‘Tis The Season, Make Holidays Happy with Progressive Stories!

Dec 5

Reading Time: 4 mins, 51 secs

Family squished on couch and laughing together

It is a time of year for many celebratory gatherings, and hosting an activity that involves all ages is a great way to bring generations together. Writing progressive stories is one of our favorite activities to spark laughter and joy for everyone.

What is a progressive story?

A progressive story is a collaborative storytelling activity where each author contributes to the narrative one after another, without prior coordination or collaboration. As the story passes from one writer to the next, each author builds on the previous contributions, using their imagination to add twists, expand the plot, or introduce new characters. The result is a spontaneous and often surprising story that evolves unpredictably, blending different voices and ideas into a unique and entertaining tale.

Host your own progressive story game!

Progressive stories are a great party game to break the ice or to get everyone in the family involved. Here’s how to organize and create your progressive story family round table:

Getting started

Gather your supplies. All you need is paper and a pen. And for a little more structure, use a writing prompt worksheet like the one linked here.
Create your groups. Each story group should have at least four players; we recommend no more than ten.
Note: If you are playing with a large group, like in a classroom setting, break into smaller groups and read your stories aloud to each other at the end. This is because the larger the group, the longer the story — and too large of a group runs the risk of introducing too many plot twists to reach a conclusion.

Now you’re ready to get writing!

Take a seat. Ask everyone to sit around a table to enable the story to continue through the writing process.
Decide on the plot. What is the story about? Your plot could be an everyday topic or try seasonal themes, like winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or the New Year.
Start writing! As you take turns, passing the paper clockwise, each writer silently reads what was written before them. Then they add the next phase of the story. The only rule is you have to stick to the theme, otherwise, let your imagination run wild.

Here is a flow you could follow for four people if you want to give each writer two turns:

Writer #1 - Introduce the main character and the setting

Writer #2 - Establishes the Main Character’s Goal

Writer #3 - Main Character’s first attempt at reaching the Goal

Writer #4 - Main Character’s complication in reaching the Goal

Writer #5 - Attempt at the Goal and the Result

Writer #6 - Tie up all the loose ends of the story

Writer #7 - Create the story title without giving away the ending

Writer #8 - Read the story starting with the title

Continue the Fun

Stories can be enhanced by drawing illustrations to go along with the story. You could also create a graphic novel once the main character and setting have been established. Using a comic strip template and passing it around the table is another way to build the story.

little girl with braids sitting at a table coloring with markers

Progressive storytelling can also be used in situations like a long car ride while traveling for the holidays — starting a story with the driver and rotating clockwise around the vehicle. Thinking on your feet one sentence at a time and building a silly story can pass the time in an imaginative way.

If an in-person gathering is not a part of your celebrations this season or an unexpected snow day pops up, play together virtually! Using resources like Google Docs can keep the creative juices flowing. This comes in handy during cold and flu season, too. Sites like EdTech Emma and author Kathryn Apel are helpful resources to get your online games going.

Writer’s Block?

Having a hard time narrowing in on a story idea? Try offering up a short list of story prompts for the group to choose from. Variations on story themes like “Fortunately, Unfortunately” and “Finish the Story” can also help when writers are stumped for story ideas. For multiple groups playing at the same time, a printed example may help get the ball rolling. Here’s one example to help get the creative juices flowing:

Writer #1 – It was a super snowy day, and Casey could not wait to go outside and build a snowman.

Writer #2 – Casey bundled up in a snowsuit, boots, mittens, and a hat and headed outside and started to roll the giant snowball to be the base. The first ball was as tall as Casey’s waist.

Writer #3 – Casey began to roll another snowball that was a little smaller than the first. Struggling to get the second snowball on top of the bigger snowball, Casey almost dropped it but could roll it on top of the first snowball.

Writer #4 – Now, the snowman was almost as tall as Casey. Beginning to roll the top and final snowball, Casey wondered how the head would be placed on the top. Casey rolled the final snowball for the head of the snowman. Lifting the final snowball, Casey was not able to put the head in place, even on tiptoes.

Writer #5 — Just then, Hayden, Casey’s taller neighbor, came out to play. Together, they were able to roll their head in place.

Writer #6 — Casey found two sticks for arms, and Hayden was tall enough to put a carrot in place for the nose.

Writer #7 – Title is “Building Friendships”

Progressive stories are a great way to engage groups large and small, near and far, in a creative and fun learning activity. Use them all year round as icebreakers, conversation starters, or a constructive activity to pass the time. Start a holiday tradition with a family progressive story, and let the joy of collective creativity fill your house with laughter!