Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
The Power of Audio Stories: Building Young Minds for Reading Success
“Tell me a story.” We at Sparkle have heard this request hundreds of times from our own children. Stories help to soothe, to teach, to entertain, and to shape our family cultures. But did you know that listening to stories can help children develop the skills they need for reading — even without ever looking at a page? Read on to learn how.
Support for Working Parents with Young Children
How do you manage work when you are caring for a young child? Whether you’re squeezing in just a few tasks or trying to find some regular habits for working at home with kids, we have some time-tested ideas to suggest.
The March 2025 Story Calendar
We’re drawing closer to spring every day! March offers opportunities freshen up our homes and our hearts — and the spring equinox offers a great moment for a new start. Download our March 2025 Story Calendar and get ready to Sparkle!
The February 2025 Story Calendar
Can you feel the sparkle in the air? This month of love inspires us to fill our hearts and those around us with warmth and comfort. Our February 2025 Story Calendar offers plenty of ideas for a cozy and affectionate season. Download our calendar and open your hearts to the Sparkle!
Projects For Winding Down
What does it look like for your family to wind down for the night? Our evening routines may change over the years, but we all need some rhythms to settle down. Let Sparkle show you a few ideas to get your sleepies on.
Stories for Unexpected Moves
We at Sparkle want to help those displaced by fire in California, so we’re offering what we do best. Here's a playlist of free stories about those leaving a beloved home.
Outdoor Winter Projects
This week at Sparkle we're focusing on embracing all the gifts that winter provides us. It's a beautiful time of year to bundle up, get outside, and PLAY! In this blog post we outline six Outdoor Winter Projects to embrace the cold season in all its magic and wonder.
Stories for Getting Outside in Winter
In this Storybox Playlist, we entice and encourage you to get outside and embrace winter in all its snowy glory!
Stories for Restful Days
Let's take a pause and rest with these carefully-curated Sparkle Stories favorites designed to create a sense of tranquility in your home and hearts.
Easy Pre-Make Meals for Rest Days
The New Year is a time to slow-down, regroup, and rest. In this blog post, we highlight 5 easy pre-make meals that you can prep in advance so that you can slow-down this January ... and beyond! Read on to learn more.
Crafting the Holidays: Round-Up!
This holiday season we invited our lovely Sparkle community to join us in getting off of our devices and using our hands to craft. We're pleased to present our Crafting the Holidays Series! Here's a round-up off all the wonderful hand-made goodies we crafted while listening to our favorite stories!
The January 2025 Story Calendar
Who’s ready for a fresh start? Let’s jump into the pure joy of winter with thrilling stories, sweet rest, and purposeful intentions. Our January 2025 Story Calendar offers loads of crafty ideas and delightful games for snowy months. Download our calendar and get ready to Sparkle!
Crafting the Holidays: Needle-Felted Matchbox with Toymaking Magic
Toymaking Magic shares a video tutorial for making needle-felted matchbox covers. It's just the sort of gift Martin might make Daddy for Christmas!
Our Favorite Christmas Books
The Sparkle Stories Team share the favorite Christmas books that show up on their family bookshelves year after year.
The December 2024 Story Calendar
Fairy lights, peppermint, and snowflakes all around! Our December 2024 Story Calendar will inspire your family with generosity, warmth, and light. Download our calendar and make a beautiful holiday with us!
Martin & Sylvia Advent Calendar in Spanish!
Feliz Navidad! We’re excited to announce that our beloved Martin & Sylvia Audio Advent Calendar series is now available in Spanish!
Crafting the Holidays: Santa Lucia Window Art
Decorate for Santa Lucia Day, and all winter long, with these charming silhouettes from My Seasonal Treasury.
Crafting the Holidays: Paper Lanterns with Waldorfish
Waldorfish shares a video tutorial for making decorative paper lanterns for Martinmas. Turn on a Sparkle Story, make some lanterns, and share the light!
Nature School Project: Waxed Leaf Garland
In this week's Martin & Sylvia's Nature School Story, "I Feel Orange," Sylvia is feeling very energetic on one Nature School morning, but her friend Sofia is feeling very tired. “I feel blue,” she says. This inspires a long conversation, and then a project based on what it is to “feel” different colors.
Aunt Jane's Thanksgiving Dinner Rolls
Aunt Jane's Dinner Rolls are more than just a delicious recipe. It's a cherished family tradition, where grandchildren and cousins spend time with family elders, talking and laughing and learning to bake a beloved Thanksgiving staple.
