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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#33. What is your favorite holiday and why?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#112. What is something you learned today?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#215. Write your autobiography about your life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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48 comments.

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

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

Lovely and amazing help

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

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

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

This was great for homework

Thank you for the topics. It was really helpful

Your writing prompts are awesome

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

Thank you! I hope they enjoy the writing prompts!

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

these questions hooked me on easily thanks your the best!

They are all good prompts

This is always good and improves the brain.

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

It’s was very long but worth it

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

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

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

You need a printable version of this!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

These were awesome, thanks a TON

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

i do this for school work to

i do this for school work

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

The prompts are grrrreat

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

Glad you enjoyed them!

These are awesome

These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.

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

Do you have any more?

This really was think written

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

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

this is the greatest app ever

I like all the questions

thank you for all the ideas they are so good

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

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

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

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500+ Writing Prompts for Kids (Journal & Story Ideas)

Hey there, future authors, creators, and dreamers. Are you ready to let your imagination run wild?

Whether you love to write stories, draw pictures, or just scribble down your thoughts, I’ve got something super cool for you. It’s a list of 500 awesome writing prompts! Think of these as little seeds you can plant in your brain, and who knows what kind of amazing stories will grow?

Grab your favorite pencil, cozy up in your writing spot, and let’s get started.

Unique Writing Prompts for Kids

Table of Contents

Sometimes, the best stories come from the most unexpected places.

Here are some unique ideas that will take your writing to new and exciting worlds.

• Imagine you find a secret door in your school that leads to a hidden world. What happens next?
• If animals could talk, what would your pet say to you?
• You wake up with superpowers one day. What powers do you have, and how do you use them?
• Write about a day in the life of your favorite toy. What adventures do they have when you’re not around?
• You discover a magical treehouse that only appears at night. What do you find inside?
• A new student at your school is actually an alien in disguise. What happens when you find out?
• You get to invent a new holiday. What is it called, and how do people celebrate it?
• Write about a time-traveling kid who visits ancient Egypt. What do they see and do?
• Imagine you can jump into any book and become part of the story. Which book do you choose, and what happens next?
• What would the world be like if kids were in charge of everything?
• Imagine a world where everything is made of candy. What would you do?
• Write about a mysterious door that only appears during thunderstorms.
• You find a map leading to a lost city. What happens next?
• Describe a day in the life of an invisible person.
• Imagine you could turn into any animal at will. Which animals would you choose and why?
• Write about a magical backpack that can hold anything you want.
• You find a message in a bottle on the beach. What does it say?
• Imagine a world where it rains chocolate milk instead of water. What’s it like?
• Write about a time when you shrunk to the size of an ant.
• Describe a town where everyone has a unique superpower. What’s yours?
• Imagine you can speak to ghosts. What do they tell you?
• Write about a magic book that comes to life when you read it.
• You find a pair of shoes that allow you to fly. Where do you go?
• Imagine a day when gravity stops working. What happens?
• You discover a secret underground city beneath your house. What’s it like?

Journal Prompts for Kids

Journaling is a fantastic way to express your thoughts and feelings. These prompts will help you reflect on your day, your dreams, and everything in between.

• What was the best thing that happened to you today?
• Describe your dream vacation. Where would you go, and what would you do?
• If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?
• Write about a time you felt really proud of yourself. What did you do?
• Who is your hero, and why do you look up to them?
• What’s something new you learned recently that made you excited?
• If you could talk to your future self, what advice would you give?
• Write about your favorite memory with your family or friends.
• What are three things you’re grateful for today?
• If you could have any pet, real or imaginary, what would it be and why?
• What’s your favorite thing about yourself, and why do you love it?
• Write about a time when you helped someone. How did it make you feel?
• What do you dream about at night? Describe your most recent dream.
• If you could invent a new food, what would it be and why?
• Write about your favorite place to relax. What makes it special?
• If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be and why?
• What’s your favorite season, and what do you like to do during it?
• If you could live in any time period, when would it be and why?
• What’s the best gift you’ve ever received, and why did it mean so much to you?
• Write about a time when you were really brave. What happened?
• Imagine you could move anywhere in the world—where would you go and why?
• What’s something you want to learn to do, and why?
• Write about a time when you felt really happy. What made you smile?
• If you could trade places with any character from a book, who would it be and why?
• What’s your favorite family tradition, and why do you love it?

