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225 Fun & Free Creative Writing Prompts for Kids in All Grade Levels

Written by Maria Kampen

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• Teacher Resources
• Elementary school writing prompts

Middle school writing prompts

High school writing prompts.

• Social emotional learning jounal prompts
• Math writing prompts

Writing prompts are meant to unlock creativity. They’re story starters designed to inspire creative thinking. They can take you to places you’ve been or recall an important time in your life. 

But mostly, they’re useful tools for teachers to inspire writing growth in students from grade school to high school.

“Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…”

It’s amazing how one simple sentence can send you on a journey to places you’ve never been, filled with untold possibilities. 

Reading is great, but you know what’s even better? Giving your students the power to write stories for themselves. 

Writing prompts for kids help students:

• Express themselves and their creativity
• Grasp lifelong literacy skills and concepts
• Tell their own stories and build self-confidence
• Develop a growth mindset when it comes to their writing skills

Writing is like a muscle — it takes practice to build up skills. Luckily, we put together a list of over 200 writing prompts to help your students get started. We’ve also organized them by middle school, high school and elementary school to help teachers decide whether these prompts are age-appropriate for their students.

Grade school writing prompts

Grade schoolers can definitely begin to address complex ideas when it comes to story writing — but you should seek to keep the prompts simple and straightforward. 

Reluctant writers might be intimidated by complicated writing ideas — and this is an age where we should be encouraging creativity.

Creative writing prompts for elementary schoolers

Whether it’s exploring the furthest reaches of outer space, traveling across the Sahara desert or sticking a little closer to home, these creative writing prompts will have students imagining endless possibilities for their writing.

• Write about what your life would be like if you turned into a squirrel. What would you do every day?
• A strange spaceship just crashed and landed in your backyard. What happens next?
• Make up a story about where thunder comes from.
• You find an old notebook hidden in an attic. What does it say? Who did it belong to?
• You have a magic garden. What magical plants do you grow? How do you take care of them?
• Write a story about running away with the circus when it comes to town.
• Rewrite “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” from the perspective of one of the dwarfs (Happy, Sleepy, Dopey, Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy and Bashful).
• There once was a little boy who ate nothing but oranges. What happened to him?
• Write a story about a magical hat. Where is it from? What does it do? What does it look like?
• You’re exploring the rainforest and come across a flower that no one’s ever seen before. Describe it!
• Tell me a story about a dinosaur living a long, long time ago.
• Tell me a story about an astronaut visiting another planet. Where are they going? How do they get there? What do they take with them?
• You discover a magic portal in the park. Where does it lead to?
• Pick a partner and write a story together! Start by writing the first sentence, then pass it to your partner to write the second sentence.
• You find buried treasure in the park, hidden in a big wooden chest. What kind of treasure is it? Who left it there?
• Write a story about a family that can travel in time. 
• Write a story without using the letter “E”.
• Write the funniest story you can think of. 
• There’s a kangaroo in your classroom. How did it get there? What happens when you find it?
• Write a story about an explorer who keeps getting lost. Where are they trying to go? What do they find along the way?
• Write a story about a wooden door, a can of soda and a blue shoe.
• If there was a magical portal in the back of your closet, where would it lead to? 
• Finish this story: There was a knock on the door. I opened it to find a dog sitting there, and…
• You come home and find that everything in your house is upside down. What happened?
• Describe the color “red” without using the word “red”.
• There’s an old, abandoned house at the end of your street that’s been empty for years. One day, someone moves in.
• Rewrite the story of Cinderella from the perspective of the stepsisters.  
• Write a backstory for Ed, the orange Prodigy mascot. 
• You wake up one morning and find a mermaid in your bathtub. How did they get there? What do you do?
• Write a story about a monster looking for some friends. 
• Oh no — your balloon blew away! Write about what happens from the balloon’s perspective. 
• You and your friends are out for a walk when, out of nowhere, your friends start disappearing! What’s going on?
• Once upon a time, an old inventor built a weather machine. It sat undiscovered for years — until you found it. What happens next?
• You just ate a cookie that turned you 15 feet tall. What do you do next?

Fun writing prompts for grade schoolers

Everyday life is full of great inspiration for writing! Get students thinking with these easy and fun writing prompts.Write about something you are good at. 

• If you could write a book about anything, what would you write about?
• If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be and why?
• Do you have a favorite animal? Tell me all about it! Why do you like it?
• What would you do if you woke up one morning and everything was pink — including you?
• What food can you not live without? Why?
• If you could add any class to your school schedule, what would it be?
• Invent a new day of the week. What is it called? When is it? What do people usually do on that day of the week?
• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? 
• If you could spend a Saturday doing anything you wanted, what adventures would you get up to?
• If you could have any wild animal as a pet, what would you choose? Why?
• What's your favorite, wacky food?
• Where is your favorite place to read? Why?
• What was the coolest day of school for you? What made it exciting?
• Which of your toys do you wish could talk? What would they say?
• If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it look like?
• Invent a machine to do a chore for you. What does the machine do? What does it look like?
• What's your favorite season? What makes it the best?
• What is your favorite math game and why?
• Describe your real-life superpower.
• Finish the story: When I'm older I want to be an expert in…
• If pets could talk to each other, what would they say?
• If you were the captain of a ship, what would you call your ship? What would it look like? Where would you go?
• If your pet could talk to you, what do you think it would say?
• If you were the only person on earth for one day, what would you do?
• Plan the perfect birthday party for yourself. 
• What is your favorite thing to do over summer break?
• Describe your ideal birthday cake. 
• If you could add any type of room to your house, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite movie and why?

Persuasive writing prompts for elementary school

Are your students’ opinions up for debate? Ask them to flex their critical thinking skills with these persuasive writing prompts. Once they’re done, get class discussion flowing with a spirited debate!

• Write a letter convincing your parents to let you get a pet dog. What arguments do you use to persuade them?
• Convince your teacher that you should be allowed an extra 15 minutes of recess.
• Convince your best friend to read your favorite book.
• How would you convince someone to do your chores for you?
• Write a commercial for your favorite breakfast food. What would convince someone else to try it?
• What flavor of chips is the best? Why?
• What would make a better pet — a monkey or a peacock?
• Do you think children should be allowed to stay up as late as they want?
• What’s your favorite holiday and why should it be everyone’s favorite? 
• Convince us that your favorite food should be a staple in everyone’s diet.

As students enter middle school, they’re starting to feel like bigger, older kids. They can start writing original short stories and abstract persuasive essays. 

It’s best to inspire creativity at this age and encourage them to explore their own voice and different writing styles. These prompts will definitely go a long way in inspiring that.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

• Invent a new type of transportation for the future. Who uses it? Where does it go?
• If you had a time machine, where would you visit first — the past or the future? Why?
• You get on the bus and find a four-piece jazz band giving a concert. What do you do?
• Design and name your own Prodigy pet . What element are they? What’s their special power?
• Finish this story: “Something just touched my foot,” they shouted, swimming frantically towards the shore. 
• Write a silly or scary story to tell around a campfire. 
• Finish this story: Everything was going so well today — until I tripped and fell, right in front of…
• Throughout your adventures as a pirate on the high seas, you’ve seen lots of strange and magical creatures. Which one was the most interesting?
• Deep in the heart of a dark and mysterious cave, there lies a magic stone. Write about your quest to find it. 
• Write an acrostic poem using the word “strawberry.”
• There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She knit and she baked, but what else did she do?
• Finish this story: “One thing I’ll never do again,” she said, “Is go on vacation with an alpaca.”
• Make up a new planet and describe it. 
• Write a story about a family of penguins living on an iceberg.
• Write a story about a girl who can walk through walls. 
• You’ve been invited to a ball at the Queen’s palace! What is it like?
• Imagine you’re exploring the Amazon jungle. Write a diary entry about your day.
• If you could invent a TV show, what would it be about?
• You discovered an underwater kingdom! What is it like there?
• A lonely trumpet player makes friends with the dancer who lives next door. What happens next?
• You go to the park to fly a kite, but get carried away by the wind! What happens next?
• Write a story about a volcano that’s about to erupt.
• Write a story about visiting an old lady who lives deep in the woods.
• Boom, you’re a superhero! Give yourself an origin story, describe your superpowers and plan what you’ll do to make the world a better place. 
• Write a story using these six words: calendar, headphones, lipstick, mug, bear.
• You wake up to find you’re invisible. How did it happen? What do you do?
• There’s been a robbery at the bank, and you’re in charge of finding the culprit. How do you solve the case?
• Finish the story: Once upon a time, there was a dragon...
• You just joined a super-secret spy organization. What’s your first mission?
• Write a story about being cold without using the word “cold.”
• You’re a scientist and you’ve just discovered a new type of bug. Describe what it looks like, where it’s from and what you’re going to call it. 
• Imagine a world where all the birds can talk. What would they say?
• Write about what happens after the end of your favorite book or movie.
• Finish the story: She sprinted down the driveway to the mailbox. The package was here!
• You’re on a hike and a bird starts talking to you. What do you do? What does it say?
• Write a story using these five words: bubblegum, stapler, spoon, lightbulb, strawberry.
• You ate a magical carrot and your skin turned orange! What happens next?
• Write about what it would be like if you had an elephant for a pet.

Fun Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

• If you were in charge of the classroom for a day, what would your class do?
• Tell me about the last dream you had.
• You’re trapped on a desert island. What three things did you bring with you and why?
• What mythical creature would you like to have as a pet? Why?
• Invent a new type of pasta. What does it look like? What does it taste like?
• If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? Make a plan and tell the story of your dream vacation.
• Plan the perfect picnic. Where would it be? What food would you have?
• If you could decorate your bedroom any way you wanted, what would it look like?
• Write a story that sounds loud, using onomatopoeia (words that sound like their meaning, like crash, snort, bang and boom.)
• Invent a new type of cookie. What does it taste like?
• Invent a new sport. What is it called? What are the rules?
• How would you disguise yourself to blend in with a forest?
• You just won a special award from the president. What did you do to earn that award?
• Do you collect anything? What is it and why? If not, what would you like to collect?
• You just found a genie in a bottle. What three things would you wish for? (Remember, no wishing for extra wishes!
• Explain how to play your favorite sport or do your favorite hobby. Make it as exciting as possible!
• Describe the most beautiful sunrise or sunset you’ve ever seen.
• If you could live in any book or movie, which one would you choose and why?
• Imagine that you’re going on a camping trip. What do you pack to make sure the trip is fun?
• If you could invent a robot to do any chore, what chore would it be? How would the robot do it?
• Would you rather it was always raining, or always snowing?
• Imagine you’re a toy inventor. What will you create?
• Would you rather climb to the top of a mountain or go scuba diving?
• Interview a family member about their childhood, then write it as a story.
• What was your favorite toy growing up — why was it so special to you?

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School

• If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be and why?
• Is it better to read the book before you watch the movie, or watch the movie before you read the book?
• Persuade someone to try out your favorite hobby or sport.
• What’s the best way to try and persuade a friend to do what you want to do?
• When is peer pressure good? When is peer pressure bad?
• Is it better to have lots of friends, or just a few really good friends?
• Should students be in charge of what they learn in school?

High school students can either be tasked with more complex writing prompts or breathe nuance into simple story ideas. Students can drive these prompts in a million different ways.

So while not necessarily more complicated than middle school, these prompts can be tweaked, either by the student or teacher, to encourage thought-provoking output.

Creative Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

• Write a story about someone your age who lives on the other side of the world. 
• Pick up the nearest book and turn to page 7. Close your eyes and point to a random word on the page, then write a story about that word.
• Write a story in ten words or less.
• You fell asleep for 100 years. What does the world look like when you wake up?
• Finish the story: “This isn’t what I hoped would happen,” she said….
• You’re walking down the street when you see someone who looks exactly like you.
• Write a story where the main character learns something new about themselves.
• Write a story that takes place in the desert. 
• Write a story about a day where everything seems to go wrong. 
• Write a poem about the color blue.
• How would your life be different if you didn’t have access to a computer, video games or your phone?

Fun writing prompts for high schoolers

• You win a million dollars, but there’s a catch — you have to spend it all in 24 hours, or you lose all the money. What do you do?
• Write about something you or your family does from the perspective of someone from another country.
• If you could make up a new holiday, when would it be and what would it celebrate?
• Go out on a nature walk and find a tree. Write the story of that tree, from the time it was a seed until now.
• What’s the most boring superpower you can think of? How would it be useful?
• If you could pass any law, what would it be?
• You meet yourself in the future, as a grown-up at age 35 — what do you talk about? 
• If you had to show aliens the most important/best things in the world, what would you show them?
• Who is your hero and why?
• Write about the best surprise you ever got. 
• What are three good things you can do for the environment? How can you encourage the people around you to do good things for the environment?
• What is your earliest memory? Write down as many details as you can remember.
• If you could take two people – real or fictional – on a cross-country road trip, who would you take? Where would you go?
• If you could have any job in the world tomorrow, what would you do?
• What is the best thing about living in your city or neighbourhood?
• Write a letter to your 30-year-old self. What do you think you’ll accomplish by then?
• Teach me how to make your favorite recipe.
• Describe the sound of your favorite song using descriptive words.

Persuasive writing prompts for high school

• Should kids be allowed to use social media unsupervised? Why or why not?
• Persuade someone to start a healthy habit, or get rid of a bad one.
• Should all single-use plastics be outlawed? Why or why not?
• Should our school have a dress code? Why or why not?
• Is it more important to be right or to not hurt someone else’s feelings?
• What important historical figure do you think belongs on the ten-dollar bill?
• Do you think you’re born with your personality traits, or do you gain them as you grow up?
• Should mobile apps be responsible for protecting your privacy — why or why not?

Social emotional learning journal prompts

School is about more than just books and quizzes — it’s about preparing students for the rest of their lives. Social emotional learning teaches them how to build good relationships with peers, understand and control their emotions and make healthy life decisions.

