⚽️ | Brooklyn and the Big Kick | A Back-to-School Bedtime Story About Courage

⚽️ | Brooklyn and the Big Kick | A Back-to-School Bedtime Story About Courage

Author: Dreamtime Sports September 7, 2026 Duration: 18:03

A calm bedtime story for kids about starting a new school year, joining a new team, and finding the courage to go for it.

Brooklyn has three big new things happening in one single week. A new grade with a new teacher. Her first Acro class. And a spot on the Maplewood Fiery Foxes soccer team, where she is the only second grader playing up with third and fourth graders.

She has the skill. What she doesn't have yet is the nerve to use it. So she passes the ball away every time it comes near, and by halftime the Fiery Foxes are losing, and Brooklyn is sure she is just too small for this team.

Then a small skunk in a striped referee jersey turns up beside her cleat bag with one quiet thing to say.

Tonight's lesson: you're not playing small because you're small. You're playing small because you're scared, and those are two different things.

WHAT'S INSIDE A slow, soothing sports story written for bedtime, about 15 minutes long, ending with a gentle wind-down to help kids settle and fall asleep. Made for ages 5 to 12, and for the grown-ups listening along.

Themes: confidence, courage, back to school nerves, first day of school, trying something new, being the youngest on the team, soccer, gymnastics, teamwork, effort over winning.

A special welcome to Rikki and Maggie. Thank you for being part of the Dreamtime family.

ABOUT DREAMTIME SPORTS Dreamtime Sports is a calming bedtime podcast where kids drift off to sleep through magical stories about teamwork, perseverance, and the love of the game. Every episode follows a young athlete on a dreamlike adventure where effort matters more than winning, and believing in yourself is the greatest play of all. New sleep stories for kids every week, covering soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, skiing, lacrosse, gymnastics and more.

WANT YOUR CHILD'S NAME IN AN EPISODE? Leave us a comment with their name and we'll welcome them into the Dreamtime family on an upcoming episode.

JOIN THE DREAMTIME VARSITY TEAM Members get exclusive stories, ad-free listening so the quiet never stops, a customized story for your child's birthday month, and super stories that mix your favorite sports.

Have an idea for a future story? Leave us a note in the comments.

bedtime stories for kids, sleep stories for children, calm bedtime podcast, kids sports stories, soccer story for kids, back to school story, stories about confidence, bedtime podcast ages 4-10, help kids fall asleep, sleep meditation for kids



Imagine a quiet space where the excitement of the game meets the calm of bedtime. Dreamtime Sports | Bedtime Stories for Kids Who Love Sports creates that very space, weaving gentle tales designed to help young listeners unwind. Instead of scores and stats, these stories focus on the heart of sports-the thrill of trying, the support of a team, and the quiet confidence found in practice. You might hear about Davis organizing a friendly flag football game as fireflies light up the field, or follow Maddie as she discovers her voice during a tense lacrosse final. Each narrative, from Holden’s legendary tee-ball swing to Dalia’s deep breath before a gymnastics routine, is crafted to be both engaging and soothing. This podcast turns downtime into dreamtime with 10 to 15-minute adventures that celebrate courage, friendship, and the pure joy of play. The stories are specific enough to captivate a young sports fan’s imagination yet calm enough to ease them toward sleep, making it a natural part of any evening wind-down routine. Dreamtime Sports offers a unique blend of gentle storytelling and athletic spirit, perfect for families looking to end the day on a positive and peaceful note.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Dreamtime Sports | Bedtime Stories for Kids Who Love Sports
Podcast Episodes
🏀 | The Maplewood Thunder — Next Player Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:12
Tonight’s story takes us back to the Maplewood Rec Center, where the Maplewood Thunder are learning that a team is more than just its starters.Fresh off their unforgettable trip to New York, the Thunder face a new challe…
🏀 | The Maplewood Thunder | The NY Showdown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:40
Last week, the Maplewood Thunder learned a powerful lesson during preseason practice at the Maplewood Rec Center:Every rep counts.Tonight, that lesson is put to the test.After weeks of focused practice, intentional drill…
🏀 | The Maplewood Thunder — Every Rep Counts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:19
Tonight’s story takes us inside the Maplewood Rec Center, where the sound of bouncing basketballs echoes through the gym and a young team is just beginning their journey.Davis and the Maplewood Thunder are excited for a…
🏀 | The Best Kind of Pass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:08
Tonight’s story shines under the lights of the Maplewood Rec Center, where a brother and sister learn that the strongest plays don’t come from going alone — they come from sharing.Corwin and Olympia are teammates on the…
🏐 | Ride the Wave: Finding Calm Before the Serve [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:25
When Naiya joins the Maplewood Waves, she dreams of mastering her first overhand serve—but the pressure of the match and the teasing of the Golden Bears shake her confidence. With guidance from Coach Elizabeth and a magi…
🏈 | The Day the Unicorns Played in the Rain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:29
When the Pink Fluffy Unicorns flag football team step onto a soaked field for the Maplewood Kids Championship, it feels like the storm has already won.But with a little help from Whistle, a magical skunk with a sparkle i…
⚽️ The Pass That Sparkled | A bedtime story about teamwork [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:42
When the Sparkle Cats fall behind in their big soccer match, Scarlett races down the field with one last chance to tie the game. But as the crowd cheers and the clock ticks, she realizes this moment isn’t just about scor…
🏏 |The Match of Stars and Flames [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
When a brand-new cricket team steps onto the field for their first match, Miles and his friends discover that kindness and courage can shine brighter than any scoreboard.Set under the whispering maple trees, the Maplewoo…
🎾 Skye is the limit | A bedtime story about overcoming adversity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:00
When 7-year-old Dane keeps missing his backhand, Coach Collin (Dad) and Skye the Peregrine Falcon teach patience, focus, and perseverance in this soothing sports bedtime story. Perfect for ages 4–9, the episode blends ge…