9 Festive Holiday-Themed Writing Activities For Middle School ELA

festive writing activities for middle school

Looking to fill the last weeks of December with holiday-themed writing activities? You’ve come to the right place! Channel your holiday spirit while engaging students in fun yet meaningful learning opportunities.

Many teachers feel like getting anything meaningful done in these last weeks of December is impossible. And, yes, as winter break inches closer, it becomes more challenging to keep students on task. However, if you find creative ways to bring festive fun into your classroom, you can channel the holiday spirit into meaningful learning opportunities. 

I’m here to help you leverage that festive (and sometimes chaotic) energy to engage students in writing activities that align with educational standards and bring the holiday magic into your classroom. The best part? It doesn’t have to involve hours of planning and prep work. (That’s a gift in itself.)

Read on to discover my favorite low-prep writing activities designed to keep students engaged in learning while having a holly jolly time in the weeks leading up to the holiday break.

9 Fun & Festive Writing Activities

Stop battling the “pre-winter break” struggle with your students. Instead, make the most of the holiday spirit by assigning these festive and fun writing activities perfect for December!

1. Character Ugly Sweater Contest

Like an ugly sweater contest, but make it literary.

Hosting a character ugly sweater contest is the perfect way to combine characterization with a little holiday fun. This activity seamlessly blends creative artwork with analytical writing, challenging students to design a Christmas sweater for a literary character. Start with a blank ugly sweater template . Then, let students have fun decorating an “ugly” sweater that represents their chosen character, including quotes, images, symbols, adjectives, and more. Have each student write a paragraph analysis explaining their choices, turning a classic festive sweater into an opportunity for character exploration and analysis.

Alternatively, you can have your students create symbolic sweaters representing a theme or an entire novel!

2. Winter-Themed Poetry

A perfect writing activity for December and beyond.

If you’re looking to steer clear of specific holidays, winter-themed poetry is the perfect option. Encourage your students to explore the beauty of winter through the lens of poetry. This is a perfect opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge of figurative language and poetic devices. Students will have a blast bringing winter to life through symbolism, metaphors, personification, symbolism, onomatopoeia, and more! To add an extra layer of creativity, have students exchange and illustrate each other’s poems, putting their descriptive writing to the ultimate test. Then, they can go around matching the illustrations to the poems.

If you want to kick up the holiday spirit, have your students write magically descriptive poems about abstract concepts, like holiday cheer, or concrete images, like a Christmas tree.

3. “Paint” a Picture with Sensory Details

Oh, what fun it is to write with sensory details!

Looking for a quick yet effective writing activity this December? This is it. Challenge students to describe the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures associated with the holidays. Whether it’s the scent of gingerbread, a twinkling Christmas tree, or the soft crunch of snow under your boots, students bring classic holiday settings or items to life with this fun writing challenge. Encourage them to create a description by combining descriptive writing and as many of the five senses as possible.

Want to add a little twist? Have students share their descriptions, and their peers guess the holiday element based on the vivid sensory details.

4. Holiday Memories

Practice narrative writing with a holiday twist.

Teaching narrative writing is a must in the secondary classroom, and it certainly comes with its challenges. Luckily, December is the perfect time to inspire and engage students in narrative writing prompts. Rather than the dreaded “I have nothing to write about” roadblock, students tend to have more to say regarding their favorite holiday memories and traditions. Challenge them to delve into their most cherished holiday memories, describing them with great detail through sensory language and imagery. Remind students that their pieces should make the reader feel like they were also experiencing the moment.

This reflective exercise sharpens narrative writing skills while tapping into the magic of the holidays.

5. “Roll Out” a Holiday Story

Another festive activity to help students surpass writer’s block.

Break through the “what do I write about” roadblock with the “Roll Out” A Holiday Story activity. Select six holiday-related options for classic story elements such as character, setting, conflict, and theme. Assign each option a number 1-6 so when students roll the dice for each component, it will determine a brainstorm for their narrative. Not only does this spark creativity, it also gives each student something more specific to write about while leaving plenty of room for creative fun. These unique plots often turn out festive and sweet or ridiculously funny, making them a joy to read.

This engaging exercise transforms the (often dreaded) writing process into a fun and festive game, making it both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

6. A Festive Argument

Teenagers love to argue, right? So, why not make it festive?

While this activity has the main elements of a classic argumentative writing activity, it has a festive twist. Rather than choosing from traditional argumentative prompts regarding social media or school uniforms, provide students with a list of holiday-themed topics to take a stance on. This writing activity requires them to employ persuasive and argumentative writing techniques, incorporating ethos, pathos, and logos, to make their case. Despite the holiday twist, students must articulate their opinions in a structured and convincing manner.

Some favorite topics include arguing for the best Christmas tradition, holiday movie, or winter activity. Feel free to steal these for your classroom!

7. A Children’s Christmas Book

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas story?

This activity is a great way to review plot structure and get into the Christmas spirit. Invite students to gather around as you read a few of your favorite Christmas stories before encouraging them to write (and illustrate) one of their own. Students will craft holiday tales, bringing the magic of storytelling to life through words and illustrations. It’s also a perfect opportunity for students to exercise their knowledge of theme and descriptive writing. Spread the cheer by teaming up with a local elementary classroom and having your students read their stories to the younger kids.

Remember, it’s possible that some of your students don’t celebrate Christmas. Adjust this activity to best reflect your students’ winter holidays and traditions.

8. A Recipe for the Perfect Holiday

Talk about a recipe for festive fun!

Writing about abstract concepts can be challenging for students. That’s where this activity comes into play. Rather than the pressure of diving into an abstract concept in an analytical essay, students will transform holiday-related abstract ideas into concrete creations with this fun and creative writing activity. Instead of writing a recipe for holiday food, students will write their recipe for the perfect holiday. Students must create a list of “ingredients” before bringing it all together with a step-by-step process. Since holidays mean something different to each person based on their experiences and traditions, this is a personalized activity packed with meaning.

Have students bring in their favorite holiday recipe (for an actual food or beverage) to share with the class and serve as inspiration for the elements of a recipe.

9. Gingerbread House Listing

Get ready for a tasty treat of persuasive writing!

In this writing activity, students aren’t necessarily decorating gingerbread houses, but they are trying to sell them. Have students put on their realtor hats and use persuasive writing to “sell” their very own gingerbread house. Students will draw a gingerbread house before creating a compelling real-estate listing, attempting to convince you to make a purchase. I recommend having students review actual house listings first to get inspiration and build a stronger understanding of what to include. This hands-on approach combines real-life writing with creativity and holiday fun.

You can take this a step further by letting your students actually build their gingerbread houses for a delicious extension activity!

Even More Holiday Writing Activities

Ho, ho, ho no it doesn’t end there! Here are a few more holiday writing activities to sprinkle into your plans over the next few weeks.

  • Assign festive bell ringers
  • Write a Christmas dialogue
  • Provide holiday story starters
  • Create Christmas movie character diary entries
  • Write creative holiday-themed news articles
  • Take a stance on the great real vs. fake tree debate
  • Correct grammar in holiday-themed sentences

So Much Holiday Writing Fun to Have, So Little Time

If you’re like me, you may want to do all of the things. But trying to do that (in the weeks leading up to the holiday break, no less) is enough to drive any teacher insane. And I’m all for supporting teachers in maintaining their sanity during these next few weeks. In fact, if you need some tips to help you do so, check out my teacher’s guide to surviving the holiday season .

If you’re torn between choosing from multiple writing activities in this post, consider doing a Holiday writing choice board. Your middle school students will love the freedom to select a writing activity that resonates with their interests. The element of choice promotes a sense of ownership over their writing while keeping students engaged and focused on festive yet meaningful activities leading up to winter break.

It’s Time to Get Festive!

Rather than fighting to get your students to pay attention, channel their festive spirit into meaningful classroom experiences. Trust me, it works wonders. So, if your students normally moan and groan when you assign writing, get ready for a change! Middle school students always eat these festive writing activities up.

What other fun and festive writing activities do you have to add to the list? Let me know in a comment below!

Looking to incorporate even more holiday fun in your classroom? Here are 8 more festive ELA activities to try !

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45 Christmas-Themed Writing Prompts and Activities for Middle School Students

October 27, 2023 //  by  Rachel Cruz

Christmas is just around the corner, which means winter break is too! How can you get your middle school students to write when the break is so close? Keep them engaged in your ELA class with these 45 Christmas-themed writing activities! Your middle schoolers will practice their writing and learn about the gift of giving throughout each writing activity.

1. Roll and Write!

Middle schoolers often dread writing or complain that they don’t know what to write about. Instead of telling them to use their imagination, give them a die and have them roll an idea for each part of their story. These roll-and-write Christmas stories make for a good laugh and a great writing experience.

Learn More: Simply ELA

2. Acrostic Poems

Acrostic poems are an excellent writing activity that can be used with all grade levels. Pick the holiday, and have them use creative writing to describe that holiday! You will be surprised by each student’s writing skills as they complete each poem.

