Storytelling with Props: Bring Favorite Stories to Life

We love storytelling around here… how about you? Have you ever tried storytelling with props? We loved turning a fairy book into a play. Using a love of Lego to get stories flowing with the kid who thinks he’s too old for storytelling, is one of my storytelling secrets!

Setting the scene and acting out Goldilocks and the Three Bears with props is one of our all time favorite storytelling activities. This post first appeared on March 17, 2012.

Storytelling with Props: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

While Little M was outside I set the stage for Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  I was going for quick and easy… I grabbed what I could find quickly.

1.  Three bears with plates (didn’t even want to spend the time searching for bowls.)
2.  Three chairs.  I tried to make one hard, one soft, and one perfect for a baby bear.
3.  Three beds. (Little M swapped one out right away… oh well. 🙂 )

Telling the Story

Since Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a story most of us know by heart, it is an easy one to change up and add details to.  When Little M walked into the staged room she immediately knew what was happening.  She grabbed a bear and I started telling the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Mama Bear thought the porridge needed to cool… so all of the bears decided to take a walk.

Along came a little girl.  She knocked on the door.  “Hello.”  She knocked again. Little M added that her mother told her never to go into someone’s house without permission… but she was just so hungry. (That’s one of the best things about bringing stories to life, little storytellers can add their own ideas.)

Goldilocks took a bite from each plate until she found one that she thought was just right…. then she ate it all up!

After trying out each chair and each bed Goldilocks finds a bed that is just right. In this version the bears all tuck themselves into bed and baby bear snuggles right up to Goldilocks.  Ahhhh so sweet!

Storytelling Tips

• Use a story you know pretty well.  That will make keeping pace with your little one easier.  If they slow down for a part or skip through something you will be able to adjust.
• Keep props simple and remember imagination is a great tool!
• Once you’ve run through the story as the narrator, switch rolls. Take a turn acting out the story they your little one tells.

This post is a part of the Storytelling lesson plan. What stories have you brought to life? Or what story are you thinking of bring to life now?