Picture this: you’re sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a small sea of eager faces. You reach into a woven basket and pull out a little straw house, a pig, and a tiny wolf. Storybags are a fantastic tool for situations like this in early childhood education. Suddenly, the kids are leaning in, their eyes wide with anticipation. You’ve got them hooked, right there, on a journey into the world of The Three Little Pigs.

That’s the magic of storybags. They’re not just storytelling tools—they’re invitations to play, to explore, and to wonder. As an early childhood educator, I’m always on the hunt for ways to make stories come alive, and storytelling bags have become one of my favourite ways to do that. Story bags are like tiny portals, bringing favourite tales to life in a way that holds children’s attention and makes learning an adventure.

Let’s dive into what makes storybags so special, why they’re such a game-changer in early learning, and how you can create your own to transform storytime into an experience that’s as magical as it is memorable.

What are Storybags?

Storybags are collections of props, toys, and objects that represent elements of a story. Each bag is based on a particular tale, containing items like figurines, puppets, and small objects that bring characters and events to life. These tangible tools allow children to explore stories in a hands-on way, helping them visualize and internalize story elements.

Why Use Storybags in Early Childhood Education?

Storybags are effective teaching learning materials because, unlike books, they have physical objects (puppets, resources, storystones, real objects), storybags create a multisensory experience that draws children into the story, holding their attention longer. Props from storybags stimulate creativity and allow children to recreate the story or invent their own variations. As children engage with the story and retell it using the props, they build vocabulary, practice sentence structure, and strengthen comprehension skills. Storybags always encourage group storytelling, promoting cooperation, turn-taking, and shared narrative building. I use them during circle time every time I go to work in the early childhood centre.

How to Create a Storybag for Your Classroom

Creating a storybag is a fun and flexible process. First, you need to search the story. Select a story that is age-appropriate, engaging, and has strong visual elements.

I created a list of books that you may be inspired by – download it here https://payhip.com/b/FYsab

Popular choices for young children include “The Three Little Pigs,” “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” and “Where is the Green Sheep?”

Get some props. Remember, it could be anything, not just puppets. Look for small toys, puppets, natural materials, or handmade items that represent key characters, settings, and plot points in the story.

For example, a “Three Little Pigs” story bag might include:

• Figurines of pigs and a wolf
• Straw, sticks, and stones for building materials
• A book or picture cards to illustrate scenes from the story

Finding a storage or presentation vehicle is the next step. Use a basket or bag to store the items. Make sure it’s easy to carry and durable, especially for frequent classroom use. You can also label it to make finding the right bag easier during storytime. Prepare the main points of the story you’ll be telling with the bag, highlighting moments where children can interact with the props or respond to prompts.

Examples of Storybags for Early Childhood Education

Here are some examples based on the images provided to demonstrate how various storybags can be set up.

1. The Three Little Pigs Storybag

This story bag could include:

• Small models or toys of the three pigs and a wolf.
• Natural materials like straw, sticks, and small stones to represent the houses.
• Props to depict the story’s setting, such as a small tray with green felt for grass and pebbles for pathways.

Teaching Tip: Invite children to build the pigs’ houses themselves using the materials, encouraging them to talk about which house is the strongest. The hands-on activity reinforces concepts of problem-solving and teamwork.

2. Goldilocks and the Three Bears Storybag

Use a wicker basket to hold items for this beloved story, such as:

• Plush bears represent the three bears and a small doll for Goldilocks.
• Props for the bears’ home, like small bowls, chairs, and beds.
• A copy of the book to guide the storytelling.

Teaching Tip: As you tell the story, encourage children to place the props around a designated “bear house” area. They can pretend to be Goldilocks, testing out each chair, bed, and bowl. This setup aids in understanding comparison words like big, small, hard, and soft, enhancing descriptive vocabulary.

