Koala Moon: Kids Bedtime Stories

Episode: The Alien Who Slept In The Arcade 👽💤

Date: September 14, 2025
Host/Narrator: Abbe Opher
Story by: Susannah McLoughlin

Episode Overview

This episode features a gentle, imaginative bedtime story about Stanley, a lovable alien who accidentally misses his space bus home and ends up spending magical nights in a sleepy seaside arcade on Earth. The story is crafted to soothe, entertain, and help children unwind for bedtime by blending imaginative adventure with cozy atmosphere and gentle narration.

Stanley's journey explores themes of acceptance, adventure, making the best of unexpected situations, and the joy of friendship—wrapped in the twinkling ambiance of an intergalactic, neon-lit arcade.

Key Discussion & Story Points

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage

• [02:15] Stanley’s Introduction:
  Stanley, a familiar alien from previous Koala Moon stories, is re-introduced as he waits for his ride home after a week-long Earth holiday.

  • “He’s called Stanley and he’s from Potato and Beans Route 66 adventure…he’s back on Earth and this time he’s not in the middle of nowhere.” (Abbe Opher)

• [03:20] Missed the Space Bus:
  Due to his whimsical, distracted nature, Stanley misses the Intergalactic Space Bus—his only way home for another four Earth weeks.

  • “He would lose his antennae if they weren’t screwed on.” (Abbe Opher, as narrator, quoting Stanley’s dad)

• [05:50] Discovering the Seaside Town:
  The narrator invites children to imagine the setting, describing a peaceful village between a cliff and the wide blue sea, complete with seagulls, boats, and smells of fish and chips, setting a comforting sensory scene.

2. Wandering and the Intergalactic Arcade

• [10:20] Stanley Explores the Town:
  After idling at the bus stop, Stanley wanders through the seaside town, enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells, and discovers the Intergalactic Arcade, decorated with “a giant neon spaceship” and glowing extraterrestrial themes.
  • “This place reminded him of XLCON 6. It felt like home.” (Abbe Opher as narrator)

3. First Night in the Arcade

• [13:15] Arcade Wonders:
  Inside, Stanley is enchanted by the arcade’s vibrant atmosphere—kids playing, the sounds of games, and a friendly moustachioed worker.

  • “Aliens eat free,” says the worker, handing Stanley pizza.
    • [14:30] Memorable Moment: “Aliens eat free,” he said with a wink. (Arcade Worker)

• [15:40] Settling In:
  After kids leave, Stanley has the arcade to himself, enjoys playing different games, and finally decides to sleep curled up amongst the cuddly bears inside a claw machine.

  • “[He] crawled onto the top of the teddy pile. It was as soft as can be…just like that, he fell into a deep, comfy sleep.”

4. The Ticket Quest

• [17:50] New Day, Big Mission:
  Stanley wakes to a new day. With a bundle of tickets from his gaming the night before, he trades for prizes—daydreaming about winning enough for the top prize: a Martian transmitter to call his mum for a ride home.
  • [20:15] “Stanley’s mouth fell open. A state of the art Martian transmitter…”
  • [21:05] Stanley’s Determination: “Change my mind,” he said. “I’m going for gold.” (Stanley)

5. Stanley the Star Dancer

• [25:00] The Shadowy Corner:
  Stanley discovers an old, dusty dance game in a forgotten part of the arcade.

  • [25:45] Memorable Quote: “Thinking he had nothing to lose, Stanley stood on the platform and hit the button.”

• [26:30] Dance Floor Magic:
  The dance game plays K-pop—Stanley’s favorite, and he excels, earning massive amounts of tickets.

  • [27:30] “Messages began to pop up on the screen. They said, amazing. You got it. Style swag on point.”

• [29:10] Crowd Gathers:
  Stanley’s amazing alien dance skills draw a crowd; the whole town gathers, and his performance makes him a local Internet sensation—“The Alien Dance King.”

  • [30:20] Crowd cheers, Stanley smiles for selfies: “His signature pose. Someone took his place on the dance mat, bopping away, and the crowds turned to cheer on the new star.”

6. Winning the Prize and Decision Time

• [32:05] Triumph:
  Stanley presents 1,053 tickets (“I think you might have enough for the top prize,” says Moustacheman), and finally obtains the Martian transmitter.

• [33:00] Heartfelt Phone Home:
  Stanley contacts his mum, who is relieved and offers a ride, but Stanley decides to stay a little longer, having made new friends.

  • [33:50] “I think I want to stay just a little longer, if that’s OK.” (Stanley)

7. A Cozy Ending

• [35:00] Bedtime in the Arcade:
  Stanley, content and tired, settles down for another night in his “bed” of plushies, watching the soft disco lights play across the arcade.
  • “Maybe, he thought, maybe he’d try to miss the bus more often.”

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• [03:20] “He would lose his antennae if they weren’t screwed on.” — Stanley’s dad (quoted by narrator)
• [14:30] “Aliens eat free,” he said with a wink. — Arcade Worker
• [21:05] “Change my mind, I’m going for gold.” — Stanley at the prize booth
• [27:30] “Messages began to pop up on the screen. They said, amazing. You got it. Style swag on point.”
• [33:50] “I think I want to stay just a little longer, if that’s ok.” — Stanley on choosing friendship

Key Themes and Gentle Lessons

• Curiosity and Openness: Stanley’s approach to new challenges and his eagerness to try new experiences.
• Resourcefulness: Finding creative solutions and making the best of an unexpected situation.
• Making Friends & Belonging: The value of connection and enjoying the company of others.
• Finding Comfort and Adventure in the Unfamiliar: Discovering new places can feel homely in unexpected ways.
• The Joy of Routine and Small Pleasures: Simple rewards like pizza, plushies, and friendly faces making the world (or galaxy) feel safe.

Episode Flow & Listening Experience

• Warm Narration: Abbe Opher’s voice is soothing and gentle, ideal for bedtime wind-down.
• Engaging Soundscape: Descriptions of the arcade, seaside, and nighttime atmosphere immerse kids in the story without overstimulation.
• Memorable, Reassuring Ending: Stanley falls asleep feeling happy, safe, and looking forward to more fun—a perfect emotional note to ease children into sleep.

For New Listeners

This episode is immersive and self-contained but includes nods to returning characters in the Koala Moon universe, fostering both routine and excitement for longstanding fans.

A perfect story for kids who love aliens, adventure, arcades, or gentle tales about making new friends and finding home wherever you are.