A Time for Play

STORY

A Time for Play

Junkyard Tales

Dawn breaks and the Junkyard is covered in balls of ice. Ben Thompson learns all about "hail" and that it can lead to a lot of fun. Everyone joins in the fun, except the steadfast watchdog Sergeant. Can they entice him to play?

24 min
5+
Topics: WinterAnimalsGamesPlay

Projects, Crafts, and Recipes for this Story

Sparkle Kitchen

sparkle kitchen: quinoa chicken nuggets

This week's recipe — which would be a lovely lunch for either a snow day or a President's Day holiday from school — is an allergy-friendly take on chicken nuggets. Using quinoa instead of breadcrumbs on the outside of the nuggets makes them gluten-free so everyone can enjoy them.

Characters in this Story

Ben Thompson

Sergeant

Spiro

The Mice

Junkyard Tales

The Guardian of the Junkyard

The Guardian of the Junkyard

Ben discovers that two if his friends are knights! And once a year, they engage in an epic battle...
23 min
5+

Introduction Part Four: The House of Chairs

Introduction Part Four: The House of Chairs

Ben Thompson is determined to help Mr. Flinch to help by discovering just the right spot for his new home.
23 min
4+

Ben's New Home

Ben's New Home

Ben wakes to find the mysterious and wise mouse Mitzie Niegle with important news for him: his home is to be taken away, and in hours!
26 min
5+

Moving Mouse

Moving Mouse

The excavator is coming and the mice must move! Can Sergeant and Ben help them feel safe?
26 min
5+

The Birds That Didn't Listen

The Birds That Didn't Listen

A pair of dive-bombing birds moves into the Junkyard. Can Ben Thompson let them know that the Junkyard animals mean only peace?
25 min
5+

Halloween Magic

Halloween Magic

Lil Mamma and Spiro have a bit of an ongoing competition during the Halloween season - whose costume is the best?
30 min
4+

Junkyard Valentine's Day

Junkyard Valentine's Day

Every year the junkyard animals draw names for a Valentine's gift exchange. This year, Ben Thompson is worried about finding the perfect gift for Georgia Bean...
26 min
4+

A Time for Play

A Time for Play

The Junkyard friends enjoy playing in the hail from a recent storm — can they get Sergeant to join the fun?
24 min
5+

Beaver Days

Beaver Days

Fredland the Moose arrives with an exciting invitation: come to “Beaver Days,” a fun summer celebration!
24 min
5+

The Spring Festival

The Spring Festival

While hiding eggs for the mice, Ben finds a mysterious egg. What does it mean? Who hid it? A true egg hunt begins!
27 min
5+

Flower Petals

Flower Petals

The animals are preparing for the flower parade and the Warden discovers their decorations! What will they do?
24 min
5+

Buster: A Story about Bullying

Buster: A Story about Bullying

When Zippy is being bullied, Sergeant knows how to discover the true source of the teasing and transform it with understanding and kindness.
25 min
5+

The Geese

The Geese

The loud geese make their annual stop at the Junkyard, and Ben is surprised when one of them takes teasing too far.
19 min
5+

Harriet Hawk and the Big News

Harriet Hawk and the Big News

Harriet has some news: she's found the house where Ben was born!
20 min
5+

Curiosity and the Cat

Curiosity and the Cat

Ben is convinced that Sergeant is leaving the Junkyard and concocts a far-fetched plan to keep his friend from going.
19 min
5+

Introduction Part One: The Cat's New Home

Introduction Part One: The Cat's New Home

A cat named Benjamin Thompson accidentally discovers his new home - a most unusual place.
20 min
4+

The Busy Rabbit's Trick

The Busy Rabbit's Trick

The Junkyard has an autumn festival that involves disguises, intricate plans and surprises - and Lil Mamma, ,the busy rabbit, is the master.
21 min
5+

The Cool House

The Cool House

It's hot in the Junkyard, and the animals want to help old Mr. Flinch stay cool. Will they find a way?
22 min
5+

The Lost and Lonely Owl

The Lost and Lonely Owl

Ben Thompson and friends help a lost owlet find his way home.
28 min
5+

Zippy and the Worry Charm

Zippy and the Worry Charm

Zippy loses his worry charm and now he's afraid he can't sleep. What will he do?
22 min
5+

Introduction Part Two: The Rowlands

Introduction Part Two: The Rowlands

Ben Thompson meets a family of raccoons and they are tickled by this new and curious cat!
16 min
4+

Traditions

Traditions

Sergeant, the steadfast watchdog, helps Ben realize what is truly important about holiday traditions.
20 min
5+

First Snow

First Snow

Ben wakes up to see snow and he doesn't like it. The day turns around when he follows some mice headed for surprising winter fun.
22 min
5+

Midwinter Thaw

Midwinter Thaw

It's winter, but Ben can see and smell SPRING. And the Junkyard animals are feeling springy! Can Ben and Sergeant keep them in check?
22 min
5+

The Winter Robins

The Winter Robins

Ben Thompson is surprised to find himself surrounded by a flock of robins. A flock of robins? In winter? Yes! And they are hungry!
23 min
5+

Mudball

Mudball

Sergeant discovers the muddy fun to be had in the Junkyard during Spring.
29 min
5+

A Visit from Cowboy

A Visit from Cowboy

When Ben has a guest, he starts to wonder – is there room for two cats in the Junkyard?
21 min
5+

The China Cabinet

The China Cabinet

Ben's bed is soggy and he needs a new place to sleep. His friends have some crazy ideas to find just the right place for the cat.
21 min
5+