Funny Writing Prompts for Kids

Get ready to giggle with these silly and wacky prompts! They’re perfect for writing something that will make you and others laugh out loud.

• Write a story about a cat who thinks it’s a dog.
• Imagine you’re a superhero whose only power is making people laugh. How do you use your power to save the day?
• You wake up one morning to find that you’ve turned into your favorite food. What happens next?
• What would happen if cows started flying? Describe a day on a flying farm.
• Write about a world where everyone speaks in rhymes. What does a regular day sound like?
• Your pencil suddenly comes to life and starts telling you what to write. What kind of stories does it want to tell?
• If you could swap places with any cartoon character for a day, who would you choose, and what crazy adventures would you have?
• Imagine a talking banana who becomes your best friend. What do you do together?
• Write about a time you tried to teach a pet goldfish how to dance.
• What would school be like if all the teachers were robots programmed to be super silly?
• Imagine you have a pet dinosaur. What mischief does it get into?
• What if your shoes suddenly started talking to you? What would they say?
• Write about a day when everything you touched turned into spaghetti.
• Imagine you wake up and everyone in your town is singing instead of talking. What’s the day like?
• What would happen if you could only eat dessert for every meal?
• Describe a time when you accidentally turned your teacher into a frog.
• What if you found out your dog could do magic tricks? What tricks would it do?
• Write about a time when you switched places with your pet for a day. What did you do?
• Imagine you wake up with a giraffe neck. How does your day go?
• What would happen if you could only walk backward for a whole day?
• Write about a time when your lunch came to life and tried to run away.
• Imagine you could change the color of anything by touching it. What do you change?
• What if your favorite food could talk? What would it say to you?
• Write about a time when you got stuck inside a video game. How do you get out?
• Imagine you could make anything float by blowing on it. What would you do with this power?

Story Starter Writing Prompts

Sometimes, all you need is a first sentence to spark your imagination. Here are some story starters to help you begin your next great tale.

• The moment I opened the box, I knew my life would never be the same.
• It was a dark and stormy night when I heard a knock at the door.
• As soon as I stepped into the forest, I realized something magical was about to happen.
• I never expected to find a treasure map hidden in the old library book.
• The day I discovered I could talk to animals was the best day of my life.
• Just as I was about to give up, I saw something that made me gasp.
• When the clock struck midnight, the world around me began to change.
• I was walking home from school when I found a mysterious key on the ground.
• The letter I received in the mail this morning had only one word on it: “Run.”
• I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a dragon flying over my neighborhood.
• As soon as I opened the treasure chest, I saw something glowing inside.
• The strange noise coming from the attic turned out to be a tiny dragon.
• I never thought I’d meet a real-life mermaid, but then I did.
• The moment I touched the ancient artifact, I felt a surge of power.
• My best friend told me a secret that I could hardly believe.
• As I walked through the mysterious fog, I realized I wasn’t alone.
• The letter I found in the old oak tree was addressed to me.
• I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a giant footprint in my backyard.
• The old key I found fit perfectly into the lock of a hidden door.
• Just as I was about to give up, I heard someone calling my name.
• The moment I stepped onto the pirate ship, I knew an adventure was about to begin.
• As soon as I pressed the button, the machine whirred to life.
• I found a map hidden under the floorboards of my room.
• The sound of wings fluttering in the night made me look up in awe.
• The old man handed me a coin and said, “This will change everything.”

Picture Writing Prompts for Kids

Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words—or even more! Use these picture prompts to inspire a colorful story.

