Choose a wish, not a list of traits
Rather than listing every characteristic, imagine the character’s name and what it wants to do that day. It need not be human: a talking window or questioning cloud can work. Allow an idea that seems unusual to you. Do not expect particular answers at a particular age. This is a shared storytelling activity, not a developmental assessment or a test of how a character should be designed.
Add a small surprise
Invent one detail that changes the character’s plan. It need not be frightening or dramatic; a letter arriving at the wrong place can be enough. There is no requirement to solve every surprise. When the story pauses, remember the stopping point in one sentence or choose an entirely new character another day rather than treating the first version as unfinished work.
Your next little step
Choose one idea that suits your family and try it at your own pace. Every family has different needs.
An example in practice
For example, a cloud named Blue wants to deliver news to a friend, but the letter contains only a question. Choose the question together. You can then continue the story or decide that this is enough for the moment.