Hello, fellow parents!
My name is Hayley, and I’m the proud creator of “My Magic Tunnel.” As a parent and occupational therapist (OT), I’ve always been passionate about finding ways to make parenting a bit easier while enriching our children’s lives. Today, I want to share the story behind this magical toy and how it came to be.
A Spark of Inspiration: Trains and Fairy Doors
The idea for My Magic Tunnel was born out of my experiences with my own children. My son has always had a fascination with trains. From the moment he could crawl, he was drawn to anything with wheels and tracks. Meanwhile, he was enchanted by the ideas of a magic fairy door I had bought for his baby sister. So, one night, as I scrolled the internet looking for Christmas present inspiration, I wondered if there could be a train and tunnel alternative to the fairy door—a magic tunnel that a train travels through. I search but to no avail.
Tackling the Elf on the Shelf Dilemma
Like many families, we embraced the Elf on the Shelf tradition. My kids loved it, but let’s be honest—it’s a lot of extra work for parents. Each night, I found myself trying to come up with creative scenarios for our elf, often late into the evening when all I wanted was a moment of peace. This got me thinking: I didn’t want the toy I developed for year-round use to create more stress for parents. It needed to be magical yet manageable, engaging yet easy to incorporate into daily routines.
Combining Professional Expertise with Parental Insight
As an occupational therapist, I’ve worked with many children, helping them develop motor skills, imaginative play, and emotional regulation. I wanted to share my knowledge with a larger audience, offering parents knowledge, strategies and activities that could be seamlessly integrated into their home life. This is where the idea for postcards came into play. These postcards, delivered by the magical train, are filled with activity ideas to keep children engaged, developing their motor and imaginative play skills, and providing parents with valuable insights and strategies for behavioral and emotional development.
Easing the Bedtime Battle
Bedtime can be one of the most stressful parts of the day. I’ve been there, too—navigating through requests for water, sudden complaints of aches, and the endless stalling tactics. I wanted My Magic Tunnel to be a tool that helps parents with this challenging routine. The bedtime rhyme and the magical concept of the train returning with treats if the child is asleep by 8:05 provide a fun and calming way to wind down the day, creating a point of connection between parent and child, and making bedtime smoother and more enjoyable for both parents and children.
A Solution to Technology and Toy Overload
As a parent, I understand the frustration of seeing technology dominate our children’s attention and the endless accumulation of toys that rarely get played with. My Magic Tunnel aims to address these issues. By providing a captivating and versatile toy that encourages physical and imaginative play, it reduces the need for screen time. Its durable and engaging nature means fewer toys cluttering the house, as it offers endless possibilities for play.
Bringing the Magic to Your Home
My Magic Tunnel is more than just a toy—it’s a tool designed with love, professional expertise, and a deep understanding of parenting challenges. It brings year-round magic, eases parental stress, supports child development, and fosters family connections. I hope it brings as much joy and assistance to your home as I envisioned!
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let’s embrace the magic and make parenting a little bit easier, one magical tunnel at a time.
Warm regards,
Hayley Willis
