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Interview for local stories

Interview for local stories
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Conduct short interviews with family or neighbors with adult permission to collect local stories, record answers, and write a simple report to share.

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Step-by-step guide to conduct short interviews for local stories

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LAST-MINUTE INTERVIEW PREP! (How To Prepare For An Interview In Under 10 Minutes!)

What you need
Adult supervision required, folder or envelope to keep notes, notebook, paper with your interview questions written down, pen or pencil

Step 1

Pick one local story topic to explore like a neighborhood memory a favorite place or a family tradition.

Step 2

Write 6 simple questions about your topic on paper so you can ask the same things to everyone.

Step 3

Ask an adult to help and get permission to interview the family members or neighbors you want to talk to.

Step 4

Choose three people to interview with your adult helper so you can collect different stories.

Step 5

Agree on a safe time to visit call or sit with each person using your adult helper to arrange it.

Step 6

Practice asking one of your questions out loud so you sound friendly and clear.

Step 7

Start an interview by saying your name explaining your topic and that an adult gave permission.

Step 8

Ask each question one at a time and write the person’s answers in your notebook.

Step 9

Listen carefully and write down any exact words you want to use as a quote.

Step 10

Thank the person after the interview and ask if they want to add one more short detail.

Step 11

Repeat Steps 7 to 10 for each person you planned to interview.

Step 12

Read all your notes and pick the three most interesting facts or stories you heard.

Step 13

Write a short report with a title a one-sentence introduction the three facts one short quote and a one-sentence conclusion.

Step 14

Check your report for spelling add the interview dates and the interviewees’ first names if they said it was OK.

Step 15

Share your finished report on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use instead of a notebook or paper if those are hard to find?

If you don't have a notebook or paper, use a phone notes app, a printed page, or the back of a flyer to write your 6 simple questions (Step 2) and to record each person's answers during Step 8.

What should we do if the person we want to interview is shy, forgets answers, or we lose track of questions during the visit?

If someone is shy or you lose your place, have your adult helper nearby, show the written question list from Step 2, use your Step 5 practice to speak slowly, ask one question at a time (Step 9), and write answers in your notebook (Step 8).

How can this activity be changed for younger or older kids?

For younger children, pick one topic and write just 3 simple questions and let them draw answers to include in the short report (Steps 1, 2, 11), while older kids can add follow-up questions, audio recordings, and more facts before sharing on DIY.org (Steps 9, 13, 14).

How can we make the final report more interesting or personal before sharing it on DIY.org?

Enhance your report by adding one short quoted audio clip or a photo with permission, include interview dates and first names (Step 12), and give your report a creative title and one-sentence introduction as in Step 11 before posting on DIY.org (Step 14).

Watch videos on how to conduct short interviews for local stories

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

STAR Interview Method Explained

4 Videos

Facts about oral history and community storytelling

🕰️ Local stories often explain little mysteries—like why a street has its name or where a town tradition began.

🗣️ Open-ended questions (like “Tell me about…”) usually lead to longer, more interesting answers than yes/no questions.

🎤 Oral history turns everyday memories into recorded stories that future generations can hear and learn from.

🌍 Small neighborhood memories can connect to big history and help us understand how communities change over time.

📱 You can capture great interview audio with a smartphone — just remember to get permission before recording!

How do we conduct short local-story interviews with family or neighbors?

Start by planning: pick a few family members or neighbors who agree to be interviewed and get adult permission. Help your child prepare 5–8 simple, open-ended questions and practice polite listening. Accompany the child during short, supervised interviews, using a phone or recorder to capture answers or taking brief notes. After each chat, help the child summarize responses into a one-page report with quotes, photos, or drawings to share. Always confirm consent before recording.

What materials do I need to collect local stories with my child?

You’ll need a notebook and pens, a printed list of simple interview questions, and a smartphone or audio recorder to capture answers. Bring consent notes for interviewees, a camera or tablet for optional photos, and a folder for paperwork. Include hand sanitizer, a pen for signatures, and basic art supplies (crayons or markers) if your child wants to add drawings to the report. A printer is optional for sharing copies.

What ages is this local interview activity suitable for?

This activity fits children about 6–12 years old who can ask questions and write short summaries with adult help. Younger kids (4–5) can participate as helpers—choosing questions or drawing—while an adult conducts and records. Teens can take more responsibility, lead interviews, and produce longer reports. Match tasks to each child’s reading, speaking, and attention level, and always provide adult supervision for consent and safety.

What are the benefits and safety tips for kids doing neighborhood interviews?

Interviewing neighbors builds listening skills, confidence, empathy, and an appreciation of local history while teaching basic research and storytelling. For safety, always obtain permission from both the child’s caregiver and the interviewee, meet in public or familiar places, and avoid collecting sensitive personal data. Don’t record or share audio, photos, or names without explicit consent. Keep interviews short, supervise closely, and review privacy rules with your child beforehand.
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Interview for local stories. Activities for Kids.