Story Cube Worksheet Templates

What are Story Cubes?

Story cubes are dice with special topics on each side, such as setting, characters, or theme. Students are meant to roll these dice at random and to write a story using the information from the roll. The faces of the dice can be simple pictures, words, complex scenes, or a mix of everything.

Writing can be very challenging for many people. Story cubes are very useful because teachers can provide six pre-selected ideas for each element, and the rolling of the dice makes the student more engaged, as in a game.

Use the dice to piece together a quick oral story, or have students craft more involved written assignments. Story cubes are a great way to provide both assistance for struggling storytellers, and also can challenge more accomplished writers with creative constraints! Looking for other ways to engage your students with fun activities? Make a game online with Storyboard That today!

Printable Cube Template

Use a free printable story cubes template above to create extraordinary dice! Each side of the die can be whatever you want, such as different characters, and can include words, pictures, or both. Alternatively, have all students create dice so you will have a large collection of ideas to choose from throughout the year.

Make your own printable story cubes in the Storyboard Creator using the many image assets available, or print out a blank cube template and have students draw their own story ideas.

Note that not every printable cube template folds into actual cubes. There are a variety of nets available, including tetrahedron, rectangular prism, triangular prism, hexagonal prism, and even icosahedron! Just a little bit of math for your English language arts class. Cubes are more like traditional six-sided dice that many students will already be familiar with.

Create Story Cubes From Scratch!

We've come up with some great story cube templates for you to use, but you can also make your own printable story cubes from scratch. Simply follow these steps:

1. Click on a “Create a Storyboard” button. This will bring you to the Storyboard Creator.
2. Give your storyboard a name. We suggest a detailed name so you know how to find it in the future. Click “Continue”.
3. Now that you are in the Storyboard Creator, click on the “Layout” button in the right hand menu. Select “Worksheet”.
4. Choose whether you want your paper to be horizontal or vertical by using the toggle on the left and click “Okay!”
5. To find Storyboard That’s worksheet and poster assets, click on the “Worksheets” tab in the top row. If you are on a small screen such as a Chromebook, you may have to press the “More” button to find this option.
6. Once you are in this category, you will find a wide variety of assets such as borders, lines, and graphic organizers, including the templates for foldable figures. Simply drag and drop where you want the assets to go. There are tons of patterns, shapes, images, characters, and more to choose from.
7. Once you are happy with your dice, click “Save and Exit”.
8. Remember, even if you create the page using color, you can still print it out in black and white. If you are concerned about making your story cubes printable, use filters to reduce color: grayscale, remove color, or pencil work best!

Making a worksheet from scratch is fun, but remember, we have tons of premade templates to get you started. We’ve done all the formatting so that you don’t have to! Read how to use a template below.

For more activity ideas, check out back to school activities and homeschool activities Text!

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions about Story Cubes

What are story cubes and how do they help students with writing?

Story cubes are dice with pictures, words, or scenes on each face. When rolled, they give students random prompts to inspire stories. They help boost creativity, reduce writer’s block, and make storytelling feel like a game.

How do I use story cubes in the classroom for creative writing?

Have students roll one or more cubes to generate elements like character, setting, or conflict. They can then write or orally share a story using the results. You can use cubes in solo writing time, group storytelling, or as warm-ups.

What should I put on each side of a story cube?

Include story elements like character types, settings, moods, or themes. You can also add story starters, conflicts, or writing challenges. Use words, symbols, or images depending on your students’ reading level.

How can I make printable story cubes for my students?

Use a story cube template from the page or the Storyboard Creator to design your own. Print on cardstock, cut out, fold, and tape or glue together. Let students decorate their own for a personalized touch.

What’s the best way to introduce story cubes to younger students?

Start with simple cubes using familiar images or characters. Roll just one or two cubes at a time and model a short oral story before asking students to create their own. Keep it playful and low-pressure!

How do story cubes support reluctant or struggling writers?

They provide built-in inspiration and remove the pressure of “coming up with an idea.” Rolling a cube turns writing into a fun challenge rather than a blank page problem.

What are some fun classroom activities using story cubes?

Try partner storytelling, “pass the cube” group tales, drawing scenes based on cube rolls, or turning rolls into comic strips. Story cubes are great for center activities, warm-ups, and creative brain breaks.

Can students create their own story cube templates?

Yes! Let students brainstorm story elements, design their own faces, and assemble cubes. This adds ownership, creativity, and a layer of meta-cognition to the writing process.