Share Your Friendship Story!
Write and illustrate a short friendship storybook, then share it with friends or family to practice storytelling, drawing, and communication skills.
About this activity
Write and illustrate a short friendship storybook, then share it with friends or family to practice storytelling, drawing, and communication skills.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick two characters for your friendship story (they can be you and a friend or make-believe pals).
- 2
Step 2
Choose one place where the story happens like a playground school or a magical forest.
- 3
Step 3
Think of one problem or challenge your characters will face.
- 4
Step 4
Decide one main way your characters will try to solve the problem.
- 5
Step 5
Decide how the story will end in one sentence (happy surprise learning moment etc.).
- 6
Step 6
Draw a simple 3-panel storyboard showing the beginning middle and end.
- 7
Step 7
Fold 4 to 8 sheets of paper in half to make your story booklet.
- 8
Step 8
Write a fun title on the front page with your pencil.
- 9
Step 9
Write your name as the author on the front page.
- 10
Step 10
Write 1 to 3 short sentences on each page to tell the story.
- 11
Step 11
Sketch a picture with your pencil on each page to match the words.
- 12
Step 12
Color your pictures using your coloring materials.
- 13
Step 13
Add stickers or glue decorations to make your book extra special if you want.
- 14
Step 14
Staple the center fold or punch holes and tie with yarn to bind your book.
- 15
Step 15
Upload a photo or scan of your finished friendship storybook to DIY.org to share it with others.
Fun facts
How do I do the 'Share Your Friendship Story!' activity?
Start by asking your child to think of a friendship moment or imagine one. Help them plan a simple beginning, middle, and end. Have them write short sentences (or dictate) and add drawings for each page. Fold and staple pages or bind with yarn. Practice reading it aloud, then arrange a small sharing time with family or friends to build confidence and storytelling skills.
What materials do I need for a friendship storybook?
You’ll need paper (plain or folded into pages), pencils, erasers, crayons or markers, and something to bind the book like a stapler or hole punch with yarn. Optional extras: stickers, colored paper, glue, scissors, and a camera to add photos. Use recycled paper and safe scissors for younger kids. Substitute digital tools (tablet or simple storybook app) if you prefer a digital version.
What ages is 'Share Your Friendship Story!' suitable for?
This activity works for preschoolers through tweens. Ages 3–5 can dictate stories while an adult writes and they draw; ages 6–8 can write short sentences with simple illustrations; ages 9–12 can create longer plots, panels, or chapter pages. Adjust complexity by offering tracing, sentence starters, or prompts. Supervise cutting and stapling for younger children.
What are the benefits of making and sharing a friendship storybook?
Creating and sharing a friendship story improves language, storytelling structure, and fine motor skills. It strengthens emotional skills like empathy by reflecting on friendships, and builds confidence when children present their work. Sharing promotes listening, social interaction, and constructive feedback. It’s also a great family-bonding activity that encourages praise, discussion of feelings, and pride in creative effort.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of stickers, a stapler, or a scanner if those items are hard to find?
Use magazine cutouts or hand-drawn shapes instead of stickers, secure the center fold with strong clear tape or a binder clip if you don't have a stapler, and take a clear photo with a smartphone instead of scanning to upload your finished friendship storybook.
My booklet keeps coming apart when I staple or tie it—what should I try so the pages stay together?
Make sure you fold the 4 to 8 sheets evenly, nest them together before stapling in the center fold or punch two holes and tie tightly with yarn, or reinforce the inside spine with a strip of tape along the fold if pages still slip out.
How can I change the activity for younger or older children so it's just the right level?
For younger kids, reduce to 2–3 short sentences per page, pre-draw the 3-panel storyboard beginning/middle/end, and let them color and add big stickers, while older children can write longer passages, add dialogue, and create more detailed illustrations and a title page as the author.
What are some creative ways to make our friendship storybook more special or share it beyond just drawing and coloring?
Add a personalized dedication or character bios on extra pages, glue on textured materials for a tactile cover, record a short audio narration to include with your uploaded photo, or bind with colorful yarn and decorate the front with a collage to make the outcome extra special.