*Squish Kits/St. Louis Magazine*
Squish Kits sensory play is making waves among St. Louis families, offering an engaging, screen-free way for children to explore and create. Former preschool teacher Lisa Hannum, who launched the business in 2023, says no two kids ever play the same way—and that’s exactly the point.
“I believe the best play is open-ended,” Hannum says. “There’s no right or wrong—just exploration and discovery.”
From Homemade Kits to Local Markets
Hannum’s idea began years ago when she started making sensory trays for her oldest son. The kits kept him entertained for hours, so when she was pregnant with her second child, she made several ahead of time for easy access during newborn care.
A Valentine’s Day gift to friends sparked the idea to sell them, and Squish Kits was born. Since then, Hannum has sold the themed kits—featuring play-dough made with edible ingredients and scented with natural essential oils, plus curated trinkets from craft and discount stores—at local farmers markets, including Tower Grove Farmers’ Market. They’re also available at The Little in Webster Groves, Happy Up in Clayton, and online via Etsy, priced between $10 and $34.
Affordable, Thoughtfully Curated Play
Keeping costs reasonable is a priority for Hannum. She carefully sources materials to maintain affordable price points while ensuring each kit is thoughtfully curated.
“I spend more time on it than I should because it’s a good creative outlet,” she admits. “Becoming a mom, I kind of lost that part of myself. Making these reminded me I’m still my own person.”
Her kits are designed to encourage fine motor skills, spark imagination, and promote hours of independent play—something she says is increasingly rare in the age of tablets and structured toys.
Encouraging Process Over Product
Hannum emphasizes that parents shouldn’t fear a little mess. “The process of creating is way more important than the end result,” she says. That mindset is central to sensory play, where the journey matters more than the finished piece.
Families can take Squish Kits to restaurants, airports, or anywhere a screen-free distraction is needed. Hannum says it’s a way to engage with kids without defaulting to a tablet. “Even with my early childhood background, I sometimes struggle to play in ways that aren’t repetitive,” she says. “These kits help make that easier.”
Parenting Lessons Along the Way
For Hannum, Squish Kits is deeply tied to her parenting journey. “It’s hard to separate this work and parenting because I started both at the same time,” she says. “I’ve learned to let go of preconceived ideas and just let my kids explore the world in their own way.”
Content for this summary was derived from original reporting by St. Louis Magazine