Learn More: Thought Co.

3. Ten Things In An Elf’s Pocket

This creative writing activity is perfect for 6th-grade or upper-elementary students. Ask the students to imagine if they were elves. What would they have in their pockets? You will be surprised by the imagination of your students in this Christmas-themed writing activity.

Learn More: Tes

4. Would You Rather?

A great holiday game for ELA is Would You Rather? Give the students questions and have them choose between each option. Then, they can write about it in a persuasive essay and add it to their writing folders. Not only does it meet the standards, but it also gets kids engaged and passionate!

Learn More: Perkins

5. Father Christmas…Stuck in Chimney! 

This fun holiday activity requires your students to use their imagination as they write a newspaper article about Santa Claus and how he got stuck in the chimney. After they finish, have your secondary students share them as a class and vote for the best story.

Learn More: Twinkl

6. If I Were an Elf…

If I Were An Elf is similar to Ten Things In An Elf’s Pocket, but in this activity, students must imagine they were an elf and all the things they would do! This fun writing activity has endless opportunities for using their imagination and creative writing skills.

7. Collaborative Stories

Collaborative stories are perfect for a fun time in the holiday season. Students will write a sentence for a holiday story and then pass it to the next student. The result will be a hilarious holiday-appropriate short story in which the entire class participated.

Learn More: Education

8. How To Catch A Gingerbread Man

This writing prompt is excellent for upper elementary students or 6th grade. Students must use their creativity to imagine how to catch a gingerbread man. Students won’t even realize they are doing an assignment as they write about this fun topic.

Learn More: Primarily Speaking

9. What Brings You Joy?

A great holiday activity for middle school students to practice gratitude and mindfulness is  What Brings You Joy? Students will have to brainstorm and reflect on what makes them happy as they write each one inside the word “Joy.” Then, you can hang them around the classroom for the entire class sees.

Learn More: Digging Deeper Teaching Resources

10. The Night Before…Parody

A Christmas Carol Parody is a great activity for engaging your secondary students around the holiday season. After reading The Night Before Christmas, introduce them to parodies they may know, then challenge them to write their own!

Learn More: Just Add Students

11. Ugly Christmas Sweater

Everyone loves an ugly Christmas sweater! In this fun writing unit, students will practice using descriptive writing about an ugly sweater. Then, they will pass their paper to another student and have to color a shirt based on the form! This writing game is perfect and aligns with common core standards, so it’s excellent for students and teachers.

12. Trapped in a Snow Globe

In this creative writing prompt, students must imagine they were trapped in a snow globe! They can practice writing using the five senses or write a short story. This holiday lesson plan is perfect for a busy holiday season and a stressed-out English teacher.

Learn More: Jennifer Findley

13. The Great Tree Debate

Persuasive writing is one of the common core standards for middle schoolers. Have them show what they know by answering the holiday discussion question: Which is better: real trees or artificial ones? Students can write an essay or do an impromptu speech to make the class more exciting!

Learn More: Course Hero

14. Scrooge’s Diary Entry

After finishing the favorite holiday tradition of reading or watching  A Christmas Carol,  have your middle school students try out a new perspective. What was Scrooge thinking? What is his diary like? Then, have them write a diary entry explaining their thoughts!

Learn More: The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs

15. Snowball writing

Snowball Writing is a collaborative activity that engages the entire class! Students will each begin a story and then pass it to the next person as if it were a snowball. Then, they continue to write the Christmas story. These collaborative writing pieces will make students excited about writing and dying to discover the story’s ending!

Learn More: Presto Plans

16. Mitten Memories

Mitten Memories is a great writing prompt that asks students to reflect on their holiday breaks over the past years. They must choose their favorite moment about Christmas and write about it with sensory details and figurative language to capture the emotion of each moment.

Learn More: The Classroom Creative

17. Gingerbread House For Sale

In this creative writing endeavor, students must create their own gingerbread house and put it up for sale. This persuasive writing lesson will have students apply their knowledge about how to convince others. Plus, at the end of the unit, they can build their gingerbread house and try to sell it to their classmates for real!

Learn More: EB Academics

18. Holiday Story Task Cards

Some students complain they don’t know what to write about, especially when it’s close to the holiday break. Keep them motivated by giving them creative writing holiday story prompts. This could be used for journal writing or in centers, but teachers love it because they will never run out of things to write about.

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

19. White Out Poetry

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This fun writing center activity is excellent for teaching poetry. This digital activity challenges students to change the main idea or meaning from an original poem by adding whiteout to the words making for a super fun English class.

Learn More: Now Spark Creativity

20. Throw Kindness Like Snowballs

The holiday season isn’t only about presents. Teach your students the magic of kindness and giving compliments through this fun activity. Students will feel warm and fuzzy as they read the kind things their peers write about them.

Learn More: Raise the Bar Reading

21. Mad Libs

Mad Libs are suitable for any holiday but make for a great Christmas writing activity. Elementary or secondary students will practice parts of speech as they fill in the blanks in the story. This fun idea will have your students laughing and begging to do more!

Learn More: Happiness is Homemade

22. Scattegories

This Christmas-themed writing game is perfect for a fun, engaging class time. Students will be given a variety of holiday topics, and they must think of one idea that starts with a specific letter. This activity for students is a great way to have fun in the classroom as the holiday break comes closer.

Learn More: The Crafting Chicks

23. Christmas Trivia

Christmas trivia is a super fun game for all ages! Your students can research facts about Christmas or any winter holiday and then write questions and answers. Then, they can have a trivia day about Christmas-themed topics.

Learn More: Adventure in a Box

24. Write a Carol

Caroling is a holiday tradition that many people practice. If you want to bring music into your classroom, have your students listen to carols, brainstorm themes about Christmas, and write their carols! Then you can go caroling to each classroom with the songs they create.

Learn More: Writing with Sharon Watson

25. The True Story Behind The Grinch

In this creative writing assignment, students must use their imagination to explain why the Grinch is the way he is. A decent percentage of students will know the movie and have crazy answers to the question.

26. Christmas Comics

Blogpost-image_-Christmas-classroom-activities-for-middle-and-high-school-comic-book-sheet-freebie.jpg

If your middle school students dread writing, have them write a Christmas comic! They can use any holiday story they know and have them rewrite it with illustrations, interjections, and dialogue. Plus, this activity meets the common core topic of writing and understanding different types of texts.

Learn More: Mindroar Teaching Resources

27. Roll a Poem

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Roll A Poem  is an excellent activity for elementary-aged students and up! Students will have to roll a die to create their poems. Every child will have a different poem, and they can analyze their differences.

Learn More: Paths to Literacy

28. Christmas Exchange Game

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In this “Secret Santa” activity, students will have to describe an item they are willing to give. They. It must be super descriptive, as other students will need to guess the object based on their writing! Then, they get to choose the gift and see if it is what they are thinking of.

Learn More: ELA Core Plans

29. Choice Board

The Christmas Choice Board is a perfect activity for busy teachers during the holiday season. These writing activities allow your middle schoolers to be independent while they get to choose an activity that they like!

Learn More: The Library Voice

30. Sentence Mix-Up!

If you are looking for a great holiday game to play when students lack motivation, then play the Mixed Up Sentence Game! Students will sort complete sentences to create a simple story while enforcing writing rules.

Learn More: Composition Classroom

31. One Word Resolution Quilt

This short and straightforward writing unit is perfect for starting a new year! Teach your children about affirmations and self-reflection as they create a classroom quilt to remind them of the people they want to become.

Learn More: Mr. C’s SharesEase

32. Christmas Memories

Like Mitten Memories, this reflective writing prompt asks students to describe their favorite holiday memories. They should express it with figurative language as if the reader were experiencing it, showing the meaning and emotion of the moment.

33. Debate Writing, Giving, or Gifting?

The holiday season is about giving and joy and appreciating our things. This Christmas writing activity pack teaches your secondary students the gift of giving!

Learn More: Secondary Sara

34. Winter Poetry

Acrostic poems are fun, but some middle schoolers may think they are childish. Challenge these students to create their winter poetry with figurative language and strong vocabulary they can present to their families and friends.

Learn More: Loving Language Arts

35. Snow Day Story!

The news of a snow day is a fantastic feeling for students and teachers. Engage your students in this winter writing activity by having them create a short story or narrative about a snow day.

Learn More: The Secret Life of Homeschoolers

36. Bring Meaning To The Season

What is Christmas? Why do we celebrate these winter holidays? This interactive and hands-on unit teaches your students the meaning of the season.

Learn More: Mrs. Spangler in the Middle

37. The 12 Days Of Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas is a familiar song that most students know. Encourage your students to write daily with these prompts until the beginning of their winter break!

Learn More: Dilyana’s World

38. Christmas Cards

If you want a Christmas Themed Writing Activity, have your middle schoolers write Christmas cards to their loved ones! Remind your students to be specific about why they appreciate each person, as this will contribute to a happy and safe classroom community.

