With Earth Day (April 22) just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to engage our little ones in some fun and educational activities that celebrate our amazing planet.  Whether you're an eco-warrior or just looking for some creative ways to connect with nature, these 7 Earth Day activities will have your kids excited and learning at the same time! 1. Plant a Mini Garden Let's get those hands dirty! Gather some pots, soil, and seeds of your choice—flowers, herbs, or even vegetables. Set up a planting station outdoors and let your kids dig in, literally! Teach them about the importance ..read more

In our house, spring is the most exciting time of year.  The snow is melting, the ground is thawing, the air is no longer so cold if hurts our faces, the cars don't have to warm up for 20 minutes before we can drive them... you get the point. Spring. Is. Exciting.  And after a long, cooped up winter the kids are always anxious and excited to spend their days outside once again. One of our family's favorite springtime activities is getting our garden ready and planted. The kids love to be included and take pride in watching the fruits (literally) of their labor come to fruition, plus ..read more

Hey there, marvelous moms! As Valentine's Day approaches, it's time to sprinkle a little extra love and joy into our lives. Instead of drowning in a sea of sugary treats, let's embark on a journey of wholesome snacks and heartwarming activities that will have your little cupids smiling from ear to ear. So, grab your apron and let's dive into a Valentine's Day filled with laughter, love, and healthy bites! Valentine's Snacks for Your Little Sweethearts: Berry Love Kabobs Let's kick things off with a burst of color! Thread heart-shaped watermelon chunks, strawberries and blueberries onto skewers ..read more

Jillian Stockert (@jillianstockert on Instagram) is the mom behind themed sensory bins, intentional play and hands-on learning. She regularly takes to Instagram to showcase her boys' interests, arts and crafts and provides tons of inspiration for activities you can do at home with your little ones.  Get to know Jillian: Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself? My name is Jillian! I went to school for Elementary Education and loved my time as a first grade teacher. After starting a family, I was blessed with the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. It has been everything I’v ..read more

'Tis the season of wish lists, holiday parties, family gatherings, school programs and practices, traditions and more! This time of the year is SO busy that it's no wonder sometimes the little details slip through the cracks; like the stocking stuffers. Which is how they inevitably end up filled at the last minute with chintzy, plastic, quickly forgotten items that will break and lose their appeal in a matter of hours.  Don't worry, I'm guilty of this too!  So let's get ahead of it together and this year focus on gifting intentional, well-made, sustainable gifts all the way down to e ..read more

This month we wanted to show a little love to our new and expecting mamas with a feature on first time, soon-to-be mom @mariah.barents.  Mariah shares how she is working towards a "minimalist" lifestyle, her favorite eco-friendly brands, and how she and her husband are prepping for the arrival of their baby girl this winter. Get to know Mariah: Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself? My name is Mariah Barents. I am 24 years old, married to my high school sweetheart and expecting our first baby in January. I grew up in Arizona, but moved to Richmond, Virginia two ..read more

We are so excited to be featuring @thecalliechisholm for our next installation in the 'Moms We Love' series.  Callie gets candid about what inspires her, what fashion trends she's loving and more! Read on:  Can you tell readers a little about yourself, your family, and your backstory? My family is the greatest blessing in my life! My husband and I met almost 10 years ago, and were married a few short years later. 3 months into our marriage we found out we were pregnant with my oldest. She turned our world upside down—in the best way! When she turned one, we found out I was pregnant ..read more

It's such a special moment when a little one in your life is being baptized, dedicated or christened.  So special, in fact, that it might seem a little overwhelming trying to find the perfect gift. You want something that is sentimental yet practical, timeless yet age appropriate. Where do you even begin? Well friend, I might be a little biased but we've created a pretty amazing line for this exact occasion. Complete with rattles and blocks, there are several personalized, high-quality items to choose from. But for today, we are going to focus on the blocks!  Before we get baptism s ..read more

I'll be honest; this time of year drags on for me. It's this weird grey area (sometimes both literally and metaphorically), where it's almost warming up outside, but most days are still quite chilly. School's close to being out, but is still in session. The summer calendar is starting to fill up, but it also feels so far away.  Are you with me?  And while I don't have tiny little ones at home anymore *pause to reminisce on days I wish I could get back*, I still remember feeling bored and lacking creativity when it came to playtime, especially this time of year. Even now, my older kid ..read more

When choosing which toys to place in front of our kids, the options are daunting.  If you're anything like me, before you swipe the card, press 'complete order' or rip off the price tag on that new toy, you're probably asking yourself a hundred questions. Will this toy last? Is it too stimulating? Is it not simulating enough? Do we have room for another 'thing'? Is this the right toy for the age and skill level of my kid? The list goes on... And at Smiling Tree Toys, we understand that for as much thought and consideration we put into making toys, you also put that same effort into d ..read more