How to Make Up a Bedtime Story About Your Child

You do not need a complete plot before you begin. Ask your child for one character or place, then build a short story around something familiar.

A five-part story formula

1. The hero: “Once there was a child named…” Use your child’s name or let them invent one.
2. The place: choose a forest, spaceship, underwater town, or familiar neighborhood.
3. The small problem: something has been lost, a character needs directions, or a task needs finishing.
4. The helpful choice: let the hero use curiosity, patience, humor, or kindness rather than fighting or frightening someone.
5. The calm ending: bring the character home, describe the quiet room, and finish without starting another adventure.

For ages 3–5, keep the plot repetitive and under ten minutes. For ages 6–8, pause twice and let your child choose what happens next. If a child finds a theme upsetting, change it immediately rather than using the story to teach a lesson.