3. Where is the Green Sheep? Storybag

In this example, props for the book “Where is the Green Sheep?” by Mem Fox might include:

• Sheep figurines in different colours.
• Green fabric or felt to serve as the “green sheep’s” hill.
• Yarn or small balls of wool to represent different textures.

Teaching Tips: As you read the story, encourage the children to identify each sheep and place it on the story mat. This activity helps children with colour recognition and listening skills. You can ask them questions about where they think the green sheep is, encouraging critical thinking.

4. Big Enormous Turnip Storybag

Large pieces of fabric in different colours and textures can represent the landscape of the story. For example, green fabric for a meadow, brown fabric for a forest, or blue satin cloth for a river.

A book; set of puppets of figurines representing all characters – an old man, an old woman, a cat, a dog, a grand daughter, a mouse, a turnip. I made my turnip from felt, you can add a real turnip if you prefer.

Seeds would be nice for this experience too.

5. Snow White and Seven Dwarfs

To create a storybag for a traditional tale like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” include:

• Small dolls or figurines for Snow White, the dwarfs, and the Evil Queen.
• Miniature items such as a mirror, a red apple, and forest animal figures.
• A copy of the book or picture cards to help tell the story visually.

Teaching Tips: Engage children by assigning them different characters. Let them act out scenes or use the props to show what happens next. Role-playing can help children develop empathy and understand character motivations.

6. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

• Large bear puppet
• Big pieces of fabric for each obstacle (e.g., blue fabric for the river, green for the grass)
• Sound makers for water splashing, mud squelching, and wind blowing
• Story map poster for tracking the family’s journey

2. The Gruffalo

• Gruffalo plush toy and other characters like the fox, owl, and snake
• Tree branches, leaves, and a small fake tree or log
• Texture boxes for animal fur, snake scales, and tree bark
• Large story mat depicting the forest scene

3. Jack and the Beanstalk

• Large bean plant model or faux vine
• Oversised golden egg, small plush goose, and “magic beans”
• Props for the giant’s castle, like toy cutlery, coins, and a crown
• Costume pieces like a “magic” hat for Jack and giant shoes

4. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

• Large caterpillar puppet and butterfly wings
• Play food representing everything the caterpillar eats
• Felt mat with leaves and fruit for children to explore as you tell the story
• Visual sequence cards for each stage of the caterpillar’s transformation

How to Use Storybags in the Classroom

Once you have your storybags ready, incorporate them into daily or weekly routines.

1. During group storytime, bring out a story bag to create a more interactive reading experience. Encourage children to participate by handling the props as the story unfolds.
2. Set up a storytelling station where children can access storybags independently. They can explore the props and retell stories in their own words, boosting their creativity and comprehension skills.
3. Use story bags in small groups to foster collaborative storytelling. Each child can take on a different character or scene, working together to recreate the story.
4. After storytelling, engage children in follow-up activities related to the story. For example, they could draw pictures of their favourite scenes, build character homes with building blocks, or even make their own storybag.

Benefits of Storybags in Early Learning

Storybags offer multiple benefits beyond storytelling, of course.

Sensory Exploration	By handling different materials, children explore textures, shapes, and colours, enhancing their sensory awareness.
Fine Motor Skills	Using small figurines and props helps children develop fine motor skills through manipulation.
Imaginative Play	Storybags inspire imaginative play as children re-enact stories or create their own. They learn to think creatively, improving their problem-solving abilities.

Tips for Success with Storybags

To make the most of storytelling bags, consider rotating them often. This variety maintains excitement and allows children to explore multiple narratives. If possible, include props that are familiar or relevant to your children’s lives. For example, adding a toy koala to an Australian animal-themed storybag makes the story more relatable. My niece is currently into dragons, so I will be making one of the stories based on this interest. Let children contribute to the story by choosing props, placing items, or even helping design a new storybag. Their input fosters ownership and increases engagement.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE STORY TO CREATE STORYBAG WITH?

Top Storytelling techniques for early childhood classrooms

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