• Imagine a picture of a rainbow-colored unicorn dancing in the rain. What is the unicorn celebrating?
• Look at a photo of a deserted island. Who lives there, and what secrets does the island hold?
• A picture shows a giant moon in the sky, twice as big as normal. What’s happening on Earth?
• See a drawing of a mysterious castle on top of a hill. Who lives there, and what’s their story?
• Imagine a picture of a little girl flying a kite that’s pulling her up into the sky. Where does she go?
• Look at a photo of an ancient tree with a door carved into it. Who might live inside?
• Picture a robot sitting alone in a garden. What is the robot thinking about?
• A drawing shows a city floating in the clouds. Who lives there, and how do they get around?
• Imagine a photo of a boy holding a glowing orb. What powers does the orb have?
• See a picture of a cat wearing a wizard hat. What magical adventures does the cat go on?
• Imagine a picture of a spaceship landing in a field of flowers. What happens next?
• Look at a photo of a mountain with a hidden cave. Who or what lives inside?
• A picture shows a giant fish swimming through the sky. How did it get there?
• Imagine a photo of a tree with doors leading to different worlds. Where do the doors go?
• See a drawing of a mysterious island floating in the air. What’s on the island?
• A picture shows a dragon curled up around a pile of gold. What is it guarding?
• Imagine a photo of a tiny village inside a glass jar. Who lives there?
• Look at a drawing of a flying car zooming over a city. Where is it going?
• A picture shows a cat wearing a pirate hat and holding a treasure map. What’s its story?
• Imagine a picture of a magical waterfall that turns everything it touches into crystal. What happens next?
• See a photo of a bridge made of rainbows. What’s on the other side?
• A drawing shows a tiny person riding on the back of a giant bird. Where are they going?
• Imagine a photo of a ship sailing through the clouds. Who is on board?
• A picture shows a castle made of candy. Who lives there, and what’s it like inside?
• Look at a drawing of a forest where the trees glow in the dark. What’s the secret behind the glowing trees?

Winter Writing Prompts for Kids

Winter is a time of magic and wonder. These prompts will help you capture the coziness and excitement of the season.

• Write about building the most amazing snowman ever. What makes it special?
• Imagine you could live in an igloo for a week. What would you do?
• What if snowflakes were actually tiny fairies? Write about their adventures.
• Describe a day in a winter wonderland where animals can talk.
• What would happen if your town had the biggest snowstorm ever? How would you spend your snow day?
• Write about a secret winter festival held by animals in the forest.
• Imagine you wake up and find that everything you touch turns to ice. What do you do?
• What’s the story behind a snow globe that magically transports you to a snowy village?
• Write about a magical pair of ice skates that let you skate across the clouds.
• What would it be like to ride a sleigh pulled by reindeer through the night sky?
• Write about a day when the snow suddenly turned into marshmallows.
• Imagine you could talk to snowflakes. What would they tell you?
• What if you found a frozen lake that led to an underwater kingdom?
• Write about building a snow fort that magically comes to life.
• Imagine a world where winter never ends. What’s it like?
• Describe a snowball fight where the snowballs have a mind of their own.
• What would happen if your pet turned into a snowman overnight?
• Write about a magical scarf that keeps you warm no matter what.
• Imagine you could control the weather with a wave of your hand. How do you use your power?
• What if your town had a secret winter carnival only kids knew about?
• Write about a day when you and your friends discover a hidden ice cave.
• Imagine you find a snow globe that transports you to a winter wonderland. What do you see there?
• What if your favorite winter coat suddenly gave you the ability to fly?
• Write about a time when you met a snow fairy in the forest.
• Imagine you could skate on ice that plays music as you glide. What tunes do you hear?

Christmas Writing Prompts for Kids

Christmas is a time for joy and creativity. These prompts will fill your writing with holiday cheer!

• Write a letter to Santa, but instead of asking for presents, tell him about your year.
• Imagine you are one of Santa’s elves. What is your job at the North Pole?
• What if your Christmas tree could talk? What stories would it tell?
• Describe the most magical Christmas morning ever. What happens when you wake up?
• Write a story about a reindeer who dreams of flying but is afraid of heights.
• Imagine you find a lost present under the tree. What’s inside, and who is it for?
• What would happen if Christmas lights could talk to each other?
• Write about a snowman who comes to life on Christmas Eve and goes on an adventure.
• Imagine you could spend a day with Santa at the North Pole. What do you do?
• What if you woke up on Christmas morning and found out you were Santa for the day?
• Imagine you find a magical candy cane that grants wishes. What do you wish for?
• Write about a time when you helped Santa deliver presents on Christmas Eve.
• What if your Christmas stockings were filled with tiny talking animals?
• Imagine you wake up to find your Christmas tree has grown to the ceiling overnight. What do you do?
• Write about a gingerbread man who comes to life and goes on an adventure.
• What would happen if you found out your Christmas presents could talk?
• Imagine you spend Christmas in a cozy cabin in the snowy mountains. What’s the best part of your holiday?
• Write about a reindeer who gets lost on Christmas Eve. How do you help it find its way home?
• What if you discovered that your favorite Christmas ornament has a magical secret?
• Imagine you could bake cookies that come to life. What kind of cookies do you create?
• Write about a time when you built a Christmas tree out of snow.
• What if you found a snow globe that could show you any Christmas memory? What do you see?
• Imagine you get to design Santa’s sleigh. What does it look like?
• Write about a time when you caught a glimpse of Santa’s workshop.
• If you could celebrate Christmas with any holiday movie character, who would it be and what would you do?

