Today we’d like to introduce you to Tullyanny Stansberry.
Hi Tullyanny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Happy Hands World was born from my personal journey as a mother and psychologist in training. When my child was diagnosed at an early age, I decided to pursue a degree in psychology at UCF to better understand their needs. Along the way, I realized there was a big gap in the industry — most sensory toys were fun, but very few had true purpose or were created with therapeutic principles in mind.
As parents, we often leave therapy sessions and return home without many tools to continue helping our children explore their feelings or develop coping skills — and that’s not our fault. We’re not trained for that. So I created Happy Hands World to bridge that gap, using the most natural form of learning: playtime. Every product we make is designed with psychology at its core — not to replace therapy, but to make play a powerful tool for emotional growth.
Each of our 25 sensory kits focuses on a different psychological theme. For example, our Mermaid Kit teaches self-esteem — helping children love themselves just as they are, without comparing to others. The Campers Kit helps kids face fears of the dark through courage and adventure. The Candy Shop Kit focuses on making good choices and understanding consequences in a positive way.
We also offer Grab & Go Jars, created for real-life moments — like dining out. Instead of handing children a phone, parents can give them a jar that sparks imagination, builds fine motor skills, and keeps little hands and minds engaged with purpose. All our doughs are organic, and even our smallest kits include a QR code linking to a therapeutic song connected to that collection’s theme.
Every single detail — from the stories to the materials — is designed to add value, positivity, and meaning to a child’s world.
We recently opened our first Sensory Play Center in Lakeland, Florida, which has quickly become a community favorite. The center features a soft pretend play city inspired by our storybooks, with scenes like a Princess Salon, Bakery Shop, Ice Cream Cart, Hospital, Farm with a Picking Garden, and even a Car Repair Shop. Children can explore, create, and learn through play — all while developing real-life skills and emotional awareness.
We also design specialized kits for autistic and non-verbal children, ensuring that every child, no matter their ability, can find joy and connection through sensory play.
What started as a personal mission has grown into a national movement — recognized by HolonIQ as one of the Top 200 Most Promising Companies in North America — because at Happy Hands World, we believe play should build hearts and minds. Every toy, every story, every song carries one message: purposeful play can change the world, one child at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but every challenge has shaped the heart of Happy Hands World. When I first started, I was a full-time mom, student, and entrepreneur all at once. I was building a business from my kitchen table while studying psychology at UCF and caring for my child. I had the vision, but not the resources or guidance. There were moments when I doubted myself, especially as I was creating something so new — a company that mixes play, psychology, and therapy in a way most people hadn’t seen before.
Finding manufacturers who understood my vision, building safe and purposeful products, and trying to educate parents about the value of therapeutic play were all uphill battles. Many people saw sensory kits as just “toys,” when in reality, each one was designed as a meaningful tool for emotional growth. I had to learn how to balance creativity with logistics, marketing, and the realities of running a business — all while being a mom first.
Funding and scaling were also challenges. Since I wanted to keep everything organic, purposeful, and high-quality, production costs were higher. But I refused to compromise the mission. I truly believed that if the message was strong enough, people would see the value — and they did.
Looking back, every obstacle — from limited resources to late nights making dough by hand — was a lesson in perseverance. Those moments built not only my company but also my faith and confidence. Now, seeing our Sensory Play Center open and hearing parents say, “This is exactly what we needed,” makes every challenge worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I love most about my work is that it blends psychology, creativity, and heart. At Happy Hands World, I’ve been able to bring together my background in psychology with my passion for design and play to create something that truly makes a difference in children’s lives. My work goes far beyond product creation — it’s about shaping experiences that help children express emotions, build confidence, and feel seen.
I spend a lot of time researching behavioral psychology and transforming those insights into playful, practical tools that families can actually use. Whether it’s designing a new sensory activity that helps with emotional regulation or writing a story that teaches gratitude, everything we do is grounded in purpose.
I think what sets me apart is the way I merge science with storytelling. We don’t just sell toys — we deliver experiences that have heart, meaning, and therapeutic intention behind them. From the materials we choose to the way we guide parents in our play center, every detail is intentional.
What I’m most proud of is seeing the impact firsthand — when parents tell me their child finally tried something new, opened up emotionally, or simply smiled more. Those little moments of growth are everything. That’s when I know the mission is working.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t measured by numbers or sales — it’s about making a difference in someone’s life. If something I created helps a child feel more confident, helps a parent understand their child a little better, or simply brings more peace and joy into a family’s day, that’s success.
Every time I hear a story from a parent saying, “My child finally opened up,” or “They’re calmer and happier after playing with your kit,” it reminds me why I started this journey. Those moments — the quiet, meaningful ones — are everything to me.
True success, to me, is knowing that my work leaves a positive mark, no matter how small. If a single kit, story, or song helps a child feel seen and loved, then I’ve already succeeded.
Pricing:
- Sensory Kits: Starting at $19.80 – $69.80, depending on size and theme.
- Grab & Go Jars: $14.99, perfect for restaurants, travel, or mindful play on the go.
- Open Play Sessions: $12.80 per child (45 minutes in our sensory play center).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://happyhandsworld.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhandsworld/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564343366246