Learn More: Lanternfish ESL

39. What Does Christmas Mean To Me? 

The holidays are critical moments in our lives. In this thoughtful writing activity, the students will need to think deeper about the meaning of Christmas and why it is essential to them.

Learn More: Journal Buddies

40. Santa Does Exist! 

In this creative writing activity, your students must use their knowledge of facts and opinions to write about whether or not Santa exists! Remind them to use evidence to persuade their readers, and have a classroom debate with their work afterward.

41. Gratitude Journal

This writing activity can be used any year but is significant during the winter holidays. As a daily journal prompt, have your students write what they are grateful for and why, as it allows them to recognize how privileged they are and the good things they have in life.

Learn More: Homeschool of 1

42. If I had 1,000,00,000…

In this meaningful holiday-themed lesson, your students will be asked what they would do if they had one million dollars. Would they buy presents for the poor? Would they donate to charity, or would they spend it on themselves? Use this time as a gateway to explore the gift of giving and the meaning of Christmas.

Learn More: Think About Such Things

43. Christmas Reader’s Theatre

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Reader’s theatre is an excellent way to have a fun ELA class. Have your students write or practice a holiday script and then perform in front of the entire class.

Learn More: Readers Theater

44. Picture Writing

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Christmas picture writing is an excellent idea for an ELA or ESL class! Students will be given a photo and asked to write a story about it. These photos will allow students to dig deep and use their imagination to show their perspective of what is happening in the holiday photo.

Learn More: On TESOL

45. Christmas in Space

If you are looking for a unique Christmas-themed lesson, ask your students to write about Christmas in Space! There are no correct answers, and students must use their imagination and image of Christmas to explain their ideas.

Learn More: Inkling Writing

middle school holiday writing prompts

Mrs. Nelson Teaches

Engaging ela education, holiday activities for middle school students.

Happy Holidays! Can you believe the holiday season has already begun? As I’m writing this, Hanukkah is underway and Christmas and Kwanza and New Year’s Day will be here before we know it!

Somehow, I always feel like the last few weeks of the calendar year are SO crazy! With the holiday shopping, parties, family traditions and all the rest, it is hard to stay on top of the teacher game as well! That’s why I love using holiday activities in my classroom! I traditionally incorporate several holiday-themed activities in my classroom, including a study of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol , reading informational texts about diverse holidays and learning to write business letters!

Holiday Activities for Middle School Students!

Holiday Activity FREEBIE !

I wanted to share some FREE Holiday Activities with you to help make your planning and preparation go a little smoother this December! I’ve included 10 Holiday-themed Journal Writing Prompts . These prompts cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from writing fictional stories to personal narratives to more serious and reflective responses! You can easily pick and choose the activities that will work for your classroom.

middle school holiday writing prompts

Additionally, I’ve included writing paper for each prompt as well as a Slides presentation with a slide for each prompt! No-prep is required! This is simply an easy, low stress holiday activity that also helps students improve their writing! Everybody wins!

Family Holiday Traditions

One of the writing prompts asks students to discuss some of their holiday traditions. My all-time favorite holiday tradition is the Sibling Gift Exchange! This is something both my family and my husband’s family did when we were growing up and we’ve continued it with our own children! Watching my children pick out small gifts for each other is simply magical! My kids are always thrilled to choose something they think the others will love! Ironically, these small gifts often become the favorite gift–even when larger or more expensive gifts are received! I just love it!

Christmas Activities for Middle School ELA.

I LOVE hearing about traditions from other families and cultures–what do you do to celebrate these winter months?

All the Best,

Brenna (Mrs. Nelson)

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Student Opinion

15 Prompts for Talking and Writing About the Holidays and the New Year

Share your traditions, weigh in on a seasonal debate, write a creative story or reflect on the year behind you while preparing for the one ahead.

Hands fill up plates from dishes of food on a table with a red tablecloth. A bowl with a green salad is in the center of the table, and next to it is a casserole dish of macaroni and cheese and a candleholder with six red candles.

By Natalie Proulx

Merry Christmas , happy Hanukkah , joyous Kwanzaa and happy New Year.

To celebrate the season, we’ve rounded up 15 prompts we’ve written over the years that you can use for writing or discussion in the classroom, among your friends or at your holiday gatherings. You might talk about your beloved family traditions, weigh in on a seasonal debate, write a holiday-themed short story or poem, or reflect on the year behind you and prepare for the one ahead.

Each of these prompts was inspired by a New York Times article, essay or image, and many of them are still open for comment for students 13 or older.

For more writing prompts and conversation-starters, see our related column .

1. What Holiday or Holidays Are You Celebrating This Month?

Hanukkah? Christmas? Kwanzaa? A combination? Something else? Use this prompt to talk or write about your own holiday celebrations — or those that other families have that you wish you could be a part of.

2. What Are Your Family Traditions?

Students who weighed in on this prompt told us about preparing 12 meals for Ukrainian Christmas, making the haft sin for Nowruz, lighting the candles on the menorah for Hanukkah and playing the game White Elephant. What rituals help you mark the holidays or reflect on the year?

3. What Foods Will Be on Your Holiday Table?

Food is an important part of holiday celebrations all over the world. What dishes will be on your table this year? You might talk about the best festive snacks and finger foods with this prompt , or take inspiration from Lunar New Year and share your favorite holiday food traditions with this prompt .

4. How Do You Decorate for the Season?

Traditional or modern? Over-the-top or more understated? Discuss the way your family decorates for the holidays — or how you wish it did — with these two prompts. How do you think you will choose to decorate your home when you are older?

5. What Role Does Religion Play in Your Holiday Celebrations?

Several of the winter holidays have religious roots. In “ Saying Goodbye to Hanukkah ,” a writer asks whether you can celebrate traditionally religious holidays without religion. What do you think? Read the essay and then use this prompt to talk or write about how much religion is a part of your life and your holiday celebrations.

6. Do You Look Forward to Family Get-Togethers This Time of Year?

The approaching holidays often mean spending more time with family members, who come from near and far. Who do you look forward to seeing this time of year? Do you enjoy large family get-togethers or do you find them overwhelming? Use this prompt to talk or write about your most memorable family gathering.

7. What Makes a Great Gift?

What are you giving this holiday season? What are you hoping to get, or what have you already received? Use this prompt to share your gift-giving dos and don’ts, talk about the best and worst gifts you’ve gotten and weigh in on the adage “It’s better to give than to receive.”

Or, use this prompt to debate the commercialization of Christmas and whether experiences make better gifts than physical items do.

8. Should Phones Ever Be a Part of Family or Holiday Gatherings?

Now it’s time for a holiday debate: Are phones and other electronics welcome at your family or holiday gatherings? Do you think they should be? Can they ever be helpful? Or are they a distraction from spending quality time with your loved ones? Discuss these questions and others with our related prompt .

9. What Will You Be Watching, Listening To and Wearing This Season?

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”? Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You”? An ugly Christmas sweater, perhaps? Use these prompts to debate the best and worst holiday films , share what’s on your seasonal playlist and plan your special holiday outfit .

10. What Can You Do for Others This Year?

This year, Nov. 29 was #GivingTuesday on social media, a day when you were invited to take a break from buying things, and, instead, show generosity to others. The Giving Tuesday website suggests thinking about it this way:

Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.

What do you have to give? What people, issues or causes are important to you? What can you do this holiday season to give back? Tell us here , and then get more inspiration from the Opinion section’s Holiday Giving Guide .

11. What Seasonal Story Could These Images Tell?

Related Picture Prompt

middle school holiday writing prompts

A magical gift. A sledding adventure. A family gathering. What story could these images from around The Times tell? Choose one or more of the holiday- and winter-themed picture prompts from the slide show above, and then write a creative short story, poem or memoir inspired by them.

Another option? Use one of these images to play Exquisite Corpse with your friends, family or classmates: One person starts by writing or saying aloud the first line of a story based on the image, and then another person adds on, and so on.

12. What Were the Best and Worst Things About 2022 for You?

The Times’s art and culture critics often end the year by compiling a series of “best of” lists — the best TV shows , movies , art , songs , podcasts , books , comedy , poetry , theater , dance performances and more .

What would be on your “best of the year” list? What would be on your “worst of the year” list? What art or pop culture did you love or loathe? What news, sporting events or viral social media moments did you think were great or terrible? What were the most notable aspects of your personal, family or academic life? Use this prompt to help you make your “best” and “worst” lists and then compare them to those of other students.

13. What Would You Pick as Word of the Year?

Every year the Oxford English Dictionary selects a “word of the year” that is meant “to reflect the ethos, mood or preoccupations” of the previous year. For 2022, the publisher chose “goblin mode.” What do you think of this choice? What is one word or phrase that you think sums up this year? Weigh in on our related prompt .

