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Mom of the Month: Nikita, Creator of Little L.E.G.s LLC

Bringing the Joy of Messy Play to Life

By Samantha Filler-Publisher Macaroni KID Bethlehem September 2, 2025

Mom of the Month: Nikita, Owner of Little L.E.G.s LLC!

We are delighted to announce our September MOM of the Month, Nikita, mom and creative force behind Little L.E.G.s (Learn, Explore, Grow with Sensory Play). Nikita's journey is rooted in family, passion, and a desire to help families find a safe space for children to learn and be creative. 





Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

Hello, my name is Nikita, and I’m the creator of Little L.E.G.s LLC (Learn, Explore, Grow with Sensory Play). I grew up in Bethlehem and now live in Allentown with my fiancé, our two-year-old daughter, our affectionate French Bulldog Veruca, and our 13-year-old bearded dragon, Mr. Beards. Fun fact: I’m a proud Liberty High School alum and was the first female drum major in the band. Music has been a big part of my life—I spent over a decade in the local music scene playing bass, which is actually how I met my fiancé back in 2011. I also have a diverse career background. I once worked at Petco as a reptile and aquatics specialist, so caring for Mr. Beards comes easy. Later, I spent 11 years in a food safety laboratory holding various positions before making a big career change and earning a diploma in welding from the Welder Training and Testing Institute in 2019.

What inspired you to start your business?

While my inspiration comes from a few different places, the biggest one by far is my daughter. Long before becoming a mom, I discovered that my own learning style is very hands-on and movement-based. That realization has shaped how I approach both learning and creativity, and it’s something I now carry into the experiences I create for children. As a full-time working mom, I often struggled to find activities for my daughter after my shifts, since most programs happened during traditional work hours. I also strive to provide a screen-free atmosphere for her, which pushed me to get creative in finding meaningful ways to keep her engaged. That challenge inspired me to create a space that not only supports children like her, but also offers inclusivity for all families.I believe our area truly needs a place dedicated to hands-on, movement-focused sensory play, and my mission is to eventually open a brick-and-mortar location. I have a vision for what that space will look like, but until I find the perfect spot, I’m bringing Little L.E.G.s to life as a mobile option making sure children still have access to meaningful, creative play opportunities.



What does a typical day look like for you as a mom and business owner?

A typical day for me starts around 5 a.m. with an eight-hour work shift. In the afternoon, I get home and catch up with my fiancé before he heads out for his shift, and then I start what I like to call my “second shift” as Mom. Of course, being a mom is a 24/7 job, but that’s just how it feels in my current routine. During a quick toddler nap, and making dinner I usually squeeze in business tasks. Whether that’s computer work, painting, brainstorming new ideas, or setting up an activity to record once nap time is over. Weekends are reserved for family time. We enjoy slow mornings together before tackling errands, catching up on laundry, and chipping away at the never-ending to-do list.

What’s been the most rewarding part of running your business?

The most rewarding part of running my business is seeing kids dive into the stations I set up with so much curiosity, joy, and imagination, especially when their parents or caregivers step back and give them the freedom to just play. I love watching kids move at their own pace and walk away with something new, whether it’s a word, a texture they’ve never felt before, or a skill they’re building on. The best part is seeing those big smiles, hearing the laughter, and watching them get completely lost in messy play. It’s just as special to see parents light up when they say how much their child is enjoying it or when they notice their little one doing something new, like scooping and pouring with precision for the very first time.





What challenges have you faced balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship?

Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship has been a unique challenge, especially as both a new mom and a new business owner, learning both paths simultaneously. While there’s a wealth of knowledge out there on becoming a parent and running a business, there are always learning curves along the way. I recognize that there are only so many hours I get to spend with my daughter, so I make that time a top priority. I typically focus on one day at a time and set realistic goals and priorities for myself and for Little L.E.G.s. I also make sure to carve out moments to quiet my mind, which is often filled with ideas, possibilities, and, of course, what’s for dinner.  I usually ask myself “Is Little L.E.G.s at the stage I hoped it would be after nearly a year and a half?”  I reflect and reply “Not yet, but I know that growth takes time. Seeing how far I’ve come keeps motivated to keep moving forward.

What advice would you give to other moms thinking about starting a business?

My advice to other moms thinking about starting their own business is simple…. just go for it. Take the leap, because you’ll never really know how it’s going to go until you try. Motherhood is a great comparison. Everything feels new, unknown, and sometimes a little scary, but also really exciting. When your baby arrives, you’re constantly facing new challenges and figuring things out as you go. Starting a business is the same way. You nurture it, guide it, and want to see it thrive. Eventually, the goal is for your business to grow and become self-sufficient, much like raising children. I’d also say, don’t be afraid to talk to other mom business owners. Hearing their experiences, struggles, and successes can give you insight, encouragement, and maybe even save you a few missteps along the way.





How do you and your family like to spend time together when you're not working?

When we’re not working, we love spending time outdoors, going for hikes, exploring nature, or taking mini vacations throughout the year. We might head to the beach, the woods, a theme park or visit historical sites. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter what we do, as long as we’re all together.

Follow Nikita’s journey and learn more about her business:

💼 Little L.E.G.s LLC
📍 Location: Mobile-Lehigh Valley

Little L.E.G.s (Learn, Explore, Grow with Sensory Play) is a mobile business that brings messy sensory play and process art to special events within child-focused businesses across the Lehigh Valley. That is our current focus, but looking to expand in the future to include movement and balance activities, plus play at vendor events, birthday parties, parks and community centers. Our big thing is letting kids make a mess, have fun, and really get into the experience while parents don’t have to worry about the cleanup. Mess and play are such an important part of child development. It gives kids the chance to experiment, use their imagination, and build new skills in a hands-on, engaging way.
🌐 Website: A work in progress!
📧 Contact: Littlelegs.bigfun@gmail.com or FB messenger
📸 Instagram: 
Little_L.E.G.s_LV

📸Facebook: Little LEGs


Nikita, thank you for the creativity and dedication you pour into Little L.E.G.s.


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