Introduction Part Three: Mr. Flinch

Introduction Part Three: Mr. Flinch

Ben Thompson learns that things can change quickly in the Junkyard.
22 min
4+

The Pie Festival

The Pie Festival

It's the Pie Festival! What kind of pie should Ben make? And will the mystery judge like it?
24 min
5+

Sally and the Squirrel Circus

Sally and the Squirrel Circus

When the Squirrel Circus comes to town, Sally works on her moves so she can join! Ben and Mrs. Rowland realize they have some moves, too.
22 min
5+

The Visitors

The Visitors

It’s holiday time and everyone seems to be expecting visitors, except for Ben Thompson. Can he keep his holiday cheer?
20 min
5+

On Leave

On Leave

When Sergeant injures his foot, Ben finds out what it is like to be the watchdog — with all its responsibility and reward!
23 min
5+

The Forgetful Turkey

The Forgetful Turkey

Sergeant and Ben Thompson hear a strange sound one morning. There's a lost turkey in the Junkyard!
23 min
5+

The Train

The Train

One morning the junkyard begins to shake, and all the animals are alarmed — is it an earthquake? A hurricane? A dragon? What could it be?
19 min
5+

Courage

Courage

When Ben Thompson encounters Spots, the polite but very hungry bobcat, he realizes the true meaning of courage.
22 min
5+

The Diamond

The Diamond

Rebecca Rowland finds a diamond necklace, and then gets distracted. Will it find it's true owner again?
24 min
5+

The Open World

The Open World

When Ben runs into an old friend, he sees his life through new eyes.
20 min
5+

Connections

Connections

It is Ben Thompson’s birthday, and the clever cat has a surprising wish: he’d like to get closer to the Junkyard Warden.
23 min
5+

How She Does It

How She Does It

How does Mitzie Niegel, the mysterious mouse from the far side of the Junkyard, know the secret and surprising things she knows?
25 min
5+

Brothers and Sisters

Brothers and Sisters

Mr. Flinch has a brother! When the animals go to find him, they find a cat that looks an awful lot like Ben...
25 min
5+

Spiro's Secret

Spiro's Secret

Where is Spiro? Why has he been late or absent to Junkyard meetings?
21 min
5+

Fredland the Moose

Fredland the Moose

When Ben Thompson gets lost, it takes the kindness of a rather large forest animal to help the cat find his way back to his friends.
23 min
5+

The Squirrel Circus is Here!

The Squirrel Circus is Here!

Steadfast Sergeant's sense of order is challenged by a squirrely bunch of frisky acrobats!
27 min
5+

A Dip in the Pond

A Dip in the Pond

Ben says cats don't swim. But when Mr. Flinch accidentally falls into the pond, Ben quickly realizes he might be wrong.
20 min
5+

Strawberries

Strawberries

It's almost Georgia Bean's birthday, and Ben and the Rowlands come up with perfect gift for her...
27 min
5+

Ben's Big Surprise

Ben's Big Surprise

Ben and Sergeant go into town to find where Ben was born. When they arrive, they meet something totally unexpected!
24 min
5+

Harriet the Hawk

Harriet the Hawk

A very big and adventurous hawk visits the Junkyard and, strangely, she seems to recognize Ben Thompson!
21 min
5+

The Turtle Shell

The Turtle Shell

While repairing a hole in the pond, the animals uncover a pair of turtle shells — and accidentally wake the turtles inside!
24 min
5+

Sally

Sally

Ben realizes he doesn't know much about Sally. In fact, he's not sure she likes him much. How can he win her friendship?
20 min
5+

The Band

The Band

Hearing the Warden's radio inspires Ben Thompson to start a Junkyard Jam!
23 min
5+

Mr. Blinch

Mr. Blinch

Mr. Flinch makes his birthday wish - he wants to visit his brother Mr. Blinch who lives under a dumpster in town. How will he get there?
25 min
5+

Mr. Flinch's Birthday

Mr. Flinch's Birthday

How will they celebrate Mr. Flinch's birthday? With stories! Ben Thompson's story contains a "jewel" of information that surprises them all!
24 min
5+

Star Gazing

Star Gazing

Ben joins the Rowlands and their growing party on the hill for star sighting and more.
22 min
5+

Mitzie Niegel

Mitzie Niegel

Something important is lost, and Sergeant suggests they enlist the help of the ever-mysterious mouse — Mitzie Niegel.
21 min
5+

The Gift

The Gift

A pair of curious mice find a perfectly wrapped present sitting in an old boot. Who is it for? Where did it come from?
23 min
5+

The Flowers

The Flowers

Ben Thompson wonders where all the flowers that are popping up around the junkyard are coming from. With the help of Mizzie the wise mouse, he finds the answer and a new friend.
25 min
4+

Sergeant's Rounds

Sergeant's Rounds

Ben understands why Sergeant's rules are so important when he follows him on his rounds one day.
22 min
5+

Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night

Mr. Flinch inspires Spiro and Ben Thompson to discover the true meaning of the Twelfth Night of Christmas.
21 min
5+

The Junkyard Feast: A Story of Thanksgiving

The Junkyard Feast: A Story of Thanksgiving

Every year Sergeant misses the junkyard animals thanksgiving feast because he spends it with the warden's family. But this year, the animals do something special to show him their appreciation.
25 min
4+

Zippy and the All Clear Common

Zippy and the All Clear Common

Zippy the porcupine brings Ben Thompson to "All Clear Day" — a day when the workers stay home and the animals get to enjoy the grounds all by themselves!
24 min
4+

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