A fairy tale is a children’s story about magical and imaginary people and places. Fairy tales may have characters such as princesses, princes, elves, and witches, but not necessarily fairies.
Fairy Tale Definition
Fairy tales are short stories often intended for children, and include magical creatures, people, and places. As with other types of stories, fairy tales include a beginning, middle, and end, protagonists and antagonists, some type of conflict and resolution. However, fairy tales have magical elements such as talking animals or objects and an enchanted setting such as a kingdom far away or a forest. Fairy tales often start with the phrase, “Once upon a time”, and have happy endings. The good characters always triumph over the evil characters, there are lessons taught, and there is always the promise of a happily ever after. Fairy tales differ from fantasy fiction in that they assume that the magical aspect is just the way things are, and not an explicit part of the story. Also, fairy tales often have morals, whereas fantasy stories may or may not.
The term “Fairy Tale” was first used by French writer, Madame d’Aulnoy in the late 1600s. She called her work, conte de fẻe, which is French for “fairy tale”. Some fairy tales, such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “Rumpelstiltskin”, are thought to be over four thousand years old, and have been passed on by word of mouth long before they were written down. Many of today’s fairy tales have evolved over time and are told in many variations around the world. It is difficult to trace the exact history of the fairy tale, as much of this genre depended on oral tradition in earlier times.
Today, fairy tales are still in oral form, but are more commonly in published works and even made into movies. They are often used to teach lessons and entertain people of all ages. The fairy tale genre is often studied in school, and can be used to teach point of view in writing, where students are asked to rewrite a popular tale from another character’s point of view, often changing the story dramatically. Since fairy tales have distinct settings, characters, and plots, they are often studied in reading classes as well. Fairy tales are still written today, but many of the stories that we know and love have been around for many, many years.
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Try it for Free!Examples of Fairy Tales
- Beauty and the Beast
- Bluebeard
- Cinderella
- The Frog Prince
- Hansel and Gretel
- The Juniper Tree
- Little Red Riding Hood
- Puss in Boots
- Rapunzel
- Rumpelstiltskin
- The Singing Tortoise
- Sleeping Beauty
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
Want to learn more? Check out our educational article on Literary Genres!
How Tos about Fairy Tale: Definition and Examples
Engage students with a creative fairy tale writing activity
Encourage students to brainstorm unique characters, settings, and magical elements for their own fairy tale. Guide them to think beyond classic stories and invent original ideas that reflect their interests.
Model how to outline a fairy tale story structure
Show students how to organize their fairy tale using the classic beginning, middle, and end format. Emphasize the role of conflict and resolution to help them build a meaningful story arc.
Incorporate collaborative storytelling in small groups
Divide the class into small teams and assign each group a different part of a fairy tale to write. Promote teamwork and creativity by having groups share and combine their sections for a complete story.
Use visual aids and storyboards to support fairy tale creation
Provide students with drawing materials or digital tools to illustrate key scenes from their fairy tales. Visuals help students plan and organize their ideas before writing.
Facilitate a fairy tale sharing session
Set aside time for students to present their fairy tales to the class through read-alouds or short performances. Celebrate creativity and reinforce key elements of fairy tales with positive feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fairy Tale: Definition and Examples
What are fairy tales?
Fairy tales are short stories featuring magical creatures, adventures, and lessons. They often include fairies, witches, talking animals, and heroic journeys.
Why are fairy tales important for students?
Fairy tales help students develop imagination, learn moral lessons, and understand storytelling traditions from different cultures.
How can teachers use fairy tales in the classroom?
Teachers can use fairy tales for reading comprehension, creative writing, drama activities, and exploring cultural values.
What are some popular examples of fairy tales?
Popular fairy tales include Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, and Little Red Riding Hood.
What is the difference between fairy tales and folk tales?
Fairy tales often include magic and fantasy, while folk tales focus more on everyday people and traditions, with less emphasis on magical elements.
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