Halloween Writing Prompts for Kids

Halloween is spooky, silly, and full of surprises! These prompts will help you create stories that are a little bit creepy and a whole lot of fun.

• Write about a haunted house that turns out to be friendly. What happens inside?
• Imagine you get to choose your own special Halloween superpower. What is it, and how do you use it?
• What if your Halloween costume came to life? What would it do?
• Describe the creepiest, most mysterious pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. What makes it so strange?
• Write about a group of friends who discover a secret door in a graveyard on Halloween night.
• What would happen if your pet turned into a ghost on Halloween?
• Imagine you’re a witch or wizard for a day. What spells do you cast?
• Write a story about a Halloween party where all the guests are monsters.
• What if you found a magic broomstick that could fly you anywhere? Where would you go?
• Describe the best trick-or-treat adventure ever. What makes it unforgettable?
• Write about a haunted carnival that only appears on Halloween night.
• Imagine you could turn into any Halloween creature. What would you become, and what would you do?
• What if you found a book of spells hidden in your attic? What’s the first spell you try?
• Write about a time when you discovered that your costume gave you real powers.
• Imagine you’re invited to a monster’s Halloween party. What do you see and do?
• Imagine you’re invited to a monster’s Halloween party. What games do you play, and what snacks do you eat?
• What if your shadow came to life on Halloween and started doing things on its own?
• Write about a ghost who has lost their way and needs your help to find their home.
• Imagine you and your friends explore a spooky old mansion. What do you find inside?
• What would happen if all the pumpkins in your town started glowing mysteriously on Halloween night?
• Write about a talking black cat who gives you a special Halloween mission.
• What if you found a magic wand that could bring your Halloween decorations to life? What happens next?
• Imagine you discover a hidden room in your house filled with ancient Halloween treasures. What do you do with them?
• Write about a night when the moon turns blood red and strange things start to happen in your town.
• What if you woke up on Halloween morning to find that your town had turned into a spooky Halloween land overnight?

Spring Writing Prompts for Kids

Spring is all about new beginnings and fresh ideas. These prompts will help you celebrate the season of growth and renewal.

• Write about planting a magical garden. What kind of plants grow there?
• Imagine you could talk to flowers. What secrets would they tell you?
• Describe the first day of spring from the perspective of a hibernating bear.
• What would it be like to have a picnic with talking animals in a blooming meadow?
• Write about a mysterious seed that grows into something unexpected.
• Imagine you discover a hidden spring that makes everything around it come to life.
• What if you could ride on the back of a butterfly? Where would it take you?
• Write a story about a raindrop that goes on an adventure as it travels to the sea.
• Describe a spring festival where the trees, flowers, and animals all join in the celebration.
• Imagine you find a rainbow in your backyard. What happens when you touch it?
• Write about a magical umbrella that can control the weather. What do you use it for?
• Imagine you discover a hidden garden that blooms with flowers in every color of the rainbow. What makes this garden so special?
• Write about a time when you found a baby bird that needed your help. What did you do?
• What if you could talk to insects? What would they tell you about their lives in the spring?
• Imagine you plant a magic seed that grows into something incredible. What does it become?
• Write about a spring day when the rain brings something magical to your town.
• What would happen if all the animals in the forest threw a spring party? What games do they play?
• Imagine you find a hidden waterfall deep in the woods. What do you discover there?
• Write about a butterfly that takes you on a journey to see the first signs of spring.
• What if you could make flowers bloom with just a touch? How would you use this power?
• Imagine you wake up to find that your garden has been transformed into a magical jungle. What creatures do you meet?
• Write about a time when you discovered a family of rabbits living in your backyard.
• What if you could shrink down to the size of a bug for a day? What adventures would you have in the spring?
• Imagine you find a trail of flower petals leading to a secret spot in the forest. What do you find there?
• Write about a spring day when everything you draw with chalk comes to life.

