Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
EXPLORE this Week: Your Neighborhood, Town and Local Parks
It's week two of our EXPLORE theme! Did you know your own neighborhood and town (or city) offers a wealth of exploration opportunities?
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Exploring Local Parks
Neighborhood parks, picnic areas, lakes, rivers and green spaces are a central part of every town. These stories all celebrate the civic gift of local parks and all the magical opportunities they give to the people who live there!
Friday's Kind Words: Thoughtful, Gentle, and Developmentally Appropriate
You stepped in and filled such an important space in the lives of families who want to allow their children to be children away from commercialism, and mass-media culture. ~ Becca
Sparkle Kitchen: Avocado Yogurt Dip
Just like Martin and Sylvia, any good mother's helper knows that it's important to give your younger charges a delicious, healthy snack. Today, we're going to talk about one you can grow in your own backyard.
EXPLORE this Week: Your Own Home and Yard
Sometimes it simply takes a moment's pause – and an encouragement to find fresh eyes – to see that there's a world of things to explore right around you. Here are some ideas for exploring your own home and yard!
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Exploring Your Own Backyard
Whether your yard is hundreds of acres or an alley with flowerpots, there is always something to discover and explore. These are stories of the amazing and delightful discoveries that happen when you pay attention and open yourself to surprises!
Friday's Kind Words: Affirming All Families
Thanks for affirming all families and bringing us high-quality beauty. ~Sara
NINE Sparkle Recipes and Crafts for the 4th of July
Americans have been celebrating the 4th of July with food, dancing, and fireworks since 1776. This week, in celebration of that day, we bring you some yummy Independence Day-inspired recipes and crafts to bring an extra bit of sparkle to your celebration.
Chickpea Burgers
Try a batch of these chickpea burgers for your 4th of July barbecue. Even your devout carnivore friends will enjoy a bite!
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Staycations
Summer Vacation has begun and while some children are going to camp, traveling to see grandparents, and adventuring to new places – most children are staying home. "There's nothing to do" is heard 'round the country – but if they all allow themselves to slow down and see what is under their noses, they will discover the magic of "Staycations."
Friday's Kind Words: An Original Letter from the Thomas Family
They are as much a part of our family routine as brushing our teeth and help to provide a sense of calm and peace to our lives. ~ Scarlett, from South Africa
Sparkle Crafts: NINE Sparkle Family Crafts
Here at Sparkle Stories we are honoring and celebrating the beauty of diverse family models. Families come in all shapes and sizes and combinations. And you don't have to be related by blood to be a loving family. This craft round-up is for all families to enjoy together.
Sparkle Kitchen: Roasted Blueberry Popsicles
Every friend who stops by in the summer should be greeted with one of these icy cool, blueberry popsicles.
Storybox Playlist: How to Build a Nest – Stories of Different Family Models
Mom and dad, single dad, two moms, only child, twins, adopted child, fostered siblings — it truly takes a village to raise a child. And a village with so many models!
Friday's Kind Words: Absolutely Engaged and Content
From the very first time he heard a Sparkle Story, my son will sit absolutely engaged and content. -Kristi
NINE Best Sparkle Summer Recipes and Crafts
We've got you covered for summer with great crafts and recipes to keep you exploring.
Nature School Project: Weaving with Nature
The campers of Goose-eye spent all year weaving a connection between the members of their group and eventually between members of other groups. What could be more perfect to represent this connection than a nature weaving?
Sparkle Kitchen: Mangos with Vanilla Bean
The fruit of a species of native orchid, Madagascar vanilla beans are famous the world over for their heady fragrance and sweet taste. Their tiny, gooey seeds will lend a unique, luxurious flavor to anything you want to add them to. Mixed with bright summer fruit, Madagascar vanilla beans make a simple, sunshine-y dessert.
Favorite Summertime Game: Capture the Flag
It has running, hiding, chasing, strategy, and in our case – battling. We play all year long in the same park in Austin and enjoy how the landscape changes from summer to fall to winter to spring. We hide in the wildflowers in spring – we climb trees in the winter, we slide around in the mud in autumn, and of course we sweat through the summer.
Storybox Playlist: Stories to Launch the Summer
The summer solstice — or "midsummer" as it is called in the Celtic calendar — marks the longest day of the year. So, how do you spend that day? Having a picnic? Going camping? Swimming? Here is a collection of stories showing many different ways to enjoy a looooong day outside.
