About - Outside the Toy Box

Meet Valerie!

I’m Valerie, wife, mom, and early childhood educator turned stay at home mom. I worked most of my career in private non-traditional (Montessori, Reggio inspired, Project-based) preschools. I have my Masters in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelors in Human Development.

Working in multiple settings/teaching philosophies has allowed me to bring you a well-rounded and inclusive approach to learning through play.

With my experience and education, I hope to inspire other families and caregivers to think creatively about how they play with their children. My goal is to break down educational and child development theories into realistic and simple play ideas. Join me in spreading the joy of play-based learning.

Family Life

Our family is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is not as glamorous as it sounds, but we are fortunate to live in a place many people dream of visiting.

At Outside the Toy Box, we believe that every day is an opportunity to inspire and engage our children through simple, hands-on activities that foster creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning.

Our goal is to raise our children to be curious, joyful, lifelong learners. If you have a similar goal, then stick with us!

As parents ourselves, we understand the beautiful chaos of raising little ones – the laughter, the messes, the milestones, and the magical moments that make it all worthwhile.

Our mission is to empower parents and caregivers with the tools and resources they need to make the most of these precious early years, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Whether you’re seeking play ideas to keep your little ones entertained, tips for navigating the ups and downs of parenthood, or inspiration for fostering a love of learning at home, you’ll find a wealth of resources and support here at Outside the Toy Box.

Outside the Toy Box was created to provide busy parents with tips and tricks for play, and creative ideas to keep their little ones engaged whether their goal is to get dinner done without disruption or to carefully craft developmentally appropriate activities to maximize learning throughout the day. The activities are created and curated to inspire natural curiosity.

21st century learning requires critical thinking and creative problem solving. Gone are the days when education was sufficient with memorization of already known information. There is also not a one-size-fits all approach to learning and that is why Outside the Toy Box seeks to help parents find the right path for their child.

Outside the Toy Box has also become a vibrant community of like-minded parents eager for connection in what can sometimes feel like an isolated journey. I am here to bring honesty, reality, and practical solutions to common toddler parenting struggles.

Join the community

Join us to stay up to date on our latest shenanigans and get lots of play inspiration.

Follow our daily play journey and connect with us on social media.