Who says you even need a book to tell a story at bedtime? For thousands of years, parents have been spinning intricate tales for their children, and we’d love to see that continue. We’ve already touched on The Rule of Three, so let’s talk about settings.

Sometimes, the limitations of reality just get in the way of a good story. That’s why there are plenty of fictional lands to which we can travel in our storytelling. To help you spiff up your storytelling, we’re providing a handy list of some good settings that can not only set your characters on unexpected journeys, but provide you a chance to get creative when describing your customizable scenes.

NeverNever Land: Sure it’s been used, but that’s what makes it so easy. Just forget Peter and stick with the Lost Boys. There is no wish-fulfillment story better than flying! Pirates, Indians, and fairies abound in NeverNeverLand. What happens when the Lost Boys and the Indians accidentally stumble upon the Pirates’ treasure?…

Wonderland: What is Wonderland without Alice? Amazing! For those who can’t stand a wholesome story with a normal plot and normal bad guys, Wonderland is the place for you. Crazy tea parties, Uptight Rabbits, Homicidal Playing Cards, Hooka Smoking Caterpillars, the list goes on. The trick to wonderland is that the crazy characters must THINK that they are perfectly normal. It also isn’t important to drive the plot. Just watch them be themselves.

Timbuktu: Technically, Timbuktu is a real city in the African country of Mali. It was once a thriving center of trade and Muslim scholarship in the 14th-16th centuries. This in itself is a good start for a story, but the best part about the place is the name. It sounds foreign and magical, so make it that way. Who knows what kind of nefarious characters lurked in the markets plotting to kidnap the King’s daughter. If only there were a brave beggar boy in the right place at the right time…

Atlantis: We can go two ways with this one, an Island above or under the sea! Under the Sea opens up a lot of possibilities with scary sharks or squids, as well as sunken ships and treasure. The unsunken island can be fun, too. In order for it to be undiscovered so long, it must be moving around. A little princess on a floating island could go some pretty fun places.

Mars: Sure there is no air or water on Mars, but don’t let that spoil your fun? Maybe all the good stuff is underground. Finding a robotic puppy in the Martian subterranean city might take several nights of storytime…

Center of the Earth: There are definitely dinosaurs down there… ’nuff said.

Candyland: Everything is delicious, edible, and colorful. The only problem? The lollipops are at war with the gumdrops! I see a candycane battering ram in the distance… Of course, the lollipops and gumdrops will both realize that the best thing to do is share the chocolate lake because there is will be plenty for everyone now that the chocolate chip rain has returned…

Shangri La: A more awesome version of Brigadoon, this city can come and go as it pleases. It also has dragons, gold, monks, and (what the heck) Lygers. I imagine the monks have been desperately looking for some children who can help them with their terrible Muppet infestation. Yeah, that’s right, they are there filming “Muppets Hit the Himalayas”.

EXTRA HINT: Make a MAP! Before you start, make a map like the handy one of Never Never Land of YOUR far, far away land. Throw in The Lair of Ninjas, The Chasm of Cave Bears, The Fields of BrushYourTeeth, and the Castle of DontHitYourSister and use it to chart the course of your little adventurers!