Share your singing story
Write, rehearse, and record a short singing story combining spoken narration and melody using a phone or recorder; share it with family or classmates.
About this activity
Write, rehearse, and record a short singing story combining spoken narration and melody using a phone or recorder; share it with family or classmates.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Think of a main character and one simple problem or adventure for your singing story.
- 2
Step 2
Decide how long your story will be and aim for about one to two minutes total.
- 3
Step 3
Write a short spoken narration of your story on the paper using three to six sentences.
- 4
Step 4
Mark which sentences you will speak and which you will sing by underlining or circling them.
- 5
Step 5
Create a short sung chorus by writing two to four lines that repeat and are easy to hum.
- 6
Step 6
Hum a melody for your chorus and practice it until it feels comfortable.
- 7
Step 7
Choose one prop or costume piece and plan one simple gesture to use during the performance.
- 8
Step 8
Rehearse your whole singing story aloud from start to finish three times with your gestures and prop.
- 9
Step 9
Use a phone or recorder to make a practice recording of one full run-through.
- 10
Step 10
Listen to the practice recording and make one or two changes to improve your performance, then record the final version.
- 11
Step 11
Share your finished singing story on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I create a singing story with my child?
Start by brainstorming a short plot together—one or two scenes work best. Write a simple script that mixes spoken lines with short sung phrases or refrains. Choose a simple melody (hum, familiar tune, or a created motif) and mark where to speak versus sing. Rehearse in small chunks, practice transitions, then record multiple takes on a phone or recorder. Listen back, pick the best take, and share it with family or classmates for encouragement.
What materials do I need to record a singing story?
You’ll need a phone or audio recorder with enough storage, a pen and paper for the script, and a quiet room. Optional items: simple instruments (ukulele, keyboard, shaker), props or costume pieces to inspire performance, headphones for playback, and a free editing app for trimming takes. For young children, visual story cards or picture prompts help keep the story focused during recording.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
This activity suits preschoolers through teens with adjustments: ages 3–5 enjoy short rhymes and parent-led narration; ages 6–8 can write simple lines and sing brief refrains; ages 9–12 can craft multi-part stories and harmonies; teens can experiment with editing and more complex melodies. Parents should support younger children with writing, rehearsal, and recording, while older kids can handle more independence and technical tasks.
What are the benefits of making singing stories?
Making singing stories builds language, memory, and musical skills while boosting creativity and confidence. It encourages planning (writing a script), rhythmic and pitch awareness, expressive speaking, and teamwork if done with family or classmates. Sharing finished recordings teaches communication and gives a sense of accomplishment. Repeat practice also improves concentration and emotional expression, making it a fun, low-pressure way to support multiple developmental areas.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a phone/recorder or paper?
Use a tablet or computer voice memo app or a cheap handheld voice recorder instead of a phone/recorder, and write your three to six sentence narration on notebook paper, index cards, or a whiteboard so you can underline or circle which sentences you'll speak and sing.
My chorus melody doesn't feel comfortable or I forget which lines to sing—what should I try?
If the two to four line chorus feels hard, simplify the melody to stepwise notes, hum it slowly while practicing the chorus until it feels natural, and clearly underline or circle the sung lines on your paper before you rehearse the whole story three times.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger kids, shrink the story to one or two spoken sentences, make the chorus one very simple hummable phrase, use a picture prop and have a parent handle the practice recording, while older kids can use the full three to six sentences, expand the chorus, add harmony or extra gestures, and spend more time refining the final recording.
What are easy ways to enhance or personalize our singing story?
Personalize the performance by decorating your chosen prop or costume piece, adding simple backing tracks or sound effects with a free app during your practice recording, and inviting a friend to join for harmony or an extra gesture before you upload the final version to DIY.org.