Roll-a-Story: Dice Games for Creative Writing

Ready to spice up your writing lessons? Let’s roll—literally! Roll-a-Story is the perfect low-prep activity to get your students’ imaginations fired up and those pencils dancing across the page. Whether you’re rocking a classroom, guiding homeschool adventures, or adding a little extra pizzazz to tutoring sessions, Roll-a-Story has got your back.

So, what’s the deal with Roll-a-Story?

It’s a creative writing game that turns dice into story-making magic. With each roll, students randomly score their story ingredients—like a quirky character, an unexpected setting, and a plot that promises plenty of twists. Then they mix them together into their very own masterpiece. It’s part dice, part daring creativity—and absolutely, undeniably fun!

It’s part chance, part choice—and 100% engaging!

How It Works

Here’s how a typical Roll-a-Story setup looks:

Here’s how the storytelling magic works: Students roll the die three times—one roll for each column—to uncover their story’s unique ingredients. Imagine rolling a 2, 4, and 6... Boom! They’re crafting a tale about a fairy in a castle who’s busy whipping up an extraordinary new invention. It’s a recipe for creativity that’s as fun as it is unpredictable!

Why Teachers and Kids Love Roll-a-Story

✅ Super Simple Setup: Print it out and you’re ready to roll—or pop it up on the board and have students jot down their results in their journals. Easy peasy!
✅ Boosts Writing Confidence: With a structure to guide them, even the blank-page jitters don’t stand a chance.
✅ Ignites Creativity: The combos can get delightfully wacky—and that’s exactly the point!
✅ Versatile & Hassle-Free: Ideal for centers, early finishers, or sub plans—it’s independent, engaging, and a total lifesaver.

Tips for Using Roll-a-Story in Your Classroom

• ✏️ Kick Things Off: Use Roll-a-Story as a fun whole-class warm-up or let students dive in for a solo writing adventure.

• 🎲 No Dice? No Problem: Swap the dice for an online roller or draw number cards from a cup—easy as pie!

• 🗣️ Story Spotlight: Encourage students to share their tales aloud to sharpen those speaking and listening skills.

• 🧠 Level-Up for Older Students: Spice things up with a twist—have them write from a unique point of view or sneak in some must-use vocabulary words.

Where Can You Find Roll-a-Story Resources?

Feeling crafty? You can whip up your own Roll-a-Story creations or snag some ready-to-roll packs from my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Squirrelly Creations. I’ve got seasonal and themed options that are just right for grades 2–5—packed with writing templates and handy teacher tips to make your storytelling sessions a breeze!

Here’s the scoop: Roll-a-Story is the perfect recipe for sprinkling choice, chance, and a big dash of creativity into your writing time. Give it a whirl—you might just find it becomes your students’ absolute favorite way to get those stories rolling!

Looking for even more Roll-a-Story inspiration? Grab your FREE copy of my pamphlet, How to Use a Roll-a-Story in Your Classroom! It’s packed with tips, tricks, and creative ideas to help you make the most of this engaging activity. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or trying it out for the first time, this guide is your go-to resource for turning dice rolls into storytelling magic. Don’t miss out—download it today!