Tell your story to a live audience - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

All Activities

Tell your story to a live audience

Write and rehearse a short original story, then present it aloud to a small live audience to practice public speaking and confidence.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to tell your story to a live audience

0:00/0:00

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

CBeebies Grown-ups: My Story: How to use our interactive online storybook

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, index cards, timer or clock, simple props or costume pieces optional, adult supervision required

Step 1

Pick a topic and one main idea for your story that excites you.

Step 2

Brainstorm five events that will happen in your story and write them as a short list.

Step 3

Use your list to write a short original story on the paper that will take about one to two minutes to read aloud.

Step 4

Read your story silently to yourself to make sure the words and events make sense.

Step 5

Edit one part of the story that sounds confusing and rewrite it so it is clearer.

Step 6

Divide the story into three to five key beats and write each beat on a separate index card.

Step 7

Practice reading the story aloud from your cards while timing one full run with the timer.

Step 8

Practice using different voice tones and simple gestures as you read the story aloud.

Step 9

Do quick warm-ups by taking deep breaths and smiling to loosen your voice and body.

Step 10

Ask three to six family members or friends to be your small live audience and tell them when you will perform.

Step 11

Stand where everyone can see you and present your story aloud to the live audience.

Step 12

Ask your audience for one thing they liked and one helpful suggestion after your presentation.

Step 13

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

I don't have index cards or a timer—what can I use instead?

Use cut-up paper or sticky notes in place of the 'index cards' for writing each beat, and use your smartphone or a kitchen timer instead of the 'timer' to time one full run.

What if my child freezes or forgets words during the live presentation?

Prevent freezing by rehearsing the 'practice reading the story aloud from your cards while timing one full run with the timer,' writing a single keyword or small picture on each index card, and doing the quick warm-ups (deep breaths and smiling) immediately before presenting.

How can I adapt the activity for different age groups?

For younger kids, choose one main idea, brainstorm three simple events and draw each beat on separate index cards for a 30–60 second story, while older kids can use five events to write a full 1–2 minute story, practice different voice tones and gestures, and seek audience feedback to refine it.

How can we make the performance more special or share it afterward?

Add simple props or a costume during the 'stand where everyone can see you and present' step, illustrate or decorate the index cards, record the performance with a phone, and then share your finished creation on DIY.org to collect likes and suggestions.

Watch videos on how to tell your story to a live audience

0:00/0:00

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

Writing Tips: How To Make Writing Fun For Kids

4 Videos

Facts about public speaking for kids

🎤 Public speaking was a key skill in ancient Greece—rhetoric shaped leaders and public life.

📚 Storytelling existed long before writing; oral tales were used for passing knowledge across generations.

😌 Practicing a short story out loud several times often reduces stage fright and improves recall.

🎭 Simple rehearsal techniques like using gestures and pauses can make a short performance feel much stronger.

🧠 When people hear a story, brain areas for listening and visualization light up—stories make ideas memorable.

How do I help my child write and present a short original story to a live audience?

Start by brainstorming a simple idea with a clear beginning, middle and end. Help your child write a short script about 1–3 minutes long, then rehearse aloud several times. Practice projection, pacing and gestures, and use index cards for cues. Do a dry run with family or friends, give gentle feedback, and remind them to breathe and smile. Keep the audience small and supportive for the first performances to build confidence.

What materials do I need to help my child rehearse and tell a short story live?

You’ll need paper or a notebook, pencils, a timer to keep the story short, and index cards for cue lines. Optional items: simple props, a costume piece, a small stool or mat to mark stage space, and a phone or recorder to playback rehearsals. Have a glass of water nearby and a quiet space for practice. A small, supportive live audience (family, classmates) completes the setup for a real presentation.

What ages is telling an original short story aloud suitable for?

This activity can be adapted for ages 4 and up. Preschoolers (4–6) can tell very short stories with adult help and picture prompts; elementary children (6–10) can write and rehearse simple scripts; tweens and teens (11+) can work on character voice, pacing and stage presence. Adjust story length, complexity and rehearsal time to match attention span and writing ability for the best results.

What are the benefits of having a child tell their story to a live audience?

Presenting to a live audience boosts confidence, public-speaking skills, and clear verbal communication. It strengthens storytelling structure, memory, and expressive voice while encouraging creativity and empathy. Small performances also teach how to handle nerves and accept feedback. Repeated practice improves organization, social interaction and leadership abilities—skills useful in school presentations, group activities and everyday communication.

Ready to create?

All Activities

Tell your story to a live audience

Write and rehearse a short original story, then present it aloud to a small live audience to practice public speaking and confidence.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to tell your story to a live audience

0:00/0:00

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

CBeebies Grown-ups: My Story: How to use our interactive online storybook

What you need

Paper, pencil, eraser, index cards, timer or clock, simple props or costume pieces optional, adult supervision required

Step 1

Pick a topic and one main idea for your story that excites you.

Step 2

Brainstorm five events that will happen in your story and write them as a short list.

Step 3

Use your list to write a short original story on the paper that will take about one to two minutes to read aloud.

Step 4

Read your story silently to yourself to make sure the words and events make sense.

Step 5

Edit one part of the story that sounds confusing and rewrite it so it is clearer.

Step 6

Divide the story into three to five key beats and write each beat on a separate index card.

Step 7

Practice reading the story aloud from your cards while timing one full run with the timer.

Step 8

Practice using different voice tones and simple gestures as you read the story aloud.

Step 9

Do quick warm-ups by taking deep breaths and smiling to loosen your voice and body.

Step 10

Ask three to six family members or friends to be your small live audience and tell them when you will perform.

Step 11

Stand where everyone can see you and present your story aloud to the live audience.

Step 12

Ask your audience for one thing they liked and one helpful suggestion after your presentation.

Step 13

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Help!?

I don't have index cards or a timer—what can I use instead?

Use cut-up paper or sticky notes in place of the 'index cards' for writing each beat, and use your smartphone or a kitchen timer instead of the 'timer' to time one full run.

What if my child freezes or forgets words during the live presentation?

How can I adapt the activity for different age groups?

How can we make the performance more special or share it afterward?

Watch videos on how to tell your story to a live audience

0:00/0:00

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

Writing Tips: How To Make Writing Fun For Kids

4 Videos

Facts about public speaking for kids

🎤 Public speaking was a key skill in ancient Greece—rhetoric shaped leaders and public life.

📚 Storytelling existed long before writing; oral tales were used for passing knowledge across generations.

😌 Practicing a short story out loud several times often reduces stage fright and improves recall.

🎭 Simple rehearsal techniques like using gestures and pauses can make a short performance feel much stronger.

🧠 When people hear a story, brain areas for listening and visualization light up—stories make ideas memorable.