Journaling is a great way for students to reflect on their feelings in a safe, private space. Use these journaling prompts as thought starters for more social emotional learning!

Check out our list of the 25 best social emotional learning activities for students here. 

• Tell me about a tradition you have with your family or friends. 
• What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
• Have you ever found something that you lost? How did you feel when you found it?
• What is something you haven’t learned this school year that you’re still wondering about?
• What do you do when you’re angry? Write about three ways you calm yourself down.
• Where do you feel the safest? Why do you feel safe there?
• Write a poem to make a friend happy.
• When was the last time you were kind to someone? How can you be kind to someone today?
• How are you feeling today? Are you happy, sad, excited or anxious?
• If you could give your best friend a present, what would it be?
• What are the qualities you look for in a friend? Why is it important to be a good friend?
• What does responsibility mean to you?
• Who do you talk to when you’re worried about something? How do they make you feel better?
• If you could make a card for anyone in your life, who would it be for and what would it say?
• What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
• Write about a time you had to make a hard decision. How did you make your decision?
• What do you do to make yourself happy when you’re sad?
• Write about a time you were disappointed. 
• What are three things that make your best friend awesome?
• What do you think empathy means? Why is it important?
• How can you cheer up a friend who is sad?
• What makes you a good friend? How can you be a better friend?
• What’s the best piece of advice a friend, parent or teacher has ever given you?
• Write three goals for the rest of the school year. How are you going to accomplish them?
• What does responsibility mean to you? What are you responsible for at school and at home?
• What person in your life makes you feel confident?
• What scares you? How can you overcome your fears?
• Tell me about a time when you tried something new. How did it feel? Did you do it again?

Math writing prompts for kids

Whether it’s tackling word problems or explaining a new concept, writing is a surprisingly good tool for the math classroom. 

A math journal can help you understand what students already know, while giving them space to work through tricky concepts on their own. Use these writing prompts to promote literacy in every subject — and help students avoid math anxiety .

• Tell me everything you know about ________.
• Explain, in words, how to solve this problem.
• What is and isn’t true about this situation?
• What is _______?
• Explain two different ways to solve this problem. Which one is better?
• What did you get correct in this problem?
• What mistakes did you make while solving this problem?
• What do you not understand about _____?
• Write a word problem using the concept we’re learning about. 
• What did you learn today?
• How do you use math in your everyday life?
• What is the easiest/hardest part of math class?
• What discoveries did you make in math class today?

Final thoughts on writing prompts for kids

Writing prompts aren’t the end of the story — they’re just the beginning. Encourage your students to build a regular writing practice, and soon you’ll see the benefits in every class. 

Where will your students’ imaginations take them?

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Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students

Tim Platt/Getty Images

• M.S., Education, Buffalo State College
• B.S., Education, Buffalo State College

Writing is an essential skill and an important part of elementary school studies. However, writing inspiration does not come easily to every student. Like adults, many children experience writer's block , particularly when an assignment is extremely open-ended.

Good writing prompts get students' creative juices flowing , help them write more freely, and ease any anxiety they may feel about the writing process. To integrate writing prompts into your lessons, ask students to choose one writing prompt each day or week. To make the activity more challenging, encourage them to write without stopping for at least five minutes, increasing the number of minutes that they devote to writing over time.

Remind your students that there is no wrong way to respond to the prompts and that they should simply have fun and let their creative minds wander. After all, just as athletes need to warm up their muscles, writers need to warm up their minds.

Elementary School Writing Prompts

• My biggest goal in life is...
• The best book I ever read was...
• The happiest moment in my life was when...
• When I grow up, I want to...
• The most interesting place I have ever been to was...
• Name three things you don't like about school and why.
• The strangest dream I ever had was...
• The person I admire most is...
• When I turn 16, I will...
• Who is the funniest member of your family and why?
• I get scared when...
• Five things I would do if I had more money are...
• What is your favorite sport and why?
• What would you do if you could change the world?
• Dear teacher, I would like to know...
• Dear President Washington, what was it like to be the first president?
• My happiest day was...
• My saddest day was...
• If I had three wishes, I would wish for...
• Describe your best friend, how you met, and why you are friends.
• Describe your favorite animal and why.
• Three things I like to do with my pet elephant are...
• The time a bat was in my house...
• When I become an adult, the first thing I want to do is...
• My best vacation was when I went to...
• The top three reasons that people argue are...
• Describe five reasons that going to school is important.
• What is your favorite television show and why?
• The time I found a dinosaur in my backyard...
• Describe the best present you ever received.
• Describe your most unusual talent.
• My most embarrassing moment was when...
• Describe your favorite food and why.
• Describe your least favorite food and why.
• The top three qualities of a best friend are...
• Write about what you would cook for an enemy.
• Use these words in a story: scared, angry, Sunday, bugs.
• What's your idea of a perfect vacation?
• Write about why someone might be afraid of snakes.
• List five rules that you have broken and why you broke them.
• What is your favorite video game and why?
• I wish someone had told me that...
• Describe the hottest day you can remember.
• Write about the best decision you've ever made.
• I opened the door, saw a clown, and then...
• The last time the power went out, I...
• Write about five things you can do if the power goes out.
• If I were president, I would...
• Create a poem using the words: l o ve, happy, smart, sunny.
• The time my teacher forgot to wear shoes...
• For prompts that ask students to write about a person, encourage them to write two responses—one response about a friend or family member, and another about someone they don't know personally. This exercise encourages children to think outside the box.
• Remind students that their responses can be fantastical. When the confines of realism are eliminated, students are free to think more creatively, which often inspires greater engagement in the project.

If you're looking for more writing ideas, try our lists of journal prompts  or ideas for writing about important people in history like Martin Luther King Jr .

• 24 Journal Prompts for Creative Writing in the Elementary Classroom
• November Writing and Journal Prompts
• Christmas Journal Writing Prompts
• September Writing Prompts
• December Writing Prompts
• October Writing Prompts
• February Writing Prompts
• Fun March Writing Prompts for Journaling
• January Writing Prompts
• May Writing Prompts
• Writing Prompt (Composition)
• The Importance of Answering Questions in Complete Sentences
• Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Prompts
• How to Write a Philosophy of Education for Elementary Teachers
• 50 Topics for Impromptu Student Speeches
• Ice Breakers for the First Day of Elementary School

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 57 fun creative writing prompts for kids.

General Education

With many kids learning from home due to Covid-19, easy-to-organize educational activities for students are more important than ever. Writing helps improve students' creativity, communication skills, and ability to focus, among other benefits.

Whether you're a teacher, a parent now homeschooling, or a student looking for something new and interesting to write about, these writing prompts are for you. We've collected 57 writing prompts for students of various ages, from elementary school through high school. From spooky story writing prompts to debating how to improve schools, this article has writing prompts that will appeal to all students.

Tips for Using These Writing Prompts

What's the best way to use these creative writing prompts for kids? It depends on a lot of factors, including the student's age, current schooling structure, and their own interests and abilities. Here are some suggestions:

Use as a daily writing prompts exercise. You can assign one of these prompts at the beginning or end of the school day, as a way to prepare for the rest of the day or unwind after schoolwork.

Set up a quiet space to write. Many people have a hard enough time writing even with no distractions, and it can be nearly impossible to respond thoughtfully to a prompt if there's a television on, people talking, etc. Having a distraction-free space can help your student focus on the work at hand and produce their best writing.

Suggest an estimated writing length. Most of these journal writing prompts are designed to be answered both briefly or much more in depth. By giving a number of words/pages to aim for, you'll give your student a better idea of how detailed their response should be.

Consider having students handwrite their responses. Writing by hand can help students be more thoughtful about their responses because they'll typically write slower than they can type. It can also help students improve their handwriting skills.

57 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids

Below are over 50 journal topics for kids, organized into three categories: narrative writing prompts, fiction/creative writing prompts, and argumentative writing prompts for kids.

Narrative Writing Prompts for Kids

#1: What is your favorite holiday or holiday tradition?

#2: If you could go back in time for one day, which time period would you choose?

#3: If you could learn one thing about your future, what would it be? Or, if you prefer not to know anything, why would you make that choice?

#4: Pretend you're writing an autobiography and need to create a table of contents. What would you name each chapter?

#5: What is your earliest memory? Write every detail you can remember about it.

#6: If you had the power to change one thing about school, what would you change and why?

#7: Describe three goals you have for yourself.

#8: Imagine you are creating your dream restaurant. What kind of food would you serve, what would the menu look like, and how would the restaurant be decorated?

#9: If you could build your dream house, what would it look like? What rooms would it have? What would the yard be like?

#10: What is the bravest thing you've done in your life? Why did you make the choice you did? How did you feel during and after the situation?

#11: What is the funniest thing you've ever seen?

#12: What is your dream job?

#13: What is one thing you're really good at?

#14: Pretend you are a professional reviewer and write a review of a book you recently read or a TV show/movie you recently watched. How many stars would you give it? What did you like about it, and what didn't you like?

#15: Write about a time you did something kind for someone else. What did you do, how did it make you feel, and how did it make the person you helped feel?

#16: Imagine your life in ten years. What do you think you will be like? What will you be doing?

#17: Write about the craziest dream you've ever had.

#18: What would your perfect weekend look like? What things would you do? Who would you see? What would you eat?

#19: Do you like your name? If so, why? If not, what would you change it to?

#20: Make a list of your favorite activities for each season.

#21: Write about your least favorite chore. What don't you like about it? What would you invent to make the chore easier?   

#22: What three pieces of advice would you give to your younger self?

#23: If you could be famous for anything, what would it be? 

#24: If you could create a new law, what would it be? Do you think it would be hard to enforce?

#25: Write about a time you think one or both of your parents made a mistake. What did they do, and what do you think they should have done? Did they admit their mistake?

#26: How would your best friend describe you? How would you describe your best friend? (You can also have your friend do this prompt and read each other's responses.)

Fiction and Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

#27: Write a story about a character taking a submarine ride under the sea. What sort of things do you think they would see there? Would they be afraid or excited?

#28: Write a new chapter for your favorite book or new scene for your favorite movie. Which characters would be there, and what would they be doing?

#29: Invent a new pet. What would it look like, and what would you call it? What would it eat, and how would you care for it?

#30: Start a story with a lyric from a song.

#31: Pick something nearby (toy, pet, flower, etc.) and write a haiku about it. Bonus points if it rhymes!

#32: Write a story about a character who gets lost in the woods and discovers a mysterious person there.

#33: Write your own silly internet quiz.

#34: Choose an object in the house and describe it in as much detail as you can without saying what it is. Then, have a parent or sibling try to guess what you described.

#35: Write a scary story that includes: a spooky pumpkin patch, a vampire afraid of garlic, and a black cat.

#36: Do some people watching out your window. Write a story using one or more of them as the characters. Make up backstories and imagine what they're doing.

#37: Write a story about what you think your parents were like when they were younger.

#38: Your character survives a shipwreck and washes up on a mysterious island. What is on the island and how does (s)he get back home?

#39: Imagine you can choose to be any animal for a day. Which animal would you choose? What would you do?

#40: Write a poem about your favorite season.

#41: Imagine you are chosen for the first mission to Mars. What would you bring with you, and what do you think exploring the planet would be like?

#42: Write a sympathetic story from the point of view of the "bad guy." (Think fractured fairy tales like Wicked or The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! , although the story doesn't have to be a fairy tale.)

#43: Imagine your pet gets a day to roam free before returning home. Where would it go, and what would it see?

#44: If you could have dinner with any three people (real or fictional), who would you choose and what would you talk about? What would you eat?

#45: Look through photographs, drawings, and paintings. Choose one and write a story about it, imagining where it is and the types of people/things there.

#46: Imagine aliens landed on earth. What would they look like, and how would they act? Would they be friendly or not?

Argumentative Writing Prompts for Kids

#47: Are there dangers of teenagers spending too much time on social media?

#48: Does homework actually help students learn?

#49: Should students doing e-learning this year get letter grades, pass/fail, or no grades?

#50: At what age should children get their own cell phone?

#51: Which is best: ebooks, audiobooks, or traditional print books?

#52: What's more important, PE classes or art classes?

#53: Which celebrity is the best role model for kids? Which is the worst?

#54: Should parents or teachers be able to ban certain books from schools?

#55: Which season is the best?

#56: Should students recite the Pledge of Allegiance in school?

#57: Should students go to school year-round and have shorter breaks throughout the year rather than one long summer vacation?

What's Next?

Also looking for science activities for kids?  Check out our 37 science experiments for kids that you can do at home!

Want to make some slime? We tell you how to make slimes without borax and without glue as well as how to craft the ultimate super slime .

Pipe cleaners can provide endless craft ideas. Read our guide for simple instructions for 31 fun pipe cleaner crafts for kids.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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300 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids: Story Starters, Journal Prompts & Ideas

Are you a parent or teacher? Here are 300 fun and creative writing prompts for kids to spark the imagination of young writers everywhere. Use these kids writing ideas as journaling prompts, story starters or just for fun!

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It’s never too early to start writing, and so we’ve created this fun list of 300 creative kids writing prompts for teacher and parents to use.

You’ll love these fun ideas for kids writing prompts to use as creative sparks to get young imaginations writing in no time!

These are perfect to use as kids journal writing prompts, as short story writing prompts, or just for exercises to help students and children of all ages tap into their creativity. Maybe your kids will write an essay, maybe a poem, or maybe even a whole book!

Whether you are a teacher or parent looking to inspire your kids to write, or maybe even an adult who would like to practice writing with a more playful and young-hearted approach, I hope you find these creative writing prompts inspiring!

Buy the Printable Cards!  We will always have this list of 300 kids writing prompts available for free, but I’m very excited to now also offer an  ad-free printable version of these prompts  in my online Etsy shop. Thank you for your support!

