The following post is by editor Kara Fleck . and originally appeared October 2010.
Last week I shared with you some tips and suggestions for storytelling with your children. This week I am bringing you a very simple story, with a fun twist, that you can tell your kids this Halloween.
I thought it would be fun to share the story of The Little Orange House in a vlog.
You will need a few props for this story. Watch carefully and you’ll see the surprise at the end!
Also on YouTube.
Supplies Needed:
- a pair of scissors
- orange construction paper
It is that easy! However, you may want to practice this once or twice before you show your kids, making sure that you are making your cuts along the fold.
The Story
Once upon a Halloween, a very tiny little witch was walking through the forest. The weather was turning colder and the tiny little witch was searching for a home to stay warm in while the icy winds blew.
She came across a piece of orange paper blowing in the wind. “Perfect!” said the tiny little witch, “This will make a wonderful home for me!”
And she pulled a tiny little pair of scissors out of her tiny little pockets (for she was a very prudent little witch and always had her tiny little scissors with her) and she folded the orange paper in half and then cut out a tiny little roof. [fold paper and cut the roof]
“Lovely!” said the tiny little witch, admiring her new home. “But, I shall need a tiny little door.” And so she took her tiny little scissors and cut a specially shaped tiny little door, just right for a tiny little witch wearing a tiny little witch’s hat. [make a door shaped like a rectangle with a slanting triangle on the top]
The tiny little witch walked in the door of her tiny little house. It was very dark inside. “I need to make some tiny little windows” she said. So, the tiny little witch took her tiny little scissors and cut some tiny little windows in the orange paper house. [cutting through all the layers of the folded paper, make square or circle shaped windows]
Just then, the tiny little witch heard a voice in the wind howling “Booooo! Boooooo! Boooo hoooooo!” It was a tiny little ghost and he was very sad.
“Tiny little ghost, why are you so sad?” asked the tiny little witch.
“Because winter is coming and I have no hooooooome. Boooo! Boooo Hoooo!” sobbed the ghost.
“Don’t worry, friend,” said the tiny little witch. “I will make room for you in my lovely orange paper house. I will give you your very own ghost-shaped door so that you feel right at home.” And, with that, the tiny little witch cut a small ghost shaped door in the orange paper house. [cut a small triangle in between the door and the windows, on the fold of the paper]
The tiny little ghost went inside his tiny ghost shaped door and the tiny witch went inside her tiny witch shaped door. The two friends were safe and warm inside the orange paper house. And they lived happily ever after! [open up your folded paper and reveal the surprise]
What a fun story to tell! Thank you to my first grade teacher, who I can remember sharing this story with our class a long time ago …
Do you have a favorite Halloween or Autumn story that you’ll be sharing with your kids this month?
About Kara
So cute, Kara! I’m going to tell this to my girls and nieces tomorrow. Loving all your vlogs lately!
Amy@Let’s Explore´s latest post: Playful Picks October 18- 2010
Thanks, Amy!
Can you believe I actually said “boooooo hooooo” for all the internet to see? LOL
Kara @Simple Kids´s latest post: Inspiring Finds- Four Fun and Simple Pumpkin Themed Crafts
That is too cute! I’m going to have to do this with my little girl. Thank you! You’re adorable!
Kara…great post! This reminds me of when my kiddos were younger…they would love when I would tell them stories. I remember sitting in bed w/ all 3 of them and telling them some “James Bond” type of story, but they were the main characters. My daughter Kylie was the one being rescued and my 2 boys were the ones that swam in shark tanks, fought a wild pack of rhinos, dodged bullets all to save their little sister. I know this is not exactly the kind of story telling you talk about…but it was such a source of fun and joy for them…thanks for reminding me of this whole story telling thing.
I love this, Chris!
We have been telling the story of the Princess and the Seven Rainbow dresses w/ my oldest for years, and every once in a while one of those dresses becomes a ninja suit or a suit of armor before she bravely heads into battle.
A wild pack of rhinos? swimming with sharks? What adventures!
Kara @Simple Kids´s latest post: Inspiring Finds- Four Fun and Simple Pumpkin Themed Crafts
Hi, thanks for sharing, my 3 yo will love! I can’t seem to open the pdf file, however, your link brings me to Adobe Reader, but no file…?
judean´s latest post: Ghosts of Halloween Past
Well, shoot! Obviously, technology isn’t my strong suite. I can see the pdf file, but maybe others cannot?
If you’d like me to, I can email you the story. Kara@simplekids.net Just let me know!
Kara @SimpleKids´s latest post: Inspiring Finds- Four Fun and Simple Pumpkin Themed Crafts
I just did this with my youngest and she loved it! Her face totally lit up when I opened the house!
Visty´s latest post: our children live here
Oh what fun! I’ve seen this before but had forgotten all about it. I’ll add this to our to-do list of fun stuff this week for sure. Thanks!
Alicia´s latest post: Pushing preschoolers – at what cost
Too cool, Kara!
Aimee @ Simple Bites´s latest post: Two-for-One Meal Ideas Recipe- Cordon Bleu & Apple Panini
I’m totally charmed! My preschooler is really into “tell me a story” these days – he will LOVE this.
Alissa´s latest post: Always Learning
Fun! So glad I watched it even though it’s midnight:)
Janna @ Mommy’s Piggy TALES – Record YOUR Youth´s latest post: Life on the Farm Barefoot
I did this with my 3 year old- he loved it- then my 10 year old did it for the kids at Bible study- so cute and easy. Any other story ideas?
priest’s wife´s latest post: The Gift of Down Syndrome
Oh, this reminds me of a story I used to do when I taught but it was about a witch. I need to dig it out! Thanks!!
Melissa @imaginationsoup´s latest post: Jumpstart, Mom Approved Virtual Game World – Giveaway
Awwww. Great one. Adorable, really. A must with my daughter too. Thanks a lot for this. Great one. Keep it up.
Tony´s latest post: Physical Therapy Assistant
Did this last year and was already thinking of it a few days ago! Love it!
Spalva´s latest post: Forest of Brocéliande (King Arthur’s Forest)
Very cool! I will have to tell this to my 6 grandkids they next time I see them, although the oldest will probably figure it out! He is too smart (and 11 years old!)
Thanks for sharing!
Bernice
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