14. What Was the Best Day of Your Year?

When you look back on the past year, what would you say was your most memorable day? Were you celebrating a big life event or achievement, like getting your license? Or were you doing something more mundane — perhaps talking to a friend on the phone, making a meal for your family or taking a long walk alone? What made that day so special to you?

Even though this prompt was written in 2021, you can still use the article and questions to take some time to appreciate your favorite day of this past year.

15. Do You Make New Year’s Resolutions?

As one year ends and another begins, will you take stock of all that you have (or haven’t) accomplished and make resolutions for the year ahead? Or, like other Gen Zers, according to this article , do you set goals all year round? Use this prompt to talk or write about the various goals or self-improvements you are currently working toward, as well as those you’d like to focus on in the New Year.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

  • Writing Prompts

150 Writing Prompts For Middle School (+Free Printable)

Make writing fun and easy, with these 150 writing prompts for middle school students. 

The more you write, the better you become at writing. But the problem is not all middle schoolers enjoy writing. There’s always something better to do, playing video games , watching YouTube videos , hanging with friends , lazing about the house – Why bother writing, right? The trick is to understand that even the smallest piece of writing can make a huge difference in a student’s attitude towards writing. 

If you unload too many lengthy assignments, such as writing 1,000 words on topic X or 3,000 about something, something – Writing can seem like a long, boring chore for some students. But if you break it down, and mix it up a bit, then your students have a real chance of actually liking writing for fun. Think of creating small writing tasks that take no longer than around 10 or 15 minutes to complete. As students complete these small tasks with ease, their confidence will grow, eventually turning them into avid young writers.

To help inspire and motivate young writers, we have created this list of 150 quick and easy writing prompts for Middle School students. Keep reading for a free printable writing pack for middle schoolers as well! Here is a quick generator that will generate a random middle school prompt for you:

For more fun writing ideas, check out this list of over 300 writing prompt for kids .

150 Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

This list of prompts is great for whenever your middle-schooler is bored and needs some quick ideas to write about:

  • Make a list of at least three different opening lines for this story idea: A space knight living in outer space wants to fight a real fire-breathing dragon.
  • Complete this sentence in at least three different ways: When I’m bored, I like to…
  • Draw a picture of your dream house, and describe some of the coolest features it has.
  • Make a top ten list of the scariest animals in the animal kingdom. You could even write down one scary fact about each animal.
  • Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell z-o-m-b-i-e.
  • Describe the scariest monster that you can think of. You could even draw a picture of it.
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: My goal for the next month is to…
  • Make a top ten list of your favourite foods of all time. You could even write down one reason for why each food is your favourite.
  • Create your own A-Z book or list of monsters. For A is for Abominable Snowman, B is for Bogeyman and so on.
  • Research and write down five facts about an endangered species of your choice. Examples of endangered species include the blue whale, giant pandas, snow leopards and tigers.
  •  Create a postcard for your local town or city. What picture would you draw on the front? And what message could you include on the back?
  • Write an acrostic poem using the letters that spell out your own first name. This poem could be about yourself. 
  • Make a top ten list of your favourite movies of all time.
  • Make a top ten list of your favourite songs of all time.
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways. When I grow up I want to…
  • Which is your favourite season, Winter , Spring , Summer or Autumn? Write a haiku poem about your favourite season.
  • Create a party invite for a dinner party at your house. Think about the party theme, entertainment, food and dress code.
  • Write down a recipe that uses eggs as one of the ingredients.
  • Write a how-to guide on how to take care of a kitten or puppy.
  • What do you enjoy doing on the weekends? Start by making a list of activities that you do on the weekend. Then you can pick one to write about in more detail.
  • Using a photograph (or one of these picture writing prompts ), write a short caption or description to go alongside it. 
  • Imagine you are the owner of a new restaurant. Create a menu of the dishes you will serve at this restaurant. 
  • What has been the best part of your day so far? And what has been the worst part of the day?
  • Imagine that you have a time machine. What year would you travel to and why?
  • If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
  • If you could keep one dinosaur as a pet, which dinosaur would you pick and why?
  • Write down everything you remember from a recent nightmare that you had. 
  • What is your favourite country in the whole wide world? List at least five fun facts about this country.
  • Make a list of at least 3 different story ideas about aliens.
  • Create a character description of the world’s most evil supervillains.
  • What is your greatest achievement to date? What are you most proud of and why?
  • Write an action-packed scene that contains the following: A car chase, a lucky pair of socks and a talking parrot.
  • What advice would you give to someone who is being bullied? You could make a list of at least three pieces of advice that you might give.
  • Imagine you are stuck on a desert island. Write a diary entry of your first day on the island.
  • Imagine you are a pirate sailing the seven seas. Talk about the scariest thing you faced while out at sea.
  • You just discovered a new planet . Can you describe this new planet in detail? What would you call it? Does any life exist on the planet? What type of climate does it have?
  • Would you rather have a magical unicorn as a pet or a fire-breathing dragon?
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: One day I was walking through the forest and discovered…
  • Write a letter to your friend about a favourite memory you have of them. You can use the following starter as inspiration: Remember that time…
  • Make a list of book title ideas for a story about a girl who can go invisible whenever she wants.
  • A talking cat is fast asleep, then suddenly someone wakes it up. Write down a short script between the cat, and the person arguing. 
  • What is the nicest thing that anyone has done for you recently?
  • Make a list of 10 online safety tips to help you stay safe online.
  • Can you think of at least 5 ways to prevent climate change in your daily life?
  • Make a list of your top ten favourite books of all time.
  • Think about a movie that you’ve seen recently. What did you enjoy most about this movie, and what did you dislike about it?
  • You are just about to take a bite of an apple. And then suddenly the apple starts screaming. What do you do next?
  • Describe a magical forest in great detail. What makes this forest so magical?
  • Write a super scary scene, using the following starter: As I walked into the haunted house…
  • What is your greatest fear? Is it possible to ever overcome this fear? If so, how would you do it?
  • Make a list of at least five things you like about yourself. And then make a list of five things that you would change about yourself.
  • What would the perfect day look like for you? How would it start? What activities would you do? And how does it end?
  • You are standing in the playground when you hear two of your classmates making fun of your best friend. What do you do next?
  • A young boy yells at his pet eagle to fly away into the wild. The eagle does not respond. Write down this scene between the two characters in great detail. 
  • Describe a pencil in the greatest detail possible.
  • Create your own superhero character. What are their strengths and superpowers? What about their weaknesses? Also, think of a cool superhero name for them!
  • What is your dream job? What skills and traits do you need to do this job well?
  • Imagine that you have had the worst day ever. Write down what happened to make it so bad.
  • What is your favourite colour? Now write a short rhyming poem about this colour.
  • If you had three wishes, what would you wish for and why? Wishing for extra wishes is not allowed.
  • Write an action-packed scene of a lion chasing a zebra in the wild from the perspective of the lion. 
  • Imagine you own a video gaming company. Your task is to come up with a new video game idea. Explain this new video game idea in detail.
  • What would you do if you were given $1 million dollars? 
  • What is your favourite hobby or interest? Can you provide at least five tips for beginners who might be interested in starting this hobby?
  • Make a top ten list of your favourite celebrities or YouTube stars.
  • Write the opening paragraph of a fairytale about a zombie prince who has returned from the dead.
  • Write an alternative ending to a fairytale that you are familiar with. For example, you could write a sad ending for Cinderella or a cliff-hanger style ending for Jack and the Beanstalk.
  • Write down a conversation in a script format between two people waiting for the bus at a bus stop.
  • Would you rather get abducted by aliens, or discover a magical portal to another realm in your bedroom? Explain your answer.
  • Write a shape poem about your favourite food in the shape of this food.
  • If you had to prepare for a zombie invasion, which three items would you pack in your bag, and why?
  • Describe the most beautiful garden in the world in detail. What type of flowers would it have? Would it have any garden furniture?
  • You receive a strange parcel in the middle of the night. You open the parcel to discover… Write down at least one paragraph of what you discover in the parcel.
  • Use the word, ‘Stampede’ in at least three different sentences.
  • Complete the following metaphor in at least three different ways: Your smile is like…
  • Describe the city of the future. What would the buildings look like? How will people travel? What kind of homes will people live in?
  • What is Marie Curie (the physicist) famous for? Research and write down five facts about her research and studies. 
  • You have just been made leader of the Kingdom of Kinloralm. As the leader, what rules would you set for the kingdom? Make a list of at least 10 rules that you will enforce. 
  • A witch has cast a spell on you. Every night at midnight, you turn into a werewolf. Describe this transformation in great detail. What does it feel like when you are transforming? How does your skin change? What about your teeth and fingernails?
  • Using the following starter , write at least one paragraph: When I look outside the window…
  • After a deep sleep, you wake up to find yourself locked inside a cage. No one else is around. What do you do next?
  • You keep on having the same nightmare every night. In your nightmare, you are running as fast as you can, and then you suddenly fall. When you turn around you see… Write at least one paragraph about what you see. 
  • Write down at least 10 interview questions that you can ask your favourite celebrity. If you have time, you can even write down the potential answers to these questions from the perspective of the celebrity.
  • Write a how-to guide on how to grow tomatoes at home.
  • Make a list of at least five tips for keeping your bedroom clean.
  • Would you rather drive the fastest car on Earth for one hour or own a custom-made bicycle? Explain your choice.
  • Write a limerick poem about an old snail. 
  • Find something in your room that begins with the letter, ‘R’, and write a paragraph describing this object in detail.
  • Research the history of how the first mobile phone was invented. Create a timeline of mobile phone inventions from the very first mobile to the current time. 
  • If you were the headteacher of your school, what changes would you make and why? Try to list and describe at least three changes. 
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of having access to the internet? Try to think of at least five benefits and five drawbacks.
  • Write about the best day of your life so far. Then write about the worst day of your life so far.
  • Imagine that you are an agony aunt for a newspaper. A reader has written to you with the following problem: Dear Agony Aunt, I have no friends at school. And my classmates are always making fun of me… What advice would you give this reader?
  • Imagine that you are a salesperson. Your task is to sell a new chocolate bar to customers. Write down a sales pitch that was selling this chocolate bar. What features would you highlight? What are the benefits of this chocolate bar?
  • Can you complete the following sentence in three different ways: When I feel upset, I …
  • What is the most difficult part about being in middle school? What is the best part of middle school?
  • Imagine that your best friend has just revealed a huge secret. How would you react? Write down a script of the conversation between you and your best friend.
  • Have you learned any new skills recently? How did you learn these?
  • Imagine you are sitting at a dinner party with a group of strangers. Describe the atmosphere in great detail. Who are you sitting next to? What sort of conversations are the other guests having? What food is being served?
  • Five years from now, where will you be? Will you be the same person? How would you have changed?
  • Write about your plans for the weekend.
  • Describe a day in the life of being a goldfish in a fishbowl at a pet shop.
  • While at the seaside, a message in a bottle washes up onto the shore. You open the bottle and read the message. The message reads: Help Me! I’m stranded on an island! What do you do next?
  • A mother and her son are baking some muffins in the kitchen. Write down a conversation that they might have while they bake together.
  • Make a list of indoor activities you can do when it’s raining outside. Try to think of at least ten activities.
  • Write down a diary entry from the perspective of an alien secretly living undercover on Earth. 
  • Write at least three different opening lines for the following story idea: A king needs to keep his kingdom safe from the ravenous trolls that come out at night.
  • Imagine you are a secret agent cat, write about your most recent mission.
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: If I could change the world, I would…
  • If you could program a robot, what tasks would you program it to do, and why?
  • Imagine you are the owner of a toy shop. Your task is to hire some toy makers. Write a job description for a toymaker. Think about the skills and traits required to become a toymaker. 
  • You are the owner of a zoo. Suddenly you hear people screaming as the lions are accidentally released. What do you do next?
  • Your future self comes from the future to warn you about something. Write a conversation that you would have with your future self. 
  • If you had a choice to become a superhero or a supervillain, which one would you be and why?
  • Can you think of at least three things that no one knows about you? Why have you kept these things a secret?
  • During a science experiment, you mix up the wrong chemicals. The liquid turns blue and jumps out of the glass container. It then slides into your backpack. What do you do next?
  • Write down at least five things that you are grateful for in your life right now.
  • You notice some strange footprints in your backyard leading to your shed. You follow these footprints and discover…
  • When was the last time someone upset you or hurt your feelings? How did they hurt your feelings? Do you remember what was said?
  • You walk inside a magic shop. You see all sorts of weird and fun things. Describe the inside of the shop in as much detail as possible. 
  • Write at least three different opening lines for the following story idea: A young werewolf wants to be a human again.
  • Make a list of three different story ideas about dragons.
  • Write from the perspective of a kite flying high in the sky. Think about what you feel, see and hear.
  • Write about your favourite subject at school. Why do you like this subject?
  • Write a haiku poem about the full moon.
  • Imagine you are the manager of a TV channel. Make a list of at least three new TV show ideas you can air on Saturday evening.
  • You find a baby alien in your basement. What do you do next?
  • Think of at least three newspaper headlines for the following article idea: The new mayor of your town/city is planning on creating more homes.
  • Imagine that your pet dog has gone missing. Create a missing poster to find your dog. Remember to describe any important details relating to the dog in your power.
  • Write an advertisement for the brand new mixer 3000. It mixes all the best music tracks with sounds to create the ultimate track.
  • Write down three sentences. One of something interesting that happened to you today. Another of something positive that happened. And finally another sentence of something negative. 
  • Write down four different character descriptions. Each character must have a different background story or history when growing up.
  • Imagine you had a terrible experience at a restaurant. Write a complaint letter to the restaurant manager, outlining the problems you had. 
  • Imagine your family is planning to go on a cruise. As you drive to the boat, a person walks up to your car window, holds up a flyer, and demands that they do what they were told. What is your family’s reply?
  • As you’re making your way home, you pass by a group of people. It turns out the person who was walking next to them is a ghost. What do you do next?
  • Your best friend has had a terrible year. You need to plan the best birthday party ever for them. Make a list of items that you will need for the party. 
  • Using the 5 W’s and 1 H technique, outline the following newspaper article idea: A new breed of wolves was discovered nearby. The 5 W’s include: What, Where, When, Who and why. The one H is How.
  • Write a positive self-talk poem, using the following starter: I am…
  • Take a recent picture that you have drawn at home or during art class. Using this picture, can you think of at least three ideas for stories from it?
  • How can you prevent bullying in your school? Make a list of at least five different ways to prevent bullying.
  • Write a list of at least 10 interview questions that you can ask your favourite teacher at school. If you want, you can actually ask these questions and write down the responses your teacher gives.
  • Describe a day in the life of being a mouse that lives in your school.
  • What qualities to look for in a friend? Make a list of at least 3 qualities. Also, think about what qualities you try to avoid. 
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: When I wake up in the morning, I feel…
  • Do you ever wish you could do more to help people? Make a list of at least five ways you can help a friend who is going through a tough time.
  • When was the last time you felt angry? How did you deal with this anger? Do you think it is okay to be angry all the time?
  • Write down at least three predictions for the future. These predictions can be personal or about the world. You can use the following starter: In 10 years time…
  • Do you enjoy writing? If yes, then what kind of things do you enjoy writing about. Explain your answer.
  • Think about the last book you read. Which scene in the book stood out to you the most? Why did it stand out for you?
  • Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: The biggest question on my mind right now is…

