Add details about the setting. For example, if it's a haunted house story, describe the creaking floorboards, the peeling wallpaper, and the cold drafts that seem to come from nowhere. The more vivid the setting, the scarier the story. You can also pause at key moments, like right before something really spooky is about to happen. Let the silence build the anticipation.
Use a low, slow voice. This creates a sense of mystery and makes the listeners have to strain to hear, which amps up the tension.
Use a low, creepy voice. For example, when you're telling a story like 'The Hook', whispering when the couple hears the strange noises outside the car can build up the tension. Also, use pauses at the right moments. If you're telling 'The Babysitter' and she just hears the first heavy breathing on the phone, a long pause before you continue can make the listeners hold their breath in anticipation.
Build suspense. Don't give away the scariest parts too soon. Describe the setting and the characters in detail first. For instance, if it's a haunted house story, talk about how the old floorboards creak, how the walls seem to be closing in, and how the air is cold and musty. Then gradually introduce the spooky elements one by one.
Pause at the right moments. Build up suspense by pausing just before the big scare. For instance, if you're about to reveal the monster in the closet, stop for a few seconds. Let the listeners' imaginations run wild with anticipation. And when you finally reveal it, it'll be much scarier. Also, describe the details vividly, like the smell of decay in a haunted house or the cold touch of a ghostly hand on someone's shoulder.
Set the mood. Dim the lights or use candles. If you're telling a story about a haunted house, you can make the room feel like a spooky place. You can also add some sound effects. For 'The Girl in the Graveyard' story, you could play some faint wind sounds in the background. Also, use hand gestures and facial expressions to make it more engaging and scarier. For instance, when talking about the ghostly figure in the graveyard, make your eyes wide and look around the room as if the ghost is there.
To make kid night stories more interesting, you can relate them to the kids' own experiences. For instance, if you're telling 'The Ugly Duckling', you can talk about how the kids might have felt different or left out at some point. You can also use body language a lot. When telling 'Peter Pan', flap your arms like you're flying when talking about Peter Pan flying. And don't be afraid to improvise. Maybe add a new character to 'Snow White' story and see how the story unfolds in a different way.
One way is to give warnings before the really scary parts. Let people know that something a bit spooky is coming up so they can brace themselves. Also, you could focus more on the mystery aspect rather than the pure horror. Another idea is to end the story on a positive note, like the hero overcomes the evil in a really cheesy or fun way that takes away some of the scariness.
Incorporate personal anecdotes. For example, if you were on a special trip when you saw a particular bird, share that story. 'I was hiking in the mountains and suddenly this majestic eagle flew right over my head. It was an awe - inspiring moment.' This makes the story more relatable and interesting.
They can use vivid descriptions. For example, instead of just saying 'I went to a beautiful place', describe the colors, the smells, and the sounds of that place. This makes the story more engaging.
They can use lots of expressions and gestures. For example, when talking about Santa Claus, they can jump up and down to show his jolly nature.
One element is the unknown. When there are things that can't be easily explained, like strange noises in an empty house or a figure disappearing into thin air, it scares us. For example, in a story where a person hears footsteps in an attic but when they go to check, there's no one there.