain any existing heat.
2. Keep Baby Warm – But Not Too Warm (Use A Room Thermometer)
16-20 degrees is the recommended and safest temperature for the room your baby is sleeping in. Remember NHS safety advice is to sleep in the same room as your baby, both day and night, and to use a lightweight sleeping bag for your baby or sheet and/or lightweight blanket (cellular, not fleecy). This is because babies can’t regulate their own body temperature, so can easily overheat with too many thick blankets. Also remove any outdoor clothing or hats when they are indoors.
If your baby is in a sleeping bag and feels cold, add an extra layer of clothing like a vest rather than a blanket. If you’re using sheets and/or blankets, you can add an extra layer of clothing or extra lightweight blanket. Check out more advice from The Lullaby Trust here about safer sleep in winter. Your baby needs to be warm, but not overheated.
3. Layer Yourself Up (Quick Way To Reduce Energy Bills As A Parent)
Feeding a baby involves a lot of sitting around. Whether you’re bottle or breastfeeding, it’s worth having extra jumpers, dressing gowns or throws for you (baby will get warm from your body heat). Also wear an extra pair of socks, aim for more woolly clothing and use a microwaveable wheat bag. Heat the person, not the room – just don’t be tempted to add too many layers to your baby, as this may lead to overheating.
Just bear in mind it’s better to aim for a minimum room temperature of 18 degrees if you have elderly family members around or those with health conditions.
4. Heat More Often, Not Higher
If you’re having a baby during the winter months, you may have to think about putting the heating on more regularly to keep your house at 16-20 degrees. However, having warm clothing to hand for you will help you from whacking the heating up too high, particularly during the middle of the night. Wheat warmers that you can heat up in the microwave can be good if you feel the chill. Just keep them away from baby, as they can feel really hot!
Again, remember don’t be tempted to overheat your baby. Aim for 16-20 degrees room temperature where they are sleeping. Safer for them to be cooler than swaddled and too hot. You can always add extra clothing if they’re feeling chilly.
5. Exclude Draughts
Use a draught excluder on front doors, or rooms with doors which need extra insulation. You can also add self-adhesive insulation strips on ill-fitting doors. How about adding a curtain rail above doors and thick curtains? Extra rugs can also add extra warmth to cold or hard floors. You’ll be thankful for this when you’re up feeding in the night!
6. Free Up Your Radiators
It can be tempting to use your radiators to dry/air clothes, but if you leave your radiators ‘free’, this will help more heat to radiate into your room. Also move large furniture and baby equipment away from radiators so they have a clear space in front of them (never put a cot directly next to a radiator anyway).
7. Revamp Your Insulation
Pop up into the loft and make sure your insulation is evenly spread. Push it into the corners where possible. Maybe consider getting an extra layer of insulation.
8. Switch Off Appliances
Switch off lights and appliances so they’re not on standby, including baby devices like sterilisers and prep machines.
9. Check Your Energy Deal
It’s easy to check whether you’re getting the best energy deal for you and your household using comparison sites like Uswitch.
10. Share The Heat
Get together with friends and family in someone’s home, visit a library or other ‘warm space’, or sign up for a regular baby class or group. If you’re out of your home for a few hours every day, you can share heating costs with others by doing this.
Laundry Hacks: How Can I Wash Baby Clothes While I Reduce Energy Bills As A New Parent?
11. Wash On Full
Save your loads up so you run the washing machine on full. Don’t be afraid to mix in adult clothes, sheets and towels in with baby items (as they’re really small).
12. Save Your Loads
It’s tempting to throw in soiled/dirty baby clothes immediately to wash: what you can do is save them up by storing them in a bucket (you can get some good ‘nappy buckets’ to dry pail them) until you have enough to make up a wash. Just don’t leave them longer than three days. If they’re really dirty or it’s a poonami situation, you can always wash or rinse the clothes on a short, hot setting first, then add other laundry to make it up to a full, cooler wash at 30 or 40 degrees.
13. Wash Small
Consider hand washing very small items if they just need a quick refresh, and/or invest in some proper bibs too to protect baby clothes and sleepsuits. Try to wash at 30 degrees where possible.
14. Ditch The Dryer
If you want to save energy on the tumble dryer and reduce your energy bills as parents, the best way to do this is not use the dryer at all. Instead, put the washing machine on in the early morning (face it, you’re probably going to be up in the early hours anyway) or if you have a timer, set it to come on first thing.Then you can make the most of daylight to hang your washing outside and give it a blow around.
Invest in some large drying racks and put them in the warmer areas of the house like near a boiler or airing cupboard, or well-ventilated airy room. Running a dehumidifier is definitely cheaper than putting on the heating.
If the washing really isn’t going to dry, put your tumble dryer on but on a low setting – maybe as a last resort.
How Can I Wash Nappies Efficiently?
