Writing Activity for Kids...or Anyone

Mix & Match Story Elements

Get your creative juices flowing…

Do you know those “mixed being” books? The ones where you flip sections of a page to mismatch the head or torso or legs and make a funny creature? This is a sort of “mixed being” writing activity using characters, setting, and plot. I learned this at a Loft Literary Center class from Lisa Bullard. I use this activity with students of varying ages and it’s always a big hit. It's fun to do as a family too.

Step 1 Create the Activity (which is a fun activity in itself)

1. Come up with a list of character ideas

ex: a shy fourth grader, a champion lacrosse player, the school bully, a girl who loves amphibians, a Lego maniac, a fifth grade kazoo master...whatever other random ideas you have.

• Write these on slips of paper and put them in a “Character” envelope
  

2. Come up with a list of settings

ex: the jungle, the state fair, at the lake, on a cruise ship, in a submarine, at the zoo, at the mall…

• Write these on slips of paper and put them in a “Settings” envelope
  

3. Come up with a variety of plots

ex: a failed test, a fight between best friends, a lie to Mom and Dad, a stolen important item, a lost pet, a missed opportunity, recess equipment  disappears every day, trying to get something you really want…

• Write these on slips of paper and put them in a “Plot” envelope
  

Step 2 Pick Your Story Elements

Each person pulls one idea out of each envelope. If you’re doing this as a whole class activity, you could have volunteers pull one out of each envelope and then everyone writes a story using the same combo.

Step 3 Write!

Give whoever is writing 10-15 min to write a short story with this character, setting, and plot.  The stories could be silly, serious, or suspenseful; they could be realistic, historical, or fantastical—wherever your imagination takes you.

ex: You pull a fifth grade kazoo master, a lost pet, & at the mall – so that’s what you write about.

Step 4 Share! (optional, of course)

For many kids, the best part of writing is sharing their story. We often have some good laughs in a class setting as many stories end up a little silly. But sometimes you get a super solid story going. Who knows where that will take you!

More to know:

• Once the activity is made, you’re all set. I’ve used my same envelopes for several years. Once the concept is understood, you have a lot of writing ideas AND entertainment in just three envelopes.

• I type up, print out, and cut the ideas into strips and put them in their corresponding envelopes. I color code them so it's easier for students to put away.

• Some kids (especially if they’re younger or struggle with imaginative writing) could benefit from a modeled example, so adults might want to prepare a short example.

• You can come up with however many ideas you want for each envelope: 5, 15, 20… Are you doing this with friends or siblings? With a class? With your family? Or on your own? Keep adding to your sets and change things out when you get tired of them or when different ideas come along.

  
  

Have fun!