You don’t really need props to tell a good story. In fact, some die-hard storytellers would never use a prop. I do…with kids. I would recommend using props, but I think it depends on your story and your audience and never go overboard with your props. Keep it simple!
Props are perfect for young audiences. I like to use props with the story, “The Enormous Turnip.” I’m the teller, and the kids help to act out the parts. The props are simple cutout characters of the people and the animals in the story. The kids wear the cutouts like necklaces. They help the children remember who they are in the story and to be ready when their parts come up.
Okay, I have to let out my secret here. The props help me to remember the sequence of the story and not forget a character. There, I said it. But if using the props helps me feel more confident telling the story, think about how comfortable the kids must feel. Just keep in mind, that props should never distract from your story. And, if you are not comfortable using props don’t!