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.
For the longest time, I wanted a light table. I wanted one to use in my classroom and then I wanted one to use at home with my little one. There are so many beautiful play and sensory ideas using light tables, but they always seemed way out of reach financially. I...
It has been a year since I first started my journey as a stay at home mom (SAHM) alone. Yes, I have been at home for more than a year, but I do not count the 6 weeks where my husband was also home for paternity leave. I was so lucky to have him for that time and I got...
Even though my dad was a musician and I married a musician, I do not have a musical bone in my body. I sing off key. I cannot keep a rhythm. I have only a handful of children’s songs memorized (and most of them are the classics). Does that stop me from immersing my...
You are probably here because you have a little one struggling with teething. I have some bad news for you. There is no cure for teething. I know, I wish there was and I wish among this list of hacks there would be something to take all their pain and all your...
A child learning their name does not need to be tedious, rote memorization, or limited to pencil and paper. Instead learning their name should happen through playful exposures over a length of time. Ruby is only one year old and I do not expect her to learn to...
If you are in need of a simple, low-prep activity with several variations for play, then magnetic tile peekaboo is the perfect activity.So simple to set up and surprisingly creates a very engaging activity for a young toddler. If they like the one way you set it up,...
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.
