The World Has Rules · Connected Through Play

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The World Has Rules

Imagine you’re a curious 3 year old, and inquisitive 10 year old, or even a “I don’t care” teen. How often have you felt stymied or squashed by having to “follow the rules”? I still rebel and I’m grown.

In today’s story lab, we give the power to bend the rules back to the kids. Give it a try and share your experiences.

If you’d like the full activity, complete with twists and age variations you can find it in the Story Lab Classroom under Story Worlds or click the link to go direct. #The World Has Rules

Here’s the short version. If you were in charge, what rules would you create?

The World Has Rules

Every world has rules about what can and cannot happen. Invent one unusual rule, explore its consequences, then discover how quickly one small change can transform an entire world.

Gather Your Gear

* Paper

* Pencil, crayons, or markers

* Small slips of paper

* Bowl, bag, or container

* Optional: My Story Planner

Steps

1. Start with “In this world…” Everyone invents an unusual rule. Write or draw each idea on a slip of paper.

Examples:

* In this world, nobody can go outside after it rains.

* In this world, animals can talk but people cannot.

* In this world, everything floats after sunset.

* In this world, you must trade something to enter a building.

2. Choose a rule. Put the ideas into a container and randomly select one.

3. Imagine an ordinary day. What would eating breakfast, going somewhere, playing, shopping, or visiting a friend look like under this rule?

4. Follow the consequences. Take turns asking, “If that’s true, then what?” Keep following the answers.

Everything floats after sunset.

Then furniture needs to be tied down.

Then houses might have special anchors.

Then forgetting to secure your bicycle could be a very big problem.

5. Meet someone who lives there. Invent a person or creature who has always lived with this rule. How have they adapted? What seems completely normal to them that would seem strange to you?

6. Test the world. Act out, draw, or tell a short scene showing what happens when someone encounters the rule.

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The World Has Rules