Storytelling Fun - Five Ideas To Bring Books to Life

What's better than reading a story? Well how about playing with one? Sharing stories in a variety of creative and imaginative ways can really help children with their early literacy skills and speech development. Here are just a few of our favourite ideas for storytelling fun.

1. Story Stones or Story Spoons

There are lots of different versions of story stones about - just take a look on Pinterest!  There are beautifully decorated ceramic pebbles and even stones that have been decorated using magazine pictures. If you create the stones yourself they can be as versatile or as specific you wish.  Our own very basic stones were created from pebbles we collected in the garden. We then decorated these using acrylic paint before sealing them with varnish. They are great for playing with in a group or alone. We usually put them in a basket, take them out in turn and as we do, we each add a little to the story.

We also recently created some chalk board story spoons as I had some left over blackboard paint from another project! What is brilliant about the chalk board spoons in that they are so open ended and can be used to retell any story from a book or for making up your own tales Here is a great post from Early Impact Learning with 10 ideas for using Story Spoons, which is well worth a read. Also if you don't fancy making your own story stones or spoons, stunning sets can be purchased from The Story Spoon Company. This is not an affiliate link, we just think they are lovely!

2. Story Cubes

Similar to story stones, story cubes can be used to get your creative storytelling juices flowing. We have been playing with the Rory's Story Cubes for a few months now. As The Mini Reviewers are still very young, they just interpret the pictures how they wish and we have found the best way to play is to create stories together. The sets of Rory's Story Cubes can be purchased from Amazon (affiliate links below) but if you fancy making your own then check out this great post from Red Ted Art.

3. Storytelling Baskets

Storytelling baskets are such a fantastic way to play with stories. We recently had fun with this little basket of goodies to help us retell the traditional tale of The Three Little Pigs. As well as a set of finger puppets, the basket contained shredded paper for straw, lollipop sticks for the wood and Duplo blocks for the bricks. We had fun building the three houses as we shared the story together.

Story baskets are again very versatile and can be adapted to suit any age. Here are two very simple story baskets suitable for older babies and toddlers.

4. Take to the stage (well sort of!)

Why not grab a puppet or a mask and practice your best voices before acting out your favourite story? We find costumes, masks and props really do help to bring books to life. All three Mini Reviewers love getting into character so we've had lots of storytelling adventures including: hosting a "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" tea party; making a shoe box theatre; taking a trip around London; and exploring some twisted tales with puppets.

5. Finally - Get arty!

Not everyone's cup of tea, but grabbing your craft supplies and getting messy can be a great and fun way of exploring stories together. We have been taking part with some of the #KidArtLit challenges on Instagram where we have chosen a book and accompanying craft activity to fit a particular theme. Below are a few of our photos (1. Penguins 2. Diversity 3. Snow 4. Chinese New Year). Do take a look at the #KidArtLit community on Instagram as some of the choices are so inspiring!

We do hope you feel inspired to enjoy some storytelling fun of your own! 

Please do share any storytelling activities with us, we'd love to hear from you. 

Until next time... HAPPY STORYTELLING!
Kate & the Mini Reviewers xx


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