Fall Writing Prompts for Kids

Fall is a season full of colors, cozy moments, and new adventures.

These prompts will help you capture the essence of autumn.

• Write about jumping into the biggest pile of leaves ever. What surprises do you find inside?
• Imagine a talking scarecrow who tells stories about the farm. What are its best tales?
• Describe a day in the life of an acorn as it travels through the forest.
• What would happen if you discovered a secret treehouse hidden in the fall woods?
• Write about a squirrel who is preparing for winter but finds something unexpected while gathering nuts.
• Imagine you could paint the autumn leaves any color you want. What colors do you choose, and why?
• Describe the coziest fall day ever. What do you do, and how do you feel?
• Write about a magical pumpkin that grows bigger every time you make a wish.
• What if you found an enchanted forest where the trees tell stories? What tales do they share?
• Imagine a fall harvest festival where everything you eat gives you special powers. What do you eat, and what powers do you get?
• Imagine you discover a corn maze that changes every time you go inside. What’s the secret behind it?
• Write about a day when the wind carries you away on an autumn adventure.
• What if the leaves in your yard started forming shapes and messages? What do they spell out?
• Imagine you find a mysterious old lantern in the woods. What happens when you light it?
• Write about a squirrel who finds something very unusual while collecting acorns.
• What would happen if pumpkins could talk? What stories would they tell?
• Imagine you spend the night camping in the fall woods. What spooky or magical things do you see?
• Write about a time when you followed a trail of autumn leaves to a hidden place.
• What if you found a haunted scarecrow in a pumpkin patch? What does it want?
• Imagine you could control the wind on a blustery fall day. How would you use this power?
• Write about a cozy fall evening where you discover a hidden world inside a jack-o’-lantern.
• What if you could jump into a painting of an autumn scene? What would you do there?
• Imagine you find an old book of autumn legends. What happens when you read it?
• Write about a harvest festival where everything goes wrong in a funny way.
• What if you discovered a magical acorn that could grow a tree overnight? What does the tree look like, and what makes it special?

Summer Writing Prompts for Kids

Summer is a time for adventure, sunshine, and fun!

These prompts will help you capture the joy and excitement of the summer season.

• Imagine you find a hidden beach that no one else knows about. What do you do there?
• Write about a day when you build the biggest sandcastle ever. What surprises do you find inside?
• What if you discovered a secret cave while exploring the shoreline? What’s inside?
• Imagine you could swim with dolphins for a day. What adventures do you have?
• Write about a time when you found a message in a bottle floating in the ocean.
• What if the sun didn’t set for a whole week? How would you spend the extra daylight?
• Imagine you could fly a kite that takes you up into the sky. Where does it take you?
• Write about a summer carnival that’s full of magical rides and games.
• What if your ice cream cone never melted, no matter how hot it got? What flavors would you try?
• Imagine you spend the summer on a mysterious island. What do you discover there?
• Write about a time when you had the best summer camp experience ever. What made it so special?
• What if you found out your favorite swimming spot was actually home to a family of mermaids?
• Imagine you could talk to the fish in the ocean. What would they tell you about their underwater world?
• Write about a summer night when the stars seem to be extra bright. What happens under the starlight?
• What if you could visit any place in the world for your summer vacation? Where would you go, and what would you do?

Valentine’s Day Prompts for Kids

Valentine’s Day is all about love, friendship, and spreading kindness. These prompts will inspire sweet and creative writing ideas.

• Write about a time when you made a special Valentine’s Day card for someone. What did it look like, and why was it special?
• What if your pet could send you a Valentine’s Day message? What would it say?
• Imagine you find a heart-shaped treasure on Valentine’s Day. What’s inside?
• Write about a Valentine’s Day party where all the guests are animals. What do they do to celebrate?
• What if you could send a Valentine’s Day card to anyone in the world? Who would you choose, and what would you say?
• Imagine you wake up on Valentine’s Day to find that everything around you is heart-shaped. What do you do?
• Write about a time when you did something kind for a friend on Valentine’s Day. How did it make you feel?
• What if you could bake magical cookies that spread love and happiness? Who would you give them to?
• Imagine you receive a mysterious Valentine’s Day letter. Who is it from, and what does it say?
• Write about a time when you helped someone who was feeling lonely on Valentine’s Day. What did you do to cheer them up?
• What if you could create your own special Valentine’s Day tradition? What would it be?
• Imagine you could visit a land where everything is made of candy hearts. What’s it like?
• Write about a Valentine’s Day surprise that you planned for someone special.
• What if you could make a wish on a Valentine’s Day star? What would you wish for?
• Imagine you get to spend Valentine’s Day with your favorite storybook character. Who do you choose, and what do you do together?

