A tiny adventure for tonight

You do not need a grand idea to start a story. A missing slipper, a favorite blanket, or a light in the window can be the beginning of a little adventure.

Tonight, try building a story together from three simple choices.

Start somewhere familiar

Ask your child to choose a place they know: the kitchen, the garden, or the space under a chair. Then imagine a very small visitor arriving there.

Perhaps a fox has come to borrow a teaspoon. Perhaps a moon moth needs somewhere to park its tiny bicycle.

Give your visitor one small problem

Keep the question simple: what is the visitor looking for, and who could help?

Let your child choose the next detail. A name, a color, or a wonderfully silly sound is enough. There is no need to plan the whole story before you begin.

Find a gentle way home

When you are ready to finish, help the visitor find what they need and head home. You might end with the same little line each time:

The adventure was over for tonight. Everyone had a place to rest.

If your child wants to meet the visitor again, save one tiny idea for another evening. The fox might return the teaspoon. The moon moth might bring a friend.

Looking for more ideas? Visit the BedtimeHero newsletter, or open BedtimeHero to start a story of your own.