You could start with a strange dream. Kids often have vivid dreams and can relate to the idea of a scary dream. Say something like 'Billy had a dream that he was in a forest full of talking trees that were trying to trap him. When he woke up, he thought he heard the trees whispering outside his window.' This can create a sense of mystery and fear in a way that is appropriate for kids.
Start with a spooky animal that is out of place. Like a big black cat with glowing eyes that follows a child everywhere they go. You can write something like 'Lucy was walking home from school when she noticed a cat she had never seen before. It was all black and its eyes seemed to follow her every step. She tried to run, but it kept getting closer.' This kind of situation can be both scary and engaging for kids.
Set the scene in a spooky place like an old, abandoned house at midnight. Just describe the creaking floorboards, the cold drafts, and the peeling wallpaper. It immediately gives a sense of unease.
One of the best ways to start off a story is with a captivating hook. It could be an interesting dialogue, like 'I'll never forget the day he said, "You won't believe what I found."' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to know more.
Begin with a spooky location that kids can relate to, like an old attic. 'The attic was always a bit scary. It was filled with dusty boxes and strange noises. One day, when the kids were home alone, they heard a thumping sound coming from the attic.' This sets the stage for a scary adventure for kids.
Start with a strange sound or noise. For example, 'A low, guttural moan echoed through the empty hallway. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to figure out where it was coming from. This was how my nightmare began.' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what's causing the noise.
A good way to start a funny story for kids is with a funny sound or action. For example, 'Once upon a time, there was a little boy who made a 'BOING' sound every time he jumped. And he jumped all the time! So everywhere he went, it was like a bouncy ball was following him around making 'BOING, BOING' noises.'
You could also start with a strange discovery. 'He found a key in his grandfather's old chest, a key with no lock in sight.' It plants the seeds of mystery and gives the reader a question to ponder from the very beginning. Mystery stories thrive on unanswered questions at the start.
A great way to start a love story is with a chance encounter. For example, in a crowded coffee shop where two people reach for the last blueberry muffin at the same time. Their eyes meet, and there's an instant spark of interest. It's a simple yet effective start as it creates an immediate connection between the two characters.
A simple way is to start with a lost item. 'Little Timmy woke up one morning and found his favorite teddy bear missing. But he could swear he heard it giggling from under his bed.'
One of the best ways is to start with an interesting character in an unusual situation. For example, you could introduce a detective standing over a mysterious dead body in a locked room. It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder how the character got there and what will happen next.
Describe the first time you see the haunted house. 'As I rounded the corner, the old, decrepit house loomed before me. Its broken windows were like empty eye sockets, and the overgrown ivy seemed to be strangling the walls. I knew then that this place was full of secrets and terrors waiting to be unleashed.'