Two-Week Christmas Break With a Toddler
A realistic routine, activity ideas, and potty‑training plans you can actually follow.
The two‑week Christmas break with a toddler can feel magical… and overwhelming. No daycare, cold weather, disrupted routines, big emotions, sugar, excitement — all while trying to potty train and keep everyone sane.
This guide shares:
- A realistic two‑week daily routine
- Indoor & outdoor activity ideas you can rotate
- Potty‑training schedules and methods (pick what works for your child)
- Tips for making the break feel structured without being rigid
This routine is designed for a 2–3 year old, especially toddlers who:
- Can pee/poop on the potty sometimes
- Don’t always tell you before they need to go
- Are in diapers or pull‑ups outside the house or at daycare
The Daily Rhythm (Why This Works)
Rather than planning every minute, this schedule focuses on:
- Predictable anchors (meals, outdoor time, nap, bedtime)
- Long activity blocks instead of constant transitions
- Frequent potty opportunities without pressure
You’ll notice the same flow each day — toddlers thrive on this, especially during holidays.
Two‑Week Sample Schedule (Holiday Version)
Note: Any location‑specific or organized programs have been replaced with generic, repeatable activities you can do anywhere. Below I have also included some ideas for the morning activities, outdoor activities and afternoon activities – I took ideas from what my toddler already does at daycare, as well as things I know he enjoys to do at home.
Morning (7:00–12:00)
7:00–8:00
Wake up & breakfast – include them in picking clothes out for the day – or make it a pyjama day!
Potty first thing after waking.
8:00–10:00
Creative morning activity + music + snack – I have added a list of ideas below for morning activities and snacks!
Potty every hour.
10:00–12:00
Outdoor activity block (split if needed) – a few ideas are listed below, even getting outside for 15 minutes is important every day. I usually order my groceries online, but even changing up that routine and actually going to the grocery store with my toddler will be on the schedule.
Potty before going outside and again when coming in.
Midday (12:00–3:00)
12:00–2:30
Lunch – make this simple, even a toddler friendly charcuterie board is a great idea.
Nap / quiet time – my toddler is still napping 1.5-2 hours, if your toddler has dropped their nap, keep a quiet time play in their room so you can get a reset as well.
Potty: immediately after waking.
Afternoon & Evening (3:00–8:00)
3:00–5:00
Afternoon activity (indoor play, baking, crafts, games) – see below for a list of ideas.
Prompt the potty every hour.
5:00–6:00
Dinner – include your toddler in the prep or picking what is for dinner, it will take longer, but they will love being apart of the prep.
Potty after dinner.
6:00–7:00
Calm screen time or quiet play; keep the same time for screen time every day, so your toddler knows when it is time to watch their favourite show. Try to limit to 30 minutes a day (or not at all), we are really into Paw Patrol right now, but we always offer another show to watch as well. We are also doing a couple Christmas movies during the break, attached with a fun Christmas activity and treat – The Grinch is our favourite.
Potty
7:00–8:00
Bath and Potty.
Bedtime routine; keep this the same every night, just like anything else you do with your toddler, they thrive on routine. Since having my twins, my husband and I switch who does bedtime routine with our toddler, so he gets one on one time with both of us. Routine includes brushing teeth, bath every couple days, picking out pyjamas and a couple books to read, then lights out and we sing his favourite song, You Are My HoneyBun – a song my Gram used to sing to me and my sister when we were younger. My toddler really enjoys the one on one time with us and goes to bed pretty smoothly.
Special Days – Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve
Since it is the holidays, and they are home for a reason, I also think it’s fun to make these couple days special, and get them to be apart of creating traditions with the family, here are a few things we are doing this year with our toddler and family friends for Christmas and New Year’s Days.
Christmas Eve we get to open a present; which includes our matching Christmas pyjamas (my husband and I switch every year who picks the design so we each get to be surprised and it doesn’t always fall on one parent every year) and a Christmas book. We will get our favourite snacks and watch a Christmas movie before bed and bake cookies for Santa. Since my toddler is almost 3 years old, he is starting to understand Santa, so it will be fun to make cookies and leave them out this year. My husband and I will wrap presents and put them all under the tree before we go to bed, we try to set a budget for gifts and stockings – especially with having three boys now! This year we limited ourselves to $150 per person and $50 for stocking stuffers (chocolate, underwear, socks, lip balm, toothpaste, are just a few ideas). We did get our toddler a big gift from us (Never Santa) – the CherryPick Bounce Castle, since our winters are extremely cold and we wanted something for him to do to burn energy inside. We will set that up Christmas Day since we have cats and don’t want them trying it out in the middle of the night.
