Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Story Sack Checklist: Free Printable Planner for Ages 2 to 4
- ForAges 2 to 4
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Story Sack Checklist is a free printable planner for Ages 2 to 4 (ages 2 to 4) in Early Years. Children choose things that bring a favourite book to life, tick them off a checklist and then use them to retell the story. It is screen free, needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas and a stretch idea.
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, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children use a checklist to plan a story sack for a favourite book. The list prompts them to think about the book itself, a soft toy for the main character, a small object from the story, something that makes a sound, something to wear, a picture they have drawn, a snack from the story and a bag to hold it all. Children tick each item off once they have found it. Then they use the things to tell the story again in their own words.
- The book itself
- A soft toy for the main character
- A small object from the story
- Something that makes a sound
- Something to wear
- A picture the child has drawn
- A snack that appears in the story
- A bag to put it all in
How to build your story sack
Choose the book
Let your child pick a story they know well and love. A familiar book works best, because they already know what happens and can lead the retelling.
Hunt for the items
Use the checklist to look around the house or classroom together. Ask, "What could be our main character?" and let your child decide what goes in.
Draw a picture
Your child can draw a favourite part of the story to go in the sack. Scribbles and marks are fine. The talking matters more than the drawing.
Pack the bag and share
Put everything into a cloth bag or box. Take the items out one at a time and use each to help tell the story together.
What is a story sack?
A story sack is a bag or box that holds a favourite book and a few things linked to it. Story sacks are a popular idea in nurseries, schools and homes. The objects give young children something to hold and look at while the story is told, so the words feel real and are easier to remember.
Children aged 2 to 4 learn through play, talk and hands on activity. A toy, a sound or a snack from the story gives them a reason to speak. They can point, name things, copy a sound or act out a part. That is early retelling, and it builds the language they will later use to read and write.
Adults choose and check every item. Small parts can be a choking risk for young children, so pick objects that are too big to swallow and stay close while your child plays. Adults prepare any snack and check for allergies first. Sit with your child while they eat.
Skills and curriculum link
- Story link
- Choosing
- Retelling
- Speaking and listening
- Imagination
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years Foundation Stage | Expressive Arts and Design | Being Imaginative and Expressive | Reception |
What children will be able to do
- I can choose things that go with my favourite story.
- I can use them to tell the story again.
- I can tell a grown up why I picked each one.
Ideas to help you talk about the story
- Let the child leadYoung children enjoy making choices. Offer the checklist and let them decide which item fits the story best. Accept their reasons, even if they are short.
- Use objects as promptsHolding a toy or object helps a small child remember what happens next. Pass an item to your child and wait for them to say something about it.
- Join in with sounds and actionsMaking a noise or acting a part is a form of retelling. Copy your child's sounds and add your own to keep the talk going.
- Repeat the favouritesYoung children love hearing and telling the same story again. Repeating it helps them remember the words and gain confidence.
Key words
- Story sackA bag or box filled with things that go with a story.
- CharacterA person or animal in a story.
- RetellTell a story again in your own words.
- ChecklistA list where you tick each thing when you have found it.
- PropAn object that helps you act out or tell a story.
- ChoosePick the one you like or think fits best.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for the grown up.
- Pick a favourite book together. Use a cloth bag or box to hold the items.
- Work through the checklist together the first time. Let your child choose each item and talk about each choice.
- Take the items out of the bag one at a time and use them to retell the story. Check the notes on page 2 for ideas.
- Come back to it another day, or try a new book. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Choose three items from the list only. A book, a soft toy for the main character and a bag is a good start. Keep the talk simple and let your child hold each item while you tell the story together.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to retell the story using each item in turn. They hold one item, say what happens with it, then pick up the next. Older children can say why each item belongs in the sack.
Make it a game
Pull one item out of the bag as a surprise. Your child guesses which part of the story it belongs to, or says what happens with it. Then they choose the next item to pull out.
Talk about it
- Which book shall we choose for our story sack, and why?
- Which toy should be the main character?
- What does this object do in the story?
- What sound could we make for this part?
- What would you wear if you were in the story?
- What would you like to add to the sack next time?
Take it off the page
Make a puppet
Draw the main character on paper and stick it to a spoon or a lolly stick. Use the puppet to tell the story and do the voices.
Act it out
Use dressing up clothes or a scarf as something to wear. Act out one favourite part of the story together, with sounds and actions.
Story picnic
Spread out a blanket and share the story with the items around you. Adults prepare and check any snack from the story, then enjoy it together.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Keep it short and stop while it is still fun. Praise their choices and listen to their reasons, even if they are only a few words.
Teachers
Use it as a starter for a story session, a table activity or a small group task in Early Years. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider plan with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Brothers and sisters can each build a sack for their own favourite book. Repeat it later with a new story.
Where this fits in your child's learning
Before this, children enjoy sharing books, looking at pictures and naming things they see. They point, join in with repeated phrases and start to show which stories they like best.
After this, children can retell a story with more detail, talk about what happens first and what happens next, and later make up stories of their own. Story sacks make a good bridge between listening to a story and telling one.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Why did you choose that object?
- What happens in your story with this object?
- What would you add to the sack?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Story Sack Checklist for?
It is written for Ages 2 to 4 (ages 2 to 4) in Early Years. Younger children will need a grown up beside them. Older children in the range can take more of the lead and do more of the retelling.
- What will children practise?
Children choose objects that link to a favourite story and use them to retell it. They also practise speaking and listening, explaining a choice and using their imagination.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages and give page 1 to your child. Use a cloth bag or box and let your child choose the items. Work through it together the first time and talk about each choice.
- What if it feels too hard?
Choose three items from the list only. Start with the book, a soft toy for the main character and a bag. Keep it playful, and come back to the rest another day when your child is ready.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or use it with a different book another day.
- Is Story Sack Checklist suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, a table activity or a small group task in Early Years. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It is a screen free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, plus a few things from around the home or classroom. It works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
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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.