Our Story

Crafting childhood memories, one journey at a time

The Challenge

As a mom of a 5-year-old, a 4-year-old, with a newborn, I was increasingly frustrated by how screens dominated our family time. Having traveled extensively for my work as a consultant, I wanted my moments with my kids to be meaningful. But being overwhelmed and exhausted, screens became my default solution for keeping the kids entertained, whether at home or on the go.

A New Approach

Realizing the negative impact of excessive screen time on my kids and our family interactions, my husband and I decided to cut down on screen usage and focus on encouraging independent play. Despite these efforts, I still struggled to find a solution that kept them engaged while we were away from the comfort of our home.

Discovering the Gap

I was surprised that there wasn’t an educational toy that met all our needs without requiring me to pack a ton of different toys. It needed to be lightweight, compact, and engaging enough for my kids to enjoy. I discovered quiet books, but they didn’t fully meet our needs. The activities were too basic to hold my kids' attention for long, the quality was lacking, and they lacked storage for the pieces—something every parent knows is essential.

Crafting a Solution

Using my experience of homeschooling 2 toddlers during the pandemic, I believed I could design something better. My research into the Montessori method guided me as I sought to create a more effective solution. After months of testing different designs and with the help of my children (my enthusiastic in-house testers), I finally created My First Busy Board: a 20-in-1 Montessori backpack filled with activities that inspire young children to explore and learn.

Our Journey

This product is exactly what I wished I had when my girls were toddlers, and I am incredibly proud to share it with other families. Through this journey, I've helped thousands of families rediscover the joy of hands-on play and create meaningful, screen-free memories together.

milleli family travel toys for toddlers

Behind the name Milleli

Milleli was inspired by my three amazing children - Mila, Alex and Eli - who have always been my source of joy. When I started my entrepreneurial journey it was clear I would name my first venture Milleli to honored their names and celebrate their spirit.

Milleli is a combination of their names, while also "mille" in French  means "one thousand", a concept which reflects the mission behind Milleli's children toys-  to design kids travel accessories to be used over and over again, allowing both parents and children to have a thousand times more fun!

Our first creation -  "My first Busy Board" - does just that.

A Montessori travel toy for toddlers that can be used over and over again. It's the perfect activity to keep kids entertained while traveling or when at home and spark their imaginations, as they explore, learn and create with the variety of textures, shapes and features available. 

What's your story?

I’d love to hear about your family story and how your feedback on our busy boards! Drop me an email, hello@milleli.com or find me on Instagram and Facebook.