Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Campfire Story Cards: Free Printable Card Set for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Campfire Story Cards is a free printable card set for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children pick a story starter, such as a torch going out or a strange noise in the trees, and tell the story aloud. It takes about 15 minutes, needs no pencil to play, and works for two or more players.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Page 1 is the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown up, with notes on how to use the sheet, help ideas and a stretch idea.
What is on the sheet
Children cut out the story cards and pick one at a time. Each card has a short story starter, such as a line about a torch, a noise in the trees or a gate. The child reads the starter, then tells the story aloud. They decide who is in it, where it happens and what happens next. With two or more players, the others listen and add to the story in turn. Nothing needs to be written to play.
- The torch went out.
- A strange noise came from the trees.
- I found a map in my pocket.
- The tent began to glow.
- A small voice said hello.
- Something shiny lay on the path.
- The stars started to move.
- We heard footsteps outside.
- The old gate creaked open.
How to build a story from a starter
Start with who
Decide who is in the story. It could be the child, a friend, an animal or someone made up. A clear character makes the next ideas easier.
Add where
Say where the story happens. A dark wood, a quiet field or a cold tent each gives different details to describe.
Say what happens next
Use the starter as the first event, then ask what the character does about it. One new event at a time keeps the story clear.
Find an ending
Finish the story on purpose. The ending can be happy, funny, surprising or a little spooky, as long as it ties back to the starter.
Why tell stories aloud?
People have told stories aloud for as long as there have been people to listen. A story told by a fire, a lamp or a cushion circle has a special feel. Everyone is close, the room is quiet and the storyteller has the group's attention. That makes it a gentle way for children to practise speaking clearly in front of others.
Telling a story aloud is different from writing one. There is no spelling or handwriting to worry about, so children can put all their effort into ideas, order and words. They also hear how other people tell stories, which gives them new ways to describe, build suspense and end well. These skills help later when they write.
This set uses a pretend campfire made from cushions or a lamp. A real fire is for adults only. Adults light it and look after it, and children stay well back. Never light a real fire as part of this activity.
Skills and curriculum link
- Telling stories aloud
- Speaking clearly
- Imagination
- Listening to others
- Building on ideas
- Story structure
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | English | Spoken language | Year 4 |
What children will be able to do
- I can tell a story aloud from a story starter.
- I can add my own ideas to a story.
- I can listen and build on what others say.
Ideas to help a storyteller
- WhoName the main character first. Giving them a name, a job or a feeling helps the story take shape.
- WhereChoose a place and describe one thing you can see, hear or feel there.
- What happens nextUse the starter as the first event. Then decide how the character reacts.
- How it endsPlan the last sentence early. Even a rough idea of the ending helps the middle make sense.
Key words
- Story starterThe first line of a story. It gives you an idea to build on.
- CharacterA person, animal or creature in a story.
- SettingThe place and time where a story happens.
- PlotThe things that happen in a story, in order.
- SuspenseThe feeling of waiting to find out what will happen.
- NarratorThe person who tells the story.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown up. Cut out the cards.
- Set up a pretend campfire with cushions or a lamp. Players: 2 or more. Never light a real fire without a grown up.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Pick a card, read the starter aloud and talk about each choice.
- Take turns telling the story. Listeners can add ideas, then check the notes on page 2 for support and stretch ideas.
- Come back to it another day with different cards. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Pick one card and answer three small questions out loud: who is in the story, where are they, and what happens next. Say one sentence for each. Let the child repeat the starter first so the words feel familiar. Stop there if that is enough.
To stretch confident children
Choose the best story from the session and write it down. Plan a beginning, a middle and an ending first. Use at least one sentence that describes what a character sees or hears. Read the finished story aloud to the group in a voice that suits it.
Make it a game
Tell the story in a spooky voice, or a funny one. Pass a cushion from player to player. Whoever holds it adds one sentence, then passes it on. Keep going until the story reaches a good ending. Then swap voices and tell it again.
Talk about it
- Which starter did you like best, and why?
- What could a character do if they were scared but still wanted to find out more?
- How can your voice change to make a moment feel quiet, or sudden?
- What did you hear in someone else's story that you would like to try?
- How did you decide when your story was finished?
- If you told the same story again, what would you change?
Take it off the page
Torchlight tales
Sit in a dim room with a torch and tell a short story together. Take turns holding the torch, and whoever holds it speaks.
Draw the scene
Pick a card and draw the moment from the starter. Then use the picture to tell what happens next.
Sound effects
Tell a story while others make quiet sound effects, such as footsteps or wind. Talk about which sounds helped the story.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first story, then let them lead. Listen first and add your own ideas only when asked. About 15 minutes is plenty. Praise ideas and effort, and let silly stories be silly.
Teachers
Use the cards as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. Pairs and small groups work well. It supports the spoken language strand of the Year 4 English curriculum, and it needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting.
Home educators
Pair the cards with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Use them again for brothers and sisters, or a few weeks later. Children can record the best story in writing, which links speaking to writing in a natural way.
Where this fits
Before this, children practise retelling familiar stories and speaking in full sentences. They learn to listen carefully and wait for their turn. Our Summer Reading Challenge Chart is a gentle step for a year younger.
After this, children move on to planning and writing stories of their own, with a clear beginning, middle and ending. They also start to choose words for effect. Limerick Writing is a good next step for a year older.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did your story begin and end?
- What happened that nobody expected?
- How did you decide what to say next?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Campfire Story Cards for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. Younger children can join in with help, and older children can use the stretch idea to write down their best story.
- What will children practise?
They practise telling and building stories aloud from short story starters. Along the way they use imagination, speak clearly and listen to others, then build on what the others have said.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 15 minutes. You can play for less time with one card, or stay longer by telling more stories. The stretch idea of writing the best story down will add time.
- Do we need a real campfire?
No. Use a pretend campfire made from cushions or a lamp. A real fire is for adults only, and nobody should light one for this activity. Children should never light a fire without a grown up.
- What if my child finds it hard?
Start with one card. Ask your child to answer three questions: who is in the story, where are they, and what happens next. One sentence for each is enough to begin.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting. It supports the spoken language strand of the Year 4 English curriculum.
- Is it free and screen free?
Yes to both. It is free to print for home and classroom use, and it needs no screen. Print in black and white on plain A4 paper, cut out the cards and start telling stories.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.