Learn how to make a story bag using simple objects that spark imagination, storytelling play and meaningful conversations. Discover why this creative activity helps children explore feelings, build confidence and make sense of their world.
If you’ve ever watched a child pick up a few random objects and create an elaborate adventure, you’ll know that children don’t need expensive toys to tell incredible stories. Sometimes, all it takes is a handful of intriguing objects and a little imagination.
That’s exactly what a story bag is.
A story bag is simply a small bag filled with interesting objects that invite children to invent stories of their own. There are no rules, no right or wrong answers, and no script to follow. Each time the bag is opened, the same objects can inspire a completely different adventure.
Storytelling is such a powerful emotional tool, and story bags are just one example of how storytelling play helps children explore feelings—something I explored in more detail in my previous post.
As a play therapist, I love activities like this because they do far more than encourage creativity. Story bags can give children opportunities to express themselves, explore feelings, practice problem-solving and build confidence.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, caregiver or therapist, they’re one of the simplest storytelling activities you can make and use again and again.
In This Post…
Often what children are feeling underneath the behavior isn’t immediately obvious…
Why Story Bags Are So Powerful
Different types of play support children’s emotional needs in different ways, and storytelling is one of the ways children naturally make sense of the world around them.
As they invent characters, imagine challenges and create endings, they aren’t simply entertaining themselves. They’re practising problem-solving, experimenting with different perspectives and exploring emotions in a way that feels safe and playful.
Unlike activities with a fixed outcome, story bags are completely open-ended. Every child brings something different to them, which means every story becomes unique.
Story bags can help children:
• explore thoughts and feelings through play
• encourage imagination and creativity
• practise flexible thinking and problem-solving
• build confidence in expressing ideas
• develop language and communication skills
• create moments of connection with the adults around them.
The goal isn’t to produce an amazing story. It’s simply to enjoy the process together.
What Should You Put in a Story Bag?
One of the best things about story bags is that almost anything can become part of a story.
When choosing objects, I like to think about giving children all the ingredients they need to build a story: a character, a place, something interesting to discover, a way to move the story along and perhaps a little challenge to overcome.
Try choosing just five to seven items.
You might include a mixture of:
Animals
Children often project their own feelings, experiences and personalities onto animals, making them a natural starting point for storytelling play and giving us a glimpse into their emotional world.
Some favourites include:
• horse
• fox
• owl
• bear
• dragon
• dinosaur
• turtle
Characters
Adding one or two characters helps bring a story to life. Simple figures like peg dolls are wonderfully open-ended, allowing children to decide who they are and what role they play. But it’s also fun to include characters with a little more intrigue to spark imagination.
Ideas include:
• peg doll
• child figure
• explorer
• pirate
• astronaut
• fairy
• wizard
• grandparent
Interesting Objects
Small mystery objects often become the heart of the story.
Ideas include:
• an old key
• a feather
• a shell
• a tiny treasure chest
• a button
• a miniature suitcase
• a lantern
• a little wooden heart
Places
I love to include a little prop like this as it gives the story somewhere to happen and creates a setting for the events to unfold
For example:
• bridge
• boat
• tree
• cave
• castle
• tent
• little house
Transport
Transport adds movement to a story giving characters a way to travel somewhere new, escape from a tricky situation or simply move the story along. This sense of movement can also introduce new possibilities as the journey unfolds.
Ideas include:
• car
• train
• bus
• boat
• plane
• helicopter
• bicycle
• rocket
• hot-air balloon
• horse or carriage
Things That Feel a Little Scary
Don’t be afraid to include a few things that feel slightly scary or mysterious. Children can sometimes use these characters to symbolically explore things that worry or frighten them, giving them a safe, imaginary space to face challenges, experiment with different outcomes and decide what happens next.
Ideas include:
• spider
• snake
• monster
• dragon
• shark
• “bad guy”
• ghost
Of course, not every scary character has a deeper meaning—sometimes children simply enjoy a little drama in their stories.
Remember – you don’t need lots of items. In fact, fewer objects often encourage children to think more creatively.
How to Make a Story Bag
Making a story bag couldn’t be simpler.
Find a small drawstring bag, basket or box (I used little gift bags) and fill it with your chosen objects.
That’s it.
The magic isn’t in the bag itself. It’s in the conversations and stories that grow from it.
You might even enjoy experimenting with themed or seasonal bags.
How to Use a Story Bag
Invite your child to tip the objects out, spend a few moments looking at them together and then invite them to tell you a story.
If they struggle to get started, you could simply say:
• “Once upon a time there was a…”
They’ll often take it from there. Or try a simple question:
• Which object catches your eye first?
• I wonder who these belong to?
Sometimes children will simply describe the things they see rather than create a story: “Once there was a knight who lived in a forest with a cat. The end.”
If this happens, don’t worry. A couple of gentle questions can help the story develop:
• What problem do the characters need to solve?
• What happens next?
• How do you think the story ends?
There is no need to ask every question. Often, one or two simple prompts are enough to get the story moving.
And children often surprise us with where their imagination takes the story.
Follow Your Child’s Lead
One of the most important things you can do is resist the temptation to take over.
Adults naturally want to improve the story, correct details or steer children towards a particular ending. But storytelling play works best when children feel free to explore their own ideas.
Some stories will last twenty minutes.
Others may only last two sentences.
Some will be funny.
Some may become surprisingly thoughtful.
Some might not seem to make much sense at all.
All of them are valuable because they allow children to experiment, imagine and express themselves without worrying about getting it right.
Rather than directing the story, become an interested audience. Listen, wonder and enjoy discovering where your child’s imagination leads.
What Might Children Tell You Through Their Stories?
I’ve already had some lovely examples while experimenting with story bags. In one story, a brave knight wanted to make a friend but felt too frightened to go and approach them.
As we talked about the story, the child suddenly added:
“Sometimes I feel afraid to go and make friends.”
There was no need for me to interpret the knight or ask lots of questions about what he represented. The child had made the connection themselves.
This is one of the reasons I find storytelling play so valuable. Children don’t always tell us directly what’s happening inside them, but sometimes they’ll tell us through a character, an adventure or a problem in a story—and occasionally, they’ll surprise us by telling us exactly what the story means to them.
And of course, not every story has a hidden message. Sometimes a knight is simply a knight. The important thing is to stay curious, listen and let the child decide where their story takes them.
Final Thoughts on Putting Together a Story Bag
Story bags remind us that storytelling doesn’t have to begin with a book. Sometimes the most memorable stories grow from a handful of ordinary objects and a child’s extraordinary imagination.
My hope is that this simple activity not only inspires wonderful adventures, but also creates opportunities to slow down, connect and step into your child’s imaginative world. After all, you never quite know where a story might begin—or where it might lead.
If you’d like more simple, real-life ways to support your child’s emotions, I share ideas, insights, and tools like this regularly. You can join below and I’ll send them straight to your inbox.
You Might Also Find Helpful…
Understanding Your Child:
Why Kids Can’t Tell You What They’re Feeling — And How They Show You Instead
Discover the Power of Play:
Why Play Matters Way More Than You Think
How Different Types Of Play Support Your Child’s Emotional World
What Your Child’s Play Might Be Trying To Tell You
21 Powerful Play Therapy Techniques Parents Can Use at home
Build More Emotional Skills:
21 Fascinating Facts About Emotions for Kids
How To Do The Feelings Hotel: A Creative Emotional Check-In for Kids
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