Make a story game
Create a choose your own adventure story game using paper, markers, and dice; design characters, branching choices, and multiple endings to play with friends.
About this tutorial
Create a choose your own adventure story game using paper, markers, and dice; design characters, branching choices, and multiple endings to play with friends.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Choose a fun theme and decide who your main character will be.
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Step 2
Create a character sheet by drawing your main character and writing their name at the top.
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Step 3
Write one short sentence that explains the starting situation for your story.
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Step 4
On a new sheet draw a flowchart with boxes for scenes and arrows for choices.
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Step 5
Number each box on the flowchart with a unique scene number.
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Step 6
Write a short sentence inside each numbered box that describes what happens in that scene.
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Step 7
Under each box add two or three numbered choices that point to other scene numbers.
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Step 8
Copy each numbered scene sentence onto its own page or card and write the scene number at the top.
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Step 9
Decide how the die will affect chance events and write a simple die rule on any scene that needs randomness.
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Step 10
Create three to six ending pages labeled END and write a short paragraph for each ending.
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Step 11
Make a one-page rule sheet that explains how to start the game how to roll the die and how to move to a new scene number.
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Step 12
Play your game with a friend from the start to an ending while following the rules and rolling the die.
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Step 13
Tidy any confusing scenes by rewriting them on their scene pages.
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Step 14
Make a cover page with a title and your name and assemble the scene pages into a deck or booklet.
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Step 15
Share your finished story game on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you make a choose-your-own-adventure story game with paper, markers, and dice?
Start by brainstorming characters, setting and a main goal. Use folded paper panels or index cards for scenes; on each card write a short situation and 2–3 choices. Number choices so players can roll dice to determine which branch to follow. Connect cards with arrows or labels to show where each choice leads. Create multiple endings (win, funny, or twist). Playtest, adjust scenes for clarity, and let players take turns reading and rolling the dice.
What materials do I need to create a paper-based choose-your-own-adventure game?
Gather paper or index cards, markers or colored pens, pencils and erasers, dice (one or more), scissors and tape or glue. Optional extras: stickers for icons, a ruler to keep cards neat, sticky notes for rearranging scenes, a folder or binder to store the game, and a spinner or coin if you don’t have dice. Keep a notebook for story ideas and an extra set of blank cards for expansions.
What ages is this choose-your-own-adventure activity suitable for?
This activity suits ages 5–6 with adult help for simpler choices and picture prompts. Ages 7–12 can plan scenes, write choices and test-play independently, building reading and storytelling skills. Teens can design complex branching plots and mechanics. Adjust complexity: use pictures and fewer choices for younger kids, add longer text and more branches for older children. Supervise younger children when using scissors or small dice pieces.
What are the benefits of making a paper choose-your-own-adventure game?
Creating this game boosts creativity, narrative thinking, reading comprehension and decision-making. Players practice sequencing and cause-and-effect while developing fine motor skills and collaboration when designing and playtesting. It encourages social play, empathy through character roles, and basic problem-solving. For safety, supervise cutting tools and small dice for very young children, and store pieces together to avoid choking hazards.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a physical die?
If you don't have a die for the step 'decide how the die will affect chance events,' use a coin (heads/tails), a phone random-number generator, or a spinner app and write that rule on the relevant scene page just like the die rule.
What should we do if players get stuck because a choice points to a missing scene number?
If a choice points to a missing scene number or creates a dead end, check your numbered flowchart and scene pages, renumber or add the missing box/page to match the arrows, and tidy any confusing scenes by rewriting them as the instructions suggest.
How can we adapt the activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids, simplify by drawing 6–8 picture-heavy boxes on the flowchart with very short sentences on each scene page and only a couple of endings, while older kids can create many numbered scenes, more complex die rules, and longer paragraphs for endings.
How can we enhance or personalize the finished story game?
To enhance the game, add extra character-sheet details and illustrations, craft small props tied to choices, record simple sound effects for scenes, design a decorated cover page, assemble the pages into a booklet, and then share it on DIY.org.