Book-Related Writing Prompts for Kids

Books open the door to endless adventures!

These prompts will inspire you to dive into the world of stories and create your own.

• Imagine you could jump into your favorite book. What happens when you become part of the story?
• Write about a time when you found a book that had the power to change the world.
• What if your bookshelf could talk? What stories would it share with you?
• Imagine you could visit a library where every book comes to life as you read it. What book do you choose first?
• Write about a character from a book who suddenly appears in your room. What do you do together?
• What if you discovered a hidden room in your house filled with ancient, magical books? What do you find?
• Imagine you’re writing a book, and the characters start telling you what to write next. What do they say?
• Write about a time when you read a book that was so amazing, you couldn’t put it down. What made it so special?
• What if you could create your own ending for a book you’ve read? How would you change the story?
• Imagine you could visit a world from your favorite book. What would you do there?
• Write about a time when you shared your favorite book with a friend. How did they react?
• What if you discovered a secret society of book lovers who meet in a hidden library? What do they do?
• Imagine you could write a letter to your favorite author. What would you say?
• Write about a book that you wish existed. What’s the title, and what’s the story about?
• What if you could collect all the stories ever written in one magical book? What would it look like, and what would you do with it?

St. Patrick’s Day Writing Prompts for Kids

St. Patrick’s Day is full of luck, leprechauns, and all things green.

These prompts will help you celebrate this fun holiday with your writing.

• Imagine you find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. What do you do with it?
• Write about a time when you met a friendly leprechaun. What did they teach you?
• What if you woke up on St. Patrick’s Day to find that everything in your house had turned green? What’s going on?
• Imagine you follow a trail of shamrocks that leads you to a magical forest. What do you find there?
• Write about a St. Patrick’s Day parade where all the floats come to life.
• What if you found a four-leaf clover that granted you three wishes? What would you wish for?
• Imagine you spend the day in a leprechaun’s shoes. What adventures do you have?
• Write about a rainbow that appears in your backyard and leads to an unexpected discovery.
• What if you could visit a land where it’s always St. Patrick’s Day? What’s it like?
• Imagine you’re in charge of planning the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day party. What do you include?
• Write about a time when you followed a mischievous leprechaun on an adventure.
• What if you could paint the town green for St. Patrick’s Day? How would you do it?
• Imagine you discover a secret tunnel under a giant shamrock. Where does it lead?
• Write about a magical harp that only plays music on St. Patrick’s Day.
• What if your pet turned into a leprechaun for a day? What mischief would they get into?
• Imagine you find a book of ancient Irish legends. What happens when you start reading it?
• Write about a time when you found a hidden message in a bowl of lucky charms.
• What if you discovered that your family had a secret St. Patrick’s Day tradition? What is it?
• Imagine you’re part of a St. Patrick’s Day treasure hunt. What do you find?
• Write about a time when a rainbow appeared in the middle of a rainy day. What happened next?
• What if you could create your own lucky charm? What would it look like, and what powers would it have?
• Imagine you visit a castle in Ireland that’s rumored to be full of magic. What do you discover inside?
• Write about a St. Patrick’s Day where everything you touch turns to gold. What do you do with your newfound wealth?
• What if you could brew a potion that brings good luck? Who would you share it with?
• Imagine you could catch a leprechaun. What would you ask them for, and what deal would you make?

Free Writing Prompts for Kids

These prompts are designed to let your imagination run wild.

There are no rules—just start writing and see where your creativity takes you.