What did you think of this list of quick and easy writing prompts for Middle School students? Did you find this list useful or difficult to use? Let us know in the comments below!

Printable Writing Pack for Middle Schoolers

Thank you for reading this post! You can download the free PDF writing prompts for Middle School students pack here .

Writing Prompts For Middle School

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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120 Engaging Middle School Writing Prompts

Getting middle school students to write can be particularly challenging. However, if you provide your students with a fun, interesting, and engaging writing prompt, you’ll find that their creativity and enthusiasm for writing can be easily sparked.

Below is a list of writing prompts for middle school students, including creative prompts, journal prompts, persuasive writing prompts, expository writing prompts, and story starter prompts. These are perfect for classroom exercises, homework assignments, or even just for personal exploration, helping students to develop their writing skills, express their ideas, and discover the joy of writing.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Creative Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These creative writing prompts are cues or scenarios that inspire imaginative storytelling and personal expression. These prompts will encourage middle school students to explore new ideas, develop their narrative skills, and express themselves in unique and creative ways. Here’s a list of creative writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Write a story where the main character discovers a secret passage in their home.
  • Imagine a world where animals can talk. What would they say?
  • Create a tale about a mysterious, abandoned city you stumbled upon.
  • Write about a day where everything you draw becomes real.
  • Imagine finding a book that contains your entire life story. What do you do?
  • Write a story set in a futuristic world where everyone lives underwater.
  • Create a tale about a magical garden that grants wishes.
  • Describe a journey to a planet entirely different from Earth.
  • Write about a character who can switch lives with anyone they meet.
  • Imagine your school is a castle. What adventures unfold there?
  • Write a story about a secret society of kids with superpowers.
  • Describe a world where it’s night for half the year.
  • Create a story about a mysterious forest that changes with the seasons.
  • Write about discovering an old map that leads to a hidden treasure.
  • Imagine waking up in a world where you are the ruler.
  • Create a tale about a magical snow globe that transports you to different places.
  • Write about a character who invents a new holiday.
  • Describe a world where shadows have a life of their own.
  • Imagine finding a door in your backyard that leads to a different universe.
  • Write a story about a character who can hear others’ thoughts.

