Sometimes play looks like picking, stacking, and dipping. Our easy afterschool snack board gets kids curious about healthy foods, no cooking required.

Playtime doesn't need a craft bin, a board game, or a big block of free time. Here are five quick, setup-free games that bring two minutes of silliness into your week.

You can't keep kids happy all the time, and you don't have to. Try wonder on a gray day: simple things to notice, plus stories to share.

Most weeks don't leave a lot of room to slow down, and that's okay. Here are some simple ways to find a little wonder in the time you actually have.

Give your kid a jar and one job for the walk: notice something. A leaf. A stone. Whatever they bring home goes in the jar, a small collection of the kind of day nobody remembers except for what ends up sitting on the windowsill.

Hi Lisabeth and David, We have been subscribers for a long time now, and I just wanted to share that Sparkle Stories are such a beloved and treasured part of our family. They are “our family’s best subscription,” and Ryan recently said. Our daughters (7, 4 and 11 months) almost exclusively listen to Martin and ... "Kind Words: A Beloved and Treasured Part of our Family"

I was originally referred to Sparkle Stories in 2021 by my acupuncturist. He raved about the stories and how his boys loved them growing up. From day one of the trial period my then home educated three and a half year old was enthralled and hanging in every word, asking to hear every story again ... "Kind Words: Thank you for the humanity, love, kindness, and caretaking in every story and series"

We have loved Sparkle stories for the last 10+ years! I always recommend it to parents with young children. Our sons have still love listening to Junkyard Tales and Martin & Sylvia but they have aged out over all. Thank you for being such an important part of our family! I used many of the ... "Kind Words: Sparklers for 10+ Years!"

Dear Sparkle Stories, My name is Carter and I am 11 years old. I’ve been listening to Sparkle Stories since I was maybe 4 years old and I love them. I think the Junkyard Tales are my favorite. My favorite character is Spiro because of how funny he is, he’s always hungry and he likes ... "Kind Words: Story Suggestions from Carter (11 years old)"

I had to come and find you and tell you right away. This fall my family moved from upstate New York to Florida. My kids (10 and 7) have been enthusiastic about the move and new adventure from the beginning but I can tell it’s been tough on them even if they don’t say it. ... "Kind Words: Source of Calm During a Move"