If the nappies are soiled but your child is in good health, did you know that you can actually wash nappies at 40 degrees? However, If your child has a virus or a stomach bug, or has just had their vaccinations, be sure to wash the nappies at 60 degrees to thoroughly sanitise them. Always wash nappies on a minimum 2-hour cycle, whatever temperature you are using.
Meal Hacks: How Can I Save Money On Cooking Bills As A Family?
15. Go For Larger Quantities
Batch-cook meals and use a microwave or air fryer rather than oven to reheat. Microwaves are the cheapest option. See here for more warming and batch-cooking ideas of basics like bolognese sauces.
16. Be Kettle-Savvy
Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle. A measuring jug to hand next to the kettle can be useful as you can put in exactly the right amount of water for a cup of tea or baby bottle.
Bedroom And Nursery Hacks: How Can I Save Money On Heating Sleeping Areas?
17. Curtain-Up
Invest in a black-out blind and thicker curtains. Open these as soon as your baby is awake to make the most of the daylight. The room will get some heat from the sun. Shut the blinds and curtains as soon as the sun begins to set to retain the heat.
18. Control Temperature
Add a baby room thermometer so you can try and maintain the bedroom room temperature at 16-20 degrees. If you get a Groegg, this acts as a night light as well as a thermometer, so you should save a bit on extra lighting.
Bathtime Basics: How Can I Save Money On Heating Water?
19. Quicken Baby Baths
If you have a baby bath, it won’t take much water to get it to the recommended depth of 8-10 cm. 37 degrees (lukewarm) is the safest and most comfortable temperature for them. But use your elbow dipped in the water to check the temperature – it shouldn’t feel too hot or too cold. Mix the bathwater thoroughly with your hand to avoid any hot or cold areas.
Babies don’t actually need bathing everyday (aim for 2-3 times a week), but if they need a freshen up after a dirty nappy, you can top and tail them using cotton wool and some warm water. Top and tail baths have separate compartments for water which you use for their head, and that for their bottoms. This will also save on water and heating costs.
20. Shorten Showers
Now you have a newborn, you will probably be having shorter showers anyway. If not, try a shower timer. You can set these to a few minutes so that you know how long you’ve been in the shower. If you are recovering postpartum and need to take some ‘sitz’ baths, make these shallow.
How Can I Invest In Some Longer-Term Energy-Saving Hacks As A New Parent?
Here are a few longer-term things to consider if you want to invest in saving money on energy into the future.
Water-Saving Shower Heads – a low-flow, water-saving or aerating showerhead can reduce the water flow rate (usually around 4 litres per minute with regular shower heads), thus saving energy and money.
Solar Panels – solar panels generate your own electricity which can be stored in batteries in your loft, and also sold back to energy companies in warmer months when you’re using less electricity.
Radiator-reflecting panels – radiator reflector panels can help reflect heat back into the room so it’s not lost through uninsulated external walls.
Underfloor Heating – with underfloor heating in key areas like bathrooms and downstairs, this can help save on putting the heating on so frequently.
Thermal Imaging Survey – there are many companies now who offer thermal imaging surveys. These help identify cold patches around your home, for example near doors and windows and on the ceiling where loft insulation could be better spread out.
Replace Your Boiler – replacing your boiler as and when you have the funds to do so can reap financial benefits in the long run.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Are you wanting to celebrate Lunar New Year with your toddler and looking for fun games and activities to do? Whether it’s making paper lanterns and origami, watching a dragon dance or immersing yourself in Lunar New Year celebrations, there are a plethora of things you can do with your toddler. So read on for some inspiring lunar activity ideas!
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
What Is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is the new year based on lunar or lunisolar calendars rather than the Gregorian calendar. A lunisolar calendar uses both the phases of the moon and the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
Chinese New Year in 2025 falls on January 29th, has 7 days of public holidays until February 4th (though celebrations can last up to 16 days) and celebrates the Year of the Snake. Here’s more about how communities celebrate Chinese New Year.
Why Is It Now Called Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year refers to celebrations by all cultures which use a lunar calendar to mark the new year. Different cultures celebrate on different dates. So Lunar New Year is a more umbrella term than Chinese New Year etc. which refers just to China rather than the rest of Asia as well.
1. Decorate Your Home In Red And Yellow
Red and yellow are lucky colours in China, so why not make some traditional decorations or some easy home-made paper chains in red and gold? Or you can do a ‘red’ and ‘gold’ hunt around the house – see what items you and your toddler can find and sort them into two piles for fun.
2. Make Paper Lanterns
Use A4 paper or card for this. First, you need to cut off a strip of paper or card for the handle. Then (and your toddler can help do this using children’s scissors), fold the paper in half lengthways and make cuts from one edge of the paper towards the centre. If you don’t want to use a stapler (as they do in the video below), just use a glue stick or tape to fasten the two edges of the lantern together and attach the handle.
3. Go To A Baby Or Toddler Class With A Lunar New Year Theme
With such a range of baby and toddler classes out there, many will adopt a Lunar New Year theme towards the end of January. Ask your class provider or do a quick class search to see what’s on near you.
