A collection of simple storytelling prompts for kids that will have you and your children sharing creative stories. Perfect for pre-writers and can then be carried into story writing too.
My daughters have actually been reading quite a few fairy tale chapter books lately. There is something about fairy tales and fables that is always appealing to children.
When my youngest daughter came across the book “Clemency Pogue, Fairy Killer” by JT Petty and illustrated by Will Davis I wasn’t sure what this book would be about. After reading this intriguing book, I discovered that storytelling plays an important role in the book. The main character is Clemency and her family likes to sit around telling stories. Sharing stories is a wonderful way for the family to connect.
So, I was inspired by the story and decided to put together these simple storytelling prompts for kids.
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When Clemency is attacked by an evil fairy, she remembers the tale of Peter Pan, as her father had told her one evening. The memory of the story is what saves Clem’s life and takes her on an incredible journey…you have to read the book to find out what happens. At the end of the book, Clem returns home and tells her family all about her adventure.
Storytelling is a wonderful activity for children. Whether it is retelling something that they experienced or imagining an entirely new story. Telling stories is how generations of people have carried their heritage over centuries.
Without storytelling, history would not be nearly as interesting or informative. However, sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. I’ve put together some fun storytelling prompts for kids and turned them into an easily accessible game of sorts.
Tell Me A Story – Storytelling Prompts for Kids
First, click this link to print 2 pages of inspiring Storytelling Prompts for Kids or click over to Scribd and download our tell me a story – storytelling prompt.doc
Next, cut out the prompts, fold them and place them inside a jar or a bag.
Finally, find some time to sit down with your family and have each person pull a storytelling prompt from the jar.
Gather around and spend some time creating and listening to stories together.
When we gave this activity a try, I discovered that it helps to have a few key questions on hand in case the storyteller becomes stuck.
what did you see?
what did you hear?
what did you smell?
who else is there?
what does the room/space look like?
how do you feel?
where did you go?
Since there is no writing involved, this activity can be enjoyed by children of all ages. My girls loved taking turns telling stories and when they got stuck, they helped each other out. Building and sharing stories as a family is great fun.
Extend the learning...
If your children are older feel free to use these prompts to spark creative writing ideas. Finding ways to start kids thinking about creative writing is fantastic.
Who knows where the stories might lead you…they might save you if you are attacked by an evil fairy one day?! 
We also love this book, with story blocks, as a way to inspire storytelling for kids.
Now it is time to find out what the other bloggers in the Virtual Chapter Book Club for Kids have been reading and creating. Be sure to stop by the other co-hosting blogs.
Virtual Book Club for Kids : The Educators’ Spin On It : Mom to 2 Posh Lil’ Divas : Coffee Cups and Crayons :Edventures With Kids : PlayDrMom : Kitchen Counter Chronicles
If you liked our storytelling prompts, you’ll love these other projects…
Write a fairy tale with these fairy tale story writing prompts
Learn how to make a simple birdseed bird feeder
Have fun with a free printable Would You Rather Game Christmas Edition
Check out all the other fun projects that use a simple mason jar:
Craft a Valentine’s Give a Kiss, Get a Kiss jar
Fight Boredom with a “I’m Not Bored” Jar
Fill a Jar with Outdoor Play Ideas
Make a Holiday Snow Globe
Angela says
November 5, 2013 at 10:28 amNice Idea indeed. I remember my mother playing this with us when we were kids. Now I use storytelling to help my kids get over difficult situations and distract their attention: http://www.outnumbered.be/parenting/patience-with-children-storytelling/
Jen says
November 8, 2013 at 10:09 amThanks Angela. I love the idea of using storytelling to help deal difficult situations. Thanks for stopping by.
Lauren says
November 10, 2013 at 7:25 pmOh my goodness, this is perfect! Every night my daughter & I tag team with a story and these would be perfect prompts for us! PINNING! Thank you for sharing at our Pinning for Play link party!
Jen says
November 11, 2013 at 1:35 pmSo glad you like them…sounds like you two are having a lot of fun with storytelling already. Thanks for stopping by.