need creative story ideas, please!

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Hi there - I've posted on here a bit in the distant past, but have returned as I need some creative ideas and am distinctly lacking in imagination right now and thought this was a useful resource!

I want to create a photobook for a friend on behalf of her kids.

She has done them for other family members and I know she loves them. Her OH is away abroad at the moment and I know will do nothing for her birthday.

I have no access to photos of the kids, though - but I'm looking after them for the day when we could work on something together.

I wanted to do some sort of story, using them for the illustrations, but that's as far as i've got...

A couple of people have suggested illustrating a fairy story, with them and any toys being the characters, but I'm not sure that's the way i want to go.

I think I wanted to make up a story, perhaps about them trying to find something, or create something... I don't know, that's as far as I've got!

Anyone else got any inspirational ideas, please??

many thanks in advance!

Have you asked the children? Maybe they could make up a story, or a grand adventure, how old are the children?

If it is about them finding something then what about a treasure hunt? And the thing they find could be a photo of them holding the (obviously unfinished) photo book.

Was going to say as well, get them to write and draw the clues and put them in the book also.

Ooh yes, sorry - they are 6 and 3. The 6 year old could put in some ideas, but I won't see her till the day so need to think about it first myself - the 3 year old will be useless and it will be hard to even get him to do what I want.....! Love 'im.

I did think about it being about the book, but couldn't figure out how I could get them to have a picture of it... or what to do instead...

Hm, expand on the clues, please??

I do like an interactive idea. but again, tis as far as i got...

Thanx!!

Do you have access to a digital camera and a printer on the day that you are looking after the children? If so, as an idea, perhaps something like this...

Page 1: When A and B woke up that morning, they know it was a special day. (Pic of children in bed.)

page 2: It was Mummy's birthday and they wanted to give her the best present ever. (Pic of ch'n holding gift wrapped parcel.)

page 3: But what would be the best present for Mummy? (Pic of ch'n looking puzzled.)

Page 4: Perhaps they could find something under the bed? _Pic of ch'n looking under bed.)

Page 5: They found some sparkly shoes - which would be good for a party - but no present for mummy. (Pic of party shoes.)

Page 6: Perhaps they could find something

and so on - children looking in different places and finding other props suitable for a party - wrapping paper, card, cup cake, fancy dress costume etc (these could be photographed before the day you spend with the children or even copied from the internet in advance or could share with 6 year old and 3 year old looking and write the story according to where you can get the little one to pose. You could even have them looking in the park or wherever you take them out on the day.)

Then the final page could either have a photograph of the children holding the (unfinished) book or it could actually be that the best present for mummy was a cuddle and a kiss and the words 'we love you' which could be 'hidden' in a pop up on the last page!

Whatever you decide, it sounds like a lovely idea.

Why their mum is great

all of them holding a big love heart = shes loving

one of them dressed up with necklaces etc in 'mummy clothes'=shes beautiful

one holding an iron 1 pushing the hoover 1 dusting =she tidies up

all dressed in aprons with pans and clouds of flour =shes a great cook

all of them piled in a car = she drives us places

then a picture of them all with coffee cups wine glasses and the tv remote = she likes a time out

then on the last page holding cards that spell out mum?

id love something like that

Ooh, that's BRILLIANT - I think I might combine those last two ideas! That was JUST the sort of thing I was thinking, thank you!

Just one question, though - to maintain complete surprise, and for convenience, it would have to be photographed in my house. Would it look weird having your children on some sort of treasure hunt for the perfect present for you, in your friend's house?? I can't quite think how I can get it done at her house, though, without her becoming highly suspicious....

Otherwise, I'm suitably inspired - thank you!

If you and your friend live nearby, how about the shops / park you both use?

yes, I'd thought about that for some - but for looking in the house for things/thinking of what she does that they'd thank her for, as per idea above, some would have to be in a house.

I think it would be okay for the photos to be done in your house. You could try to get close up to the children so they fill most of the frame and they would be very much the focus and the background would/could be anywhere.

another idea I had but may not be feasible - take the pictures in a department /ikea/ showroom so they are not actually anywhere specific!