SOMETHING PLAYFUL BLOGReal stories, gentle guidance + small shifts to help you find calm in the middle of it all.
Welcome to the space where we talk about what parenting really looks like. The messy moments. The funny ones. The ones that make you question everything you thought you knew. Here, you’ll find reflections, essays, and practical tools to help you raise connected, curious kids (and feel a little more grounded yourself along the way). No perfection. No guilt. Just real-life parenting.
A READ YOU CAN't miss:Maybe a “Good Day” at School Isn’t What You Think
From preschool pickup to college drop-off, this part hasn’t changed.
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How Do Children Use Play Silks?
How many ways can you use a play silk? Dust off those play silks and watch your child’s independent play explode!
Stickers and Tape Activity
This is an activity that can be adapted for all ages. Best part? No mess!
Books and Simple Activities to Help Sick Kids Feel Better
Are your kids feeling a little under the weather?
Less Screen, More Play: Practical Tips to Minimize Kids' Screen Time
Screen time in and of itself is not the problem. The problem develops when screen time is used as a default instead of a tool. Using screen time as a tool in parenting is not only possible, but beneficial. Drop the guilt and make screens work for you and not against you!
Handling Your Child's Big Feelings and Comforting Books for Kids
Practical tips for managing big emotions and books to help your children process hard feelings.
4 Strategies to Survive Your Child’s Tantrums
Tantrums are natural and normal. But learning how to manage them can be so helpful. Here are 4 ways to manage your child's tantrums.
Breaking the Ice: Simple Tricks to Get Your Kids Chatting About the Tough Stuff
Have you ever found yourself in a spot where your child is going through something tough, and you sense they really need to talk it out, but you're just not sure how to start digging into it? This post will give you some tools to navigate those challenging conversations.
3 Creative Indoor Play Ideas with LALO's Sorting Coins: Perfect for Toddlers and Preschoolers
There is a cold front rolling across much of the country this week, so it looks like we will be playing indoors. Sometimes a new twist on an already loved toy is all you need to get the littles playing productively while you grab a few minutes to yourself.
3 Simple Toys to Enhance Your Toddler's Emotional and Social Growth - Tips You Need!
If you have a toddler, you know their emotions can be a whirlwind. As parents, it's our job to guide them through this complex emotional landscape. Surprisingly, some of the most effective tools for this task are toys you probably already have at home. In this blog post, we'll explore how playdough, stuffed animals, and markers and paper can be transformed into instruments of social and emotional growth for your toddler.
6 Essential Tips for Creating a Safe Independent Play Space for Your Child
You finally got them to play independently, and now you’re worried about whether or not it’s safe to let them play independently!
Revitalize Playtime: 3 Expert Strategies to Get Your Kids Playing With Their Toys
Your child's eyes sparkled with every gift they unwrapped this Christmas, but now, those same toys are gathering dust in the corner. Before frustration sets in, take a deep breath. We’ve got you covered with a few effective strategies to transition from toy overload to productive independent play.
Less Toys, More Play (And Why I Struggled With This Year's Holiday Gift Guide)
The Gift Guide I Almost Didn't Create And Why Less Really is More
Turning Busy Days into Playful Moments: Toddler-Friendly Tips for the Holidays
How to turn your whining toddler into a playful toddler when you are hustling to get it all done.
Creating Play Spaces: A Guide to Encouraging Independent Play at Home
Three tips for more independent play at home
4 Ways Your Kids Can Give Back This Holiday Season (And All Year Round)
How to raise kids who give back
Parenting strategist, educator + momHi! I’m Lizzie Assa, and I’m not here to fix your kid.
I’m here to help you feel better while you raise them.
I’m a parenting strategist, educator, and mom of three big kids who were once little and loud and made me question everything. Now I help parents of kids under 12 do it differently. Not perfectly. Just with more clarity, more connection, and way less second-guessing.
Curated Guides for Home, Play & ParentingToys, tools, travel picks, and gift ideas by age.
(All in one spot.)
These are all the things we’ve used, loved, and shared over the years— organized to make your life easier, not more overwhelming. From gifts for ages 1–12 to water play essentials, creative art supplies, travel gear, and smart storage finds, these curated favorites help you bring more ease (+ joy) to everyday play.