The Ultimate List of 300 Fun & Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

#1. Imagine a giant box is delivered to your front doorstep with your name on it. What’s inside and what happens when you open it?

#2. Write a short story about what it might be like if you woke up one morning with a mermaid tail.

#3. Which is better, winter or summer? Write about the reasons why you think winter or summer is better.

#4. Write about what would it be like if you had an alligator as a pet.

#5. If you had $1,000, what would you buy and why?

#6. Write a story using these 5 words: apple, train, elephant, paper, banjo

#7. What do you want be when you grow up and why?

#8. Who is your favorite person on the planet? What do you like most about that person?

#9. If you could have any secret super power, what would you want it to be and why?

#10. Write about 3 places you would like to travel someday. What do these three places have in common?

#11. Write about a time you felt really happy. What happened? What made you feel happy?

#12. Imagine what would happen if someone shrunk you down to be only 1″ tall. How would your life change?

#13. If you were in charge of the whole world, what would you do to make the world a happier place?

#14. Write a story about what it would be like to climb to the very top of the highest mountain in the world.

#15. If you were in charge of planning the school lunch menu, what foods would you serve each day?

#16. What are some of your favorite animals? What do you like about them?

#17. Imagine that dogs take over the world. What do they make the humans do?

#18. Write a story about flying to outer space and discovering a new planet.

#19. You are a mad scientist and have invented a new vegetable. What is it called? What does it look like? What does it taste like? Most importantly: Is it safe to eat?

#20. You go to school one morning to discover your best friend has been turned into a frog by an evil witch! How do you help your friend?

#21. Describe what it is like when trees lose all of their leaves in the autumn season.

#22. Write about your favorite sport and why you like it so much.

#23. Imagine what it might be like to live on a boat all the time and write about it.

#24. If you had one wish, what would it be?

#25. Write about what you might do if you have the super power to become invisible.

#26. You are walking through the forest when one of the trees starts talking to you. What does it say? What do you do?

#27. The weather forecast is calling for a blizzard in the middle of the summer. What do you do?

#28. What types of transportation will people have in the future?

#29. What were some of your favorite toys when you very little? Do you still enjoy playing with them?

#30. What would a day in your life be like if you were a movie star?

#31. Imagine you’ve invented a time machine! What year do you travel to?

#32. What are your favorite things to do over summer vacation?

#33. What is your favorite holiday and why?

#34. If you could meet any fictional character from a book, who would it be?

#35. You are writing a travel guide for kids visiting your city. What places do you think they should visit?

#36. What is a food you hate? Write about it!

#37. Imagine what it would be like if there was no electricity. What would be different in your daily routine?

#38. You are building a new city! What types of things do you think your city needs? How will you convince people to move to your new city?

#39. What is your favorite movie? Write your review of the movie and why you think people should watch it.

#40. Imagine you get a magic sweater for your birthday. What happens when you wear the sweater? What do you do with these new found magical powers?

#41. You are the security guard at the zoo and someone has stolen a rhinoceros! How do you track down the thief?

#42. You have been invited to have lunch with the queen. What foods do you eat and what topics do you and the queen discuss?

#43. If you could design a school uniform, what types of clothes would you suggest? What colors would they be?

#44. Imagine you are a reporter interviewing a celebrity about their life. What questions do you ask?

#45. You are running a lemonade stand. Describe the steps for how you make lemonade and the types of customers you see during the day.

#46. Write a story about being the ruler of an underwater world.

#47. Write an acrostic poem for the word “treehouse”.

#48. You decide to grow a sunflower, but the sunflower grows so tall it reaches up to the sky! Write about what happens when you decide to climb to the top. What do you discover?

#49. Imagine you look out the window and it is raining popsicles from the sky! Write a story about the experience.

#50. If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?

#51. If you were on a spaceship, what would you be most excited about seeing?

#52. Do you have any pets at home? Write an essay about how you take care of your pets. If you do not have a pet, what type of pet might you like?

#53. Imagine you are opening a store that only sells items which are blue. What types of items do you sell?

#54. Have you ever lost something that is important to you? Were you able to find it?

#55. Write a story about a kid who is moving to a new school. How do you think they might feel?

#56. Rewrite the ending of your favorite fairy tale. For example, what would have happened if Cinderella never went to the ball?

#57. Have you ever forgotten to do your homework? What happened?

#58. Do you have a favorite song? Write about the type of music you like to listen to.

#59. Imagine your parents wake you up one morning to tell you they will take you to do anything you want to do for the whole day – you don’t even have to go to school or do your chores. What would you choose to do and why?

#60. Do you like amusement parks? What are some of your favorite rides?

#61. Write a story using these three words: detective, piano, and pizza.

#62. Have you ever been to the beach? Write about your favorite things to do. If you have never been to the beach, what would you like to do the first time you visit?

#63. Is there a favorite tv show you like to watch? Write about your favorite character and why they are your favorite.

#64. Write a poem using onomatopoeia , where the words you use are pronounced similar to the sound they make. For example, buzz, bark, sizzle, slam and pop.

#65. Have you ever had to stand in line to wait a long time for something? What did you do while you waited? How did you feel while waiting? How did you feel once the wait was over?

#66. Is it a good idea to keep ALL secrets a secret? Write about examples of when it is okay to spill a secret – and when it isn’t.

#67. Is there something you are good at doing? Write about your best strengths.

#68. What historical time period and location would you go back to live in if you could? Write about it!

#69. Write about 5 things you can do that are important for you to stay healthy and safe.

#70. Do you think thunderstorms are scary? Why or why not?

#71. What would you most like to learn over the next year? Think about things that interest you or questions you might have about the world and make a list!

#72. You are going on a trip to a jungle safari! What items do you pack in your suitcase?

#73. Imagine you are sitting at home one day and you hear someone shrieking in the living room they see a mouse in the house! Write a story about what might happen next.

#74. You are writing a letter to someone who is having a hard time making new friends at school. What do you write? What advice do you give them?

#75. Imagine you just met a magician – but their beloved rabbit who they pull out of a hat for all the tricks has been kidnapped! How do you help find the rabbit?

#76. Do you hear what I hear? Set a timer for 5 minutes and write about all of the sounds you hear in those 5 minutes.

#77. Imagine you go to get a haircut and they accidentally shave your head! How do you feel about that and what would you do?

#78. Do you find it easy to talk to people you don’t know? What are some ways you can start up a conversation with someone you have never met before?

#79. Are there any chores you have to do at home? What are they? What do you like – and not like – about each one?

#80. Open up a random book to any page. Write for 5 minutes about the first word you read.

#81. Pretend you are a writer for your city’s newspaper. Who would you like to interview for a news story and why?

#82. There are many fictional characters who live in unusual houses, such as the old woman who lived in a shoe. What kind of unusual house would you like to live in? Write about what it would be like to live in an unusual house!

#83. Write a list of 10 things you can do to practice kindness to others.

#84. Is there a homework subject you dread? Why do you not like getting homework in that subject?

#85. What is your favorite month of the year? Write about why you like it and some of your favorite things to do during that month.

#86. Imagine you are planning a surprise birthday party for someone. How do you keep it a surprise?

#87. Pretend you walked outside to find a sleeping dragon in the grass! Why is the dragon there? Is it a friendly dragon? What do you do? Write about it!

#88. What are you grateful for today and why?

#89. You were on your way to a very important event when you fell into a puddle. Now what?

#90. Have you ever watched a movie and didn’t like how it ended? Write what you think should happen instead.

#91. Can you answer this riddle from Alice in Wonderland ? How is a raven like a writing desk?

#92. Imagine you are the captain of a pirate ship. Write a diary entry for what your day was like.

#93. If you could start any type of business, what kind of business would you start? What types of products or services would you provide?

#94. Write a sequel to one of your favorite fairy tales. For example, what was Goldilocks’s next adventure after she left the bears?

#95. What is something you are afraid of? What helps you to feel less afraid of something? What would you say to a friend who feels scared to help them feel less afraid?

#96. Write a letter to your future self in 20 years.

#97. In addition to basic survival needs such as food, water, air and shelter, what are 3 things you would you need to be happy?

#98. If you could invent a robot of any type who could do anything you imagine, what types of things would you would have the robot to do?

#99. Which do like better? Apples or Oranges? How are they alike? How are they different?

#100. Why did the chicken cross the road? You are a detective and are assigned to the case. How do solve the mystery?

#101. Write instructions for how to make your favorite snack. Be sure you add your favorite tips and suggestions for how to select the best ingredients!

#102. Imagine you borrowed a friend’s favorite lucky pencil to help you pass a math test – but then it snapped in half! How will you ever tell the news to your friend?

#103. Look around the current room you are sitting in and choose 3 random objects that are nearby. Now write a story or poem that includes those three items!

#104. Write a letter to the author of a book you recently read and tell them what you liked most about the book.

#105. Ernest Hemingway is famous for writing a six word story. Can you write a story in just 6 words?

#106. What do you think will be the future for cell phones? Will people still use them in 25 years or will something else take its place?

#107. Do you want to go to college? Why or why not?

#108. Write a story or poem about a kitten who wanders off and gets lost. How does the kitten find its way home?

#109. Currently, it is required by law that kids go to school. Do you think this is a good or bad idea?

#110. If you could invent a new board game, what would it be called? How is it played? What are the rules? What makes it fun to play? Write about it!

#111. Imagine you come home to discover your entire bedroom is covered in ketchup! What on earth happened? What is your reaction? How do you clean everything up?

#112. What is something you learned today?

#113. Would you rather have a goldfish or shark as a pet?

#114. From A-Z: make a list of something for every letter of the alphabet.

#115. Have you ever gone fishing? If you have, did you like it? Why or why not? If you haven’t, do you think you might want to?

#116. What is one of the most important things you do each and every day?

#117. Write a story about Gretchen the Grouch, a girl who is always angry! Will she ever be happy? Why is she so grumpy all of the time?

#118. How do you feel when someone takes something of yours without asking? What is a good way to deal with it when that happens?

#119. Write a poem that starts with the word “if”.

#120. Write a story about a family of rabbits who live in the woods. What are some of the challenges they face?

#121. What clothes do you think are the most comfortable? What kind of clothes do you like to wear the most? What clothes do you NOT like to wear?

#122. Imagine there are no grocery stores and you must get your own food. What are some of the ways you find food? What types of things do you eat?

#123. What are 3 things you can do that are good for the environment?

#124. If you could meet any famous person today, who would you want to meet and why? What questions might you ask them?

#125. A tongue twister is a quick poem where many of the words start with the same letter and are similar in sound. For example, “Peter picked a peck of pickled peppers.” Try writing your own with this fun kids writing prompt!

#126. What is the first thing you think of when you hear or see the word green?

#127. A hero is someone who is admired for their courage and achievements. What do you think makes someone a hero? Who are some of your heroes?

#128. What did you do during summer vacation last year? What do you want to do for summer vacation this year?

#129. Write a story about a super hero dog who saves the day! Who does the dog help and why?

#130. Would you rather live somewhere that is always cold, or somewhere that is always hot? Write about which one you would rather choose.

#131. Have you ever volunteered to help a charity? If so, write about the experience! If not, what are some charities you think you might like to volunteer for?

#132. What does the word courage mean to you?

#133. What makes you unique? What are some things about you that make you an individual?

#134. Have you ever been to a museum? What is your favorite thing to look at on display?

#135. What can you do to set a good example for others to be kind?

#136. A Tall Tale is a story that exaggerates something that actually happened. Write a tall tale about something that recently happened to you.

#137. What is one of your favorite toys that you think you might still want to have and play with when you are 22 years old?

#138. Oh no! Everyone around you is sick with a nasty cold! Write a silly poem about how you try to avoid catching their germs!

#139. Personification is when a non-living object takes on human characteristics. Write a story where you personify a common electronic gadget in your house, such as the Television or toaster.

#140. Write a poem using similes, which is when you say an object is like something else. Here is an example of a simile: “Her eyes were as blue as the sky.”

#141. Have you ever read a book written by Dr. Suess? Write your own “Suess-style” story, complete with rhymes and made up words.

#142. Do you have any siblings? Think about what it might mean to be a good brother or sister and write about it!

#143. Make a list of questions to interview your parents or grandparents about what it was like when they were growing up as a kid. Then, ask them the questions and write about their answers!

#144. You are in charge of writing a new radio show just for kids! What topics will you talk about? What music do you play?

#145. What do you usually eat for breakfast every day? What, in your opinion, is the greatest breakfast food ever created? What makes it so great?

#146. Write a 12 line poem where every line is about a different month of the year.

#147. What is something you look forward to doing the most when you are an adult?

Use these prompts in your classroom!  Get the  ad-free printable version of these prompts  to inspire your students to write! Thank you for your support!

#148. Do you like to try new things? What is something new you have tried recently or would like to try?

#149. Imagine what it might be like to be alive in Egypt when the pyramids were built. Write about what it was like.

#150. A credo is a statement of personal beliefs. Try writing your own credo for things that you believe in and feel are important.

#151. The circus has come to town but they have no place to perform! How do you help the ringmaster find a place to put on a show?

#152. Do you like to act? What are some of your favorite actors or actresses? What do you think makes someone a good actor or actress?

#153. “Practice makes perfect” is a popular saying. What is something you like to practice so you can become better at it? A sport? A musical instrument? A special skill? Do you like to practice?

#154. Write about what it might be like to be water drops freezing and turning into ice.

#155. Do you think it is important to keep your room clean? What do you like about having a clean room?

#156. Imagine your parents are sending you away for a two week summer camp trip. Would you be excited? Why or why not?

#157. What are you currently learning about in history class? Write a fictional story about someone from the past you are learning about.

#158. Many wars have been fought in the past. Instead of going to war, what do you think countries could do to resolve their differences peacefully?

#159. Every year over 8 billion plastic bottles and cans are thrown away. What are some things you can do to help encourage your family and friends to recycle?