• Write about a time when you discovered a hidden talent you never knew you had.
• Imagine you could spend a day as any animal. Which animal would you choose, and what would you do?
• What if you could visit any place in the world, real or imaginary? Where would you go, and why?
• Write about a dream you had that was so vivid, you felt like you were really there.
• Imagine you could invent a new toy. What would it be, and how would it work?
• What if you found a secret passageway in your house? Where does it lead?
• Write about a time when you made a new friend in an unexpected place.
• Imagine you could visit any time period in history. When would you go, and what would you do?
• What if you could speak any language fluently? Which language would you choose, and why?
• Write about a time when you had to make a tough decision. What did you choose, and how did it turn out?
• Imagine you could design your dream bedroom. What would it look like?
• What if you could have any superpower for a day? Which one would you choose, and how would you use it?
• Write about a time when you had an adventure in your own backyard.
• Imagine you could trade places with anyone in the world for a day. Who would you choose, and what would you do?
• What if you could make a wish on a shooting star? What would you wish for, and why?
• Write about a time when you did something that made you really proud.
• Imagine you could visit any planet in the solar system. Which one would you choose, and what would you explore?
• What if you could create your own holiday? What name would you give it, and how would people celebrate?
• Write about a time when you helped someone and how it made you feel.
• Imagine you could live in any kind of house, real or imaginary. What would it look like, and where would it be?
• What if you could have any pet, real or imaginary? What would it be, and how would you take care of it?
• Write about a time when you tried something new and how it turned out.
• Imagine you could be the main character in your favorite movie or book. What happens next?
• What if you could travel anywhere in the world instantly? Where would you go, and why?
• Write about a time when you discovered something surprising about yourself or someone else.

Technology Writing Prompts for Kids

Technology is a big part of our lives today.

These prompts will help you explore how technology affects the world around you.

• Imagine you could create a new app. What would it do, and why would people use it?
• Write about a time when technology helped you solve a problem. How did it work?
• What if robots became our teachers? What would school be like?
• Imagine you could design your own video game. What is the storyline, and who are the characters?
• Write about a world where everyone communicates only through emojis. How does it change things?
• What if you could invent a robot to do any one task for you? What would it be, and why?
• Imagine a day without any technology. What do you do instead?
• Write about a time when you used the internet to learn something new. What did you discover?
• What if you could talk to your favorite electronic device? What would it say?
• Imagine you could build your own computer. What special features would it have?
• Write about a time when technology went wrong. How did you fix it?
• What if video games could become real life? Which game would you want to live in, and why?
• Imagine you could control all the technology in your house with your mind. What would you do with this power?
• Write about a time when you had to teach someone how to use a new piece of technology. How did it go?
• What if you could create a hologram of yourself to do your chores? How would it work?
• Imagine you discover a secret website that only a few people know about. What’s on it?
• Write about a world where everyone has a flying car. How does it change the way people live?
• What if you could create a virtual reality world of your own? What would it be like?
• Imagine you could talk to animals using a special device. What would they tell you?
• Write about a time when you used technology to stay in touch with someone far away. How did it help?
• What if you could invent a gadget that makes life easier for everyone? What would it do?
• Imagine a world where drones deliver everything you need. How does it change your daily life?
• Write about a time when you had to unplug from technology. What did you do instead?
• What if you could explore outer space using a virtual reality headset? Where would you go, and what would you see?
• Imagine you find an old piece of technology from the past. What is it, and how does it work?

Alien Writing Prompts for Kids

Aliens can come in all shapes and sizes! These prompts will help you imagine what it might be like to meet beings from another planet.

• Imagine a spaceship lands in your backyard. Who steps out, and what do they want?
• Write about a time when you discovered that your neighbor is actually an alien in disguise.
• What if you could communicate with aliens using a special language? What do you say to each other?
• Imagine you’re the first human to visit an alien planet. What do you see and do?
• Write about a day when aliens come to your school. How do they fit in?
• What if you discovered a mysterious object that turns out to be alien technology? What does it do?
• Imagine you could invite an alien to dinner. What would you talk about, and what food would you serve?
• Write about a time when you accidentally switched places with an alien. What was life like on their planet?
• What if aliens started sending messages to Earth? What do they say, and how do we respond?
• Imagine you find a tiny alien living in your backpack. What adventures do you have together?
• Write about a world where humans and aliens live together. How do they get along?
• What if you could travel through space with an alien friend? What planets would you visit?
• Imagine you discover an alien species that looks like ordinary household objects. What do they want?
• Write about a time when you helped an alien who was lost on Earth. How did you get them home?
• What if aliens had their own version of pets? What would they look like, and how would they behave?
• Imagine you could ask an alien any question. What would you want to know?
• Write about a day when you woke up to find that you’ve turned into an alien. How do you adjust to your new life?
• What if aliens decided to compete in the Olympics? What sports would they be good at?
• Imagine you could visit an alien zoo. What strange and wonderful creatures do you see?
• Write about a time when an alien visited your classroom. How did they teach differently from your regular teacher?
• What if you discovered that your favorite movie star is actually an alien? How do you find out?
• Imagine a world where aliens and humans work together to explore the galaxy. What discoveries do they make?
• Write about a time when you found an alien artifact buried in your backyard. What powers does it have?
• What if aliens had their own version of holidays? What would they celebrate, and how?
• Imagine you could travel through time with an alien companion. Where do you go, and what do you see?

