Zara Hanawalt

As we (finally!!!) head into the warmer months, many parents, myself included, are brainstorming all the ways kids can spend time outside. I’m leaning into one thing: The messier the play, the better. It usually means the kids are fully engaged in what they’re doing — and outdoors, which is a win. That’s exactly why I love the mud kitchen. It’s just a small setup, but it can offer hours of sensory play.

Samantha, Addy, Kirsten, and friends, but make it 2026.

A case for a simpler Valentine's Day.

Tiny things have taken over my house