How to write a bedtime story with your kids in five minutes

Writing a story together sounds like a big undertaking at the end of a long day. It doesn't have to be. All it takes is one small idea and a few decisions along the way — the rest looks after itself.

Start with something they already love

A dragon, the deep sea, a lost star trying to find its way home — pick whatever your child is already drawn to. The more specific the idea, the more it feels like theirs.

Let them choose what happens next

At each turn, the story pauses and asks what should happen next. There's no wrong answer — every choice just becomes part of the story. This is usually the part children remember afterwards.

Then read it back together

Once the story reaches its ending, read the whole thing back together — it's free to do in the page any time. If it becomes a favourite, you can turn it into a printable PDF keepsake to read again at bedtime, forever.