I’m Valerie, a mom and early childhood educator who’s passionate about making learning fun and meaningful.
I get it. As a parent (or teacher), you’re super busy, but I also know that you want to make sure you’re encouraging your child to be the happiest and best they can be, but its so hard to find the time and resources to do it all.
My guess is you are here because you are looking for 2 year old gifts that are a little more unique than the average advertisement from Target or Amazon. Well, I have curated a list that works with any budget, plus aids in development, stands the test of time, and...
Looking for a way to integrate letter recognition in a fun and festive way? Try this Letter leaves match and stick activity for some letter recognition with an Autumn theme.We had done a similar activity before when my toddler wasn’t even quite a year and a half (you...
A little bit of science, a little bit of Halloween. This Magnetic Halloween Sensory bin is the perfect way to balance learning, play, and the Fall season. I am truly inspired as soon as it hits the Fall season. I am not sure if it is because the weather is finally not...
If you love Halloween and the Autumn season, but dread carving a pumpkin, then this post will offer you 10 unique toddler pumpkin activities that don’t involve Jack-o-Lantern faces. These unique toddler pumpkin activities come from years of teaching preschool and...
What exactly is social and emotional learning (SEL) for toddlers? You may understand that these are important skills for your child to learn, but what exactly do they need to learn and how? What is developmentally appropriate for a toddler? The Collaborative for...
It’s the infamous clean-up time, oh no! Let me set the scene for you. It has been a day full of independent play and there are toys scattered around every room in the house. You really want to teach your child independence and responsibility so you ask them politely...
With a Master’s degree and 15 years of experience in everything from Montessori to Reggio Emilia schools, I’ve seen the magic that happens when kids learn through play.
But guess what? It’s not just about ABCs and 123s—it’s about sparking those big, beautiful life skills like empathy, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth.
When my oldest was born, my passion for play-based learning exploded, and I knew I had to share it with other parents and educators. That’s how Outside the Toy Box was born. Here, you’ll find practical, hands-on activities that fill kids with curiosity and a love for learning.
