Christmas Story Starters for Kids: Writing and Telling Prompts

Download the free printable cards

24 Christmas story starters to copy and use

Pick one, read it aloud and let the story go wherever the children take it. Each starter ends mid-sentence on purpose, so there is always a next line to write.

Cosy and magical

1. The snow globe on the shelf began to glow, and inside it a tiny door opened.
2. Every Christmas Eve a robin tapped on our window. This year it was carrying a note.
3. When I woke up, the whole street was white with snow, except for one front door.
4. Grandad's old Christmas tin had been shut for years. Today the lid popped open by itself.
5. The smallest bauble on the tree whispered, "Please don't hang me at the back."
6. Rudolph's nose had gone out, and the sleigh was due in one hour.
7. We were building a snowman when it blinked.
8. At the bottom of my stocking was a key, and I had no idea what it opened.

Funny

1. Father Christmas got stuck in our chimney, and he was not alone.
2. The elf had been busy overnight, and the kitchen did not look like it did before bed.
3. The Christmas pudding started to wobble, and then it started to talk.
4. Mum said no sprouts for the reindeer. The reindeer disagreed.
5. The turkey escaped on Christmas morning, and it was heading for the door.
6. Our dog ate the star from the top of the tree, and then he began to glow.
7. I wrapped the wrong present, and now the postman is wearing it.
8. The Christmas lights flashed in a pattern, and it looked like a message.

Mystery and adventure

1. Someone had eaten the mince pie, but they left a footprint as big as a dinner plate.
2. The advent calendar had a twenty-fifth door that nobody had noticed.
3. A letter to Father Christmas came back, and the handwriting was ours.
4. In the attic, behind the Christmas boxes, we found a map.
5. The church bells rang thirteen times.
6. The sleigh landed on our roof, but it was empty, and the reindeer looked worried.
7. The snow stopped falling in mid-air, and everything went quiet.
8. The last present under the tree had no name on it, only a drawing of a star.

How to use story starters, step by step

1. Print the free story starter cards and cut them out.
2. Pick a card and read the opening aloud.
3. Take turns adding one sentence each, or write on your own.
4. Decide the problem, then how it gets solved.
5. Finish with a happy ending, a title and a picture.

Five ways to play with story starters

• Round the table. Each person adds one sentence. The funniest turn wins the bonus point.
• Solo writer. Older children write a page. Keep a mini whiteboard nearby for planning and spelling.
• Bedtime chain. Add one sentence a night through December and finish the story on Christmas Eve.
• Illustrated storybook. Write one page a day, draw the picture with watercolour pencils or scratch art paper, then staple it into a book.
• Car journey. Tell the story aloud. No paper needed.

Games and gifts for young storytellers

Stories grow best away from screens. These are our favourite wooden games, craft sets and word games for children who love to make things up. Every product is made to last, and many make good stocking fillers and Christmas gifts.

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Kids' Spelling Game - Wooden Letters & Word CardsShop nowMini Whiteboard - Educational ToyShop nowMagnetic Letters & Numbers - Educational Toys for KidsShop nowRainbow Scratch Paper - Scratch Art PadShop nowKids Art Set - Water Colouring PencilsShop nowKids Art Easel - Wooden Easel & StandShop nowFarm Yard Tales Craft KitShop nowAnimal Dominoes - Wildlife GameShop nowWooden Game - Shut The BoxShop nowClassic Board Game - Snakes and Ladders & LudoShop nowClassic Playing Cards - Twin Set with CaseShop nowBingo Set - Dry Erase CardsShop nowScavenger Hunt GameShop nowWooden Family Games SetShop now

Story starters by age and key stage

What children learn from telling stories

• Imagination. Children invent characters, places and problems from one sentence.
• Writing. Planning a beginning, middle and end builds narrative writing, which is part of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 English.
• Speaking and listening. Taking turns teaches children to listen and build on each other's ideas.
• Vocabulary. Christmas stories need new words such as frosty, glittering and jingling.
• Confidence. There are no wrong answers, so shy children can join in.

More free Christmas printables

Every one is free to print, and each has its own guide.

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Christmas BingoFree printableChristmas Scavenger HuntFree printableElf Mischief IdeasFree printableReindeer Food RecipeFree printableChristmas Kindness and Gratitude CardsFree printableChristmas Charades CardsFree printableChristmas Maths MysteryFree printableChristmas Eve Box PlannerFree printableColour-In Christmas Gift TagsFree printableChristmas Word SearchFree printable

Make it a Christmas tradition

Keep one story starter jar by the tree. Each evening, one person pulls out a card and the family tells the story together. On Christmas Eve, read the whole story aloud. Write the best one in a notebook and add a new story every year. In a few years you will have a family storybook that is better than any bought gift.

Frequently asked questions

What age are Christmas story starters for?

Ages 6 and up can write their own. Younger children can tell the story aloud while a grown-up writes it down.

How do I help a child who gets stuck?

Ask a question: Who is in the story? Where are they? What goes wrong? Even a one-word answer gets them moving.

How long should a story be?

A few sentences for younger children. A page or more for ages 8 and up. Short and finished beats long and abandoned.

Are the story starter cards free?

Yes. The printable set is free for homes, classrooms and clubs.

Can teachers use these in class?

Yes. They work well as a starter activity in the last weeks of term, for pairs, groups or whole class.

What is a story mountain?

A simple plan with five parts: opening, build-up, problem, solution and ending. Many schools teach it from Year 3.

What gifts help children who love stories?

Word games, art supplies and traditional family games all help. See the gift ideas above, such as a spelling game, a mini whiteboard or scratch art paper.

Can we turn the stories into a book?

Yes. Write one page each, draw the pictures, staple it together and give it as a gift.

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Jaques of London is Britain's oldest toy and games company, founded in 1795. We have spent over 230 years making games families play together, from chess and croquet to wooden toys for the very young.

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Written by the Jaques of London team. Last updated 1 November 2026.