#160. Imagine if you were the principal of the school. What might you do differently? What things would you do that are the same? Write about it!

#161. Pretend that one day you are at your neighbor’s house and you notice a strange noise coming from the basement. You go downstairs to investigate to see a large machine running with many lights and buttons. Why is it there?

#162. Write an essay that starts with the line, “Tomorrow, I hope…”

#163. If you could give one thing to every child in the world, what would you want to give them?

#164. Do you have a piggy bank at home? How do you earn money to add to your savings?

#165. What qualities make a house a home? What are 3 things you think every house should have?

#166. Would you rather go scuba diving or rock climbing? Write about which one you think you would like to do more and why.

#167. Do you think it is a good idea for kids to write a daily journal? What are some of the benefits of writing every day?

#168. Do you like watching fireworks or are they too noisy? Write about a time when you saw fireworks in the sky.

#169. Oh no! Your friend has turned into a statue! How did this happen? What do you do? Does your friend ever turn back into a person again?

#170. If you could be any movie character, who would you be and why?

#171. A mysterious message appears in code on your computer screen. What could it mean?

#172. If you could go to work with one of your parents for a day, what do you think the day would be like? What types of things do your parents do at work all day long?

#173. Imagine you are the President and you are creating a new national holiday. What is your holiday about? How is it celebrated? What day of the year do you celebrate? Write about it!

#174. You won a never-ending lifetime supply of spaghetti noodles! What will you do with all of these noodles?

#175. Would you rather be a bunny rabbit or a hawk? Why did you choose the one you chose?

#176. Your teacher has been acting mysterious lately. After school one day, you notice a weird green light shining through underneath the door of your classroom. What do you do? What is happening with your teacher?

#177. Write an article about tips for how kids can be more organized and study well for tests.

#178. Look at any product in your house and read the ingredients labels. Research what each ingredient is. Do you think these ingredients are good or bad for people?

#179. If you were a doctor, what do you think would be the most important part of your job every day?

#180. The school librarian needs your help! A truck just arrived with 2,000 books and she can’t fit all the books onto the shelves! What do you do? How do you find a place to put all these books?

#181. Do you think it would be fun to plant a garden? What types of plants would you want to grow? Write about your garden ideas.

#182. What is a sport or activity you would like to try playing for the first time?

#183. Do you think kids should be allowed to do the same things as adults? What things do you think kids should be able to do that only grown-ups can?

#184. Imagine you and your parents switch places for a day. Your parents are the kids and you are now in charge! What would you do?

#185. Write a get-well letter to someone who has been sick. What can you say to make them feel better?

#186. If you could visit any planet in the solar system, which planet would you like to visit the most and why? Write about what it might be like.

#187. Have you ever been to a farm? What did you like about it? If you haven’t been to a farm, do you think you might like to visit one? Why or why not?

#188. The mayor of the city has a big problem and needs your help! What is the problem and how will you solve it?

#189. Pretend your little sister ate carrots for dinner and the next morning woke up with rabbit ears!  How did this happen? What do you do? Will she be a rabbit forever?

#190. Imagine you wake up in the morning to find out you get to relive any day of your life again for the whole day. What day would you want to experience again and why?

#191. Do you think you might like to be a firefighter? Why or why not?

#192. You are a lawyer and your client has been accused of stealing a car. How do you convince the jury your client is innocent?

#193. Think of the four elements: fire, air, earth, and water. Which of these four elements do you like the best?

#194. What would you do if you could be invisible for a whole day? Do you think you would enjoy it or be glad to be back to normal the next day? Write about it!

#195. Imagine you are a meteorologist and people are starting to get angry that your weather predictions are always wrong. What do you do?

#196. If you could create any law, what would it be? Why do you think the law is an important one to have?

#197. You are going incognito and need to hide to your identity so you aren’t recognized or discovered while you walk through the city. What type of disguise do you wear?

#198. Write a persuasive letter to your parents explaining why you should get a new pet. Make sure you provide a convincing argument they won’t be able to refuse!

#199. Your friend wants to do something dangerous. What should you do?

#200. How do you think the world would be different if there were no oceans?

#201. What do you do when someone disagrees with your opinions? Is there a better way to handle conflicting opinions?

#202. What do you think you as a kid could do to help encourage more people to read?

#203. Do you have a good luck charm? What makes this item lucky? When do you use it? How do you use it?

#204. What is at the end of a rainbow? Imagine you follow a rainbow to the end. What do you discover? Is it a pot of gold, or something else?

Use these prompts in your classroom!  Get the  ad-free printable version of these prompts  to inspire your students to write! Thank you for your support!

#205. What do you think the consequences should be for someone who is caught cheating on a test at school?

#206. Imagine you are riding your bike one day when you encounter an older kid who wants to steal your bike. What do you do?

#207. You are the lead singer and star of a famous rock and roll band, but there is one problem – your drummer is jealous of your fame! How do you solve this situation?

#208. If you could help a group of kids in any part of the world, what kids would you want to help the most and why? What are some things you think would help these kids?

#209. Everyone knows the house on the end of the street is haunted. What are some of the strange things that happen there? Why is the house haunted?

#210. You notice at school one day there is a door to a secret passage next to the janitor’s closet and decide to explore. Where does it lead? Why is it there? Do you go alone or bring a friend along?

#211. A bucket list is a list of things you want to accomplish in your lifetime. What are 5 things on your bucket list?

#212. Imagine the perfect treehouse or clubhouse for you and all of your friends as a place to hang out. Describe what it is like inside.

#213. Do you get bored easily? Make a list of things you can do whenever you feel like you are bored and there is nothing fun to do!

#214. Now vs. Then: Think about how today is different from one year ago. How have you changed? What things in your life are different?

#215. Write your autobiography about your life.

#216. It’s a heat wave! What do you do when the weather is hot? What are some of your favorite ways to stay cool?

#217. What are three important safety tips every kid should know to stay safe?

#218. What genre of books do you like to read the most? Write about the characteristics of the genre and list some of your favorite books as examples.

#219. Holiday Traditions: How does your family celebrate the different holidays and events? What are some traditions you do each and every year?

#220. Imagine one day in science class a science experiment goes terribly wrong and now you and all of your classmates have superpowers! What are your superpowers and what do you do with them?

#221. Who is favorite teacher? Why are they your favorite?

#222. You are baking a cake, but you accidentally put salt in the cake instead of sugar. Nobody will eat it! How do you feel? What will you do next time?

#223. Do you think it is important to have good table manners? What do you think some good manners to practice might be?

#224. Many schools no longer teach cursive handwriting. Do you think this is a good or bad thing? Do you know how to write cursive handwriting? Would you like to learn if you haven’t?

#225. If you were the owner of a theme park, what types of rides and attractions would have? Describe what they would be like and why people would want to visit your park.

#226. Your parents give you $100 to spend at the grocery store. What do you buy and why?

#227. Some people who are alive today grew up without computers or video games. What would you do if you didn’t have a computer or video games? How would life be different?

#228. You walk into your living room and discover there is a giant elephant standing there. How did the elephant get there? What do you do about it? How do you explain the elephant in the living room to your parents?

#229. Have you ever had a weird dream? What happened in the dream? What do you think it means?

#230. Do you like to draw or paint? Write a story inspired by a painting, doodle, or sketch.

#231. You are being sent on a mission to outer space to live in a space station for 5 years. What supplies do you pack and why?

#232. What is the scariest creature alive on earth? Describe in detail what makes it so horrifying.

#233. What do you think your pet might say if they could talk to you?

#234. Imagine your school is putting on a talent show. What act will you perform? What other acts will be in the show?

#235. If you could breathe under water, what would you do?

#236. What time of day do you think school should start? Write a convincing argument on why or why not the time of day school starts should change.

#237. If you were to start your own YouTube video channel, what would the videos on your channel be about?

#238. Do you like to cook? What are some things you like to make and eat?

#239. Your school is having a field day and you are in charge of planning the activities and games. What types of activities and games would you plan for the event?

#240. If you had a remote control drone that takes video of everything it sees from the sky and you could take it anywhere, what would you film? For example, the inside of a volcano or soar it over the plains of Africa.

#241. The Bermuda Triangle is an area of the ocean where many ships and planes have gone missing. Why do you think this could be? Write a story about what it might be like to travel there.

#242. There are 7 great wonders of the world – which one do you think is the most wonderful?

#243. If you could speak any foreign language fluently, which one would you like to speak and why?

#244. You are inventing a new flavor of ice cream! What is the new flavor called and what ingredients do you need to make it?

#245. Would you rather go to a baseball game or read a good book? What reasons do you have for your choice?

#246. You walk outside to get your mail and your mailbox starts talking to you! What does your mailbox have to say?

#247. Imagine you are a famous person. What are you most famous for? What is it like to be famous?

#248. What do you think would be the most fun job in the world to have? Give examples of why you think it would be a fun job to have.

#249. Write a poem about an object that is shiny and dazzling.

#250. Do you like to watch the Olympics? Why or why not? If yes, what is your favorite Olympic sport?

#251. What kind of car do you want to drive when you are older? Do you think learning to drive will be easy or hard?

#252. What do you think would make for a great gift to give someone on their birthday?

#253. Describe a time when you needed help and someone helped you. What did they help you with and how did it make you feel?

#254. If you could be any type of fruit or vegetable, what would you be and why?

Love these prompts?  Get the  ad-free printable version of these prompts  to use at home or in the classroom!

#255. Do you think it is more important to have a good imagination or have all the facts proven?

#256. Do you have a favorite aunt, uncle, or another relative? Write a story about their life and why you like to be with them.

#257. Think of a time you laughed really, really hard. What was so funny? Why were you laughing? Write about it!

#258. Write a poem about an emotion. For example: happy, sad, angry, embarrassed, guilty.

#259. Do you ever have a hard time falling asleep? What are some things that help you feel sleepy?

#260. If you could drive a car, where would you drive and why?

#261. Imagine you are trading places with your friend for a day. What will it be like to be at their house? What will your friend think while they are at your house? Write about it!

#262. If you could break a world record, what would it be? What do you think would be necessary to be able to break the world record?

#263. Imagine you live in Colonial times. What would it be like to grow up as a kid in Colonial America?

#264. You are building a new city. What is the name of your city? What is the weather like? What buildings will you build?

#265. What do you think it would be like to work as a sailor on big ship in the ocean each day?

#266. Imagine you are the teacher for the day. What types of activities do you make the students in the class do?

#267. How would you feel if your parents told you that you would be getting a new baby brother or sister? Write about it!

#268. Do you know any good jokes? What are some of your favorite jokes? What makes them funny? Do you think you could write your own?

#269. Imagine you are floating down a river on a raft. What types of things can you see from the river that you normally wouldn’t see from the land?

#270. You want to start a new hobby collecting something. What kinds of things would you collect and why?

#271. Your mom announces she is having a yard sale. Would you let her sell any of your things? Why or why not?

#272. Imagine you walk out your front door one morning and it is raining popcorn! What do you do?

#273.  You are camping in the woods one night and hear a scary noise. What do you do? What might be the cause?

#274. What do you think might make kids really happy to go to school? What are some things you think schools should do so that it could be more fun?

#275. Today’s lunch at the cafeteria was unusually horrible. You are a detective on the case to investigate. What do you think is the cause?

#276. If you had a tree that grows money, what would you do?

#277. What would you do if you had a unicorn as a pet?

#278. Would you rather go to the zoo or go to the aviary? Which one would you pick and why?

#279. What are some safety tips you should follow when riding a bike?

#280. You are designing the cover of a magazine. What are some of the headlines on the cover?

#281. Are you afraid of the dark? Why or why not?

#282. If you could learn to play any type of musical instrument, which one would you like to learn how to play and why?

#283. Imagine you are playing a sport that involves a ball, such as soccer, baseball or kickball. What would it be like if the ball could talk?

#284. You come home to discover a friendly alien has been living in your closet. What do you do? Why is there an alien in your closet?

#285. Is there something you are afraid of that you wish you weren’t afraid of? Write about it.

#286. Write about the best party you’ve ever been to. What made the day fun and special?

#287. What makes you feel loved and cared about? What are some ways people can show you that they love and care about you?

#288. There is a kite flying competition coming up and you are going to design your own kite. What will your kite look like? What colors will it be? Will it have any certain shape?

#289. You are given the challenge to drop an egg on the floor – without it breaking! What are some things you might try to make sure the egg won’t break?

#290. What are some of the things you can do every day to stay healthy?

#291. Do you think grown-ups are boring? Why do you think they are so boring all of the time? What is something fun that boring grown-ups could do instead of being so boring?

#292. Write a lyrical poem or song about what kids do while they are at school all day long.

#293. What are the first things you like to do when you are done with school each day? What are some of the activities you like when you are not at school?

#294. Imagine dinosaurs were still alive today. How do you think our lives would be different?

#295. Would you rather visit a volcano or a desert? Which one would you choose and why?

#296. Is there a sound you think is annoying? What types of sounds drive you crazy? Write about them!

#297. What do you think it would be like to be the size of an ant for a day? What types of things would you do?

#298. Imagine one of your stuffed animals comes to life and starts talking to you. What types of things will you talk about? What will you do?

#299. What makes you feel happiest? Write about the things in life that make you feel happy!

#300. Imagine there is no gravity. What kind of things would you do you for fun? How would some of the things you already do for fun be different?

Buy the Printable Cards!  We will always have this list of 300 kids writing prompts available for free, but I’m very excited to now also offer an  ad-free printable version of these prompts  in my online Etsy shop. Thank you for your support!

Parents and teachers, I hope you enjoyed these 300 writing prompts for kids and that you will use them to inspire your children’s creative imaginations.

These prompts of course can be used in a number of different ways and can be adapted for a variety of different styles of writing !

