Well, it's important to know your audience. If it's for a young child, pick themes that are familiar and not too scary. You can base the story on things like their favorite toys or daily activities. For example, if the child loves building blocks, you can create a story about a magical land made of building blocks. Add some humor to the story, like a clumsy block character that always trips over. Another key point is to use vivid descriptions. Instead of just saying 'a beautiful garden', say 'a garden filled with roses of every color, their sweet scent filling the air'. Also, make the story interactive if possible. You can ask the listener some simple questions during the story, like 'What do you think the little mouse should do?' This makes the story - telling experience more engaging and helps in telling a great bedtime story.
To tell a great bedtime story, you need to engage the listener's imagination. Start with an exciting opening, such as 'In a world far, far away...' or 'Once upon a time in a magical place...'. Develop the characters with unique personalities. For instance, if you have a wizard character, describe his long white beard and his powerful magic wand. Build a story arc that has a beginning, a middle with some sort of conflict or adventure, and an end. You can also add some elements of mystery or suspense. And most importantly, end the story on a positive note, like the hero achieving his goal or the characters living happily ever after. This way, the listener can go to sleep with a pleasant feeling.