Host an RP
Organize and host a short role play session with friends, create characters, simple rules, and lead imaginative storytelling and cooperative play.
Step-by-step guide to host a short role-play session with friends
Roleplay ideas for kids
Step 1
Gather all Materials Needed and put them on a table so everyone can reach them.
Step 2
Choose a fun theme for your role play and write the theme on a piece of paper.
Step 3
Decide how many friends will play and write that number where everyone can see it.
Step 4
Give each player an index card and have them create a character name and job and write it on their card.
Step 5
Write three simple rules for fair play on a sheet so everyone can read them.
Step 6
Pick a clear mission or goal for your story and write it in one short sentence.
Step 7
Decide who will start the story and tell everyone whose turn is first.
Step 8
Collect one small prop or costume piece for each player and place them where everyone can grab them.
Step 9
Do a quick one-minute practice where each player says their character’s voice or shows one move.
Step 10
Start the role play by having the first player begin with a short sentence in character.
Step 11
Take turns with each player adding one sentence to the story when it is their turn.
Step 12
Use the mission or goal to guide the story toward an ending as you play.
Step 13
Finish the story by having each player say one last line as their character.
Step 14
Ask each player to say one thing they liked about the game out loud.
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have index cards or small costume pieces?
If you don't have index cards use folded printer paper or sticky notes for character names and jobs, and replace small props or costume pieces with simple household items like hats, scarves, spoons, or printed pictures.
What do we do if the story stalls or players argue about turns or rules?
If the story stalls or players argue, refer to the written three simple rules and the mission sentence to refocus, set a 60-second timer for each turn, or use a stack of prompt cards (actions or setting clues) to jump-start play.
How can we adapt the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, pre-write character names and jobs on the index cards, use larger simple props and shorter turns, and for older kids, ask each player to write a two-sentence backstory, choose a more complex mission, or record the performance to share on DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalize the role play after finishing the story?
To extend and personalize the activity, build a prop box, add simple sound effects or background music from a phone, have players illustrate their characters on the piece of paper, or film the final story to upload to DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to host a short role-play session with friends
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CLASSROOM TOUR | 11 ROLE-PLAY IDEAS | DEVELOP LANGUAGE WITH IMAGINATIVE PLAY| LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
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Teaching Technique 23: Role Play
Facts about dramatic play for kids
⏱️ Kid-led RP sessions often work best in short bursts; 15–30 minute scenes keep attention and imagination buzzing.
🤝 Cooperative role-play helps children practice sharing, listening, and teamwork—pretend play is linked to stronger social skills.
🌈 Making a character with a name, a favorite thing, and one clear goal helps kids jump into stories quickly.
🎲 Role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons popularized modern RPGs in the 1970s, but humans have used pretend play for storytelling for thousands of years.
📜 Simple rules (turn order, a safe word, and one goal per character) make games fair, fast, and more fun.
How do I organize and host a short role play session with friends?
What materials do I need to host a kids' role play session?
What ages is this role play activity suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for hosting a children's role play session?
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