As we slip gently into the winter season here in Auckland, I’ve been spending time making small changes to our home – shifting our rhythm, adding cozy touches, and embracing a slower pace. It’s a practice inspired by the Waldorf approach, and one that I’ve come to treasure deeply since becoming a parent. I am thrilled to share my Waldorf winter rhythm for toddlers in this post.
This is what winter looks like in our home right now – not perfect, not polished, but full of intention, warmth, and a toddler’s joyful energy. I hope it gives you a few gentle ideas as you create your own Waldorf winter rhythm for toddlers.
Honoring the Season Through a Waldorf winter rhythm for toddlers
Winter in the Southern Hemisphere doesn’t bring snow or frosted windows for us here in Auckland, but it does still bring a noticeable shift – shorter days, a chill in the air, and a call to slow down. In the Waldorf tradition, winter is a time of rest and inwardness. The energy turns toward home and hearth, and we follow that call as best we can – even with a busy 16-month-old.
For us, embracing a Waldorf winter rhythm for toddlers means setting up an environment that reflects the season’s mood: calm, warm, grounded. It also means adjusting our daily flow to match the quieter energy. This means more indoor play, slower mornings, cozy meals, and moments of story and imagination woven throughout our day.
Our Winter Nature Table
One of the most beloved elements of Waldorf seasonal living is the nature table. Our nature table is a shelf tucked up high – partly to give it a feeling of reverence, and partly because our toddler loves handing all the treasures to our puppy… who eats them.
This season, it holds pinecones we’ve found on walks, a few smooth stones, sticks, and a little candle we light in the mornings. Behind it, I’ve placed a board with printed photos of our family this season – just a small way to acknowledge who we are right now and what’s happening in our world. The nature table invites us to pause and notice the world outside, even on wild rainy days when we can’t get out.
Simple Seasonal Decorations
While winter celebrations look different for everyone, I like to keep things simple and grounded in nature. I reused some pinecones from our summer Christmas stash and paired them with cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices for a cozy scent.
I also made a simple garland of brown paper stars – hand-cut, strung with natural twine, and hung across our shelving. We use battery-powered tea light candles to create a gentle glow in the evenings. These little additions bring beauty and warmth to the space without overwhelming it.
Winter Sensory Play for Toddlers
Our play shelf changes with the season, too. This winter, I’ve filled a small basket with felted root vegetables. This has been my first attempt at needle felting, and a satisfying one! I lay them over a piece of dark brown felt to act as soil, and my toddler loves pretending to harvest them. We’ve also rotated in wooden animals and a silk cloth in cool, wintry tones. These little setups invite open-ended play while reflecting what’s happening in the natural world.
Sensory play is a big part of our Waldorf winter rhythm for toddlers. It’s grounding, imaginative, and led by the child’s curiosity.
A Cozy Storytime Corner
This season, I set up a reading nook with a fabric teepee, some soft pillows, and a sheepskin rug. It’s tucked into a quiet corner with a small basket of winter-themed picture books – stories about animals sleeping, snow falling, and the quiet magic of this time of year. This space offers a sense of peace, especially in the afternoons. Sometimes we read together, sometimes she flips through the books on her own. Either way, it’s a special part of our rhythm.
Our Daily Winter Flow
Our days look different in winter. We take our time in the morning – lighting a candle at breakfast, sipping something warm, maybe reading a seasonal verse or poem. If the weather allows, we head outside to breathe in the crisp air and collect little treasures. Then it’s home again for play, stories, warm food, and connection.
A gentle rhythm gives our days shape without rigidity. It allows space for both structure and spontaneity – a balance that’s especially helpful with toddlers. Winter is when I feel that rhythm the most – the slowness, the repetition, the comfort.
Nourishing the Season: Pumpkin & Ham Hock Soup
Winter wouldn’t be complete without a cozy meal, and one of our favorites this season has been pumpkin and ham hock soup. I bake halved pumpkins until soft and sweet, then cook a bacon hock in the pressure cooker with a few veggies and herbs to create a rich broth.
Once the pumpkin is blended with some of that broth, I stir the shredded ham back in and finish it with a swirl of curry-spiced oil – just a little warm avocado oil poured over curry powder to release its flavor. It’s simple, hearty, and full of nourishment. Full blog post with recipe to come! In the meantime, check out my other family favorite recipes here.
Making It Your Own
If you’re just starting to explore seasonal living, or the Waldorf approach feels a little intimidating – know that it can be simple. You don’t have to do everything. You don’t need the perfect setup or handcrafted everything. A few intentional choices can shift the tone of your home, your rhythm, and your day.
I encourage you to think about what the season feels like where you live, and what your child is drawn to right now. Let that guide you.
Want More Flow in Your Week?
If you’re feeling inspired to bring a little more seasonal rhythm into your home, I’d love to share my ‘Tips for Crafting Your own Weekly Flow’ with you.
It’s a free printable with gentle prompts and ideas to help you craft a weekly flow that works for your family. Download it here: Tips for Crafting Your own Weekly Flow
Want the full experience? You can head straight to the Family Flow Kit eBook here. It’s a beautiful, practical guide you can start using today. With seasonal rhythm ideas, toddler-friendly routines, and printable planning tools, I designed it to help you create more ease and flow in your family life right away.
And if you’d like to see how all this looks in action, you can watch our full YouTube episode here:
Thanks for being here, and I hope your winter is filled with warmth, wonder, and gentle rhythm.
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