Christmas Day we wear our new pyjamas all day! I like to make a special breakfast – this year I am trying creme brûlée French toast, candied bacon, hash browns, strawberries and obviously coffee! My toddler already requested ice cream for breakfast, so he will get a scoop of that, since it is a special day. We will spend the morning opening gifts as a family – my mom usually spends the holidays with us, so we go around opening and talking and enjoying each other’s company. Depending on the weather, we will try to go outside sledding – there is a small hill outside my backyard that we have been loving. I also try to give back to the community during the holidays – this year we will be donating a bunch of toys and clothes that we no longer use, I want to instil that sense of giving with my sons at an early age. The rest of the day is spent playing with our new toys, and preparing for a Christmas dinner. This year, we are doing a potluck with two of the moms and their families that have helped to create this website and its stories – we each decided on what we were bringing, so that prep will take a day.
New Year’s Eve we have decided to go to a friends house and order Chinese food, bake some of our favourite desserts, try some new mocktail drinks and watch the ball drop at 6pm with the toddlers so they can enjoy the celebrations. The activities of the day will be themes to New Years, making a resolution list with our toddler – what he wants to do in 2026 and getting outside.
Activity Ideas You Can Rotate All Two Weeks
Click Here for some ideas on Holiday themed toddler activities
Morning Creative Activities
- Play‑Doh
- Stickers & colouring
- Sensory bins
- Kinetic sand
- Puzzles
- Painting
- Reading books
- Music & movement
Outdoor Activities (Cold‑Weather Friendly)
- Walks – even 15 minutes is great, just get some fresh air
- Sledding – find a small hill by your house, your toddler will love it! you on the other hand, be prepared for a workout, pulling them up the hill a million times
- Snowman building – super fun to do and gets their imagination going, grab a carrot and those dates you didn’t eat when pregnant, an old hat and scarf – and a fun activity for your toddler – finding two sticks for arms!
- Shovelling together – we just bought our toddler a Paw Patrol toddler sized shovel to help out. They just want to be included, don’t expect them to shovel the entire driveway!!
- Playground (weather permitting)
- Skating
- Tubing or Skiing
👉 Aim for 1–2 hours total, split into chunks
Afternoon Activities
- Baking together – I got my toddler a Christmas dessert recipe book and we will probably try a new recipe every couple days during the break.
- Puzzles – this is a great activity to do as a family, tons of size options, can get some from your local thrift store, Walmart, amazon or local library!
- Building blocks / Lego
- Pretend play – my toddler loves Paw Patrol and he pretend plays with all his pups, as well he has a play kitchen where he pretends to make us ice cream or dinner.
- Dance party – we go to dance class once a week, so I have taken the playlist that is played there, and use it for our dance party, my toddler loves grooving in the morning to Sleeping Unicorns by the Kiboomers
- Library visit – lots of activities to do at our local library, and picking new books out!
- Movie afternoon (holiday themed)
- Swimming – find a pool in your area and get out to the pool
- Gym – in my town we have a space for mom’s to go and workout and there is a play enclosure for your toddler while you workout – find one so you both get a place to go and get out of the house for a change of scenery and some exercise
- Indoor play places – my town has a few different options for indoor playgrounds for toddlers and kids – find one in your area , grab a Starbucks for yourself and let your kid run wild, it’s a perfect way to burn off energy and get out of the house.
Snack & Meal Rhythm
Keeping snacks predictable helps avoid constant grazing. Pinterest is my best friend for recipe ideas. That and chatgpt – I input my ingredients and portion sizes and it outputs some recipes that I have used successfully.
Daily Flow:
- Breakfast
- Morning snack
- Lunch
- Afternoon snack
- Dinner
- Optional bedtime snack
Simple, familiar foods = fewer meltdowns.
Always offer milk or water for each food time, as well as always have some water around in their favourite cup. On special occasion, offer hot chocolate, hot apple cider, juice, milkshake, whatever you feel comfortable offering your toddler. I usually water down some orange juice for my toddler.
Breakfast Ideas
Aim for protein + carbs to keep them full longer. Click here for my Pinterest board for breakfast ideas.