What do you think? Do you think these are good conversation and story starters for kids? Do you have any ideas for writing prompts you would like to share?

And of course, if you’d like to make it super fun and easy to use these prompts at home or in your classroom, be sure to get our ad-free printable version of these kids writing prompt cards now available in my Etsy shop.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on different creative writing ideas and topics for kids to write about! Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

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48 comments.

These are awesome! I feel like answering the questions myself! Thanks a million!

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

Lovely and amazing help

I wrote all 300! but my fingers hurt badly now. :l But i got to admit these are exellent questions!

Hi. Thanks for this list. So many great ideas. I will definitely use some of them for my Language Arts class.

hi people THIS WAS SO LONG but so worth it for my class thx mate

This was great for homework

Thank you for the topics. It was really helpful

Your writing prompts are awesome

These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. I will definitely be using it with my kids.

Thank you! I hope they enjoy the writing prompts!

I love these, they are awesome and very helpful too. Thank you very much.

these questions hooked me on easily thanks your the best!

They are all good prompts

This is always good and improves the brain.

These are very useful and very enjoyable topics, i enjoy by giving these to my students , their creations are marvelous

It’s was very long but worth it

This is good. I love it. It helps me in my studies. I share it with my friends children that likes the writing. We love it. Please, think of another writing.

Thanks! Worth printing and providing for my middle school students as a first week of the year activity. Must have taken you ages to come up with all 300 of these!

I’m glad to hear you can use them for your students! It did take some time, but it’s well worth it knowing it might inspire kids to write! 🙂

You need a printable version of this!!

Hi Katelyn, we have one! https://gumroad.com/UBnsO Hope you enjoy!

The link doesn’t seem to be working for me… Could you send me a copy of the list, please?

Hi Tori, the printable version of this post is available as an ad-free paid upgrade – you can purchase it through my Gumroad store: https://gum.co/UBnsO

I quite liked your ideas, I’ll try a few, surely!

How long did it take for you guys to make 300 ideas?

Definitely took some time Vilenti, but it was definitely worth writing all of them! Our prompts reach over a million people a year and are used in literacy, poverty, and mental health programs worldwide. 🙂

These were awesome, thanks a TON

i have school work and this is one thing i do.

i do this for school work to

i do this for school work

Hello Chelle, thanks a lot for this. During these tough Covid times, I find your list to be a great idea to engage kids. Have got them started on some today. Hopefully this will be a long term engagement for them.

The prompts are grrrreat

This was really helpful i have looked for a lot of these, that have a lot of topics and only found one other good one and finished it all, i got to 17 and was like are they all this good! And they all are so thanks!

Glad you enjoyed them!

These are awesome

These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.

I loved looking at these prompts!! They were very helpful. I am loving writing and supporting my claims with these prompts. You should post more ideas!! Thanks for sharing the prompts.

Do you have any more?

This really was think written

I’d like to use a few of your questions in a journal for adults that I am creating for sale. I will absolutely credit you at the beginning of the book. Is that okay with you or not? I don’t want to infringe on any copyright laws. I think I used about ten of them.

Hi Kristen, you cannot use these prompts for products for sale, that would definitely be an infringement on copyright. These prompts can only be used for non-commercial use.

this is the greatest app ever

I like all the questions

thank you for all the ideas they are so good

OMG These are all very good and many questions i like all these Thankyou soooooooooooo much for these

I’m in class doing this and it is so fun yes every body is doing this

I LOVE these! My daughter and I stumbled across a post full of fun writing prompts on another website but they were more geared for adults. This list is HUGE and perfect for us to tackle together. Thank you! ❤️

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365 Fun and Creative Writing Prompts For Kids – One Writing Prompt For Children For Each Day Of The Year

Creative writing prompts for kids stimulate innovative minds and imaginations. Anyone who loves to write, not just fiction authors, experiences times when they can’t write a thing. Writing prompts help children, and adults overcome writer’s block. Teachers use interesting writing prompts to stimulate students’ thoughts in various ways, for example, when writing scholastic essays, stories, and “imagine that” scenarios; it inspires imagination and critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovative ideas, and is fun.

We created a list of creative writing prompts for kids to improve different writing styles and multiple topics that will resonate with a child in elementary school to a teen in high school; we’ve also included kids writing prompts for preschool-aged children. With 365 ideas, there is a writing prompt for kids for each day of the year, enough to create writing ideas and resources teachers can use throughout the school year in class or distance learning.

Table of Contents

If you could… writing prompts for kids, creative writing prompts that focus on friends, writing prompts for kids focusing on family, creative writing prompts focusing on the person, social-emotional writing prompts for kids, would you rather… writing prompts for kids, what would you do if… creative writing prompts for kids, argumentative writing prompts for kids, descriptive writing prompts for kids, persuasive writing prompts for kids, write a story writing prompts for kids, mystery writing prompts for kids, write a letter/ email creative writing prompts for kids, point of view creative writing prompts for kids, animal themed writing prompts for kids, house/dream house themed writing prompts for kids, funny writing prompts for elementary school adventures, journal prompts for middle school, historical writing prompts for kids, math writing prompts for children, science essay writing prompts for kids, journal prompts for kids in high school, digital and social media-themed practice writing prompts for kids, children’s story writing prompts bonus for leap year:, great writing prompts for children and students to encourage awesome writing ideas.

One way to get a child’s creative juices flowing is to empower them!

If you could design the school uniform, what would it look like? What colors and fabric would you use? Would the clothing pieces be the same for boys and girls or different?

If you could change the school education system, how would you change it?

If you could go to any country in the world, where would you go?

If you could change places with someone for a year, who would it be and why?

If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be?

If you could organize a field trip for the class, where would you go?

If you could travel back in time to ask someone a question, who would it be, and what is the question?

If you could talk to a wild animal, what would you talk about?

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose, and how will it live in your home?

If you could only wear one set of clothes for a whole year, what would it be and why?

If you could pick a vegetable or fruit, what would you be, and what would it be like?

If you could live in a submarine and breathe underwater, where would you explore, and what would you find?

If you could meet one of the ten most famous writers of all time, what would you ask them?

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do? Consider that whatever you do has consequences, and you could stay invisible forever.

If you could change something in your past that would affect someone’s future, what would it be?

If you could drive any vehicle in the world, real or imaginative, what would it be?

If you could replace something you broke or something stolen, what would it be, and who does it belong to?

If you could read minds, name one person whose mind you don’t want to read and why.

If you could read five people’s minds and whatever you see or hear appear on the news the next day, inside whose minds would you be and why?

Fun Writing Prompts For Children To Write About Family And Friendships

What do you like about your best friend?

How would you describe your best friend in a few sentences?

If you could go on an adventure with your best friend, what would it be?

How would you react if you discovered your best friend is royalty?

How would you make your enemy your best friend?

What would you do if you visited your best friend’s house and found out your friend had turned into a snail?

Would you rather have a best friend or no enemies?

How many friends would you like to have and why?

What is the nicest thing you can do for your best friend?

How would your best friend describe you?

What kind of birthday party would you plan for a friend who has never had a birthday party?

List three things you never want your best friend to say. What will happen if they do say it?

Creative writing prompts about family are familiar topics kids can associate with. Whether they like or dislike the current situation or family members, there is always something to write about your family.

You woke up in the morning as a parent, and your parents are the children. Describe your day.

If money, time, or obligations weren’t a factor, describe the perfect family summer vacation.

Parents should be more lenient with rules. Do you agree or not?

Would you rather be your parents’ only child or have nine siblings?

What advice would you give parents on rewarding and chastising their kids?

Should one or both parents help with your homework? If so, how much and what kind of help should they offer?

Do you want your parents to ask you, “How was school today? Or do you prefer them not to? Explain why.

Would you rather eat dinner with your family at the table or in your room watching TV? Explain the benefits of both options and conclude why you prefer one to the other.

Your mom left her journal on the kitchen table. Would you read it or not? Explain why.

If you were a parent, what would you never allow your child to do?

If you had kids, how would you discipline them?

If you were the ruler of the world of parents and teachers, what would you insist they do at the beginning of every day?

What are two things your parents do or say that you hope you will do or say to your children one day?

If your family were superheroes, what special skills would each member have?

What is the most embarrassing moment in your life concerning your parents or sibling?

What is your earliest childhood memory that made you laugh or cry?

If each member in the family was a food, what would they be and why?

What is the best gift your parents gave you? A gift can be anything you treasure; it doesn’t have to be a tangible gift.

If you could organize a camping trip for the family, where would you go and what would you do?

Would you rather text siblings and parents or talk to them face to face?

What would happen if you took a parent to the class, and the parent behaved at school the way you do at home?

Name two books you would recommend parents to read and give your reasons.

Your family is going away for an exciting weekend. Each person can take only one item, and you must decide what they take.

Writing Prompts For Children’s Self-Discovery And Expressing Emotions And Feelings

What is the funniest thing you’ve ever done?

How would you describe yourself?

If you could look back from the future, what advice would you give yourself today?

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why?

Who is your favorite person in the universe?

Which animal is your favorite and why?

If you could do anything in the future, what would it be?

If you couldn’t talk, how would you communicate?

What is the one thing you are truly good at?

What is your happiest memory?

What kindness would you want people to do for you that you will also do for others?

What is your favorite activity in spring, summer, winter, and fall?

What chore do you like the least to do? Would you rather do that chore or eat a grasshopper?

Describe an event that changed your life.

Describe three skills you are good at and three skills you would like to improve or have.

What is your favorite place in the world? What is your least favorite place?

What is the one thing you can’t do but wish you could?

Life at school is busy, and teachers have to teach students many things in a short time. A writing prompt for children is one way to strengthen social-emotional learning; instead of silence, kids write about their emotions. Creative writing prompts for kids help students express and discuss these vital concepts.

How do you feel about yourself and your abilities? Do you believe in your abilities? If not, how can you improve?

Are you self-confident? What gives you self-confidence? If you don’t feel self-confident, what can you do to become more confident?

What should you do, and what should you avoid doing when you are angry or upset?

How do you cope with stress? What can you do to relax and feel peaceful again?

Describe a situation where you had to make a tough choice, and you made the right choice.

What would you do if you were at the mall and you saw someone stealing something?

A new student came to school. Will you introduce yourself, ignore them, or make fun of them? Describe your actions.

How would you empathize with a student feeling sad?

It’s not always easy to ask for help. Discuss ways to ask for help and the advantages of asking and giving support.

What does responsibility mean to you?

Tell about an incident where you were kind to someone and when someone was kind to you.

What scares you? How can you overcome your fear?

How do you feel about a change in your life? Do you like it or do you prefer things to stay the same?

Interesting Writing Prompts For Children’s Creative Thinking Process – Would You Rather…What Would You …

“Would you rather” questions are fun and creative writing prompts for kids. These writing prompts offer choices that will make a child laugh or contemplate the best option; it may even change their outlook on some things in life.

Would you rather live on Mars or under the sea?

Would you rather be a frog or a rat?

Would you rather be a king or queen of a kingdom or a president of a country?

Would you rather write stories or poetry for the rest of your life?

Would you rather be a movie star or an astronaut?

Would you rather survive a shipwreck or a plane crash?

Would you rather live underground or in the sky?

Would you rather go without food or sleep?

Would you rather skip a grade and repeat the next grade for two years or go back to first grade for a year?

Would you rather travel back in time or into the future with a time machine that goes only in one direction?

Would you rather be a pet at home or a bird in the sky?

Would you rather be a newborn baby or a grandparent?

Would you rather have winter with snow or summer with flowers?

Would you rather be your parents or your grandparents?

Would you rather be four hands or four feet?

Would you rather go on an adventure in the desert or the ocean?

Would you rather communicate in 10 different languages and help a nation or be able to speak to animals and help prevent the extinction of an animal?

Would you rather pay someone to do your chores or get paid to do theirs?

Much the same as the previous section, except a little bit more open-ended by design. Use these prompts to drag out some entertaining, interesting stories from your students.

What would you do if you woke up one morning and you discovered you were on Mars?

What would you do if you woke up one morning and you had shrunk to the size of an ant?

What would you do if you were the school principal?

What would you do if you woke one morning and you were exploring Antarctica?

What would you wake up one morning and you are the house pet?

What would you do if you try to throw the ball forward, but it goes backward?

What would you do if you came to school but no one recognized you?

What would you do if you woke up in a strange land where no one looks like you or speaks your language?

What would you do if the character in a book jumped out into your world?

What would you do if a famous inventor from the past sat next to you in class? Who would you like the person to be?

What would you do if your favorite superhero came to visit?

What would you do if your handwriting became invisible and you had to write a test?

What would you do if all your favorite movie characters came to your school at once?

What would you do if you found someone living in your attic?

What would you do if you woke up on a boat on an island?

What would you do if the kids became adults overnight and your teacher became a child?

Outline Description Kids’ Writing Prompts To Inspire Imaginations And Critical Thinking For Articles And Essays

Kids must know what they believe about the topic before they can write their arguments. Argumentative writing tries to convince the reader that the writer’s ideas are valid and want to change someone’s opinion. The writer presents both sides of the argument and then forms their opinion based on the facts.

How does history help our future?

At what age should a child get a smartphone, and why?

Which cartoon character is an excellent example to follow and why?

Which celebrity is a fantastic role model for kids and why?

What is the best way to communicate?

What is better, reading books online, printed books, or audiobooks?

Why is it essential to go to school? If you disagree, what would you recommend as an alternative to education?

All sports should be banned at school. Explain why you agree or disagree with the statement.

Should or shouldn’t the school have a dress code?

Kids should be able to use social media supervised or unsupervised. Why?

Kids should go camping or hiking with family regularly.

Creative writing prompts for kids stimulate kids to write more engaging and creatively. Do you agree or not, and why? If you disagree, what alternatives do you suggest?

Writing is old-fashioned and will be obsolete soon. If you agree, explain the alternatives. If you disagree, describe the uses for writing in the future.

