The Fairy Tale Art Cart

What if the days were so short that by the time you said "good morning," it was already nighttime?

In this draw along episode, we travel to the world of the Māori people and discover the folktale How Maui Caught the Sun, a story about Maui the demigod who is done waiting around for things to get better and decides, with his brothers by his side, to do something no one has ever dared to do before. Maui is clever. Maui is bold. And Maui has a plan that is either going to change the world...o...

What would you do if you wanted something so badly that you'd go to the most outrageous, over-the-top lengths imaginable to get it?

In this draw along episode, we travel to the Domincan Republic and discover a story called The King and the Moon. It's the tale of a very powerful king who looks up at the night sky one evening and decides he simply must have the moon. What follows is a chain of demands more ridiculous than the last, and a carpenter who finds himself caught in the middle of the most impossible task in...

What would you do if you had to show up with nothing but the truth, but the truth was actually all that you needed?

In this episode, we travel all the way to ancient China for a folktale called The Empty Pot. It's the story of a boy named Ling who loves plants and gardens, and who is given a very special seed by the emperor himself. Ling waters it, tends it, sings to it, and moves it to a bigger pot...but nothing grows, not even a sprout. When the emperor asks all the children of...

There's a drought in the land. The riverbed is dry. Every single animal, from the massive elephant to the squeaky little mouse, tries to stomp the water up from the ground. One by one, they all give up. But tiny little Gecko refuses to quit. The bigger animals laugh at him. They mock him. But, Gecko stomps anyway.

This is a story about what happens when you keep going even when others say you can't. It's a story your kids will be talking about long after the episode ends, and that will help them cheer on the...

What if winter could turn into spring in an instant just because you were kind?

In this magical draw along episode, we travel deep into a snowy Czech forest and discover one of the most enchanting folktales from Eastern Europe: The Twelve Months. It's a story about a girl named Marushka who loves nature so deeply that nature loves her right back...and about what happens when greed meets the 12 gnomes who rule the seasons.

This episode is packed with three music filled drawing prompts and imaginative storytelling that will have your little artists reaching...

Once upon a time, a kind old man and a kind old woman wished and wished for a child... and then one sunny washing day, a giant rosy peach came bobbing down the stream with the most surprising little someone tucked inside.

In today's draw along folktale from Japan, a tiny peach-born boy named Momotaro grows big, strong, and brave enough to set off on the adventure of a lifetime. But he quickly learns that the greatest quests are never meant to be tackled alone. With a bag of kibi dango (millet dumplings) on his belt and...

A little old man and a little old woman are stuck in the silliest standoff over who should walk down to the river to fetch the water...and the tomato, onion, and pepper sitting in a basket on the kitchen table are getting more frustrated with every grumpy “I don’t wanna!”

In today’s draw-along folktale from Mexico called "The Cherry Tree", one teeny squabble snowballs into a juicy, sky-tumbling, storm-tossed adventure that nobody saw coming. The lesson tucked between the giggles that this story brings? Sometimes our stubbornness about the small stuff makes us miss the whol...

What happens when 500 lost elephants stomp their way into what they think is a cave? The answer will simply bloooowwww you away! In today’s screen-free draw along folktale episode called Aran Aung and the Elephants, your young story artist will discover that even when you’re lost (and a little bit grouchy), help has a funny way of arriving in the most unexpected ways: sometimes from a kind stranger, and sometimes in the form of a world-shaking sneeze.

Grab 3 pieces of paper and your favorite coloring materials and get ready for a rumbling, tumbling adventure

W...

Once upon a time in Ireland, there lived a king with a secret so enormous, so embarrassing, so downright ridiculous that he had not told a single soul — not the queen, not his children, not even his dog (and dogs, as you know, are excellent listeners).

In today's draw along episode, The King's Secret, your story artist meets a young barber named Liam who is about to learn two things the hard way: secrets are very heavy to carry, and the truth has a funny way of finding its voice anyway.

Grab 3 pieces of paper an...

