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.
At 6 months of age, something magical happens where your little wobbly infant becomes a lot more alert, interactive, responsive, and interested in the world around them. Typically between 4 and 9 months, babies begin to sit up unassisted and this opens up a whole new...
People always say the best gift was the box. Well, in this case, that may be true. Quarantine life got me feeling really crafty. Maybe because I am bored with all of my baby’s toys. Or maybe because I don’t want to spend any money. Either way, I made the following...
This post may contain affiliate links, which I receive a commission from qualifying purchases. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. What are loose parts? When you search the internet for loose parts you often come across a variety of tiny pebbles,...
There are several benefits and reasons to start a toy rotation. I personally aspire to be a very organized person. I am not unorganized, but I am not one of those perfectly organized and clean house with color-coordinated binders and labeled everything kind of mom...
Try to imagine as a parent sitting down for a hot cup of coffee without any interruption. Maybe you are watching TV, reading a book, doing some art, or planning the rest of your day. Sounds nice right? Sounds a lot like a pre-child Saturday morning to me. Don’t get me...
When the box, remote, or rock are better than any conventional toy I don’t know how many times I have heard, “I bought my kid this fancy toy, but she just wants to play with the box.” Have you said this yourself? My philosophy has always been to lean in. So, that...
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.