- Cereal with milk
- Oatmeal (add berries, banana, or peanut butter)
- Yogurt with granola
- Eggs, toast & fruit
- Pancakes or waffles (freeze extras)
- French toast
- Muffins (banana, blueberry, pumpkin)
Lunch Ideas
Easy, familiar foods work best during potty training. Click here for some soup ideas.
- Turkey & cheese roll-ups + fruit/veggies
- Grilled cheese & soup
- Quesadilla with salsa or sour cream
- PB & J sandwich
- Pasta with butter or simple sauce
- Chicken nuggets & veggies
- Leftovers from dinner
Dinner Ideas
Keep dinners simple — holiday chaos is enough. Click here for my Pinterest board for dinner ideas.
- Tacos
- Spaghetti
- Risotto
- Baked chicken & rice
- Steak or meatballs with potatoes
- Sheet-pan sausage & veggies
- Slow-cooker meals (chili, stew)
Christmas Potluck – don’t get stuck cooking everything for your big holiday meals, grab some friends and do a potluck! there are three families going to my Christmas dinner this year and we have split up the following meal between each of us; Ham, honey glazed carrots, homemade buns, hash brown casserole, parmesan garlic broccoli, scalloped potatoes, bacon cranberry brussel sprouts, BYODrink, and we each are bringing a favourite dessert. Pinterest has some great recipe ideas, and chatgpt helps organize your cook times and recipes. Click here for some of my dessert ideas.
Snack Ideas
Plan 2–3 snacks per day to avoid constant grazing. Click here for my Pinterest board for snack ideas.
Snack #1 (Morning)
- Breakfast bar
- Muffin
- Yogurt pouch
- Fruit slices
Snack #2 (Afternoon)
- Crackers & peanut butter
- Cheese & crackers
- Veggies & dip
- Applesauce pouch
Snack #3 (Optional / Evening Treat)
- Cookies
- Ice cream
- Graham crackers
- Popcorn (age-appropriate)
Potty Tip: Offer the potty before and after meals and snacks — food often triggers the urge to go.
Potty Training During the Two‑Week Break
This break is an ideal time to potty train because: you are home (maybe stuck inside because of the weather), there is no daycare pressure (you have two uninterrupted weeks to get this done), and accidents are expected (it is easier to cleanup at home and avoid embarrassment, because trust me, there will be some from your toddler).
Method 1: The Structured Routine Method (Great for Toddlers Who Forget)
Best for: Kids who can use the potty but don’t initiate
How it works:
- Potty sits are built into the day
- No asking “do you need to go?” — just gentle reminders
Schedule:
- Wake up
- Before/after meals
- Before leaving the house
- After coming inside
- Before nap
- After nap
- Before bath
- Before bed
👉 Roughly every 60 minutes during awake time
What to wear:
- Underwear at home – we got him new paw patrol boxers to help make it fun, and a matching pair with Dad.
- Pants with easy waistbands
Tips:
- Use a timer or visual cue
- Celebrate effort, not just success – we have an extra special treat for when my toddler poops on the potty (paw patrol dummies or small chocolate)
- Stay neutral about accidents – it is very important to not yell or scold, accidents will happen, just stay calm and clean it up – they will feel embarrassed about it
Method 2: The Bare‑Bottom / Underwear Bootcamp (3–5 Days)
Best for: Toddlers who need to feel the sensation
How it works:
- Day 1–2: Bare bottom or just underwear
- Stay home
- Watch closely
Parent’s role:
- Prompt every 30–45 minutes
- Catch cues early (wiggling, holding, freezing)
Why it works:
- Accidents become learning moments
- Builds awareness faster
Important:
- Expect messes
- Stay calm
- Don’t abandon after Day 1 — consistency matters
Method 3: Hybrid / Real‑Life Method (Most Sustainable)
Best for: Families easing out of diapers
How it works:
- Underwear at home
- Pull‑ups only for:
- Long outings
- Car rides
- Sleep
Goal:
- Build confidence without overwhelming your child
Key tip:
Treat pull‑ups like diapers — not a backup plan
What We’re Working Toward
By the end of the two weeks, success may look like: fewer accidents (keeping the diaper or pull up on for naps and overnight only), your toddler willingly sitting on the potty or going to the toilet without prompt, starting to tell you BEFORE they go, and comfortable wearing underwear at home and hopefully at daycare.
✨ That is progress.
