Five creative prompts for kids

As the long hot summer of 2022 blazes on, we thought it might be nice to share some creative prompts based on classic stories for kids to get stuck in to. They can be adapted to any medium, if your child is a budding writer a story would be a good start, but then how about a script for a play, or even an advert. Or why not dig out some playdough or clay and craft your responses? Create a pattern from leaves, build it in lego, decorate a cake! The possibilities are endless.

Switch the perspective in a well-known story

Beauty and the Beast in the words of the beast, or perhaps the wolf’s take on Little Red Riding Hood. Your child can take a story they know well and think about it in new ways. Perhaps there’s a minor character who merits further exploration – what does Mary Poppins’ umbrella get up to when he’s not flying her around? What does The Cat in the Hat’s mum think of his antics?

Take a holiday

Think about how your favourite characters might like to relax. Does Pinocchio retreat to a tree house? Can My Hyde not relax unless he’s by the pool? While we’re all soaking up the holiday vibes use it as a creative prompt to get those juices flowing.

Cartography is cool

Anything can be a map! Of course you can start with the traditional treasure island kind, but once you get going you’ll find that Hogwarts Castle or The Capulet mansion are just as fruitful in terms of inspiration. You can add a key, and colour code different zones, add characters and what about the weather?!

The stage is set

Just to sneak in a bit of theatre (well, we are a theatre company after all!), how about creating the set for a story, or even a miniature version of a real life setting. If it’s going to be a set you’ll need to think about entrances and exits, as well as not putting all the tall things at the front so your audience can’t see the action!

Special Correspondent

Now’s your chance to be on the news! Play the part of a reporter telling the plot of a famous story, you could show pictures of the evidence, interview some of the characters or create a factsheet to explain the key points. Don’t forget the accompanying pictures too.

If you want to spend more quality time with classic stories, consider signing up for our Online Drama Classes: Creation Home Delivery next term. We deliver weekly live interactive sessions based on everything from Shakespeare to A. A. Milne for kids aged 5-16. Find out more and sign up.