Simple Storytelling!

I'm Abel, a parent who discovered that storytelling doesn’t have to be complicated. Like you, I once felt that little voice saying, "I'm not creative enough." But here’s the truth I’ve come to realize: anyone can tell a story – it’s all about finding the right starting points.

Start With What You Know

Everyday routines are a perfect foundation for stories. Take your morning routine:

Wake up
Brush your teeth
Get dressed
Eat breakfast

Let’s turn that into a story:

"Once there was a sleepy dragon who never wanted to wake up. His alarm clock would ring DING DING, but he’d just roll over and snore. One day…"

See? You just started a story with something as simple as waking up!

Simple Story Starters (That Actually Work)

Instead of the usual “Once upon a time…” try these engaging openers:

“I had the funniest thing happen today…”
“You’ll never believe what I saw…”
“Remember when we…”
“What if your toys…”

Real Example:

My son didn’t want to clean his room, so I began with:

"You’ll never believe what I saw! Yesterday, when everyone was asleep, I noticed your toy cars having a race. But they were so tired from racing through messy roads…"

The 3-Part Story Formula

To make storytelling even simpler, here’s a quick formula:

Something Normal – Start with something ordinary
Something Unexpected – Add a surprising twist
Something Solved – Wrap it up with a fun ending

Example:

"Sam was walking to school" (Normal)
"When his backpack started to giggle" (Unexpected)
"Turns out his lunch sandwich was telling jokes to his homework" (Solved)

Make It Personal

Kids love stories that feel familiar. Try adding things they know and love:

Their favorite toy
Their best friend’s name
Places they know
Things they did today

Real Example:

"You know that red truck you love? Well, this morning, while you were still asleep, I saw it tip-toeing to the kitchen…"

When You Get Stuck

If you’re stuck on what happens next, ask simple questions to involve your child:

“And then what do you think happened?”
“Should they go left or right?”
“What color was it?”
“How do you think they felt?”

Asking questions isn’t just a way to keep things moving – it makes the story more interactive and memorable for your child!

Quick Fixes for Common Storytelling Problems

Problem: “I can’t think of anything!”
Solution: Look around and pick any object in the room. That’s your main character.

Problem: “I lost track of the story!”
Solution: Ask your listener, “What happened so far?” Kids love being the expert!

Problem: “My mind went blank!”
Solution: Use the magic phrase “And suddenly…” It works every time to kickstart the next part of your story.

Keep It Simple Tips

Remember:

Stories don’t need complicated plots.
Use your regular voice (silly accents optional!).
Short stories are still great stories.
Perfect is boring – silly is fun!
Kids care more about your attention than your storytelling “performance.”

Today’s Challenge

Pick one of these and try it today:

Turn a chore into a 2-minute story.
Make up a tale about your pet (or a neighbor’s pet).
Tell the story of your lunch from the food’s perspective.

Need More Help?

Join our community where parents share their storytelling wins and get fresh inspiration. Here’s what you’ll find:

Weekly story starters
Real examples from other parents
Quick tips and tricks
Support for those moments when you’re stuck

Remember: You’re Not Just Telling Stories – You’re Creating Memories

With each simple tale, you’re building a treasure trove of memories that will stay with your children forever. Happy storytelling!