And for parents dreaming of days free from, “Can I have the iPad?” on repeat.
As a parent, the second you wake up, you’re ON.
Making meals, fielding questions, refereeing squabbles, and trying to avoid a five-hour screen marathon… all before your coffee’s survived its first round in the microwave.
If that sounds familiar, welcome! (And here’s a trophy.)
Hi, I’m Beth! I created Days with Grey to provide parents an EASY way to fill their children’s day with fun and discovery while sneaking in some well-deserved breaks for themselves.
You’ll find guides, low-prep activities, and step-by-step strategies that take the guesswork out of play-based learning so you know exactly how to tackle the day. I’m talking low-prep, glitter-free activities that spark independent play, build lifelong skills, and give you space to actually enjoy these early years.
No endless Google searches or complicated setups required.
Most of all, Days with Grey is a community. A place where we embrace the beautiful chaos of raising curious, confident kids and make the whole adventure a lot easier.
So take a deep breath, grab that newly microwaved cup of caffeine, and let’s rock this parenting thing, together!
I am truly here for you every step of the way. We’ve got this!
Days with Grey is here to help parents create meaningful (and manageable) moments of learning and connection, so kids grow up curious, confident, and capable, and everyone — including you — has a lot more fun along the way!
We have been busy here! I bought a set of your activity cards to try and jumpstart mornings without tv, and it has been awesome!More connecting, less tantrums and my husband has been ableto get involved in the activities as well, thanks to your super clear directions and objectives (even the language to use – so helpful!!)He said he “wishes he could buy 1000 of your cards!Thanks so much for all you do.
– Erin D.
Hi, I’m Beth
Former teacher. Boy mom x3. Not a morning person.
When my kids were little, mornings were absolute chaos. A baby in one arm, toddlers at my pant legs, and LEGOS underfoot as I tried to make breakfast. And I just wanted to crawl back into bed.
Like many parents, I leaned on screens as a quick fix. And while I’m definitely not anti-screens, I quickly realized that too much Paw Patrol made the rest of the day way, way, way harder.
Turning it on was easy. Turning it off? Total disaster.
It felt like the screens zapped their creativity, and days unraveled into a cranky, needy mess.
Even with a Master’s in education and 13 years in the classroom, I had to admit: our routine wasn’t working.
One morning, I dug into my teacher’s brain and found a solution. I grabbed a muffin tin, tossed in some pom-poms, and invited my boys to sort them.
They were engaged. I drank my tea (actually hot for once). And just like that, the first Breakfast Invitation was born.
That tiny idea changed everything.
Breakfast Invitations became our daily rhythm:
Simple, low-prep, mess-free activities that set the entire day up for success.
And they worked.
My kids stopped relying on me (or screens) for constant entertainment.
They played longer. Fought less. Imagined more. They even got a head start on Kindergarten concepts.
And I got a moment to breathe and feel like an AWESOME parent for once.
The truth is, kids just need a little nudge to start their day with play.
Just like I’m more likely to work out if I put on leggings first thing, my kids played more when the invitation was already there.
And you don’t need glitter or hours of prep. Just 3 minutes, simple materials (you probably already have), and skills that support fine motor development, sensory joy, and creativity.
Since then, I’ve created even more activities and shared these tools with hundreds of thousands of families, helping them build a deeper connection with their children through play-based learning, all while giving themselves a little break from the chaos.
And now that my kids are older?
I can see the long-term difference.
They don’t wake up begging for screens. (Even with their deep passion for Nintendo.) They run outside, invent games, and (mostly) manage their own boredom. The skills they practiced while playing during those early mornings? They made school easier and strengthened their confidence.
Today, Days with Grey has grown beyond the preschool years to support families of big kids, helping them develop life skills, emotional regulation, and engage in even more learning through play.
Guiding families to make more time for play and giving parents a break has become my passion. I am committed to sharing the best ideas that not only entertain your child but also help prepare them to thrive.
Welcome! I am so happy you are here!
Choose Your Own Adventure:
(Yep. Just as much fun as the books used to be!)
Breakfast Invitations
20 low-prep activities to reduce screen time, build independence, and bring more play to the day!
The Startup Guide
A simple morning routine to go from chaotic and cranky to creative and calm in 6 simple steps.
Life Skills for Big Kids
25 hands-on, gamified activities to help kids feel confident, capable, and ready for real life!
Your cards are hands down one of the best investments I have made! I truly mean it, Beth. These activities definitely have been well thought of, and he loves them. Having them physically in the form you provided really helps me easily put them to use. Thank you!
Anitha R.
So… why “Days with Grey”?
It’s pretty simple. My first son is named Greyson, and Days with Grey just rolled off the tongue. At the time, I didn’t know two more kiddos were on the way! And while our family jokes about it often, Days with Grey, Hayes, and Will doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.
Grey may have gotten the namesake, but all three of my boys have shaped what Days with Grey is today, a space for parents raising curious, confident kids without losing themselves in the process.
(And yes, the youngest is still waiting on their baby album. You get it.)
And you know what? These are skills that we all work on for a lifetime.
So instead of feeling anxious or rushed, let’s get really good at one at a time.
At Days with Grey, you’ll find resources that are:
| Low-prep and mess-free for busy days | Built by a teacher, tested by real kids | Rooted in developmental growth | Designed to grow with your family | Honestly, pretty darn magical |
Let’s raise independent kids and actually enjoy the ride.
Hot coffee optional (but encouraged).
FAQ
Start with the preschool and toddler activity called Find Your Name. Place white paper on the table and add the names of family members in different colors throughout the paper. Ask your child to find thier name and circle it. This toddler/preschool activity is excellent for hand-eye coordination, holding a steady hand, making circles, name recognition, and pencil grip. Bonus: it takes seconds to set up!
Teaching preschoolers how to be independent and providing opportunities to problem-solve will help them become better leaders. Have conversations with your child about the books they read, chat about your experiences together, and get to know people, unlike your family. Throughout the day, count objects, rhyme, sort, and classify as they appear in daily life.
I believe a simple set of supplies is best. My top five kid activity supplies are a white paper roll, a fresh pack of markers (I keep a pack for myself), painter’s tape, counting bears, and dot stickers.
Playing independently is a skill that takes time. Children can typically hold attention twice their age. For example, a two-year-old may focus for four minutes, and a six-year-old may focus for 12 minutes. Begin with a predictable routine that lets your child know when playtime happens at home. Keep the playtime at home consistent. When children know what to expect, they are more likely to take risks and focus on a skill longer than when rushed from activity to activity. My Startup Guide for more play will walk you through age-appropriate activities where you can learn exactly what to expect and what to say.
Days with Grey has been featured on Good Morning America, Parents, and People Magazine, and online for Today’s Parent, Tiny Beans, Good Housekeeping. We have also worked with the History Channel to give back to military families. I was also selected as a parent ambassador for the American Association of Pediatrics.
I do! I have a Master’s Degree in Teaching reading and over 13 years of experience in the classroom teaching Kindergarten, First and Fourth Grade, and as a reading specialist. After leaving the classroom, I continued my education, focusing on early learning with toddlers and preschoolers. Understanding toddlers, preschoolers, and Kindergarteners is my passion, and it will be with me for a lifetime.
Throughout my dedication to Days with Grey, I developed a program called Breakfast Invitations for families to begin the day with play and connection. Breakfast Invitations are simple learning activities that allow children to explore hands-on learning through conversation and problem-solving.
I do! I lead workshops for caregivers and preschool teachers to understand better the pedagogy of learning through play. Please email me at beth@dayswithgrey.com for more information.
