Creative Story Starters for Kids

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Creative story starters for kids to generate oral storytelling or used as writing prompt ideas.

My kids LOVE to talk.  Do your children like to talk?  I’m always amazed at the creative and often very silly stories that come out of their mouths full of rich vocabulary.  To capitalize on this natural instinct to communicate, we came up with an easy and creative set of story starters for kids.  Actually, the adults will like to use them too.

There are so many ways to use these story starters and they can be adapted for multiple age ranges or ability levels.  Pretty much anyone ages 3-99 can play. Plus, they can be used over and over again.

Story Starters

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Getting Ready to Play

Materials Needed: printable story starters (free download below), a pair ofdice, and 4 playing pieces (coins, pouch caps, little sticky notes), paper and pencil (if you will write the story)

1. Print the characters, setting, and problem sheets.  There is a link below to get the free printable. Laminate for durability.
2. Find a hard surface to play.  This is especially important if the player(s) will be writing a story.  Plus, you need a place to roll the dice.
3. Lay out the materials and you are ready to start.

Ready to Play

The first player is going to determine the parts of his story.

Picking Characters: Roll the dice.  Roll the one die first and then both dice the second and third time.  Match the number rolled to the number on the character sheet. Do this for a total of three rolls to determine three characters for the story.  Use some type of marker to keep track of the characters.

Picking the Setting: Roll the dice or you can just choose to use one die. Match the number rolled to the number on the setting sheet. This will be the setting for your story.

Picking the Problem: Roll the dice or you can choose to use one die. Match the number rolled to the number on the problem sheet. This will be the problem in your story.

Once you have all the story ideas ready you can begin.

The first player is now ready to tell a story orally or in writing.  Think about the three characters and how they will interact with each other in the setting of the story.  Decide how the problem will be introduced and most importantly how it will be solved.  Whether you are telling the story or writing the story, it’s a good idea to rehearse the story orally.

If multiple people are playing, the next player takes her turn and continues in the same manner.

Download the Story Ideas Sheets

Grab your free download of story ideas below.  Just click on the link.

Additional Ways to Use the Creative Story Starters for Kids

• Create a group story.  Together roll the dice and determine your prompts.  Each person playing takes a turn telling a part of the story.  Continue around the table adding to the story until the story comes to an end.
• Turn your story into a book.  Staple sheets of paper together to make a book and then record your story.
• Younger children may prefer to create a picture story to record their thinking.
• Video each person sharing their story and then share it with family and friends.

Enjoy using these story ideas for kids as an individual storytelling experience, a writing prompt, or as a class or family game night.

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