I’d link one of our Toy Story books, but that’d be kind of pointless, this wasn’t inspired by a specific Toy Story book, just my kids general desire to make their own story. We’d read all of ours too many times.
Or maybe, that’s just how I feel.
So, I found and copied and pasted way too many pictures into a word document and printed it out, and they made their own stories. Buzz Lightyear defeated all sorts of bad guys with the help of Iron Man.
I’ve done this for so many different character stories. And to save you having to do all of the work, here’s links to the ones I’ve done:
Materials: cutting pages, either a small notebook (my kids each have a notebook for their art and stories) or some copy paper stapled together, or what have you to make your book), scissors, glue, crayons or markers
Bother, only the Iron Man one is currently done, so here’s the embed code for that one (I know I said I was going to switch off of Scribd, but I really like it, and I haven’t been able to track down exactly at what point they start charging, and I don’t like 4Shared all that much its interface is driving me nuts, and yes I’m whining).
Iron Man Cutting Page
I love this because you don’t have to be involved beyond the dictation of the story. Which amusingly enough often has very little to do with the pictures.
Woot, I can just link the entire collection. I am sure I will be adding more to this collection as I get more requests to write their own stories. This is one of our more popular crafts on a routine basis (and why I’ve gone through so much paper recently, I’m thinking I’m going to get back into the habit of printing on the back of scratch paper).
Now head on over to Michelle at A Mommy’s Adventures for a lot more book related activities.
I see your boys are superhero fanatics like my boys – it drives me nuts! I am so glad I have at least 1 girl – sure you are too! 🙂
Nicole
My daughter loves toy story but she is terrified by spiderman or any character that kind of resembles him. im not sure how thats going to work out onn halloween since 90 percent of boys dress up as spiderman
This is one of those “Why didn't I think of this” ideas!! I know what my son is going to be doing while Emily and I are working on school! Thank you!!
G did this with some figures made out of clay, once. She created little scenes, photographed them, printed them, and then wrote her story – that was a lot of fun too, and kept her busy for hours.
I haven't tried anything like this with Selena. I don't know what characters I would use for her. This has me thinking that is for sure.
This is a fun way to play with familiar stories. Maybe I should try it with Little House characters – since this is one book that has Anna totally entranced. By the way, she is convinced that Superheroes is something that only boys do – she couldn't be bothered with them.
As you know, superheroes are extremely popular in my house. Thanks for this great idea and for sharing your work!
I was just thinking I'm so glad I don't have boys and thus don't have to deal with superheros everywhere… but then I remembered that we're drowning in Disney Princesses. 🙂
Oh, great that they made their own stories! Really good to get “older boys” crafty. Not always easy! Love it!!
Maggy
PS would, ahem, LOVE for you to pop over to Kids Get Crafty and hook up too! https://www.redtedart.com/2010/09/08/kids-get-crafty-eric-carle-homemade-puzzles/
Super clever!
We haven't reached the superhero phase here yet. My daughter likes to use the stickers her grandmother sends her to make up her own stories.
Oh I need to do this with Star Wars and THomas, thanks for the idea. 🙂
DJ says “Thank You”. I thank you, nice work!!
I see super heroes in my future. Great idea!
Great idea! I should do this with the Toy Story characters because my kids are totally obsessed! All they do is play Toy Story 3. All day! My daughter gets mad when I call he by her name and not Woody.
And my son loves making books so this is just a super idea. Thanks for sharing!
Iron Man and Buzz Lightyear WOULD make quite a team…one can fly, and the other can “fall with style”…
What a clever way to encourage story telling and story writing. We often cut pictures out of magazines to do this, but I have never thought to use characters that my children enjoy. Mmm, I can also see me making some story dice incorporating some characters too! Thanks for sharing your great idea.
My kids aren't into superheroes beyond the Toy Story kind – there was a Spiderman coloring book at speech therapy yesterday, and I had to hide it because Johnny was scared of it!
My kids do love cutting pictures out of magazines, though, and your idea of putting together the pictures they love for them to cut out is great!
What an amazing idea to inspire some of their own stories and creativity I LOVE it!! Thank you so much for linking up to stART :0)