Good evening, little camper, and welcome back to Camp Stardust. Tonight’s bedtime story drifts into a world of sweetness and wonder, where the scent of marshmallow floats on the air and a secret marketplace glows beneath the lantern light.

As camp settles into silence and the lake reflects the stars, Peanut the camp cat appears with her quiet paws and curious whiskers, inviting you to follow. The air grows rich with the smell of toasted sugar, and before long you discover that the fire circle has transformed into something new — a hush-market that only stirs when the night is calmest.

Lanterns in pastel shades sway from the branches, lighting rows of tiny stalls crafted from twigs, ivy, and bark. Squirrels in aprons offer marshmallows dusted in cinnamon sugar. Owls serve cocoa in acorn-cap cups. Rabbits arrange candied berries on leaf-plates, and raccoons carefully guard their shiny treasures. Chipmunks roll marshmallows in bowls of colorful sugar until they sparkle like jewels. At the center, a gentle badger tends a polite little fire.

The market holds more than treats. A hedgehog stamps your Marshmallow Passport with a glowing lantern seal. Willow the Owl watches with calm, steady eyes, her soft “hoo” a promise of safety. Peanut even receives her own sugary crystal, crunching happily at your side. Each stall offers kindness, warmth, and the quiet joy of sharing.

You wander from table to table, tasting honey-drop tarts, sipping cocoa, and collecting small gifts. Before the night ends, you carry your own glowing marshmallow lantern — a light that feels like it was made just for you.

This episode of Camp Stardust blends the coziness of bedtime with the wonder of a magical night market. It’s written in a soothing, sleep-ready style to help children relax, feel cared for, and drift gently into dreams. Parents will find this story a calming part of any bedtime routine, filled with gentle imagery, soft pacing, and reminders that every camper is safe, loved, and ready for sweet dreams.

So snuggle under the blankets and let the magic of The Marshmallow Market guide you into rest. At Camp Stardust, the night is gentle, the stories are full of wonder, and the magic of imagination is always with you.

© 2025 Camp Stardust — original bedtime stories and meditations for children (and the grown-ups who love them).