Journal Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Journal Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These journal writing prompts are thought-provoking questions or ideas that will encourage middle school students to reflect on their personal experiences, feelings, and beliefs. These prompts are designed to help students develop self-awareness, enhance their writing skills, and express themselves in a safe, private space. Here’s a list of journal writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Write about your most memorable day and why it stands out.
  • Describe your dream job and why you’re interested in it.
  • Reflect on a time when you overcame a challenge.
  • Write about what kindness means to you and a time you experienced it.
  • Imagine your perfect day. What would it involve?
  • Describe your favorite hobby and why you enjoy it.
  • Write about the best advice you ever received and who gave it to you.
  • Reflect on your greatest strength and how it has helped you.
  • Write about a goal you have for this school year.
  • Describe a place where you feel completely relaxed and happy.
  • Reflect on a book or movie that deeply impacted you.
  • Write about someone you admire and why.
  • Describe a time when you helped someone and how it made you feel.
  • Imagine what the world will be like in 50 years.
  • Write about your favorite memory with your family.
  • Reflect on a moment when you felt proud of yourself.
  • Describe your ideal adventure.
  • Write about a time you were scared and how you handled it.
  • Reflect on what friendship means to you.
  • Write about a skill you’d like to learn and why.

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Persuasive Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These persuasive writing prompts are designed to inspire middle school students to develop arguments and persuade readers about a particular viewpoint or idea. These prompts will encourage critical thinking and research skills and enable students to present and justify their opinions clearly. Here’s a list of persuasive writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Should homework be banned in schools? Argue your point.
  • Persuade your readers why recycling should be mandatory.
  • Is it better to read a book or watch a movie adaptation? Make your case.
  • Argue for or against the importance of physical education in schools.
  • Should students have a say in what they learn? Persuade your audience.
  • Persuade your readers about the importance of learning a second language.
  • Is it more beneficial to be a team player or an individual performer? Justify your opinion.
  • Should animals be kept in zoos? Present your arguments.
  • Argue why your favorite season is the best.
  • Persuade your audience about the importance of arts in education.
  • Should there be stricter rules for students’ internet use? Make your case.
  • Argue for or against school uniforms.
  • Is it better to give money to charity or volunteer your time? Persuade your readers.
  • Persuade your audience on the importance of eating healthy foods.
  • Should video games be considered a sport? Argue your viewpoint.
  • Is it more important to be smart or kind? Persuade your readers.
  • Argue why your city or town is a great place to live.
  • Should students be allowed to use mobile phones in school? Present your arguments.
  • Persuade your audience on the importance of having a hobby.
  • Argue for or against the significance of space exploration.

Expository Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Expository Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These expository writing prompts are designed to help middle school students explore and convey information in a clear, concise, and structured manner. This type of writing requires students to investigate an idea, evaluate evidence, expound on the idea, and set forth an argument concerning that idea in a coherent way. Here’s a list of expository writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Explain the significance and process of the water cycle in nature.
  • Describe the causes and effects of climate change.
  • Write about the history and significance of a famous holiday.
  • Explain how a specific technology works (like smartphones or virtual reality).
  • Describe the steps involved in making your favorite meal.
  • Write about the life cycle of a butterfly or another animal.
  • Explain the importance of a balanced diet and exercise.
  • Describe what life was like in a particular historical period.
  • Explain how governments are formed and function.
  • Write about the journey of water through the water cycle.
  • Describe how a bill becomes a law.
  • Explain the impact of social media on modern communication.
  • Write about the process of photosynthesis.
  • Describe the different types of renewable energy and their importance.
  • Explain the significance of recycling and its impact on the environment.
  • Describe how the human body’s immune system works.
  • Explain the causes and effects of a significant historical event.
  • Write about how a particular invention changed the world.
  • Describe the process of creating a movie or a television show.
  • Explain the importance and process of goal setting and planning for the future.

Narrative Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

A Narrative Writing Prompt for Middle School Students

These narrative writing prompts encourage middle school students to tell a story, either about themselves, someone else, or a completely fictional scenario. This type of writing helps students develop their storytelling skills, enhances their creativity, and allows them to express their thoughts and experiences in an engaging way. Here’s a list of narrative writing prompts for middle school students:

  • Write about a time you faced a difficult decision and how you resolved it.
  • Imagine you can time travel; describe your first adventure.
  • Tell the story of a day when everything went wrong.
  • Write about your most cherished memory with a friend or family member.
  • Imagine you woke up one day and could speak another language fluently. What would happen?
  • Describe a moment when you tried something outside of your comfort zone.
  • Tell a story about a mysterious object you found and its origins.
  • Write about a time you helped someone and how it made you feel.
  • Imagine a day in the life of your pet. What adventures do they have?
  • Describe your dream vacation and what would make it special.
  • Write a story about meeting a famous person in an unexpected place.
  • Tell the tale of a historical event from the perspective of someone who lived through it.
  • Imagine a world where children are in charge. What would it be like?
  • Write about the day you had a surprising encounter with wildlife.
  • Describe a time when you overcame a significant challenge.
  • Tell a story about a journey to a magical place.
  • Write about the day you made an unlikely friend.
  • Imagine discovering a secret room in your house. What’s inside?
  • Describe a time when you achieved something you didn’t think was possible.
  • Write about a day in the future, 50 years from now. What has changed? What has stayed the same?

Story Starters for Middle School Students

A Story Starter writing prompt for Middle School Students

These story starters are engaging, imaginative prompts that provide the opening sentence or scene of a story. These starters will ignite the imagination, encouraging students to explore various genres, characters, and plots. They’re an excellent tool for overcoming writer’s block and for practicing narrative development, character creation, and setting establishment. Here’s a list of story starters for middle school students:

  • “As the mysterious music played, the ancient book on the table suddenly flew open.”
  • “Lost in the forest, I stumbled upon a hidden cottage made entirely of candy.”
  • “The moment I put on the strange glasses, I could see into the future.”
  • “Under my bed, I found a map leading to a secret underground city.”
  • “When I woke up, I realized I had switched places with my pet.”
  • “The old clock in the town square struck thirteen times, and then everything changed.”
  • “I discovered a hidden door in the school library that led to a different world.”
  • “On my way to school, I found a mysterious golden key with my name on it.”
  • “During the night, all of my dreams escaped from my mind and became reality.”
  • “The mirror in my room showed a reflection of a place I had never seen before.”
  • “As I read the last page of the diary, the ghostly writer appeared in front of me.”
  • “The new kid at school could do something no one else could – talk to animals.”
  • “In the attic, I found a dusty old board game that turned out to be real.”
  • “The picture in the museum started to move and reached out to me.”
  • “I got a mysterious package in the mail with no return address. Inside was a magical object.”
  • “During a thunderstorm, our house was suddenly transported to a different world.”
  • “I found a strange old coin on the ground that had the power to grant wishes, but each wish came with a price.”
  • “While exploring the beach, I stumbled upon a message in a bottle from a stranded pirate.”
  • “In the garden, I discovered a plant that grew overnight and whispered secrets.”
  • “When I looked through the telescope, I saw not stars, but the eyes of something watching.”

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BEST MIDDLE SCHOOL WRITING PROMPTS

Join (probably?) the world's largest writing contest. Flex those creative muscles with weekly writing prompts.

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Aposiopesis, start your story with somebody getting called to the principal’s office., finish this sentence: "i wish that i...".

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You find a magical portal in your bedroom one day. Do you step into it? What happens?

Write a scary story that you could tell around a campfire, if you could be anything in the world, what would you be why.

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The best writing prompts for middle school

Writing has a funny way of bringing the world around us to sharp contrast — which is why creative writing prompts might turn out to be just the trick to get the imaginations of your middle school students going! Whether you make it a journaling activity in the classroom or an interactive project to get your middle schoolers swapping ideas with friends, a writing prompt can do it all for kids: improve their writing skills, skyrocket their creativity, and broaden their perspective beyond the confines of school.

This directory is bursting with the best writing ideas about animals, people, and nature. Feel free to use any of these writing prompts for middle school to help turn your students into young writers with a story of their own.

If you're looking to cut to the chase, here's a list of top ten favorite writing prompts for middle schoolers:

  • A character finds an old roll of film, and takes it to be developed. What do they find?
  • A mundane ability suddenly becomes a superpower. Write about someone or something affected by this.
  • End your story with someone finally conceding to another's point of view.
  • Format your story in the style of diary entries.
  • Set your story in a confectionery shop.
  • Write a story about someone struggling to swallow some harsh (but fair) constructive criticism.
  • Write a story in the form of a top-ten list.
  • Write a story inspired by a piece of music (without using any lyrics).
  • Write a story that focuses on the relationship between siblings.
  • Write a story involving a character donating a box of clothes they have outgrown.

If you have a middle school student who's interested in becoming an author, check out our free resources on the topic:

Develop a Writing Routine (free course) — It’s never too early to start developing a writing routine! While creative writing prompts can give a student the spark of an idea for a story, it will take time, effort, and commitment to turn it into a novel. This course will show an author of any age how to develop the discipline that they will need to write a book.

Want to encourage your middle school students to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s weekly short story contest , for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.

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24 of the Best Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

Get those creative juices flowing.

