What Happens When Kids Tell the Story: A Simple Game That Sparks Big Imagination

The other night, my four-year-old and I were playing our favorite storytelling game. She calls it “Good Imagination / Bad Imagination,” and it’s just as chaotic and hilarious as it sounds. One of us starts with something nice (that’s “good imagination”), and the other jumps in with something unexpected, silly, or spooky (also known as “bad imagination”). It’s like improv and a bedtime story gone rogue, with plenty of giggles and creativity. She loves being “bad imagination” because it lets her bring in all the wild, unexpected twists, like dragons, glitter, and even a little mischief.

Here’s how one of our recent stories went:

Good: It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and there was a light breeze.

Bad: When all of a sudden, a fire-breathing dragon appeared.

Good: But it had a cold, so it couldn’t breathe fire. Instead, it sneezed glitter. The kids were mesmerized and danced in it.

Bad: But it was magic glitter, so they all turned into dragon kids. And they eated everything. Like cars, and trees, and donuts.

Good: But a rainstorm came and washed away all the glitter, turning the kids back.

Bad: So the dragon eated them all up.

She was, once again, the “bad imagination” in that round, in case you couldn’t tell. 😆And just like that, we were connecting, while allowing her imagination to run wild and building her confidence in creativity.

Why I’m Sharing This on a Podcast Blog

You might be wondering, “What does this have to do with storytelling podcasts or learning?”

Everything.

Whether it’s listening to a story (like the ones I share on Past & Pen), or telling one of their own, kids are naturally drawn to narratives. Stories help children explore emotions, understand cause and effect, build vocabulary, and strengthen their creativity. And when you invite them to take the lead in telling the story, it opens up a world of imagination.

Why Oral Storytelling Is a Superpower for Kids

• It strengthens language skills – Kids develop their vocabulary, sentence structure, and storytelling abilities as they narrate their ideas.

• It builds confidence – Giving children the opportunity to create stories boosts their self-assurance and creativity.

• It nurtures creativity – Imagination games like these let children explore wild ideas, with no right or wrong answers, just playful expression.

  
  

Try “Good Imagination / Bad Imagination” at Home

Here’s how we play:

1. Decide who’s “good” and who’s “bad.”

2. One person starts the story.

3. Take turns building the story together. Try not to say “no”—just keep building on what the other person adds.

4. Be as silly or spooky as you want. There are no limits to imagination!

   
   

Other ways to make storytelling even more fun:

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• The Storymatic Kids- Spark creativity in young minds with this all-in-one storytelling toolkit! Perfect for kids, classrooms, and curious writers, this set includes fun writing prompts, silly story starters, and imagination-boosting games that turn any moment into a mini adventure. Great for teachers, homeschoolers, or anyone raising a future author.

  
  

•  Tall Tales Story Telling Board Game - Bring storytime to the table with this award-winning storytelling board game that gets everyone talking, laughing, and imagining together. With five ways to play, it’s perfect for family nights or anytime your crew is craving a little creativity. It helps boost language skills and build bold imaginations. It also makes an awesome gift!

  
  

• Wordplay for Kids - Get ready for fast-paced fun with this award-winning word game for kids. Players race to create words, think quickly, and cheer each other on. It’s a great way to build spelling and vocabulary skills while having a blast together. Perfect for family game nights and kids ages 6 and up.

  
  

• Story Time Travel Card Game - Take your stories on an adventure with the Story Time Travel Card Game. Designed for kids ages 4 to 8, this family-friendly game helps little storytellers build language skills and stretch their imaginations. Just draw a card, start a tale, and see where your creativity takes you!

Looking for More Creative Fun?

If you love creative storytelling woven with history, check out my podcast, Past & Pen. I bring the past to life through engaging stories, thoughtful reading lists, and writing prompts, all in a kid-friendly way that sparks curiosity and inspires learning.

🎧 Listen Here!

P.S. Have your own version of “Good Imagination / Bad Imagination”? I’d love to hear it! Drop it in the comments or send me a message on Instagram. Bonus points if it includes dragons and donuts.