Birthday present idea
Make your best friend the heroof their very own birthday story.
Put your best friend (and you!) into an illustrated adventure, then give it with a gift card they can scan to read. It's the present nobody else can buy.
Your first story is free. No card needed.
To Maya
Happy 9th birthday! In this story we're the two bravest explorers in the jungle.
Your best friend, Zara
Scan to read your story
Story ideas to get you started
Use one of these, change it, or dream up your own. You choose who plays each part.
The Sleepover Spaceship
A sleeping bag turns into a spaceship at midnight, and only the birthday captain knows how to fly it home.
- Your friend as the captain
- You as the co-pilot
The Treasure Map in the Birthday Card
A mysterious map falls out of a birthday card and leads all the way across town to a very silly surprise.
- Your friend as the treasure hunter
- Their dog as the sniffer
The Day We Swapped Superpowers
Two best friends wake up with each other's powers on the most important birthday of all.
- Your friend as Lightning Girl
- You as The Invisible Kid
Or pick a ready-made story
Choose who plays each part and we tell the story with your family in it. No writing needed.
How it works
- 1
Add the faces
A photo of each person, or describe them and we invent a character.
- 2
Write or pick a story
Plan your own adventure with Story Helper, or choose a ready-made one.
- 3
Every page illustrated
Each scene is drawn with your people in it.
- 4
Give it
Print a gift card with a QR code, print the book, or send a link.
Why it makes a lovely gift
- Kids make it themselves, so it's a present that really comes from them
- Both friends can star in it, so it's about your friendship
- Ready in an afternoon, perfect for last-minute party invites
Your first story is free
One Story Token makes one whole illustrated story: the writing, every picture, a printable PDF and a gift card.
One story
$2.99
1 Story Token
5 stories
$9.99
Enough for everyone on your list
Your family’s photos are safe with us
Photos stay private
A photo is only used to draw that person as a character. Shared stories show the drawing, never the photo.
Stories are private until you share
A shared story must pass a safety check first, and you can stop sharing whenever you like.
Delete it all
Delete your account and your photos, pictures and stories are deleted with it.
Who makes the pictures
Pictures and words are made by AI from OpenAI and Google. CreateStories.app does not train AI on your photos or stories.
Only add a photo of someone who is happy to be in the story. For other people’s children, ask their parent first. Read our privacy policy
Questions
Do I need a photo of my friend?
A photo makes the drawings look like them, but you can also describe your friend (hair, glasses, favourite clothes) and we'll draw a character to match.
How do I give it at the party?
Print the gift card with your own message and a QR code that opens the story, or print the whole book as a PDF. You can also just send the link to their parents.
Is it safe for children?
Story Helper is made for ages 7–13 and keeps everything gentle and age-appropriate. Stories are private unless you choose to share them, and uploaded photos are never shown to anyone else.