This comic storytelling craft combines story stones with printable comic book panel templates for crafting, storytelling, and writing.
Quick! Name a color you associate with the 1990s. Did you say neon? I thought so! Neon ruled the day when I was a kid, and I can’t help but flash back every time I see those bright, bold gel pen colors.
Today, I’m sharing a fun comic pop art project using those neon pens we all loved to doodle with — but there’s a twist. These comic story stones aren’t just a craft; they’re a creative storytelling and writing tool. Story stones have likely been used for centuries to inspire storytelling. The concept is simple. Place images on small rocks and use them to tell a story. For our craft and writing activity, we will be using comic book graphics to inspire our stories!
After the instructions for the stones, I’ll share guided storytelling games, writing prompts, and a free printable with comic book panel templates to help your child turn their story stones into fully written stories. Join us for this fun comic storytelling craft where kids of all ages can make colorful stones, then use them to develop characters, create scenes, and practice sequencing events, dialogue, and plot structure — all through hands-on play!
How to Make Your Comic Story Stones
Comic books were huge in the nineties. My kids love comics today although it’s possible current super hero movies have overshadowed their paper counterpart. These comic story stones were fun to make and play with, and gave my boys a taste of my childhood! Here’s what you need to teach your kids how to make these comic story stones that POP! with color and lead to storytelling creativity!
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Pentel Pop Pens – Milky, Solar, and Sparkle
- Dark river rocks, assorted sizes (flatter is better)
- Decoupage sealer (glossy)
- Small sponge brush
- Cartoon/comic elements – Use my free download, clipart, or draw your own (speech bubbles, bursts, motion lines)
- Scissors
Tip: Each type of pen adds a different effect: Milky pens give soft pastel chalk-like tones, Solar pens pop with neon vibrancy, and Sparkle pens add glittery, iridescent highlights that really make your comic elements shine.
Directions for making your Comic Stones
Step 1: Match stones to printouts
Printout some basic comic elements (see my printable download). Have children pick a comic element and find a stone that covers it completely. If needed, reduce the printout size so the cutout designs sit nicely on the stone.
Step 2: Color your designs
Use Milky, Solar, and Sparkle pens to bring the comic elements to life. Milky pens create soft pastel shading, Solar pens give bold neon impact, and Sparkle pens add glittery accents — perfect for outlining speech bubbles, words, or motion lines. The smooth gel ink colors shift depending on whether you write on white or black paper.
Step 3: Cut out the designs
Trace the stone onto your paper design with a pencil. Cut slightly inside the line so the paper fits neatly on the flat stone surface without wrapping over the edges.
Step 4: Decoupage onto rocks
- Apply a thin layer of sealer to the stone.
- Place your paper design on top and gently press, smoothing out any bubbles.
- Apply a second coat of sealer over the design and edges.
- Let dry for about 15 minutes between layers.
- TIP: The gel pens will even write over the decoupage if you need to correct anything.
Step 5: Make it POP!
Use Sparkle pens to outline or fill in elements for a glittery finish. Corrections or enhancements can be added with Milky or Solar pens directly on the glossy surface.
Most gel pens dry fast, so even my left-handed son could start using his stones quickly for storytelling without smudging.
Using Your Comic Story Stones for Storytelling & Writing
Once the stones are dry, they’re ready to spark stories — both oral and written! Start with verbal storytelling to build confidence, then move into writing. Here are some structured ways to use them:
Oral Storytelling Games
- Active Listening: While reading a comic or graphic novel, have children point to stones that match elements of the story.
- Story Sequencing: Line up the stones in any order and tell a story based on the sequence.
- Pick Up / Put Down: Pick one stone to start the story. Replace it and pick another to continue. Repeat as needed.
- Random Draw: Place all stones face down or in a bag. Draw stones randomly to inspire your story.
- Use All Stones Challenge: Make up a story that includes every stone.
- Partner Storytelling: Have children take turns picking stones and adding sentences to the story.
Enjoy these comic story stones over and over with your family. In addition to free printables below, you can cut out pictures from old comic books to add more stones to your collection. Add new elements as needed because you’ll already have all the materials at hand!
Organize storytelling with a story map
A story map, also known as Freytag’s Pyramid, can help children stay organized and finish their stories with purpose. Use this at your child’s developmental level:
- preschool and lower elementary students: Beginning / middle / end OR character / problem / solution
- upper elementary students: Background (characters) and setting / conflict (problem) and action / climax and resolution
- high school students: Add on the concepts of protagonist / antagonist and story themes
Encourage kids to follow the map loosely. The goal is to guide them through the story, not be rigid. You can model the structure verbally by asking open ended questions:
- “At the beginning of your story…”
- “Now we’re in the middle of the action, what is happening?”
- “As the story ends, what does the character think or say?”
- “What else might happen after this?”
- “What are three words (adjectives) that describe the dragon’s roar?”
Guided Storytelling & Writing Prompts
After telling a story orally, use these writing prompts to turn ideas into written stories. Oral storytelling (or narration) is the precursor to writing. I always recommend a verbal “telling” before beginning to write.
First sentence starters:
- Once upon a time…
- In a land full of …
- As soon as he saw ___, he knew…
Character questions:
- Who is in this scene?
- What do they want?
Setting prompts:
- Where is this happening? (place)
- When is this happening (year, season, time of day)?
- What does it look or sound like?
(Be sure to use your stones to add some fun to these elements!)
Conflict/Problem prompts:
- Who or What is stopping the character from getting what they want?
- What unexpected twist happens next?
Ending prompts:
- What action begins to solve the problem?
- How is the problem finally solved?
- Is the ending happy, surprising, or a lesson learned?
FREE: Comic Panel and Storytelling Printable
Get a free comic book panel templates printable that includes 4 Comic Strip storytelling templates, 2 pages of comic elements like speech bubbles and other visuals (different from the ones we did in our craft because I no longer have those graphics), and a story structure map to share with your kids.
Just fill out the form, and the download will appear in a new window in your browser:
Why This Craft Works for Writing
Making these comic story stones is simple enough for kids to do independently. Younger children can color the designs while parents handle the decoupage step. This craft is perfect for an after-school activity or a rainy weekend, and it’s a lighthearted way to inspire your child to tell stories — whether about their school day, an imaginative adventure, or the characters they create.
By combining hands-on craft with storytelling and writing prompts and our comic book panel templates printable, kids practice sequencing, character development, dialogue, and plot — all while having fun and expressing their creativity. The comic story stones are a tool that keeps on giving: once made, they can spark new stories, writing exercises, and imaginative play over and over again.
- If you love Pop Art, check out our Pop Art Valentine’s Cards and Free Printable!
- We also have a Comic Heroes Valentine Card Printable.
Check out all of our Writing Content Here!
