Write a story spine
Create a story spine template and use it to build characters, setting, problem, and resolution by writing and illustrating a short story.
Step-by-step guide to create a story spine
Step 1
Gather your materials and find a quiet table to work on.
Step 2
Fold one sheet of paper in half lengthwise to make a long strip for your story spine.
Step 3
Use the ruler and pencil to draw six equal boxes along the strip.
Step 4
Label the six boxes Characters; Setting; Problem; Events; Climax; Resolution.
Step 5
Write your main character’s name and three short traits in the Characters box.
Step 6
Write two or three details about where and when the story happens in the Setting box.
Step 7
Write the big problem the character faces in the Problem box.
Step 8
Write three short events in the Events box that show how the problem gets bigger or leads to the climax.
Step 9
Write the turning point action or decision in the Climax box.
Step 10
Write how the problem is solved and what changes afterward in the Resolution box.
Step 11
Use a new sheet of paper to write your short story using each box as a sentence or paragraph guide.
Step 12
Draw pictures on the story pages for at least three key scenes.
Step 13
Colour your pictures and add any finishing details with your colouring materials.
Step 14
Take a photo or upload your finished story and illustrations and share your creation on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have a ruler, pencil, or colouring materials listed in the instructions?
Use the straight edge of a hardcover book or a cereal box as a ruler to draw the six equal boxes after you fold the paper lengthwise, swap a pen or marker for the pencil when writing the Characters/Setting/Problem boxes, and replace colouring materials with crayons, washable markers, or stickers to finish the pictures.
What should I do if my boxes are uneven or my Events box gets too crowded?
If the boxes are uneven, refold the long strip and make five small pencil folds to mark six equal sections before drawing with a ruler, and if the Events box is crowded, split the three short events across two lines or use small bullet phrases to keep each event short.
How can I adapt this story-spine activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids, pre-label the six boxes and let them draw the Characters and one-word traits and three key scene pictures, while older kids can write full paragraphs for each box and expand the Events box into multiple sentences on the new sheet when composing the short story.
How can we extend or personalize the finished story beyond the basic instructions?
Turn the coloured story pages into a stapled or ribbon-bound book with a decorated cover that highlights the main Character and record a short audio narration or video of the child reading it to upload alongside the photos to DIY.org.
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Facts about story structure and creative writing for kids
✏️ A "story spine" is a short template (Once upon a time... Every day... Until one day...) writers use to build plots quickly.
🎨 Changing an illustration's color palette or style can make the same scene feel happy, spooky, or dreamy.
🌟 Kids who write and illustrate stories often boost vocabulary, confidence, and creative problem-solving.
📚 Many picture books use a 32-page format — that's a tiny stage for big ideas and illustrations!
🧠 Telling or hearing stories lights up many parts of the brain — it helps memory, empathy, and imagination.
How do you create and use a story spine template with a child?
What materials do I need to make a story spine template and illustrate a short story?
What ages is this writing-and-illustration story spine activity suitable for?
What are the benefits of using a story spine, and how can I adapt it?
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