Choose a few stones and use them to tell a story. Ask open-ended questions like, "Who do you think lives in the castle?" or "What do you think should happen next?" Encourage kids to use their imagination.

Place the stones in a basket or use the provided pouch. Take turns reaching into the basket, selecting a stone, and using it to start or continue a story. For example: "Once upon a time, there was a [PULL STONE] ... that lived in a [PULL STONE] ... "

Take turns selecting 2-3 stones and use them to create a story character. For example, a dragon that likes to swim and play the guitar. Focus on describing the character's personality and what they like to do.

Take turns selecting 2-3 stones and use them to create a story character. For example, a dragon that likes to swim and play the guitar. Focus on describing the character's personality and what they like to do.

Together, write a word or two for each story stone on a piece of paper. Talk about the letter sounds. Use the words as sight words. Ask kids to think of other words with the same beginning sound as each Story Stone - or try thinking of rhyming words.

Work together to write 1-2 words on slips of paper to describe each story stone. Start with 5 or 6 Story Stones and the words you've written for each of them. Mix them up and turn them upside down. Players take turns turning over a stone and a slip of paper to find matches.

Without showing the stones, tell a short story using about 5 Story Stones. Then, place all the stones on the table and ask the kids to find the stones that were a part of the story. Kids can use the stones to retell the story.

After using Story Stones for storytelling activities, invite kids to write or draw their favorite stories.