Storytelling activities to try

Memory Stories

Gather together some small, lightweight objects for the group that might remind them of events from their past. If you’re playing with seniors, it could be an old embossed medicine bottle, WW II memorabilia, an old magazine, etc. If your group grew up in the 50's it might include a Captain Midnight mug, some 45 rpm records, or an old Dick and Jane book. For a mixed age group, bring an assortment of items. The items don't have to be exotic or expensive.

Next, find a basket, box or tin that the objects fit in.

Begin the activity by pulling the objects out one by one. Hold them up and pass them around. Ask if anyone has any memories or a story about the item. If people are hesitant or shy, have a story of your own to break the ice ("I used to save my allowance to buy 45's like this and I would play them over and over and over till they were worn out."). When someone tells a memory, ("My mother used to give me a dose of castor oil from a medicine bottle that looked like this. It tasted terrible!"), ask questions to expand it

(" Why do you think she did that?" "How often did she do that?" "How old were you" "What else do you remember from then?" "Tell me about your mother" etc.) Maybe other people have questions to ask. Give the teller their moment in the "spotlight" before thanking them and asking for someone else to share.

Seeing and holding tangible objects bring back memories. One person’s memory will evoke other people’s memories. Once the group gets started, the stories will flow.

Storytelling Game

Sitting in a circle, tell a group story one sentence at a time. The first person begins the story "Once upon a time…" and finishes the sentence. The next person picks up where that sentence left off and adds their own sentence. The third person adds their sentence, and so on around the circle. You may be amazed where the story goes. It could go around the circle one or more times. The story takes on a life of it's own.

For more of a challenge, tell a group story one word at a time. The first person says "Once." The second says "upon." The third says "a." The fourth person adds, "time." And so on around the circle, each person adding just one word. Keep it moving fast. This requires good listening skills and fast thinking. It's easy to get just plain garbled before too long. Logic may not be too obvious, either. But, it's fun.

These can be done with just 2 –3 people, too, instead of a large group.