About Us


 Hi! I'm Manuela, the founder and owner of MELYLU SENSORY PLAY—named after my two greatest inspirations, my own children, Melody and Luca.

As a mom of two and an educator, I started creating sensory play kits to spark my children’s imaginations, foster their creativity, and encourage independent play that’s both fun and educational. My journey began with a simple goal: to give my kids the tools to grow and develop emotionally, socially, and cognitively through play.

With years of experience as a licensed K-12 teacher and over 17 years as a college preparation tutor, I’ve seen firsthand how early childhood experiences shape young adults. Through research and my own observations, I’ve come to firmly believe that sensory play is a catalyst for growth—helping children develop critical skills like problem-solving, language, and emotional regulation.

At Melylu Sensory Play, every product is designed with care, backed by research, and tested by my own little ones before it reaches your family. Handcrafted with non-toxic materials like vibrant rice filler, our kits are thoughtfully curated with coordinating themes and tools to inspire children to create, imagine, investigate, and explore—all while having fun.

And here’s the unexpected twist I discovered: our sensory kits don’t just benefit kids—they’re a gift to moms too. By fostering independent play, they give mamas a much-needed moment to breathe. So if you want to sit down with a cup of coffee that's actually hot for once, give them a try. Because at the end of the day, we want to thrive, not just survive. 

Our mission is to enrich the lives of children, but it's also to transform mom guilt into empowerment. I see you, I am you, and it’s okay to need and take space for yourself too. Let’s give our kids the tools to grow while giving ourselves permission to breathe.

Last, but certainly not least, a sincere thank you for supporting small business; it means the world to us. I hope your family loves our products as much as we do!
 

 

✨PS...if you're a fellow mama, and by some miraculous twist of fate you find a fleeting moment to yourself, head over to my blog and explore some articles. Of course I discuss sensory play, but also Melylu's core principles, the ups and downs of motherhood, and even some bloopers. Plus, you get a deeper look into the real people behind MeLylu and everything that comes with being a "Momprenuer"... chaos and all! 

~Manuela XO