Story artists, grab your crayons and your drawing paper because the story in today's episode is about to get fuuuun! In this magical Tanzanian folktale called The Calabash Children, a lonely woman makes a wish so impossible it could never, ever come true… except it totally does, in the most way imaginable. And just when you think you've figured out where this story is going, buckle up, because the calabash children have a surprise so delightfully unexpected that your kids will be scribbling furiously and begging you to hit replay!

The Fairy Tale Art Cart is an in...

What if the stories you never told came alive? Once upon a mischievous midnight, a young boy's unspoken tales burst free from the bag he's kept them in and create quite a flurry! What happens next will have your little ones smiling wide and begging for one more story. This is the Korean folktale called The Story Bag.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart is an interactive draw along podcast where your kids get to become the illustrators of the stories they hear! It's the perfect screen-free creative activity for busy families! Grab your crayons and settle in...

The people of a small village, decide to build a bell tower in the middle of the square with one rule: anyone who has been treated unfairly can ring it... but wait until you hear who rings it in this retelling of the Italian folktale called The Bell of Atri!

The Fairy Tale Art Cart is an interactive draw along podcast where your kids get to become the illustrators of the stories they hear! It's the perfect screen-free creative activity for busy families! Grab your crayons and settle in for a story, art, and music filled activity...

Ready for your kids to outwit an evil magician, one drawing at a time? In this adventurous episode of The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids, a young man named John begins reading books from the secret library of an evil magician. When the magician finds out, a wild ride of wit and magic ensues!

The Fairy Tale Art Cart is the perfect screen-free creative activity for busy families! Grab your crayons and settle in for an art filled storytime that keeps little hands busy, sparks big imagination, and brings fairy tales to life!<...

🍀 Grab your crayons and get ready for a little Saint Patrick's Day magic! In this episode of The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids, host Rachael Harrington retells the hilarious Irish folktale "Clever Tom," a tale packed with wit, trickery, and the kind of laugh-out-loud fun that keeps little ears perked up and tuned in.

Your kids will listen, imagine, and draw their way through this whimsical folktale adventure...all with nothing more than paper and crayons! Whether you need 30 minutes to make dinner, answer emails, or just breathe, this screen-free activity for kids del...

**The Crane's Gratitude - Folktale Draw-Along | Valentine's Day Story for Kids**

Join storyteller Rachael Harrington for a magical Valentine's Day draw-along adventure with "The Crane's Gratitude," a beloved Japanese folktale perfect for children! In this episode of The Fairy Tale Art Cart podcast, your kids will listen to and illustrate this heartwarming story about kindness, gratitude, trust, respect, and love.

**About The Folktale:**

Follow the story of Yoshi, a kind farmer who rescues a beautiful crane from a hunter's trap. When a mysterious young woman named Tsuru arrives at his door seeking shelter...

Happy New Year 2025! As we get ready to welcome 2026, I thought it'd be fun to re-release the very first ever episode of The Fairy Tale Art Cart as a way to reflect on the amazing journey of the show so far. This new year already holds some pretty incredible things for the podcast (click that newsletter subscribe button to be the first to know) - so thank you for being here and being a part of the creativity!

Grab your favorite drawing materials and wrap up in something colorful and cozy, because today's screen-free drawing story takes...

Gather your crayons and settle in for a cozy, screen-free interactive draw along adventure as we tell a folktale from the Maori people called How Maui Brought Fire.

Designed with creative kids and busy, imaginative parents, this storytelling episode invites children to listen closely, draw along, and bring Maui’s mischievous adventure to life on paper.

With playful narration and fin illustration prompts, kids build creativity, focus, and storytelling skills—no screens required. Perfect for car rides, quiet afternoons, or family creative time together.

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What’s the craziest yet most delicious recipe idea that you can think of for a cup of hot cocoa? What ingredients might be a yummy way to spice up that mug of cocoa?

Welcome to The Fairy Tale Art Cart, a podcast where you get to become the illustrator of the stories you hear: hosted by art teacher turned globe-trotting professional storyteller Rachael Harrington. If you’re a parent looking for imagination-inducing screen-free activities for your kids using simple art materials that you already have- you’re in the right place!

This week's episode is a l...

