Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Sparkle Ideas for Encouraging Healthy Eating
Nutrition expert Margaret Connor shares some suggestions from her own home, where her kids eat a spectacularly broad range of foods.
Storybox Playlist: Stories to Inspire Healthy Eating
Whether your family is looking to eat healthier or just looking for inspiration to keep on the right track, we've got five really inspiring stories for you.
Friday's Kind Words: Favorite Evening Rituals
One of my favorite evening rituals is to enjoy the last bit of light with legs up the wall and a child-friendly guided meditation or a Sparkle Story.
~ Kim
Nature School Project: Hidden Earth Art
What is Hidden Earth Art? It's creating something in the natural world that's your own creation, but so subtle someone else might not notice it.
Sparkle Kitchen: Nori Handrolls
While making proper sushi rolls with nori takes a bit of specialist equipment, you can make more casual nori hand rolls with nothing but, well, your own two hands!
How to Stop Teasing and Bullying: Finding a Common Image
In this post, David has tips on how to use our stories within the context of bullying and teasing.
Storybox Playlist: Stories to Help with Teasing and Bullying
The intent of these stories is to give families a place to start as they discuss and develop strategies around teasing, bullying and other relationship conflicts.
Friday's Kind Words: Bonds of Humanity Laced with Empathy
It's been a pleasure and privilege to be a Sparkler and my boys thoroughly enjoy listening to your stories. ~ Lisha
Nature School Project - Hanging Earth Art for Mother's Day
This project was inspired by earth the art Martin's wilderness class made for Mother Earth. Using clay and leaves and flowers, you can create a beautiful piece of art that the mother in your life can hang on the wall inside or outdoors and feel a greater connection to the outside world.
Sparkle Kitchen: Skirlie
On a chilly, damp spring day, there's nothing that makes me want to say “thanks” more than a pipping hot bowl of oatmeal. And if you make it like the Scots do, there's no need to limit it to breakfast time.
“Skirlie”, or savory Scottish oatmeal, makes a stick-to-your-ribs meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Nature School Project: Flower Crowns
This tutorial is not just about making pretty crowns, but making a crown fit for a leader -- whether that leader is a big sister who helps take care of her siblings, a boy who watches over the frogs and fish in the pond at the park, or even an elderly person who helps children learn to read each week.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Mother's Day
On May 8th, families around the world will honor their mothers and grandmothers with hugs, gifts, and words of gratitude. We have a wonderful lineup of stories for you, honoring all different kinds of mothers and ways of mothering.
Eight Sparkle Inspired Gifts for Mother's Day
We've e got you covered for Mother's Day with EIGHT Sparkle - inspired gift ideas for mom. All of these recipes and crafts are easy to do with children and their grown-ups.
Friday's Kind Words: We Believe in What You are Doing
Buster Bully, now one of my favorite stories. The various ideas Sergeant had for helping the situation were invaluable. ~ Jennifer
Sparkle Kitchen: 1,2,3 Cupcakes
One of my favorite places to use math with kids is in the kitchen. “Bring me two eggs, please.” Boom—we're counting! “I need ½ a cup of sugar.” Yay—fractions! “Pizza dough is two parts flour to one part liquid.” Ratios, galore!
Storybox Playlist: Stories for a May Day Romp
May Day is the half-way mark between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. It is a great time for celebration, as spring is by now in full swing. Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and there is a general feeling of electricity and excitement in the air.
Friday's Kind Words: Creating Positive Associations
Thank you for making these stories - I am so grateful that my children will have another positive association with the Islamic faith through Martin and Sylvia! ~ Becky
Nature School Project: DIY Rain Gauge
Use a DIY rain gauge to learn about the scientific method, just like Sylvia does in the Martin & Sylvia Nature School story, "Measuring the World".
Sparkle Kitchen: Australian Sausage Rolls
Since we're talking about Australia and being friendly, this would be a perfect time to make up a batch of sausage rolls. Similar to American “pigs in a blanket” sausage rolls are often served up as an appetizer or easy picnic food when Aussies are welcoming a big group of friends.
Storybox Playlist: Stories to Inspire a Love of Science
Science is awesome and it encompasses every part of our world. These stories are all about the love of science and the scientific method. There is measurement, yes - there is taking notes, yes - there is experimentation and testing, yes. But mostly, there is wonder and awe.