Reading and writing are essential even with modern technology.

A child won’t have to learn to write if they can verbally communicate. True or false. Explain.

Descriptive writing aims to describe a place, thing, or event so that the reader forms a picture in their mind. Details are essential, and consider all five senses when describing something. The reader should be able to visualize and experience what the writer describes.

Describe a life without electronics – no smartphones, tablets, laptops…

Describe a hole in the garden. What would happen if you fell to the bottom of the earth?

Describe A Day in the Life of your parents when they were your age.

Describe what it would be like to be a pretend character in a sibling’s favorite video game.

Describe what an eagle sees when flying over your favorite place.

Imagine a time machine that takes you back or forward in time. Describe what school, education, or lack thereof, would be like in that era.

Describe what it would be like to be a pair of shoes, any footwear a parent wears.

Describe the perfect classroom setup and decor for an elementary, middle school, or high school student.

Describe your favorite food to someone who has never tasted it.

Describe your favorite color to someone who cannot see.

Describe the worst place on earth you never want to go to.

Pretend you’re a king or a queen; describe your kingdom.

Persuasive writing helps students think about important topics and allows them to persuade others to their way of thinking. The goal is to have the reader agree with the writer’s opinion. Persuasive writing is often used to convince someone to buy an item.

Which is best, to be popular at school, top in your class, or the best in sports?

As a child, I should be allowed to know…

The best way to commute to school is…

Which is more critical for earth’s survival, the sun or the moon?

Everyone should journal daily because…

Video games influence a person’s behavior negatively and should be banned.

Computers are making kids less creative and lazy to think.

Modern music today is not of the same quality as the music was 100 years ago.

Boys or girls should only play certain sports.

Social media creates fake relationships and opinions.

Persuade your parent about a skill you need for the future.

Persuade your principal that the school should introduce a particular sport or exercise not currently available at the school.

All children should have a pet. Explain why and how the child will benefit.

A child should be allowed to practice the same privileges as a parent.

A child should have the freedom to choose if he or she wants to go to school or not.

Lying is never good, not even a white lie.

Story Prompts To Inspire Poems And Fiction Writing Romance, Fantasy, And Mysterious Adventures

Using your imagination to write a story is fun and stimulates creative writing. These story starters help younger kids be innovative when writing stories.

Write a story about a supposedly extinct animal found alive outside in your backyard.

Write a story about your favorite day as the president of…

Write a story about a strange land you discovered.

Write a story about visiting and exploring Mars.

Write a story about spending a day with a robot, a dog, and a cow.

Write a story about discovering a broken time machine that doesn’t use electricity.

Write a story about you invented something that changed the working world.

Write another chapter of your favorite book.

Write another ending to your favorite movie.

Write a story where the chief character faces their greatest fear. What do they do when?

Write a story where you wake up in a bully’s home, and they wake up in your home.

Write a story about a lost city deep in a mine.

Write a story about going to school on another planet in September.

Write a story about an invention that cured all diseases.

Write a story about discovering a gratitude journal in the attic.

Write a story about a kid who gave back to the community.

Write a story about a cartoon character knocking at your bedroom window with an eraser.

Write a story using these words in the narrative: “Send the menu, it is blue” or “The spoon has lots.”

Write a story about a child growing up among wild animals or dinosaurs.

Everyone likes a good mystery, especially if you are the one that solves it! The five essentials for a mystery are the characters, the plot, the setting, the problem, and the solution.

You are particularly bored, so you page through your mom’s recipe book. You come across a recipe that has really nothing to do with food or cookies. What happens next?

Your dad has a new job, and he doesn’t want to take about it. You follow him to work and discover he goes to a red door in a wall. You…

The local pizza owner calls you, the local detective, to solve a mystery. The cook makes the pizza, but when it reaches the customer, some toppings are missing. It only happens to pizzas made for younger kids.

One day, you and your best friend were walking in the woods when you heard someone calling for help.

Something or someone is hiding in the barn. You go to investigate and find a kid who can’t remember anything and a talking dog. You must help them get back home.

A kid in school asks you to write this amazing story, but after the first interview, the child disappears.

You go to school, as usual, only to find out it is two weeks later, the principal is missing, and you were the last person who saw him.

Someone is stealing the library books and leaving your name written in strange handwriting in its place. The principal gives you the weekend to prove your innocence.

A kid waves to you and beckons you to follow on your bike. He leads you down the wrong road to an abandoned mine and disappears into the mine.

Lost in the woods, you see a wolf lurking behind a tree as Red Riding Hood walks past. You know it is a fairy tale, but what are you doing there?

The school replaced the janitor with a basic robot. The way the teachers and principal ignore the robot makes you wonder if there is more to the robot than meets the eye.

You come home from school, and the basement door is open. You hear a humming sound, and you go downstairs to investigate. A man climbs out of a time machine. “Just in time, I was looking for you,” he says to you.

Your family returns from a vacation in a foreign country. The airport official tells your dad your country no longer exists; it has disappeared under the sea as Atlantis did.

You find journal pages scattered in the backyard. When you read a page, it refers to a family secret.

A letter or email comprises unique elements. A person usually writes a letter or email to someone for a specific reason and expects the person to respond.

Write a letter to your parents telling them why you are glad they are your parents.

Write a letter to your teacher explaining why all students should read your favorite book.

Write a letter to a new kid in class telling them what to expect at school.

Write a letter to a new kid who moved in, telling them about your favorite place in town.

Write a letter to a celebrity explaining why they should visit your town for the holidays.

Write a letter to your favorite cartoon character telling them why you should be in their next cartoon story.

Write a letter to your superhero telling them why spending the summer vacation with your family is a good idea.

Write a letter to your favorite pet.

Write a letter to a person who can help you develop a skill you aren’t good at.

Write a letter to yourself from a teacher.

Write a letter to someone from outer space explaining to them what a tree is.

Write a letter to the music teacher explaining why the school should create a unique band, the instruments they should play, who should be in the band, and the type of music.

Write a letter to a season explaining why it is better than the other seasons.

Write a letter to the mayor persuading him/her about something the town needs.

Write a letter to the principal explaining why all kids at school must move from classroom to classroom on skateboards or rollerblades.

Write a letter to the prom king or queen explaining why they should wear a similar outfit to the school’s mascot to the prom.

We all have our perspectives, but when we place ourselves in the other person’s shoes, we see the situation from their perspective. If we do that more often, there would be fewer misunderstandings in the world.

You are called to the principal’s office because of an incident. Tell it from the principal’s point of view.

Describe your town from an outer space point of view.

You argued with a parent. Explain what happened from their point of view.

Someone tore two pages out of your favorite book. Explain the reason from their point of view.

Rewrite a fairy tale from the villain’s perspective, being sympathetic towards the villain.

Your sibling suggests a movie genre you hate. Explain from their perspective why watching the movie with them is more important than watching your favorite TV show.

Children’s Writing Prompts With Fun Animals And Dream House Themes

Kids like animals and pets. Animals play important roles in stories and their lives. Most kids can easily associate with an animal or a pet. Animal-themed writing prompts are creative writing ideas that young children and older kids can write about; even those who think they aren’t creative will surprise themselves.

Write a conversation between a cat and a dog.

Write a conversation a parent has with a hamster, frog, or skunk.

If you could invent a new pet, describe what it would look like, its favorite food, what superpower it has, and how you would take care of it.

If you were the pet and your pet you, what would you want them to do for you?

What is your favorite animal, and which is your least favorite? Explain why.

What would the world be like if lions and deer and wolves and lambs were friends?

If you were a fish, what fish would you like to be?

If you were a wild animal or bird, describe your habitat, food, favorite season, and three interesting facts or something unique to that animal.

Write a letter to your teacher persuading them you can bring a wild animal to school.

What animal is the best pet in the universe?

Describe the best day with your pet. If you don’t have a pet, write about a dream pet.

If you were a bird that could fly anywhere, where would you go, and how long will it take?

Would you rather be a crocodile or a tiger?

Describe three animals, birds, fish, or insects that start with the letter b. Which one would you like as a pet?

If you could spend a day in the jungle with an animal, what would it be and what would you do?

One day, while swimming in the river, a fish swam toward me and…

Everyone knows the lion is the king of the jungle, but describe another animal (actual or fictitious) that you think should be king of the jungle.

Tell a story about why the ostrich stuck its head in the sand.

If you were trapped in a cage with a circus animal, what would happen?

Describe your dream house and which room would be your favorite.

Explain how you would get an elephant into your house.

Would you try to discover what is in a locked room in your house?

If you hear a sound in the attic that sounds like a call for help, what would you do?

If you had to remove one room from the house, which room would it be and why? Would you replace it with something else?

You sneak into the kitchen for a piece of birthday cake, but in its place is a plate of broccoli. What happened?

How would you build a shelter if shipwrecked on an island?

If you had all the money in the world, how would you decorate your dream house?

If you could build three things for three kids, a doll’s house, a treehouse, and a hideaway. What would it look like, and who are the kids you build it for?

Describe your dream house living in a strange land.

Journal Prompts For Elementary School And Middle School Learners

Children in elementary school have a unique sense of humor stimulated by the absurd. Creative writing prompts that make them laugh could also help them improve their writing skills.

A lobster is your substitute teacher; tell the story about what happens next.

You walk in the park and see two cows in a tree; what are they doing?

Someone replaced your favorite lunch with the most disgusting lunch, which they dare you to eat. Describe the food, and will you eat it?

It’s the national opposite day, and you have to say everything as an opposite. Describe your least favorite food.

Your teacher walks into the classroom with feathers like a duck and the head of a chimpanzee. You may not laugh; if you do, you will be sent to the principal’s office. What do you do to avoid laughing?

You wake up one morning, and your room is upside down. Your bed is on the ceiling. What will you do?

You wake up one morning with ears and a tail like a donkey. What happens next?

You walk in the woods, and a skunk sees you and invites you to a party. What happens next?

The teacher welcomes a new student into the class. Every time you look at the new student, they make a funny animal noise. Describe the noise and what happens next.

You are the only one that can smell outer space. Describe the smell to your best friend.

The teacher announces that you are going to learn new communication skills using your toes. Explain how it works.

Suppose you were a plant in your mom’s garden that could talk. Describe A Day in the plant’s life.

Write a thank-you letter to your best friend who gave you a piece of gum that smelled like trash and tasted like Brussel sprouts.

A gratitude journal or a journal writing prompt can be a statement or question that inspires the student to write about something. Middle school students practice their writing skills, and creative writing prompts for kids are excellent starting points.

You were traveling through a mountain pass in the 19th century. Something or someone is coming fast from the opposite direction. What happens next?

Write a story about a student who ran away and returns ten years later to find the hometown deserted except for one person. What happened, and who is that person?

What is your favorite hobby, and why?

If you lived underwater, what games would you play with friends?

A strange sound wakes you up one morning…

Describe your dream vacation with your best friend.

If you could climb any mountain in the world, who would you take with you and why?

If you received a large sum of money, what would you do with it?

If you could help someone from the past, who would it be, and how would you help them?

Would you rather be your favorite food or your least favorite?

You are an astronaut. Where would you go, and what happens on the way to your destination?

Elementary Writing Prompts For Scholastic Curriculum

One way to learn history is to write about it. Teachers can use history writing prompts to help students understand historical facts in a fun way.

If you could spend a day at the playground with one person from the past, who would it be, and what would you do?

If you could ask Abraham Lincoln one question, what would it be, and what do you think would be his answer?

If you could change any part of history, what would it be and why?

A famous historical figure from the past visits your parents. What happens next?

Describe A Day in the Life of children living during the early settlement years in the US.

Imagine you discovered gold in the California gold rush; what happens next?

Someone steals the Declaration of Independence, and you have to find it. Where will you look, and who stole it?

You are one of the daring riders during the Pony Express; describe your day.

If you had a visitor from outer space, how would you explain the Bill of Rights?

Write a mock interview with a child who joined their parent in an archaeology expedition in Egypt.

If you could interview anyone from the first century, who would it be, and what will you talk about?

Math writing prompts can help a child work through a math problem in a more relaxed way. How students explain their understanding of a word problem or new concept shows teachers where kids need help.

Rephrase this word problem in your words.

What mistakes did you make while solving this problem?

Explain the process steps to solve this kind of problem.

What is your favorite part of math class?

What is the most challenging part of math class?

Give an everyday example using math.

Describe a world without math.

What is true, and what is not true in this statement? How do you know what is true?

How would you explain this concept to a fellow student?

Write a word problem using these concepts.

Make notes during the lesson and then explain how the new math concept connects with previously learned concepts.

Tell me everything you know about…?

Explain two different ways to solve this math problem. Which is the most efficient way?

Change a value in this problem and explain how it changes the problem and solution.

How are these graphs or solutions similar or different?

Scientific experiments are fun, but writing about science could be as much fun. Science is part of our daily lives and our future; creative writing about science could make kids more aware of the practical application of science. It may even stimulate a child to explore a STEM-related career.

If you could choose any STEM career, what would you choose? How would you go about achieving your goal?

Choose a hobby or interest you like and explain how science is involved.

Is there a future on Mars? Should we colonize Mars, and if so, would you like to live on Mars?

Describe what your life would be like if the telephone was never invented.

Name a scientist from this century you admire. Explain what you admire and what you can learn from that person.

Your best friend hates science. How would you convince them science is fun and essential to our future?

If you could invent something, would you rather invent something to help planet Earth or improve space travel?

Are all inventions good for humanity? Explain your answer with an example of an invention.

How do you think science is going to change the world in the next 30 years?

Volcanoes erupt differently. Explain what causes some volcanoes to erupt with slow lava flow and others with explosive smoke and ashes.

The Earth has forgotten how to make fossil fuels. Write a step-by-step instruction guide to help Earth.

Write about A Day in the Life of an ant.

