Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
sparkle crafts: cooking from the garden
One of the best feelings in the world is cooking from your own home grown food. In this round-up, we've gathered recipes that you will easily be able to make from your summer garden. From a flower-y salad to purslane pesto to kale cupcakes — there's something deliciously veggie-based for everyone!
sparkle crafts: kid friendly garden projects
...Gardening with children is so enriching. Connecting them to their food and where it comes from is very important. Kids learn that everything has a season and that you can't actually have all foods all year round unless you preserve them in some way...
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Getting into the Garden
Gardens — they're a place of hopes and dreams. Gardeners are forever optimistic. We dream, plan, sow, grow, and harvest — then do it all over again...
friday's kind words
"We just love your stories! My five-and-a-half-year-old has story and snack time with Sparkle Stories in the afternoon, after quiet time, and absolutely loves them. " ~ from Instagram
30 Books to Carry You Away
As summer trips are being changed or canceled, we're finding ourselves a little let down. That's nothing a good book can't fix!
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Traveling When You Can't Travel
If your kids are like mine, they are longing to go to far-off places. They want to be out of the house and away from the familiar...
friday's kind words
We have been sparkle story fans for some years now. Our favorites have changed over time but we have always absolutely loved Martin and Sylvia! ~Jodi
Storybox Playlist: Stories of Celebrating with Food
The stories below all show ways to celebrate with food, whether that's helping someone with comfort food or having a potluck with close friends — all different ways to celebrate.
friday's kind words
My eldest son, now age nine, has always been a sensitive child and he went through some health issues. Whenever he had a bad dream and I couldn’t help him any other way, the Junkyard Tales stories were always a comfort and brought him to a feeling of safety and calm. ~ Beth
Storybox Playlist: Father's Day
This week's playlist is a round-up of different ways of being a great father.
friday's kind words
I appreciate the ways in which the thoughts and fears of many different children come through in the stories. I appreciate that so many different types of children are not only represented, but truly honored. ~ Cynthia
sparkle crafts: four things to do when you don't know what to do!
Ahh boredom, it's one of those words I hate hearing as a parent. However, having an activity or two on hand is great for times like this. I've rounded up four easy things you can keep for a boredom day and suggest to your kids when that dreaded word pops up.
Storybox Playlist: Boredom is Good
Boredom is an amazing space for free thought. It's uncomfortable at first, but then you start to really think and some really fun ideas pop up...
friday's kind words
"My kids have been listening to Sparkle Stories for almost 5 years now. Wow! It has been so great. We love them so much. ~ Amber
Teaching Anti-Racism: Resources for Discussion, Donation, and Allyship
For families who want to engage anti-racism conversations at home, here are recommended resources.
Storybox Playlist: Stories of Racism, Abuse of Power and Privilege
This is a collection of Sparkle Stories to add to your conversation about injustice, and how to make things right.
Sparkly Suggestions for this Unique Summer
Summer. Does the word strike joy - or fear - into your heart this year?...
Dory Horde Crib Sheet
Have you ever met a large family and couldn't quite remember all their names? I have a friend with 5 boys all with unique names just like the Dory Horde; and it took me quite awhile until I got to know them individually to remember their names...
Storybox Playlist: Our Summery-est Stories!
In summer we make some of the greatest stories of our childhood. Learning to ride bikes, crazy camping trips, backyard water parks, watermelon eating contests and ice cream for dinner...
friday's kind words
"We have been enjoying your stories for months and find them so deeply nourishing for children and adults alike." ~ The Ambrose Family, ME
