Creative writing for kids is such a great activity for encouraging them to develop their creative story telling skills, to get them writing and importantly to enjoy one to one quality time together. Thanks to a visit from Grandpa today, it’s been resurrected from the deep…
We used to play it a lot as kids – a combination of no TV in the house and our grandparents living with us I think. Then my Dad would insist that any nervous looking visiting boyfriends played it too … one to remember for later!
Now as the mother of a 6 year old boy who’s really good at maths but struggles with writing and thinking creatively on demand, I’ve found a new way to help him:
By playing a game where we all write utter nonsense.
He started out not wanting to write but was happy to do a bit of thinking and tell someone else what to write. Perfect! If it’s not in your head, then you’re not going to be able to write it are you?
Step 1 in creative writing!
What you need:
- 2+ players
- Piece of paper each (either A4 or A5 depending on how prolific your writing is, though I’d suggest starting small and building up!)
- A pen each
What you do:
- You each make up and write down two lines of a story PLUS between 1-2 words on the 3rd line.NB: it reads much better at the end if you have an additional line but the younger ones can struggle with coming up with more, so start of short and build up once their interest is spiked.
- You fold back the full lines of text out of view, leaving the extra 1-2 words for the other person to continue on from.
- Then you swap with everyone, finish their sentence, add another line of your own and then finish with 1-2 words on the next (3rd) line.
- Like this (Trumpet is our cat!):
- So the next person only sees 1-2 words and has absolutely no idea what was written before it….like this ‘also’:
- When you get to the bottom, pass it on to the next person or swap if there are just two of you, unfold and read!
The kids find it so funny, particularly if I follow their full instructions and write about poo, wee, bottoms and sick.
Hot Tip: Include names of people they know really well!
You’ll work out how to make it extra funny for them once you’ve had a couple of run throughs!
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Emily x
What a great idea for a game! We’re lucky in that our kids need no encouragement to write – but it’s just lovely when you see them create something with words and the pride they display in their work.
That’s so true and I love the window into their imagination. They make the most amazing things up!
I love this, I remember playing when I was young. Can’t wait to play it again with the girls when they’re older. Thanks for linking up to #sundaystars xxx
When we were younger I thought we were the only ones that played this! Love hearing that we were all at it. Thank you so much for commenting x
I haven’t played this myself for a while but I’ve seen my teenage girls play it recently. More kissing and heartbreaks than bottoms and wee at that age mind lol #SundayStars
oh yes I’d forgotten how the content changes as you get older. Actually they’d be a good momento to keep one each year as the kids grow up wouldn’t it?? Thanks for the idea and thanks for popping in x
I remember playing games like this when I was little and loving them. I play the monster game with my son where you draw a person or monster, passing over after each body part..head, torso, legs. I haven’t tried this one with him though and I think he’d love it. A great idea for when they are a bit bored and you don’t want to get the tablet out. 🙂 xx
I’ve never played the monster game! That sounds great. We’ll have to do that too! Yes that’s absolutely true and it’s extra helpful to play these is when you’re out and about with a very boring wait (like for the bus / in a restaurant etc) :). Thank you so much for commenting and please do post any funny stories you end up with on our facebook page! I love reading them! xxx
I remember doing this when I was little! I LOVED it – one to remember to do with my boy! #BrilliantBlogPosts
I had no idea that so many people did it when they were little – I love that! How old is your boy? Is he old enough now?
That’s a great idea! I only know this game as a drawing game, where instead of writing you draw pictures.
I love creative writing and I will want to show my son what pleasure it is to express yourself in writing. at 19 months he’s years away from that point 🙂
#brilliantblogposts
How funny – I’ve only just heard about this game as a drawing game! Yes I guess he is a bit too young at the moment. It won’t be long though! Thank you for popping in x
You’ve just taken me back to my childhood, I remember doing things like that and it was so much fun, laughing at the outcome of he story.
I think I will try this with my kids this weekend, see what we come up with.
Oh yes please do and we’d love a pic on our Facebook page of the result if you have time 🙂 Here I remember laughing and laughing at some of the stories we ended up with!