Stories are worlds we can create together. Stories are only limited by our imagination - they can be funny, far-fetched, short and sweet or long, wild and winding. You only need one sentence to start a story…

• a group of children (or other people!)

• room to sit in a circle

• a large soft ball, such as a beach ball

• imagination!

• Pass the Character
  Try using a toy animal or doll instead of a ball. Make the toy your main character, inspiring the story as you pass it around. What is their name? Where do they live? What adventures do they get up to?

• Pressure On
  For confident storytellers, add a timer for fast and frantic improvisation

• Pressure Off
  Instead of one sentence each, allow each person to add as much or as little to the story as they like.
  When someone feels inspired, they might create a whole chapter. When someone feels shy, they may add just one word.

• Catch!
  Add the element of surprise. Instead of passing around the circle, a player can toss the ball across the group to somebody on the other side. To help the other new player catch the ball, get their first attention by using their name and a linking phrase, such as “What happened next, Sarah?”

• Flying plot twists
  Throw in story elements as you go. One person holds a bag of different objects (toy animals and vehicles work well) and occasionally tosses one to a player who is about about to speak. The player has to quickly incorporate this new element into the story (eg “and then… they heard a fire truck in the distance…”)

• Story in a Jar
  Fill a jar with words written on small pieces of paper. Start the story and pass the jar around the circle. On their turn, each player takes out a word and uses it in their story sentence (“… and that was the moment when the volcano erupted!”) For pre-readers, use pictures instead of words.