Create a list of ideas and at least five ways how kids and teachers can recycle.

Children’s Writing Prompts For Older Kids’ Creativity And Inspiration

Being a teenager can be challenging. Journaling is one way to help kids cope, strengthen critical thinking, and encourage them to reflect on their experiences in high school and life. A writing prompt that resonates with a teenager can motivate, inspire, and help the student write about what matters to them.

What is the nicest thing you can say to someone? Who in your life would you like to give that compliment to?

I agree curfew is essential because… Discuss the statement from your perspective and a parent’s perspective and conclude whether you agree or disagree.

How can students improve their communication skills with each other? If you think communication skills aren’t practical, what would you invent for better communication?

Describe an experience that made such an impact on you; it changed you, your attitude, or made you see a situation differently.

Do you have something precious that is always with you? What does it mean to you, and why do you carry it with you?

Describe or imagine entertainment for children that appeals to kids and parents approve.

Education is on trial. You must argue for education or against it. Why is it essential, or is it unnecessary? Present your case before the jury.

What is your ideal job or career? How can you attain your dream job?

What is best for students today, learning online, physical classroom, or a flipped classroom model?

Describe your personality using a season, two colors, and a plant.

What are the pros and cons of peer pressure? If you think there are only pros or only cons, explain why.

Who is the most special person in your life?

Describe a time when you felt isolated. If you’ve never felt like that, explain why.

What is the worst thing, and what is the best thing about the internet?

We should ban drones. Do you agree or disagree?

It is 20 years later and your birthday. Describe the day and how and with whom you celebrate it.

Name three people that influence your life in a good or bad way.

Would you rather have your journal pages published on the internet or have your best friend tell your deepest secret to the kids at school?

Would you rather attend a writer’s conference or an engineering workshop?

If a social media friend would meet you in real life, would they recognize you as the same person as the one on social media?

Why did you share photos on social media?

Have you ever posted or texted something you were sorry you did? What happened next?

If your parents could read all your social media posts and text, what would they say?

What is your favorite social media platform, and why?

If you could improve your least favorite social media platform, how would you do it?

At what age should kids be allowed to be active on social media?

Social media does more harm than good. Discuss the reasons you agree or disagree.

How long can you go without a smartphone? When is a person addicted to their smartphone? Do you think you’re addicted or not?

Describe three types of apps that are helpful and three types that are time wasters.

If you spent as much time on your studies as texting, would your grades improve or not?

If you receive a dollar each time you refrain from texting or posting, how rich would you be?

What is a reasonable amount of time to spend on social media platforms? Discuss it from your perspective, a parent’s perspective, and your teacher’s perspective.

Should tablets and smartphones be banned in school or applied more?

Write a breakup letter to your favorite social media platform and explain why you want to cancel your account.

Motivate five reasons why people shouldn’t be without social media.

Would you rather have your dream summer vacation without social media or stay at home during the summer vacation with social media?

Write a chapter in a book where the characters replace social media platforms like Instagram.

Would you rather have your family or a social media family?

Does social media improve communication skills with real people? Explain how with examples.

Would you rather ban books or social media?

Imagine a social media platform was a diary, and you fall into one of its pages. What happens next?

Write a conversation between the Internet and Social Media.

How is AI related to social media, and what do you think will happen in the future?

Use These Fun Writing Prompts For Pre-School And Kindergarten

Picture writing prompts for kids in kindergarten.

Kindergarten is an excellent place to teach kids that they can write. Creative writing prompts will help kids experience the joy of writing and putting their ideas on paper.

I am happy when I…

Do you like summer or winter better? Why?

What is your favorite toy in the entire world?

I like Kindergarten because…

What is your favorite game you like to play?

What is your favorite room in the house?

Name three things you like and three things you don’t like.

What is the funniest thing you can remember?

Which is your favorite story and why?

When I am a grownup, I will…

If I lived in the biggest tree, I would…

I went fishing at the lake. I cast the line into the lake, and then…

If I could build a robot, it would be able to mentor…

When I went to the aquarium, I saw batman spark…

Once upon a time, there were three kids who started…

AI is going to take over the world. Argue for and against the statement.

Whew! That is a lot of writing prompts! If you have any great additional writing prompts  you think need to be added to this list, leave them in the comments. We can update the list as time goes on.

Retha Groenewald is a professional writer working for FractusLearning. When not working with Fractus, she is web copywriter for the Christian market. Her writing is featured at Christian Web Copywriter and at Writing That Breathes Life.

Excellent prompts!

I agree with every factor that you have pointed out. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts on this.

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Teaching narrative writing and need some fun writing prompts to get your students thinking? I have found that the more fun you make the narrative writing prompts, the more students will write. Here is a list of 55 narrative writing prompts you will want to use in your classroom. Some are serious and others are hilarious. Take a look at what the list has to offer and feel free to change them up any way you would like.

In this blog post I share 5 different categories of narrative writing prompts, each with 11 prompts. That means when you download it you will have FIFTY-FIVE writing prompts to use all year long. Fill out the form below to have all 55 sent to you in an easy, printable list that will help simplify your lesson planning!

Family Narrative Writing Prompts

All students have had experiences with their families and it’s fun to write about them. Invite students to share their family stories with the class using these thought-invoking narrative writing prompts.

• Tell a story about the most recent trip you took with your family.
• What is something your family likes to do in the fall (spring, summer, winter)?
• Write about your family’s favorite movie to watch. What is the experience like (popcorn, songs, blankets, etc)
• Think about 5 things in your life that are special and write about them. Tell us about your dog, your mom, your uncle, or anything else you can think of.
• Suppose there is an extra space at the table for dinner one night. Who would you invite to join your family for dinner and what would the evening look like?
• Think back on a gift you gave to a family member. Why was it so special to give to them and what was their reaction?
• Pretend you have to describe your family to someone who has never met them before. Write about your family members and their personalities.
• Consider a challenge or tough time your family had to go through. How did your family deal with this challenge and overcome it?
• If you are able, interview one of the oldest members of your family. Ask them what their life was like as a child and about their memories.
• Does your family have an unusual tradition? Tell us about it!
• You can only keep one memory about your family, which memory do you choose. Write about that memory.

Personal Experiences Narrative Writing Prompts

Narratives are the perfect time to write about personal experiences we go through in life. Use these 11 narrative writing prompts about our personal life to get students thinking.

• Explain a moment when you felt embarrassed.
• Talk about a time you were overjoyed.
• What is something that makes you feel sad and how do you make yourself feel better?
• Have you ever helped a friend when they couldn’t do something? Tell us about it.
• Write about a time you were bored and found something to entertain yourself.
• Tell us about a day when you were in a bad mood. What happened?
• Write about a time you were proud of yourself. What did you do?
• Have you ever felt your heart racing? What made your heart race and what did you do?
• Were you ever in a situation where you knew you could get in trouble? What did you do?
• Tell a story about something unusual that happened to you.
• Write about a time you lost something important. What was it and how did you react?

Silly Narrative Writing Prompts

Kids love writing about silly things. These narrative writing prompts are a great way to let them have fun as they get creative with their writing.

• Take a look at your shoe, and tell a story of where it’s been.
• Write a story about what it would be like if you work up one morning with scales on your body.
• You woke up this morning in your pet’s body! What does your day look like?
• There’s a knock on the door. When you open the door, you see a giraffe! What do you do?
• Write a silly story about yourself that uses the words: elephant, watermelon, jet, and computer.
• Finish this story: The explorers set out on their quest to find…
• A friend on the bus gave you a bottle of magical glitter. You and your friend sprinkle it on yourselves. What happens next?
• Imagine you have an amazing sense of smell. What would you use it for? What will you smell?
• You’re inventing a new sandwich. What do you put on the sandwich and how does it taste?
• This morning you woke up and you are 20 feet tall! What will you do all day?
• A spaceship lands on your school’s playground. Write about what happens next.

Want access to use all of these narrative writing prompts in your classroom? Just fill out the form below!

55 Narrative Writing Prompt Ideas!

This FREE printable list of 55 narrative writing prompt ideas can be sent straight to your inbox! Simply drop your personal email address below & I’ll send it right over! 

*Using a school email address makes it very likely that you won’t receive your freebi e! 

Fictional Narrative Writing Prompts

Sometimes, personal narratives that come from a place of fiction are easier to write about because they aren’t so personal. These narrative writing prompts let students step out of their reality for a moment.

• You are a superhero. What are your powers and how did you get them?
• Imagine a world without televisions, music, digital games, or computers. What would you do for fun?
• Tell a story about a day where everything that could possibly go wrong, does.
• Time travel is real! Would you visit the past or future and why? What would you do?
• Imagine you are a new character in your favorite book. Who are you and what adventures do you go on?
• You’re playing in the driveway when a bus drives by. A neatly wrapped package drops out, what do you do? If you open the package, what is inside?
• One day in class, a skunk climbs through the window. Write about what happens next.
• You wake up one day and realize you can talk to animals. Write a story about the animals you would have discussions with and what might be said.
• Imagine you are the teacher for the day. Write about the changes you would make and what a day in the classroom would look like.
• You and your friends wander into an abandoned house covered in cobwebs. What do you find?
• Your classroom plant has grown a really strange fruit. What is it and what can it do?

Dreams and Wishes Narrative Writing Prompts

It’s always encouraging to write about our dreams and wishes in life. These narrative writing prompts let kids reflect as they write.

• Tell a story about your ideal place to live. Where would it be and what would it look like?
• If you could do anything you wanted as a job, what would you choose?
• Every day of the year is the same holiday, which day do you choose and why?
• You are gifted $1000, what are you going to use it for?
• Pretend you have a personal genie who can grant you wishes. What three wishes would you make and why?
• When you get older, what do you hope to accomplish?
• Write about a dream you remember having recently. Do you wish what happened in the dream would come true?
• If you could make one wish come true for a friend, what would it be?
• You have always wanted to go on a game show. Which game show would you go on and did you win?
• Describe something you are good at or hope to be good at one day.
• Write about your dreams for the world in the future? What do you hope changes?

Narrative writing comes easily to some students, but takes time for others. Hopefully using these fun narrative writing prompts will encourage your students to write about their life experiences as well as some fictional topics. Use these 55 topics to really get them thinking.

Grab them below!

Try my  Weekly Writing Prompts  as well! They are perfect for the classroom and come in print and digital downloads. You can purchase them directly on this site .

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40+ Writing prompts for elementary students

Inspire writing growth in your youngest students. These writing prompts will have students imagining endless possibilities for their writing.

Journal Prompts for kids examples:

• What makes your school special?
• What would you like to invent?
• Have you ever broken something? What happened?
• What do you like to do when you're not at school?
• Have you ever had an imaginary friend?
• What is the best thing on the school playground? Why?
• Who is your favorite movie character?
• What are you really good at doing?
• What do you want to do better?
• What do you find annoying?
• How do you feel about talking in front of people?
• How do you feel about surprises?
• What superpower would you like to have?
• Write about something special you own.
• What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? What does it taste like?
• What will your grown-up life be like?
• What is the best art project or picture you have ever made?
• Imagine you invent a new kind of car in the future. What does it look like?
• How do kids learn to be kind?
• What happens when people can't work together?
• What makes a good friend?
• How do you cheer up a friend who is sick?
• What kind of gift is the best to give?
• What makes someone a good babysitter?
• Pick someone you love. What does that person look like?
• What if you could bring an animal to school?
• What if you had a time machine?
• What if you grew up to be taller than the school?
• What if you were the teacher?
• What if you were a baby again?
• What if cows could drive cars?
• What if you could only see the color yellow?
• What if the president were a kid?
• What if you had a friend who spoke a different language?
• What if you lived in a swimming pool?
• Once upon a time, a child woke up as a turtle….
• The car stopped in front of my house, and a clown got out….
• Three friends went on a trip to the moon. The best thing about it was….
• Once, I rode a unicorn to school….
• My teacher came to my house for dinner. We talked about….
• One day, my mom and dad switched jobs….
• I was walking in the woods, and someone called my name. I looked down and saw it was a frog….
• A boy had a dream he was a pirate and woke up on a pirate ship….
• The teacher's necklace is missing, and only one person knows what happened….
• A new kid comes to school and says he is from 1900….

Not every student is comfortable getting their thoughts down on paper

Read&Write is a digital literacy tool that helps students express their thoughts and opinions through words. Your students can use tools in Read&Write like Check It, Talk and Type, and the text and picture dictionaries to help develop their confidence in writing.

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20 Prompts for Narrative Writing That Spark Creativity

Using prompts for narrative writing motivates kids and gets them excited to write. Read on to learn more about narrative writing, mentor texts, ideas, and assessments. Plus you will find 20 fun prompts for narrative and personal narrative writing. These will be sure to spark student’s creativity and imagination!

What’s Narrative Writing?

Narrative writing tells a story using a beginning, middle, and end.  It includes elements such as characters, setting, problem, and solution.  The author’s purpose is usually to entertain or teach a lesson.  Narrative writing can be fact or fiction but the process is the same.  When it’s a real story from the author’s life, it is considered a personal narrative.  

Examples for Narrative Writing

There are so many wonderful examples of narrative writing.  Some are even written as personal narratives.  Below you will find a list of mentor texts for elementary school.  It’s helpful to immerse students in the genre before and during a narrative writing unit.  These books model different strategies that kids can try in their writing.

Narrative Writing Mentor Texts:

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
• Come on, Rain! by Karen Hesse
• Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
• Fireflies! by Julie Brinckloe
• Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
• Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
• Blackout by John Rocco

Narrative Writing Teaching

There are many features to include in narrative writing, but it depends on the grade level being taught.  For the lower grades, it’s important to start with the concept of beginning, middle, and end written in sequential order.  Then you can expand to the introduction, body, and conclusion using details.  Other important elements are character, setting, problem, and solution.  As the student’s abilities increase the number of sentences will grow and expand to paragraphs.

