Be kind + cozy: 39 ways of cultivating Hygge for kids

This post is brought to you by Abercrombie Kids. While this was a sponsored opportunity, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Over the last few months, it feels like we’ve been running around like crazy. A new baby coming this Spring, selling our home, and a big move coming in a few weeks. To say the least, life has been insane. And the kids are definitely feeling it!

We try and make sure we get quality time in with each of the boys all year long. But even more so now. Zach is gone from Sunday to after they go to sleep on Thursday, and it feels like time is going faster than ever. So how do we combat these huge life changes from wreaking havoc on us all? 

Hygge!

You know I love the Danish idea of Hygge. Creating coziness and warmth. And I think it’s kind of a shame that it’s so geared towards adults. Because Hygge moments for kids can be so incredibly therapeutic. When life throws curveballs and everything around them is changing, I think it’s incredibly important to give them those slow and intentional moments of joy.

How do we cultivate Hygge for kids?

Let them lead the way.

This may seem silly. But I know H, almost 5, is happiest when he feels like he’s able to be in charge. It can be something as simple as picking out his own clothes to wear! Or being given the option to choose dinner that night. Letting him foster his independence always seems to start at letting him make his own decisions. Obviously, there are some thing that safety reasons require me to step in! But for the most part, you’d be surprised at just how much you kids can do when you let them! 

Get Cozy!

What does cozy / cosy mean to you? To our 5 year old, it means comfy clothes, comfy blankie, and snuggles. How simple is that? Now that he’s getting older, he has more of an opinion about what he wears. And he’s started refusing jeans and button ups, and anything that doesn’t feel soft on his skin. That means we’re doing what I mentioned above – letting him take control. He picks out all his clothes, and it’s made life so much easier for all of us. He’s comfy, and loves telling us all about how his awesome pants let him do ninja jumps “as high as the sky”.

Some of his personal cozy favorites:

Abercrombie kids everybody collection:

We love the Abercrombie Kids everybody collection. They’re clothes made for kids. For every kid. And for every type of adventure. Whether that’s reading on the couch with mom, building MegaBloks with dad on the weekend, or jumping off the steps at our neighborhood park. It’s all about keeping them comfortable, so they can be kids!

As a mom, I appreciate that there are always great sales! Like right now, there’s 30% off select styles! And a free gift with purchase over $50. For current sales and promotions, check the abercrombie kids homepage!

I love that their everybody collection is gender neutral items. Harrison is 5 and loves dinosaurs and green, but he also loves the color pink and sparkles. I want him to grow up in a world where that’s not only okay, but encouraged. And that starts at home! So when he tells me he wants a pink beanie, rather than black or blue, he gets the pink beanie.

Get back to basics.

Hygge for kids has been an amazing concept for us. It’s helped me realize what kids truly want – us. Not brand new shiny expensive toys and video games. But time with me, and time with my husband. One of Harrison’s favorite things in this world is having a sleepover with his Grammy and PopPop. And you know what? It’s just as Hygge for them, as it is for him. 

Game nights, time outside digging in the dirt, baking, a walk together outside. These are the little Hygge things that are little to no cost to you, yet will pay you and your kiddo back tenfold. And to be honest, for your kids, anything you do with them, with your whole attention, is Hygge. Don’t over schedule them, just let them show you their preferences and let them lead the way!

Hygge is about utilizing all five senses in all your activities: smell the flowers, crunch in the leaves. Squish in the mud, and notice the sights and sounds around you.

39 kid friendly Hygge ideas:

1. Make a blanket fort! Add fairy lights for even more hygge.
2. Go on a walk outside, collecting bits of nature as you go. 
3. Utilize the magic of hushed voices: explain that our voices have power. So by being quiet while outside, we get to see the true nature of animals in their space. Tiptoe over to a log, and quietly and softly lift to find the little bugs underneath. Using a gentle voice and exhibiting kindness to examine the world around us will help kids gain a reverence for the world around them.
4. Consider bringing a special thermos of apple cider or hot cocoa with cinnamon along on your walk as a special treat when you get back to the car. 
5. Observe the moon, talk about the different phases.
6. Observe the leaves as they change color and fall from the trees.
7. Rake a giant leaf pile and jump into them!
8. Climb trees.
9. Splash in puddles!
10. Run around in a rainstorm!
11. Play in the mud.
12. Make hot cocoa together.
13. Bake!
14. Cook dinner together.
15. Free play outside is the gold standard!
16. Color.
17. Yoga! Cosmic Kids is great.
18. Have a movie and snuggles night. Your child gets to choose the movie! Everyone snuggles on the couch in their comfy clothes, and no phones or other screens allowed.
19. Camping – even if it’s just a tent and blankets out in your backyard.
20. Face masks.
21. Learn how to knit or crochet together. This is highly calming because of its repetitive nature.
22. Make a cozy reading nook.
23. Snuggly reading time!
24. Make up a story together. Write it down to save so you can read it again and again. 
25. Have a dance party.
26. Make a special playlist together.
27. Play board games together. We love games like Candyland, Connect 4, Chutes and Ladders.
28. Work on a puzzle!
29. Have a tea-time.
30. Wear pajamas all day.
31. Molding with clay.
32. Origami.
33. Gardening! Something as simple as seed starters, or even starting and maintaining a vegetable garden together.
34. Play dress up.
35. Lay outside and look at the stars.
36. Bring the outside in and create a glow in the dark star map on their bedroom ceiling.
37. Head to the thrift store to find a special treasure.
38. Create a special bath time before bed. Lower the lights, add some bubbles or a bath bomb, and maybe some music.
39. Steal a moment to just hug. Not a quick 2 second hug. But a real, tight, 30 second hug. Hugs can be magical and totally relax us all.