Chance to win a £200 voucher - check out the Storytime Sounds app from notonthehighstreet.com and share your storytelling experiences, tips and tales NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

To celebrate the latest addition to the iPhone Storytime Sounds app from the team at notonthehighstreet.com they'd love you to share your storytelling experiences, tips and tales on this thread.

They'd also love to hear your feedback on their app; it's available on iTunes - you can download it here: itunes.apple.com/gb/app/storytime-sounds/id883691199?mt=8

They say "our story time app is free to download and is designed to bring an extra element of fun to storytime for families with kids aged 3-7.

There are 6 soundboards for different storytelling themes - pirates, fairytales, lost world, space, monsters and our latest addition, Christmas"

So please share what storytelling means to you on this thread. Are you creative enough to make up your own bedtime story for your LO, do you do "funny" voices, when do you do storytelling with your child - bedtime or during the day? And do give the app a try if you can - notonthehighstreet.com would love to hear what you and your DC think of it (the new Christmas sounds in particular), how you used it and whether it made storytelling easier/more fun.

Please share your thoughts and feedback on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £200 voucher for notonthehighstreet.com. Please add your comment by 24 December. Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Good luck
MNHQ

PS They have also written a little story as a starting point for your storytelling adventures, which can be found here: blog.notonthehighstreet.com/2014/12/10/a-christmas-story/

I am not keen on using screens at bedtime, prefer made up stories. But ok for to use this app for daytime storytime, also like puppets.

My children are older now. There were no apps when they were young. We used to enjoy story sacks.

Unfortunately I haven't got an Apple product and can't view the app, I would have love to try it with my DCs in particular with my 5 years old.

My son loves his books and really enjoy listening to me reading a story so, although I have an Italian accent, I make different voices for each character and he laughs.

I find that all my children have loved using puppets to tell stories.

I used to have different voices for different characters in the stories I told my children and I thought I was really good until my 3 year old son started crying, begging me not to have the scary monster in the story. It was the Billy goats gruff and even though my son is now 29 I still think of that night

Our little boy who is 2 1/2 loves the app. He plays with it himself instead of us using it with a story. It would be good if the app itself told stories and made sound effects along with the story.

I haven't tried the app as it's not compatible with my phone, however I'm sure it's really useful and great fun. A fab idea! I love reading to my boys and my best tip is to enjoy the stories each night before bed, making it part of their regular routine. Without making them over-excited before bed, I love to make them giggle and anything goes, silly voices, funny faces, actions and even dances. There's nothing better in my world than sending my boys to bed full of joy and laughter.

I love to read to my two little ones in bed, I always let them choose the story and keep them involved by using different voices and by asking questions, like "and what do you think the little elf did then" it keeps them really engrossed with the story

I love to read to my kiddies. I like to use different tones and pretend to be the characters and make story as exciting as i can.

Mine love a bedtime story, although I prefer reading them stories during the day when there is time for more than one.

Sometimes we make up stories about their favourite toys going on adventures which always go down well.

My boys go mad for interactive storytelling. I regularly get asked for a "Adam Story" which is just me making up crazy stories about a boy named Adam and his friends at the bottom of the garden!

Definitely using different voices for each character, puppets are great for special occasions :D

I read to my children every night. I use funny voices and always reread stories so my children can join in. This app looks really good. My children love everything on a tablet, so this is sure to be a winner.

My personal opinion for storytelling at bedtime is it is a magical time to engage with your children, lots of character voices, expressions & fun to be remembered for life. I like to do it myself, but for today's tech types they may prefer an app, but better using an app than not doing anything!

we like to get out my washing thing get a blanket and make a puppet show and tell each other stories

When my DD was younger I use to read her bedtime stories that I made up on the spot, never knowing where they going and she totally loved them. Just let your imagination run wild...

Found this app and loved it

Wonderful themes, and the 'icon pics' are perfect, for little fingers to use.
My 2 have always loved those books with press button sounds to enhance the story. We tried the Christmas story from the blog and it was ideal. Love this time of year. Mine who are 5 and 3 boys love stories, and this app makes them even special for pirates, monsters, fairy tales, space and lost world. I am going to try to see if they can recognise the sounds with their eyes closed.

When we start to read, we 'always turn on our ears' first, including me.
Find a wonderful book, they love and they will read it again and again, with them taking over !!!!!!!

I love making my own up and doing all the silly voices to go with it, sometimes i pause when telling them and my kids will suggest what happened next.

Think the app is a great idea. I always do accents and funny voices when I read to the kids. I like to think I am a budding thespian. My talents are wasted really!!

Very silly voices for all the different characters

Not had chance to use the App - need a device to access it first - but my children love it when they can get involved and act out the scene, or when I opt for names in the book for theirs so it's personal to them. i.e.: Roslyn and the three bears

We love adding silly voices - keeps the children engaged and actively involved. Xx

We get snuggled up in bed, lowe the lights and read from their favourite books. I have puppets for the little ones and do special voices lol! The app soudns interesting, I might have to give it a try too!

I don't like the idea of an app as I believe that whilst going to sleep or during the last 2 hours, things like smartphones/tablets should not be used as it'll affect sleep quality and the eyes.

That said, we absolutely love audio books and although I love the odd storytelling acting but the kids love audio books.

My boys love it if you can make the story sound dangerous or slightly scary, especially adding in some different voices