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In middle school, the use of writing prompts are a wondrous thing. Those simple sentences propel students into unleashing their creativity, understanding their core values and rethinking some of their past actions. They’re still coming of age so their responses can be emotional and insightful—for you and the student. Writing prompts are one of the most effective ways to develop confident writers who enjoy the process . We rounded up 24 of the best writing prompts for middle school students who are still finding their writing voice!

1. Uncover their hidden strengths

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Write a narrative about a time when you did something you thought you could not do. Be sure to include specific details so that a reader can follow your story.

2. Let them take the reins

Attach an image (photo, magazine, etc.) to a notebook page and write about it.

3. Have them daydream about the not-so-distant future

Imagine a future in which we each have a personalized robot servant. What would yours be like? Describe what it would do and the features it would have.

4. Allow their creativity and core values to intersect

Create a brand new holiday with its own traditions, rituals, foods, and activities.

5. Let them map out their long term goals and life plans

Make your bucket list for the next five years, the next ten years, and for life.

6. Put their family life at the front of their minds.

Think about hospitality in your family. What’s it like to have guests in your house? Do you prefer to have friends to your house or to go to a friend’s house?

7. Have them think about traits that are important to possess in today’s world

Write about someone who has no enemies. Is it even possible?

8. In a world of a “fake news”—where do they stand?

Can honesty honestly be bad? Write about someone, fact or fiction, who gets in trouble for being too truthful.

9. Reinforce the importance books have in their lives

Remember a favorite book from your childhood. Write a scene that includes you and an old copy of that book you find somewhere.

10. Explore the weight that words hold between two people

William Shakespeare wrote that: “Conversation should be pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood.” Write your thoughts about conversation, or make up dialogue between two characters who are meeting each other for the first time in an unexpected place.

11. Have them evaluate where they’ve been and where they want to be

You have a chance to go back and completely re-do an event in your life. What is it, and how to you change it? What is the outcome? This can be a real or fictional event.

12. Let pop culture intersect with their school life

You get to guest star on a TV show. What show is it? What happens in this particular episode?

13. Put them in an unusual, highly unlikely situation

Write a poem entitled “Hitchhiking on a Saturday Afternoon.”

14. Let them dive deep into the influence they want to have with their friends

Persuade a friend to give up drugs.

15. Take one line, watch a million different possibilities unfold

“Did she actually just say that?” Write a scene that includes this line.

16. Stretch their brain and pun power

Create a menu from a fictitious restaurant. Make sure the restaurant has a theme, such as Classic Books, and the food should all be given appropriate names (e.g., “Mockingbird Pie”).

17. Find out how they connect with their community

List the most attractive things about your current hometown. Now list the most unattractive things.

18. Take on the ultimate “what-if” scenario . . . one everyone secretly dreams of . . .

What would you do if you woke up one morning to find yourself invisible?

19. Unleash good vibes

Write a list of at least 50 things that make you feel good.

20. Have them question everything

Begin a list of questions that you’d like to have answered. They may be about the future or the past.

21. Take on their passions

22. make some music.

Make a soundtrack for your life so far. List songs that describe you or different times of your life. (Make the actual soundtrack on Spotify, etc. too!)

23. Dig into their integrity

Did you ever stick up for someone?

24. Ask a simple question that may provoke surprising answers

What is it like to go shopping with your mother or another person in your family?

What do you think are the best writing prompts for middle school students? We’d love to add to this list. Please share in the comments.

middle school holiday writing prompts

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Moscow Facts & Worksheets

Moscow, russian moskva, is the capital and most populated city of russia, situated in the westward part of the country., search for worksheets, download the moscow facts & worksheets.

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Table of Contents

Moscow , Russian Moskva, is the capital and most populated city of Russia , situated in the westward part of the country. Moscow is not just the political capital city of Russia but also the industrial, cultural, scientific, and educational capital. For more than 600 years, Moscow also has been the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church.

See the fact file below for more information on the Moscow or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Moscow worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Description.

  • The city area is about 30 km in diameter and the population reaches to almost 10 million people.
  • Moscow was first mentioned in the chronicles of 1147, where it played an important role in Russian history.
  • The people of Moscow are known as Muscovites.
  • Moscow is famous for its architecture, especially its historical buildings such as Saint Basil’s Cathedral .
  • Moscow is a city with the most money in Russia and the third biggest budget in the world.
  • Moscow began as a medieval city and developed into what was known as the Grand Duchy of Moscow, an administrative region ruled by a prince.
  • Moscow is where all Russia’s tensions and inequalities meet to coexist, producing a unique feeling of a city that looks European but feels somewhat Asian in its mood and intensity.
  • In 1147 Moscow was called Moskov, which sounds closer to its current name. Moscow was derived from the Moskva river, on which the city is located. The Finno-Ugric tribes, who originally inhabited the territory, named the river Mustajoki, in English: Black River, which was presumably how the name of the city originated.
  • Several theories were proposed on the origin of the name of the river however linguists cannot come to any agreement and those theories haven’t been proven yet.
  • The first known reference to Moscow dates from 1147 as a meeting place of Yuri Dolgoruky and Sviatoslav Olgovich. Muscovites today consider Prince Yury Dolgoruky their city’s founding father, but it was only recorded that he dined with friends in the town.
  • In 1156, led by Knjaz Yury Dolgoruky, the town was barricaded with a timber fence and a moat. In the course of the Mongol invasion of Rus, the Mongols under Batu Khan burned the city to the ground and killed its inhabitants.
  • Nevertheless, Moscow was restored and became more important. Yet the Mongols came back in 1382 and burned Moscow City again.
  • Still, Moscow shortly recovered and In the 15th century, it probably gained a population of about 50,000. But, unfortunately, in 1571 the Crimean Tatars burned Moscow again.
  • By 1712, Tsar Peter the Great decided to move his capital to St. Petersburg from Moscow. With this, Moscow began a period of dissolution. In the 1770s Moscow suffered an outbreak of the bubonic plague. But still, Moscow University was successfully founded in 1755 and at the beginning of the 19th century, Moscow was prospering again.
  • Arbat Street at that time was also established. But then, Napoleon invaded Russia. The Muscovites, the retreating party, set their own city on fire by 1812 and it was rebuilt completely at the beginning of the 19th century.
  • During 1917 the Communists started a revolution in which they imposed a totalitarian government in Russia. By 1918, Lenin transferred his administration to Moscow.
  • After Lenin, the tyrant Josef Stalin governed the city. Under his regime, several historic buildings in the city were destroyed. Nevertheless, the first line of the Metro opened in 1935.
  • By June 1941, the Germans had invaded Russia and had arrived on the outskirts of Moscow by December. As they arrived, they suddenly  turned back.
  • After the Second World War , Moscow continued prospering even though many nations boycotted the Moscow Olympics in 1980.
  • Fortunately, Communism collapsed in Russia in 1991 and in 1997 Moscow celebrated its 850th anniversary.
  • Moscow is situated on the banks of the Moskva River, which flows through the East European Plain in central Russia. Teplostanskaya highland is the city’s highest point at 255 meters (837 feet). The width of Moscow city (not limiting MKAD) from west to east is 39.7 km (24.7 mi), and the length from north to south is 51.8 km (32.2 mi).
  • Moscow has a humid continental climate with long, cold winters usually lasting from mid-November through the end of March, and warm summers .
  • Moscow is the financial center of Russia and home to the country’s largest banks and many of its largest companies, such as natural gas giant Gazprom.
  • The Cherkizovsky marketplace was the largest marketplace in Europe , with a daily turnover of about thirty million dollars and about ten thousand venders from different countries including China and India .
  • Many new business centers and office buildings have been built in recent years, but Moscow still experiences shortages in office space.
  • With this, many former industrial and research facilities are being reconstructed to become suitable for office use.
  • In totality, economic stability has developed in recent years. But, crime and corruption still hinder business growth.
  • Saint Basil’s Cathedral is famed as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed amongst the locals. It served as one of the crucial landmarks of Moscow.
  • Location: Krasnaya Square, 2, Moscow 109012, Russia
  • Moscow Kremlin serves as the home in which all these tourist sites reside. It encompasses almost all the famous sightseeing attractions such as the royal residence of the President of Russia.
  • Location: Moscow, Russia
  • Red Square separates the royal citadel of Kremlin from the ancient merchant quarter of Kitai-gorod, one of the most interesting places in Moscow. Bearing the weight of Russia’s history to a great extent, Red Square serves not just as an attraction but as the heart, soul, and symbol of the whole country.
  • Location: Krasnaya Ploshchad, Moscow, Russia

Moscow Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Moscow across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Moscow worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Moscow, Russian Moskva, which is the capital and most populated city of Russia, situated in the westward part of the country. Moscow is not just the political capital city of Russia but also the industrial, cultural, scientific, and educational capital. For more than 600 years, Moscow also has been the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Moscow Facts
  • Moscow Breaking News
  • Moscow Basic Info
  • Moscow’s Significant Events
  • Moscow Characteristics
  • Populous Cities
  • Sports Facts
  • Moscow Landmarks
  • Symbolization
  • Moscow Slogan

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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A Literary Tour of Moscow

middle school holiday writing prompts

It’s hard to count the exact number of great Russian writers who showed their love for Moscow. The city has attracted and prompted stories for a long time now, inspiring many to express their writing talent. Thus, Moscow’s literary sights are fully deserving of our attention, and this guide gladly presents you six of them, from museums to apartments.