4. Use CBeebies To Help Explain Lunar New Year To Your Toddler
Watch children explain Lunar New Year in this clip from JoJo And Gran Gran. You can also see an animation of a lion dance – both lions and dragons are lucky animals.
5. Learn Some Chinese
Check out these free resources to help your child learn some basic Mandarin Chinese.
If you’re looking for an in-person experience, click here for Mandarin classes suitable for toddlers from 18 months old.
6. Make Spring Rolls Or Dumplings
Even your toddler can get involved in some basic cooking and food preparation as a Lunar New Year activity.
Here’s a toddler-friendly spring roll recipe where your child can get involved with the spooning of the ingredients, wrapping and rolling. Here’s another one of a child making dumplings:
7. Make Snake, Dragon Or Lion Artwork
2025 is the Year Of The Snake, while dragons and lions both symbolise good luck in Chinese culture. So you’ll often see a lion or dragon dance around Lunar New Year. You could make a dragon or lion picture. Use toddler fingerprints for the lion’s mane or for the dragon’s fire. For the Year Of The Snake, you can make a paper chain snake. Stick on a face, eyes and tongue at the end.
Other cultures use some slightly different animals in their zodiac. For example, in Thailand, there is a snake-like creature called Naga instead of a dragon. In Vietnam it’s a cat instead of a rabbit. Again, your toddler could make pictures of these.
8. Make A Dragon And Perform A Dragon Dance
If you’ve got loads of boxes lying around, you can use these to make a body and head for a dragon at home. Some outdoor nature groups will include crafts like making a dragon and the toddlers will get to carry the dragon along in a line.
Here’s how you can make a smaller Lunar New Year dragon using handprints, colours and lolly pop sticks.Or use this template to make a dragon with concertina body. Here’s a dragon puppet from Messy Monster which you could then use in a dance or puppet show.
9. Catch The Dragon’s Tail Game
If there are several kids or adults around at Lunar New Year, you can play a game where you all stand in a line with your hands on the shoulders of the person in front and try to ‘catch the dragon’s tail’. The idea is that the dragon’s head is the first person in the line and the last person is its tail. The head tries to catch the tail while the people in the middle try to prevent this by moving around. But you can’t break the line.
10. Make Dragons Breathing Fire Using Toilet Rolls
For a dragon breathing fire, you just need a toilet roll tube and some tissue paper. Draw eyes on the toilet roll and decorate it so it looks like a dragon’s head. Glue strips of tissue paper at one end, so when you blow through it it looks like a dragon breathing fire.
Here’s another one for our list of Lunar New Year toddler activities: a paper plate dragon! You just need a paper plate, lollipop stick and some paint or fabric to decorate it. Your toddler may need some help with the cutting of the shapes but should be able to do some fun painting and decorating.
12. Make A Hongbao
Hongbaos are little red envelopes that older relatives use to put money in for children. With a bit of help, toddlers can help fold the paper or decorate these. Follow the instructions in this video for kids below. You just need some red and yellow paper, some scissors, glue and thread. The yellow paper lantern you can use to decorate it is very cute.
13. Watch Some Fireworks
With celebrations for Lunar New Year falling at the end of January, there will be plenty of fireworks around if your toddler likes fireworks. Or use our handy guide to help your children if they’re afraid of fireworks for alternative ideas.
14. Make A Firework Model
Here are some easy firework art and firework models using toilet roll tubes. Simply stuff a toilet roll with lots of different coloured tissue paper so it looks like a firework coming out of the bottom of the tube.
15. Make Firework Pictures
Perhaps you could make some footprint rockets? Fill a small tray or takeaway tub with washable toddler paint. Your toddler steps in the paint with each foot and makes a set of footprints on a piece of paper on the floor. You can add extra toe prints for the sparks coming out of the bottom of the rocket. Draw or stick extra shapes on by hand for the body of the rocket – and voilà!
16. Make Origami Bangers
These are fun – and loud! – to make. You will need an A4 piece of paper to fold. Follow the instructions along with the video and help your toddler fold to make a banger they can operate by hand!
17. Take A Walk Through Chinatown
If you live in a town or city with a Chinatown, it can be really fun to take a stroll and see all the Chinese lanterns and other decorations. Dragon dances, parades and fireworks during are great toddler activities during Lunar New Year. If your toddler’s not a fan of crowds, standing at the entrance and looking through the archway can be a good alternative. Did you know that Manchester has the second largest Chinatown in the UK and the third largest in Europe? Other centres include Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds and Glasgow.
18. Visit A Museum Or Local Community Event
Museums like the Royal Museums at Greenwich often host lots of activities and celebrations for Lunar New Year that you can do with your toddler and there are others around the country. For example, there’s a one-day festival in Trafalgar Square, celebrations in Hippodrome Square in Birmingham and a Lunar New Year celebration at Manchester Museum.
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