Get ready for a giggle-filled draw-along storytelling adventure as we draw our way into the classic English folktale “The Emperor’s New Clothes!” In this playful episode, kids can sketch, imagine, and laugh along as our very fancy Emperor shows off an outfit that—oops!—might not be quite what he thinks, making it a perfect screen-free creative activity for busy families. Grab your crayons and settle in for an art-filled storytime that keeps little hands busy, sparks big imagination, and brings the silliness to life!

PLEASE NOTE: This is the last new epsiode that will be posted on...

Get ready for a draw-along storytelling adventure as we dive into the joyful Ghanaian folktale “Anansi’s Hat Shaking Dance!”

In this upbeat story draw-along episode, your child can laugh, wiggle, imagine, and draw along with Anansi the Spider—a perfectly screen-free way to spark creativity, keep little hands busy, and make story time extra fun.

Grab some crayons and settle in, because this silly, art-filled tale is the perfect quick activity for busy families who want engaging, creative play without screens.

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In this delightful Nigerian folktale, your kids will listen and draw along as they imagine a time when the sky hung low enough for children to reach up and take just what they needed. But when greed begins to stir, the sky zips far, far away—setting the stage for a playful, meaningful adventure that inspires creativity and big conversations. Perfect for families seeking screen-free entertainment, this episode blends imaginative storytelling with hands-on art making to spark curiosity, deepen listening skills, and make story time come alive.

PLEASE NOTE: The last new episode uploaded to Spotify will be...

"Who will help me..." In this playful episode, the Little Red Hen finds a few grains of wheat and sets out to bake a loaf of bread—with a little hope (and not much help) from her friends. Along the way, there’s laughter, lessons, and the sweet smell of something wonderful baking. Curl up and listen to this classic tale about hard work, helping hands, and the joy of sharing what you’ve made.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Screen-free Creative Time For Your Kids, Made Easy! keeps your kids independently entertained with imaginative storytelling from storyt...

A story about a talented young girl and her ukelele, her magician father, and a giant who threatens their village?? It's a fresh new take on the South African folktale Abiyoyo! Through music, laughter, and a little bit of magic, the young girl and her father activate the power of creativity and courage to save the day.

This episode was recorded LIVE at Buunni Coffee, Inwood and features Latin Grammy nominee Flor Bromley

Love this episode and want to partner with me to bring storytelling to your community or organization? Check out my website, or...

Take a rollicking road trip with four unlikely animal friends who refuse to grow old quietly! In The Bremen Town Musicians, a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster hit the road in search of a new life (and a shot at a music career). It’s a story about reinvention, resilience, and finding your harmony... even if it's a little off key!

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Screen-free Creative Time For Your Kids, Made Easy! keeps your kids independently entertained with imaginative storytelling from storyteller Rachael Harrington and music filled draw-along prompts. All you need is paper, crayons, an...

What if you went to a concert for... a singer who can't sing?

In today's folktale from Italy, a croaking toad comes to a forest and is made fun of for the strange and off-tune music he makes... until those very sounds are what saves all the animals in the forest!

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Screen-free Creative Time For Your Kids, Made Easy! is an interactive podcast where your kids get to be the illustrator of the stories they hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, this episode is 30 minutes of screen-free imaginative and interactive...

Have you ever looked up into the night sky and noticed how beautiful the moon is?

In Today's folktale from Turkey, our silly main character Hoja goes to get a late night drink of water form the well... and thinks that the moon has fallen into the well! How will he help get it back up into the sky?

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where kids get to be the illustrator of the stories the hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, this episode is 30 minutes of...

When a kind but poor brother stumbles upon a magical mountain filled with treasure (and guarded by 12 enormous giants!), he learns a powerful secret—and how to use it wisely. But when his rich, greedy brother doesn't use the secret wisely, things don’t go quite as planned.

Grab your pencils, Story Artists—it’s time to draw sparkling treasure, towering giants, and the mountain that opens wide with a single magical phrase! This is the Folktale from The Brothers Grimm called: Simeli Mountain.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an inter...

If you had to choose between a big bag of gold and singing... which would you choose? In today's folktale from Ukraine, a big family in a tony house has to consider this exact question.