1. nikolay gogol museum.

Library, Museum

House-museum of Gogol in Moscow

2. The State Museum of Mayakovsky

Mayakovsy

3. Turgenev's Family House

The portrait of Ivan Turgenev by Vasiliy Perov (1872)

4. Novodevichy Cemetery

Cemetery, Monastery, Museum

Novodevichy Cemetery

5. The Apartment of Dostoevsky

Building, Memorial, Museum

56-3941803-1441302856840439ed4e7b401ebe751c0a0add0e0c

6. The Mikhail Bulgakov Museum

Mikhail Bulgakov Museum

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

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middle school holiday writing prompts

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middle school holiday writing prompts

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  1. 61 Great Holiday Writing Prompts for Students

    middle school holiday writing prompts

  2. Christmas Writing Prompts for upper elementary and middle school

    middle school holiday writing prompts

  3. Second Grade Writing Prompts, Expository Writing Prompts, Middle School

    middle school holiday writing prompts

  4. Christmas Writing Prompts

    middle school holiday writing prompts

  5. FREE writing prompts for Christmas! Students love to answer these fun

    middle school holiday writing prompts

  6. Holiday Writing Prompts

    middle school holiday writing prompts

COMMENTS

  1. 41 Fun and Festive Holiday Writing Prompts

    The list below of 41-holiday writing prompts and journaling ideas for kids is a mix of Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween (Yeppers, a little trick or treating is thrown into the mix), and other holiday writing ideas. It is a fun list and a great start for holiday journaling in general.

  2. 125+ Holiday Writing Prompts: Middle School Edition

    By using holiday writing prompts, you can keep them focused on learning while also building their excitement for the upcoming holidays. These prompts also present an opportunity for students to learn essential writing skills while having fun. So, get your middle school students in the holiday spirit and use these 125 holiday writing prompts to ...

  3. 9 Festive Holiday-Themed Writing Activities For Middle School ELA

    2. Winter-Themed Poetry A perfect writing activity for December and beyond. If you're looking to steer clear of specific holidays, winter-themed poetry is the perfect option. Encourage your students to explore the beauty of winter through the lens of poetry.

  4. 45 Christmas-Themed Writing Prompts and Activities for Middle School

    45 Christmas-Themed Writing Prompts and Activities for Middle School Students October 27, 2022 // by Rachel Cruz Christmas is just around the corner, which means winter break is too! How can you get your middle school students to write when the break is so close? Keep them engaged in your ELA class with these 45 Christmas-themed writing activities!

  5. Holiday Activities for Middle School Students

    No-prep is required! This is simply an easy, low stress holiday activity that also helps students improve their writing! Everybody wins! Family Holiday Traditions One of the writing prompts asks students to discuss some of their holiday traditions. My all-time favorite holiday tradition is the Sibling Gift Exchange!

  6. 68 Christmas Writing Prompts Organized by Writing Genre

    These activities are perfect when you need to fill a quick 10-15 minute time slot. Letter Writing: Assign a prompt for writing letters to Santa or pen pals, nurturing the art of letter writing. Homework Assignments: Prompts can be given as homework assignments, helping students practice independent writing.

  7. December Writing Ideas- 30 Holiday Journal Prompts

    December Writing Prompts: 31 Holiday Journal Ideas Think of a holiday tradition that you don't understand. Write a story that explains where it came from. Write a poem about winter. How does the air feel? What sounds do you hear? What winter holidays does your family celebrate? Do you have friends who celebrate other holidays?

  8. 40 Wonderful Middle School Writing Prompts

    40 Great Middle School Writing Prompts. In essay form, discuss how going through disappointments can have a positive side. Write about someone you care about and why they are so important to you. (Tip: You could include all the traits about them you most admire.) Playing a team sport can have both good and bad points.

  9. 125+ Holiday Writing Prompts: Middle School Edition

    In this blog post, I've shared 125+ holiday-themed writing prompts that will take your students on a journey of imagination, creative thought, and reflection. In this blog post, I've shared 125+ holiday-themed writing prompts that will take your middle school students on a journey of imagination, creative thought, and reflection.

  10. 15 Prompts for Talking and Writing About the Holidays and the New Year

    1. What Holiday or Holidays Are You Celebrating This Month? A menorah on Independence Mall in Philadelphia in 2017. Matt Rourke/Associated Press Hanukkah? Christmas? Kwanzaa? A combination?...

  11. 150 Writing Prompts For Middle School (+Free Printable)

    December 28, 2021 Make writing fun and easy, with these 150 writing prompts for middle school students. The more you write, the better you become at writing. But the problem is not all middle schoolers enjoy writing.

  12. 20 Christmas Writing Prompts

    Write a journal entry about your day. Personification means giving human traits, such as feelings and thoughts, to objects. Personify your Christmas tree. Write a story from the Christmas tree's point of view. Think about last Christmas. How was your life different then? How is it the same?

  13. 120 Engaging Middle School Writing Prompts

    Below is a list of writing prompts for middle school students, including creative prompts, journal prompts, persuasive writing prompts, expository writing prompts, and story starter prompts.

  14. 48 Writing Prompts for Middle School Kids

    48 Writing Prompts for Middle School Kids by Ali Hale Are you stuck for something to write about? Or are you looking for prompts to use in the classroom? These prompts are aimed at middle school students (roughly age 11 - 14) - but younger or older writers might enjoy trying them as well.

  15. Holiday Writing Prompts Middle School Teaching Resources

    This easy prep resource contains 16 holiday reflection and mindfulness writing prompts to get your middle and high school students into their seats and writing. This is a great way to reinforce routines as we move towards the holiday break. This resource is more holiday than Christmas focused with those who don't celebrate Christmas in mind.

  16. Best Holiday Writing Prompts of 2023

    🏆 Featuring 12 prize-winning stories from our community. Download it now for FREE . Write a story about an unconventional holiday tradition. Holiday - 53 stories Set your story at a work holiday party, Holiday - 35 stories Write a story that takes place over the eight nights of Hannukah. Holiday - 5 stories

  17. 54 Festive Christmas Writing Prompts » JournalBuddies.com

    Enjoy and Merry Christmas! 54 Christmas Writing Prompts & Journaling Ideas What is the Christmas spirit all about? If you could give a gift to the world, what would it be? What would you do if you got to visit the North Pole? What are you thankful for on Christmas? What would it be like to live in a gingerbread house?

  18. Best Middle School Writing Prompts of 2023

    End your story with someone finally conceding to another's point of view. Format your story in the style of diary entries. Set your story in a confectionery shop. Write a story about someone struggling to swallow some harsh (but fair) constructive criticism. Write a story in the form of a top-ten list.

  19. The Best Writing Prompts for Middle School

    We rounded up 24 of the best writing prompts for middle school students who are still finding their writing voice! 1. Uncover their hidden strengths. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "You must do the thing you think you cannot do.". Write a narrative about a time when you did something you thought you could not do.

  20. Moscow Facts, Worksheets, Description & Etymology For Kids

    The Muscovites, the retreating party, set their own city on fire by 1812 and it was rebuilt completely at the beginning of the 19th century. During 1917 the Communists started a revolution in which they imposed a totalitarian government in Russia. By 1918, Lenin transferred his administration to Moscow.

  21. Calendar

    Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB) 2023-2024; Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB) 2022/23; Interest Based Bargaining (IBB) 2021/22

  22. A Literary Tour Of Moscow

    The Mikhail Bulgakov's Museum is located in an apartment that once belonged to the author known from the novel Master and Margarita.The museum is a renovated former communal flat, with a long corridor and unique rooms, each with its own story. The kitchen reflects the typical living conditions of the Soviet era, including items such as kerosene-tank stoves, pans and other tin and copper ...

  23. 23 Fun And Easy Friday Writing Prompts » JournalBuddies.com

    111 More Free Writing Prompts & Resources. 30 Magnificent Monday Journal Prompts for Students; 33 Fun and Creative Thursday Writing Prompts to Get Students Writing; 48 of the Best Super Sunday Journal Prompts; Until next time, write on… If you enjoyed these Friday Writing Prompts, please share them on social media via TikTok.

  24. About Ms. Bonzo

    A little background: My teaching career started in St. Augustine, Florida, after graduating from the University of South Alabama. Then, my husband and I lived, taught, and traveled overseas for almost a decade in Algeria, Singapore, and the Dominican Republic before coming to Idaho.We moved here in 1994 with our daughter and have really enjoyed ...