Tips for Surviving the Two‑Week Break
Lower expectations – if you are watching a movie to keep your sanity, or letting going of certain rules, that’s okay. sickness is also common during this time of the year, so figuring out what to do with a sick toddler will most likely be part of the routine.
Keep bedtime consistent – don’t change your routine from when they were going to daycare. If they stay up an hour later to watch a movie with you, or play a game, don’t make it a habit. As I said with New Year’s Eve, can even do that at 6/7pm, so that they still go to bed at a decent hour. This way you aren’t battling getting back on routine when you go back to work.
Get outside daily – they do at daycare, when weather appropriate, so keep that up when you are home. There are lots of activities that can get your toddler outside, even if it’s a 5 minute walk to the mailbox, the fresh air will do everyone good. More ideas are above.
Choose connection over perfection – there are tons of activities and crafts you can do with your toddler. Have some family over, or go visit some friends, create memories with your toddler and don’t worry about the picture perfect scene.
Remember – accidents don’t mean failure. Potty training is a challenge and accidents will happen, it is part of the process, keep calm and when you want to cry, just laugh, make it fun, life is too short and this age is so fun and creative.
Find a friend! For you and your toddler, they are used to social time at daycare, constantly with their friends, so make sure you find someone to spend time with, so they get toddler friend time, and you get some adult time with your mom friends.
Find some Me time – as moms we are doing everything, and the holidays can overload our task list – or hopefully get some things crossed off you have been meaning to do – like declutter the basement, or clean your bathroom. Make sure to schedule in a mani/pedi, pilates class, get your hair done, or book a massage for yourself. That reset is a huge help in ensuring you’re filling your cup just as much as your family’s. It is difficult to be 100% present with your family if you are not taking care of yourself too.
Real-Life Holiday Breaks: You’re Not Alone
Every family’s holiday break looks different — and that’s okay. Here are two real, unfiltered examples from working parents navigating daycare closures, naps, weather, and sanity.
Family Example #1: Working Parents + Shift Work
My husband and I both work, and he works rotating shift work. Our daycare is closed Dec 24–Jan 2, and because our jobs are 24/7, I had to use vacation days to cover the closure.
We won’t have a perfectly set routine, but one thing we have noticed lately is how much screen time impacts our toddler. Because of that, we’re limiting screens to one show in the morning only, and that’s it for the day.
Our plan includes:
- Community centre activities
- Fun zone at the sports centre
- Family swim
- Staying close to home to protect nap time
- Tobogganing if the weather cooperates
For context, our kids are 15 months and just over 3 years old, and our toddler still naps — so that naturally structures our day.
Family Example #2: School System Break + Creative Solutions
Scott and I are both off Dec 20–Jan 5, and daycare is closed for the full two weeks. We’re lucky to work in the school system, but it’s still challenging — especially since there are very limited kid activities where we live outside of the pool.
Our solution?
I bought my dad a plane ticket.
Nothing says winter break like grandpa coming to save the day.
Nap schedules also rule our days:
- One child naps 10–11
- Another naps 12–2
- Then another nap 2–3
By the time naps are done, there isn’t much room for outings — and the weather doesn’t help. We swing between -30°C one day and +12°C the next, which makes even a short walk feel impossible sometimes.
And honestly? That’s real life.
Feeding Toddlers During Potty Training
Potty training can affect appetite, digestion, and bathroom habits. Keeping food simple and supportive makes a big difference.
Potty-Friendly Foods (Help Prevent Constipation)
- Oatmeal
- Whole-grain toast
- Berries
- Pears, peaches, plums
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Beans & lentils
- Veggies with healthy fats (olive oil, butter)
Foods to Go Easy On During Potty Training
These aren’t bad foods — just ones that can cause constipation if overdone:
- Excess cheese
- White bread
- Bananas (in large amounts)
- Processed snacks
Hydration Matters
- Offer water frequently
- Add milk with meals, not all day
- Use fun cups or straws to encourage drinking
👉 Potty Tip: A well-hydrated toddler with soft stools is far more comfortable using the potty.
Final Reminder
If your days feel messy, nap-heavy, weather-dependent, and nothing like Instagram — you’re doing it right.
The goal of this break isn’t perfection. It’s connection, confidence, and surviving two weeks without daycare.
You’re not failing — you’re parenting.
If potty training clicks, amazing. If not, you’ve still laid a strong foundation.
You are not behind. You are right where you need to be.
You’ve got this.