For the older grades, you can introduce plot structure.  It follows the beginning, middle, and end format but on a higher level.  This story arc includes exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.  Use the diagram below to see how these features overlap.

Plot Structure

Topics for Narrative Writing

The possibilities are endless when it comes to narrative writing ideas.  Kids can create a fiction piece or write about an experience in their life.  Check out some writing prompt ideas below for narrative and personal narrative writing. You might also like this blog post about opinion writing prompts: 20 Prompts for Opinion Writing That Motivate Kids

Writing Prompts for Narratives

• I was taking my friend’s picture in front of the volcano when all of a sudden . . .  
• What if you were given 3 wishes but couldn’t use them on yourself.  Tell a story about what you would wish for and why.
• Write a story called, “The Luckiest Day of My Life.”
• Imagine you went to the zoo and could take home any animal for the day.  Tell a story about your time together.
• Write a silly story that uses these words: airplane, grapes, elephant, and book.
• You have just been shrunk down to the size of an ant.  Write a story including the good and bad things about being so small.
• Think about your favorite character from a book.  Tell a story about getting to meet them for the first time.
• What would happen if you lived during a time when there was no electricity?  Write a story about your school day.
• Finish this story: The pirates set sail on their ship in search of . . .
• Suppose you were teacher for a day.  Write a story about the changes you would make.

Writing Prompts for Personal Narratives

• Have you ever been so proud of yourself for learning something new?  Write a story about a time this happened.
• Write a story about a time you felt your heart race.  What happened and how were you feeling at the end?
• What was your most memorable vacation?  Tell a story from part of that trip and why it stands out in your mind.
• Have you ever done something you knew would get you in big trouble?  Write a story about a time this happened and how you felt about it.
• Write a story about the strangest thing that has ever happened to you.  Why was it so unusual?
• What was your most memorable moment from this year?  Write a story telling why it’s so special.
• Tell a story about a time when you were so excited and couldn’t wait for an event to happen.
• Write a small moment story about a time you had with your favorite person.
• Write about a time that you lost something important.  Tell whether or not you found it.
• Think about the worst day you ever had.  What made it so terrible and did it get better by the end?

Rubrics for Narrative Writing

I often hear from teachers that one of the most difficult parts of teaching writing is how to assess it.  Assessments should be accurate and helpful for both the student and teacher.  When it comes to narrative writing, there are many different approaches.  Some teachers prefer to do a more informal assessment for daily writing pieces and then a formal assessment for the final copy.  Informal assessments can be completed with written comments or student-teacher conferences.

It would be very difficult to use a rubric for every narrative writing a student completes in their notebook.  Instead, most teachers prefer to choose one to three writing pieces to assess with a rubric.  These assessments are ideal for benchmarks, progress reports, and report cards.  Below you will find three types of narrative writing rubrics.  Check out this blog post to learn more about student-friendly, teacher-friendly, and time-saving rubrics: 3 Types of Writing Rubrics for Effective Assessments

Narrative writing enables kids to be creative and use their imagination. They can write a fiction story or about a real event from their life. Writing prompts are a helpful tool to get kids engaged and ready to get started. Did you grab your Free Writing Prompt Guide yet? I love using prompts for morning work, writing time, centers, or as a homework assignment. The possibilities are endless! Be sure to try these prompts for narrative writing with your students!

Genre Based Prompts

Related Articles:

• 20 Prompts for Opinion Writing That Motivate Kids
• What is Narrative Writing
• A Complete Guide to Narrative Writing
• Personal Narrative Writing for Elementary School
• Narrative Writing: How to Teach a Story Arc That’s as Exciting as a Roller Coaster

Angela Sutton

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25 Summer Writing Prompts for Elementary Kids

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It’s time for swimming pools, lemonade, water balloons–and writing!

Fill the summer months with inspiration with these 25 summer writing prompts.

This article contains affiliate links to things that you might like.

25 Summer-Themed Writing Prompts for Elementary Students

Summer means vacation, but you don’t want to drop the skill subjects of reading, writing, and math for the whole summer.

Keep your elementary student writing with these 25 summer-themed writing prompts. 

Summer Writing Prompts for Lower Elementary

Elementary students in the early grades are not ready to write long stories or detailed paragraphs.

They need to focus on getting their ideas from brain to paper.

That begins with a sentence.

For young learners or those who need a little extra help with writing, they can simply finish the sentence.

If they want to write more, add a second or third sentence.

My favorite frozen treat is ______ because…

Cool treats are the way to go in the summer.

Which is your favorite (creamsicles, ice cream cones, ice cream sandwiches, or Italian ice) and why?

When I first wake up on a summer day, I want to…

How do you start your day in the summertime? 

What is the first fun thing you do?

I like red, white, and blue  ____ because…

Near July 4, you can find everything in patriotic colors from bakery treats to pool floats.

What is your favorite red, white, and blue item and why?

My favorite summer sport/activity is ____ because…

Summer is a wonderful time to be outside.

What sort of summer sports or activities do you enjoy: building sandcastles, going to the playground, tossing water balloons, swimming in the pool or ocean, or running through a splash pad?

On a summer night, I like to…

What do you like to do at night in the summer?

Do you like to catch fireflies, see fireworks, or watch movies?

This summer I would like to…

What are you looking forward to doing this summer?

Do you have a summer bucket list?

Do you want to go to the beach or the zoo, visit a relative, or swim in the pool? 

If I owned a food truck, I would sell…

Food trucks are popular no matter the season, but their biggest sales come in the summer when people enjoy eating outside.

If you owned a food truck, what would your specialty food item be?

Grilled cheese sandwiches?

If I wrote a song about summer, I would call it…

Imagine you are a songwriter who is writing a song about summer.

What would you call it?

Would it be about summer activities or holidays?

It was a normal summer vacation until…

Imagine that something totally unexpected happened on your summer vacation.

It could be a real possibility (like a cousin dropping in for a surprise visit) or something out of this world (like your cat turning into a cupcake).

Inside my closet was…

Imagine you open your closet door one morning to find something completely weird and unexpected. What is it?

Is it a family of squirrels, a winning lottery ticket, or an old treasure chest? Use your imagination! 

I want to petsit a ____ this summer. 

Your neighbor plans to travel overseas this summer and needs you to watch her pet.

What kind of pet is it?

It could be something typical (like a dog or cat) or unusual (like a snake, chameleon, or zorse–that’s a combination of a zebra and a horse).

I was at the beach one day when…

What happened on this beach day?

It could be unbelievable! 

Did you find someone or something?

Did you have an adventure?

Summer Writing Prompts for Upper Elementary

These summer writing prompts for upper elementary could be the start of a paragraph if you wish.

The ultimate summer dessert…

Design your own ultimate summer dessert.

It could feature summer flavors like berries, ice cream, or lemons.

Draw a picture and write a description to go along with it.

When I visit the _____, I see…

Where do you like to visit in the summer?

Is it the library, a waterpark, the aquarium, or the movie theater?

What are the sights, sounds, and smells of your favorite place?

Three signs of summer are…

How can you tell that it’s summer?

What do you notice that makes it clear that summer has arrived?

What are people doing?

Is the weather different?

What do you see in nature?

My favorite summer memory is…

What did you do last summer? Name a pleasant summer memory.

Did you go to the beach?

Celebrate the 4th of July in a memorable way?

Attend a family reunion? Watch a lot of TV?

If I could take a road trip this summer, I would go to…

Where would you go this summer if you could pick anywhere in the country?

Why do you want to go there?

My favorite summer dessert is…

What are the components of your favorite summer dessert?

It could have toppings if you wish!

When I opened the bottle, the message said…

Imagine you are walking on the beach when you find a message in the bottle.

What does it say?

What do you do in response?

The funniest thing happened when I was on a picnic…

Can you imagine something hilarious happening when you are on a picnic?

Maybe a squirrel or raccoon steals your food.

Maybe your brother steps on a slip ‘n slide and–whoosh!–goes flying. 

Maybe you spit watermelon seeds and one accidentally lands in your grandma’s hair. Give the details!

My summer blockbuster is called ____.

Big movies come out in the summer.

What summertime movie would you write, direct, or star in?

Would it be about robots, superheroes, Legos, horses, or summer camp?

Pick a title and a theme.

Roses are red, violets are blue…

Take the standard poem starter and complete it with 2 lines and a rhyming word related to summer.

For example, “Roses are red / violets are blue / I like watermelon / but I love honeydew.”

SUMMER acrostic poem

Write the letters S-U-M-M-E-R vertically on a piece of paper.

Then create a poem where each line begins with a letter from the word.

For example, “Summer afternoons / under the shady tree / make me happy / my yard has a tree / exactly where I like to / read my book.”

This summer I took my cousin to…

Imagine that you have a cousin from a foreign country.

He/she has never visited you before and wants to know just what local kids do during the summer.

Where do you take your cousin?

What did your cousin think?

I was camping one summer night when…

Camping is one of the best summer vacations.

Imagine that an animal visits your camp one night.

What animal is it?

Is it wild or tame?

What does it want?

What does it do? 

Elementary Writings Prompts for Summer

Summer is a time for relaxation and fun activities.

Writing can definitely be an enjoyable activity with a fun prompt! 

Inspire your elementary student with these 25 summer writing prompts.

You’ll watch her writing skills blossom!

You May Also Like:

• Picture Writing Prompts to Get Students Writing
• 25 Summer Would You Rather Questions for Kids
• Fun Ways to Encourage Summer Learning

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Fun Opinion Writing Prompts for Upper Elementary

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Opinion writing prompts have an important role in the upper elementary classroom. They are a powerful tool for students to express themselves, hone critical thinking skills, and engage in thoughtful discussion. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of incorporating opinion writing prompts into your classroom and provide practical tips to get started using them right away.

Looking for opinion writing prompts for the entire year? The amazing No Prep Writing Bundle for the Year is jam-packet with opinion, narrative, and informative prompts, worksheets, scoring rubrics and more!

The Importance of Opinion Writing Prompts

In the upper elementary classroom, incorporating opinion writing prompts is important for developing writing skills and fostering student development. Opinion writing empowers students to articulate their thoughts, fostering self-expression and confidence. Utilizing opinion writing prompts not only enhances students’ writing proficiency but also nurtures a well-rounded set of skills crucial for their academic and personal growth. Here are some ways that opinion writing helps the writers in your classroom.

1.Encouraging Self-Expression:

Opinion writing prompts provide a great platform for students to articulate their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. By exploring topics relevant to their own lives, students can develop a sense of self and confidently communicate their ideas. Encourage them to draw from personal experiences, making a connection between their lives and their writing.

2. Developing Critical Thinking:

Opinion writing challenges students to think critically about the world around them. As they form and defend their opinions, they learn to analyze information, consider multiple viewpoints, and make informed decisions. This is not an easy task, but these prompts do help! Use prompts that require students to support their opinions with evidence, helping them develop the skills needed for logical reasoning.

3. Creating a Positive Writing Environment:

Make opinion writing an enjoyable and engaging activity by selecting prompts that appeal to your students. Consider their interests, experiences, and backgrounds when choosing topics. A positive writing environment encourages students to view writing as a fun and helpful outlet.

4. Integrating Cross-Curricular Connections:

Opinion writing is not confined to English language arts; it can easily integrate with other subjects. Consider prompts that connect with science, social studies, or even mathematics. This interdisciplinary approach not only enriches the learning experience but also demonstrates the real-world applicability of opinion writing.

5. Facilitating Peer Review and Discussion

Promote collaboration and communication with peer review sessions. Encourage students to share their writing with peers, providing constructive feedback. Create a classroom culture where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas through their writing.

6. Celebrating Diverse Perspectives:

Opinion writing allows students to celebrate the rich tapestry of perspectives within your classroom. Emphasize the importance of respecting and appreciating diverse opinions. By doing so, you can cultivate a classroom community where every voice is heard and valued.

Opinion Writing Prompts Examples

Now that you understand the importance of opinion writing in your classroom, it’s time to get started with some high-interest writing prompts for your students.

Pssst. . . did you know you can get an entire year’s worth of opinion writing prompts, along with narrative and informative prompts? Check out my NO PREP Writing Bundle for the Year . It’s a huge time-saver!

Here are several opinion writing prompts to choose from:

1.The Best Book You’ve Ever Read: Everyone has that one book that they couldn’t put down. Share your favorite book with your classmates and explain why it’s the best. What lessons did you learn, and how did the characters or events in the story impact you?

2. School Uniforms: Yes or No? Express your opinion on whether schools should have uniforms or if students should be allowed to choose their own clothes. Support your argument with reasons and examples.

3. The Ideal Pet: Whether it’s a fluffy cat, a loyal dog, or a quirky reptile, everyone has their own idea of the perfect pet. Share your opinion on the best type of pet to have and explain the reasons behind your choice.

4. Screen Time Limits: In today’s digital age, the amount of time spent in front of screens is a hot topic. Do you think there should be limits on how much time kids spend watching TV, playing video games, or using electronic devices? Present your opinion and support it with arguments about the impact on health, social interactions, and overall well-being.

5. The Best Season: Is summer your favorite because of the sunny days and endless adventures, or do you prefer the magical feel of winter with its snow and holiday festivities? Share your opinion on the best season and explain why it’s your favorite. Consider aspects like weather, activities, and special traditions.

Opinion writing is a great chance for students to shine as writers and thinkers. These prompts are just the beginning of a journey to express thoughts, persuade others, and develop strong arguments. So, whether students are defending your favorite book, advocating for a pet preference, or discussing the impact of screen time, teach them to remember to back up your opinions with solid reasoning. Happy writing to you and your students!

READY-TO-GO OPINION WRITING ACTIVITIES

I hope you and your students have the best time with opinion writing this year in your classroom!

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Shelly Rees

Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.

Hi, I'm Shelly

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