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.
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...
Is your toddler as big a fan of Baby Shark as my toddler? Well, if they are, you are going to want to hear all the details about Ruby’s Baby Shark second birthday party. A two year old’s birthday party is, well, different. I love birthday parties and there are so many...
Do you love play dough, but despise the store bought stuff? Did you know it is super easy to make play dough at home?Today I am going to show you how you can make play dough at home in literally 5 minutes...without turning on the stove at all. I first started making...
Have you heard of magnetic tiles that are compatible with LEGO and DUPLO? Yes, you heard me right, they are called MAGBRIX. Today I am bringing you my review of MAGBRIX as well as some unique MAGBRIX play ideas. MAGBRIX opens the doors to unlimited creations and the...
Easter is near and you may be looking for some simple, affordable activities and crafts. Maybe you want to create some beautiful child-made art for Easter decor. Well, today I bring you a simple, nature inspired Easter craft perfect for toddlers and offers a nice...
St. Patrick's Day Gold Coin Activities You may feel more lethargic than lucky with a busy toddler running around, but don't fret I am bringing you 8 gold coin activities to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your little leprechaun. These activities are developmentally...
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.
