Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Cook with the Willowbees!
Enjoy recipes gathered from around the world in a travel journal cookbook from the Willowbee Tree. This collection of breakfasts, snacks, dinners, and desserts inspired by the not-so-ordinary adventures of Piper, Clancy, and Ty transports you right along with them on their travels!
Meet the Willowbees
Meet the Willowbee children — Piper, Clancy, and Little Ty — ordinary children who embark on some not-so-ordinary adventures. Learn more about this adventurous trio of travelers!
Storybox Playlist: The Best of the Summertime Willowbee Tree Stories!
Follow these summer inspired stories of the Willowbees – ordinary children who take some not-so-ordinary summertime adventures through powers of their extraordinary Willow tree.
Meet the Junkyard Tales Animals
Welcome to the Junkyard! You've come to an unusual place, home to a host of delightfully unusual friends: a steadfast watchdog, a refined rat, a silly skunk, a wise old possum, and many more Junkyard animal friends. If you haven't met them before or want to get to know any of them a little better, you're in luck!
The August 2024 Story Calendar
Welcome to August! This month at Sparkle Stories we'll have you travelling around the world with The Willowbees, soaking-up the last few slow days of summer, and assisting you with transitioning back-to-school with ease.
It's Hot in the Junkyard - Summertime Stories!
Is the heat getting to you? Feeling a little cranky? We have inspiration for you! On hot summer days, the Junkyard friends need to get creative in finding ways to stay cool — and you can learn from them through these four stories.
Storybox Playlist: Let's Go To Camp!
In this playlist we round-up our favorite stories about all different kinds of camps!
Project Round-Up: Make Your Own Camp!
Looking for ways to fill the long summer days? Invite your kids to create their own summer camp! Here we highlight eight Sparkly ideas for creating a summer camp at home.
Storybox Playlist: Adventures Are Everywhere for Martin & Sylvia
Are you ready for an adventure? Even if you're staying close to home this summer, there are opportunities to explore and experience just outside your door! Just pack your imaginations and join Martin & Sylvia on their hometown escapades!
Summer Explorer Book and DIY Explorer Bags
Wishing for some fun summertime activities and adventures with the kids? Look no further than our very own Sparkle Stories Summer Explorer Project Guide! Read on for lots of ideas and instructions to make your own project bag — and happy exploring!
Martin & Sylvia's Favorites!
Have you met our beloved brother-and-sister duo? We've compiled a set of favorite stories featuring Martin & Sylvia. Listen along and get to know them — and if you're already acquainted, settle in for a set of fantastic stories with your favorite characters!
Adventure (Always!)
Welcome to July! Here at Sparkle, we're devoting the month of July to the theme of Adventure with our friends Libby & Dish. Read on for some summertime adventure wisdom from Lisabeth!
Storybox Playlist: Adventures in the Big City
Follow along with some of your favorite Sparkle Stories characters as they venture into the BIG CITY for some fun, adventure and lessons along the way!
The July 2024 Story Calendar
Who's ready for an adventure? There's nothing like the spaciousness of summer to inspire little ones to explore. Our July 2024 Story Calendar will inspire you to plan joyful adventures and create lasting memories for your whole family!
"Momma, I'm Bored!" The Beautiful Benefits of Boredom
Boredom. It can be teeth-grittingly uncomfortable, can't it? It can provoke all sorts of feelings from confusion to loss to despair. It can make a body squirmy and agitated. It inspires us to reach for ANYTHING to get out of that feeling. But boredom is valuable.
Storybox Playlist: Adventures Are Better with Friends
Adventures are just better with friends, aren't they? These tales revolve around the exhilaration of adventuring with friends and all the memories and wisdom that can come from such adventures — big or small!
Come On Everybody, Let's Get Outside!
Nature is an effective remedy for just about everything — from crankiness to anxiety, from fatigue to malaise. I also think kids need daily nature time, even if it's a walk around the block. Nature is everywhere, from state parks to green things growing in the sidewalk cracks. But how to get your kiddos outside?
Sparkle Craft Roundup: Our Best Outdoor Fun Ideas!
Looking for fun new ways to fill up your cup this summer while maximizing outside time? Well, you've come to the right spot! Here are seven fun outdoor activities from your friends at Sparkle Stories!
Project Round Up: Fun Things to Do with Dad for Father's Day
This Father's Day, we've rounded up several fun ways to celebrate Dad!
"Can You Come Over to Play?" The Many Values of Playtime
I know you've seen it. You've watched children play "house" or "firemen" or "pirates," haven't you? Have you seen how they've had to work out dynamics, distribute roles, and collaborate in the creation of the play? ll of this gives them a chance to grow and expand their abilities as people.
