Story spoons are a staple of early years classrooms, and they make a perfect, poverty-proof activity for World Book Day. By turning simple wooden spoons into beloved characters, children can explore their creativity while making a prop they can use for independent storytelling and role-play all week.

Materials Needed

Wooden spoons (or thick cardboard strips)
Felt tips, crayons, or acrylic paint
Scrap fabric (or brightly coloured tissue paper)
Wool (or shredded paper) for hair
PVA glue and spreaders
Googly eyes (optional — they can just be drawn on)

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Gather the Materials

Start by setting out your wooden spoons (or cardboard strips) alongside pots of PVA glue, fabric scraps, and pens. Keep it simple so children can easily access everything they need independently.

2. Design the Face

Encourage the children to use felt tips or paint to draw their character's face on the back of the spoon. "Is your character happy, sad, or fierce?" Discuss how simple shapes make eyes and mouths.

3. Add Hair and Clothes

Show them how to dip wool (or shredded paper) into the glue for hair. Wrap fabric scraps around the spoon handle for clothes. "What colours does your character like to wear in the story?"

4. Bring Them to Life

Once dry, invite the children to the carpet to test out their new puppets. Let them practise holding the spoons and making up voices for their creations. Model a few funny character voices first!

5. Share and Discuss

Host a mini puppet show in the classroom's small world area. Ask the children to introduce their spoons. "Who have you made, and what story are they from?" This builds vital speaking skills.

Classroom Adaptations

Large class?

Set this up as a continuous provision station with visual instruction cards so small groups can visit it independently.

Limited resources?

If wooden spoons are too expensive, save up lolly sticks or cut strips of strong corrugated cardboard from delivery boxes.

EAL learners?

Have the books open on the table as a visual reference, pointing to the illustrations to help them select colours and features.

High ability?

Challenge them to create two contrasting characters from the same book, like the Gruffalo and the Mouse, to act out a dialogue.

Story Spoons: Storytelling and Character Art Activity for World Book Day