Today we’d like to introduce you to Raechel Santos.
Hi Raechel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Raechel, and alongside my partner, Everet, I’m honored to share the story behind Happy Baby Social Nest, a community-rooted space inspired entirely by our son, Tyson. What began as a personal search for connection in the early days of parenthood has blossomed into a movement dedicated to supporting families through purposeful play, learning, and togetherness.
Long before Tyson arrived, my career centered around children—from tiny newborns just beginning their journeys to teenagers discovering their identities in a complicated world. I’ve spent years studying child intersectionality and holistic development, blending research with hands-on experience to understand what children truly need to thrive. Yet becoming a mother added a depth of understanding that only lived experience can offer.
Tyson was born in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, a time when isolation became the norm and support systems felt out of reach. As brand-new parents navigating life with a “Pandemic Baby,” My partner and I needed a place to connect with other families—somewhere welcoming, intentional, and designed with both caregivers and little ones in mind. After searching and finding nothing that met those needs, we realized that if the space we wanted didn’t exist, we would create it ourselves.
That spark became Happy Baby Social Nest, a warm, inclusive environment where babies, toddlers, caregivers, and parents can bond, play, and grow. What started as a single space rooted in community connection has now expanded into something even bigger.
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?
Taking Play on the Road
As our community grew, so did the needs of the families we serve. This inspired us to branch out into a mobile sensory experience, bringing our hands-on, brain-building play directly to you. Whether it’s your backyard, a school classroom, or a bustling community event, we arrive ready to transform the space with purposeful sensory activities, music, movement, and rich opportunities for connection.
Families no longer have to come to us—we come to them. We are constantly learning and looking for new avenues that allow us to bring purposeful play to communities. Whether that be through community partnerships, our workshops that are designed to explain the HOW and WHY of purposeful play, exploring hands-on activities in class or in your home with a play kit, play has no age limit.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Workshops for Parents & Professionals
We also offer professional and parenting workshops that take a deep dive into the transformative power of play. These sessions provide educators, caregivers, and parents with research-backed strategies to support children’s emotional, cognitive, and social development. Its guidance rooted in science—but delivered with warmth, practicality, and real-life experience.
Bringing Purposeful Play Home
For families who can’t make it to class, we’ve created accessible ways to bring the Nest home. Our Little Kits, Big Learner Bags are filled with thoughtfully curated activities designed to spark exploration and learning right in your living room. Each item is intentional, developmentally rich, and easy for caregivers to use.
To celebrate our growing community, we also offer our signature HBSN tote bag, made for carrying with purpose and proudly showing support wherever you go.
And for artists of all ages our Happy Baby Social Nest coloring book—available on Amazon—adds a creative layer to the playful learning experience.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
What began as two parents searching for connection has grown into a vibrant, supportive community dedicated to nurturing families through every stage of early childhood. I remember when we were attaining insurance for the business and the best the agent could describe what we were trying to do was, “so this is like a dog training class but for babies?” My partner and I knew then that people did not value the importance of play and were overlooking a huge sub-population in our society, babies and the people who care for them. At Happy Baby Social Nest, our mission remains simple: to make meaningful, purposeful play accessible to every child—and to ensure that every caregiver feels encouraged, empowered, and never alone.
I can’t wait to welcome you into our Nest, wherever you are.
Pricing:
- Classes $25
- HBSN Tote Bags $32
- Little Kits, Big Learners-Play Bags $18
Contact Info:
- Website: https://happybabysocialnest.com
- Instagram: happy_baby_social_nest
- Facebook: happybabysocialnest
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raechel-santos
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Happy_Baby_Social_Nest
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/happy-baby-social-nest-port-hueneme?osq=Kids+Activities
