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 attention first by using their name and a linking phrase, eg “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 eg “… and that was the moment when the volcano erupted!”
For pre-readers, use pictures instead of words.
-1668046389.png)