This episode was recorded LIVE at Buunni Coffee, Inwood in NYC. It features soul-rock musician Shelly Bhushan. Check out Shelly's music, plus the new album release from her band The Beveled Edges.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where kids get to be the illustrator of the stories the hear! Hosted by...

Do you think you could collect THE WHOLE OCEAN into one water-proof bag?? In today's folktale from Fiji, a woman travels to the ocean and panics when she mistakenly thinks she's done just that. How will she get the water returned to the ocean?!

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where kids get to be the illustrator of the stories the hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, this episode is 30 minutes of screen-free creative listening and drawing.

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Sometimes, what we think is an imperfection is actually a source of beauty. In today's folktale from India, a clay pot discovers how it's crack that lets water out is actually something that has brought joy into the world for others.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where kids get to be the illustrator of the stories the hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, this episode is 30 minutes of screen-free creative listening and drawing.

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What would you trade if someone offered you a bag of gold? In today's episode, a family learns that their music is the most valuable thing they posses... even a big bag of gold!

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where kids get to be the illustrator of the stories the hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, this episode is 30 minutes of screen-free creative listening and drawing.

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Shelly Bhushan, musician who played live in this episode. Episode was recorded live at Buunni Coffee, Inwood in NYC<...

Sometimes when we get upset about something it's hard to not let that feeling take over. In today's story, two brothers get into an argument so bad that it rattles the trees, and their wise mother gives them a way to come back together.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where kids get to be the illustrator of the stories the hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, this episode is 30 minutes of screen-free creative listening and drawing.

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Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and mom figures out there. You've seen the mother's day bouquet of flowers, but ever you ever considered as a gift...a coat made of moss? Yup, today’s story is called *Mossycoat*, and it’s a wild one, so grab your drawing materials and get ready to hear about a mother, her daughter, a coat, a dance, and some stardust.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where kids get to be the illustrator of the stories the hear! Hosted by storyteller Rach...

Today is a very special episode of The Fairy Tale Art Cart Podcast! Not only is it epsisode 30, but this is the first ever LIVE recording of the show!

The Joyful Violin was recorded live at Buunni Coffee in Inwood NYC with Violinist Artie Dibble and singer Sishel.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where kids get to be the illustrator of the stories the hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, this episode is 30 minutes of screen-free creative listening and drawing.

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Happy Earth Day & Month! Today's episode is a Japanese folktale all about stopping to appreciate and listen to the nature around us.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where kids get to be the illustrator of the stories the hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, this episode is 30 minutes of screen-free creative listening and drawing.

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Ever felt left out? All it takes is one little act of kindness to help that feeling to go away. IN today's episode, snow (who used to be transparent) loves all the colors of all the flowers and would love to also be colorful. Will snow find a flower willing to share some color?

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Spring is in the air, and Bear goes out in search of food after his long winter's nap. Along the way, he finds a friend whose generosity fills up bear's belly... and his heart!

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where you get to be the illustrator of the stories you hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, each episode is 20-30 minutes of screen-free creative listening and drawing.

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Do you have a piece of clothing that you love that brings good memories? In today's episode of The Fairy Tale Art Cart, a young girl in a hard situation keeps her heart soft... and gains a magical shawl to help protect her. This is a folktale from Ireland called The Fairy Shawl.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where you get to be the illustrator of the stories you hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, each episode is 20-30 minutes of screen-free creative listening and drawing.

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What would you do if you were given a pot of LOTS and LOTS of wisdom stories? In today's episode of The Fairy Tale Art Cart, we'll find out what Anasi the spider does with this exact gift!

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where you get to be the illustrator of the stories you hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, each episode is 20-30 minutes of screen-free creative listening and drawing.

🎉 ⁠LINKS:⁠

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Today's episode is a very special story; As a birthday gift, my own three kids wrote and recorded their own folktale for the podcast!

This collaboratively created folktale takes listeners on a magical journey that features leaky roofs, a unicorn in a field of roses, abundant cherries to snack on, a T-Rex emerging from a volcano... and of course- three very strange gifts.

The Fairy Tale Art Cart: Draw Along Stories For Kids is an interactive podcast where you get to be the illustrator of the stories you hear! Hosted by storyteller Rachael Harrington, each...