Narrative Writing Prompts for Kids

Narrative writing is all about telling stories. These prompts will help you create tales that are full of imagination, excitement, and adventure.

• Write about a time when you had an unexpected adventure. What happened, and how did it change you?
• Imagine you find a secret door in your house that leads to another world. What’s it like, and what do you do there?
• Write a story about a time when you made a new friend in an unusual way.
• What if you could relive any day of your life? Which day would you choose, and why?
• Imagine you wake up one morning with the ability to talk to animals. What do they say, and how does it change your day?
• Write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision. What did you choose, and what were the consequences?
• What if you could visit any place in the world for a week? Where would you go, and what would you do?
• Imagine you’re the main character in a fairy tale. What challenges do you face, and how do you overcome them?
• Write about a time when you did something brave. What gave you the courage to act?
• What if you could switch lives with anyone for a day? Who would you choose, and what would you experience?
• Imagine you discover a hidden talent that you never knew you had. How do you use it?
• Write about a day when everything seemed to go wrong, but something surprising happened to turn it around.
• What if you could spend a day with your favorite book character? What adventures would you have together?
• Imagine you find a map that leads to a hidden treasure. What do you find when you follow it?
• Write about a time when you learned an important lesson from someone unexpected.
• What if you could travel back in time to meet a famous historical figure? Who would it be, and what would you talk about?
• Imagine you’re stranded on a deserted island. How do you survive, and what do you discover?
• Write about a time when you helped someone in need. How did it make you feel?
• What if you could live in any period of history for a year? Which time would you choose, and why?
• Imagine you receive a mysterious letter that changes your life. What does it say, and what happens next?
• Write about a day when you woke up with a special power. How do you use it?
• What if you could explore a place that no one else has ever been to? What do you find?
• Imagine you’re the hero of a story that takes place in a distant galaxy. What adventures do you have?
• Write about a time when you made a mistake but learned something valuable from it.
• What if you could bring one of your dreams to life? Which dream would you choose, and what would happen?

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Kids

In persuasive writing, the objective is to get others to understand and accept your point of view.

These prompts will help you practice your skills in making a strong argument.

• Write a letter to your school principal convincing them to make recess longer. What reasons do you give?
• Imagine you’re trying to convince your family to get a new pet. What arguments do you use to persuade them?
• What if you could choose the destination for your next family vacation? Write a persuasive essay explaining why your choice is the best.
• Write a speech to convince your classmates that your favorite book should be the next class read. What points do you make?
• Imagine you want to start a new club at school. Write a letter convincing your teacher to support it. What benefits does the club offer?
• Write an essay persuading your parents to let you stay up later on weekends. What are your main arguments?
• Imagine you’re trying to convince your friends to volunteer for a community project. How do you persuade them that it’s a good idea?
• What if you could change one rule at school? Write a persuasive essay explaining why the rule should be changed.
• Write a letter to your town’s mayor convincing them to build a new playground. What reasons do you give?
• Imagine you’re running for class president. Write a campaign speech that persuades your classmates to vote for you. What promises do you make?
• Write an essay convincing your teacher to have a field trip to your favorite museum. Why is it a great choice for a class trip?
• Imagine you’re trying to convince your parents to let you have a sleepover with your friends. What points do you make to persuade them?
• Write a letter to your favorite store asking them to carry a product you love. How do you convince them it’s a good idea?
• What if you could choose the next family movie night film? Write a persuasive essay explaining why your choice is the best.
• Write an essay convincing your school to start a recycling program. What benefits does it offer?
• Imagine you’re trying to persuade your teacher to have a class party. What arguments do you use to convince them?
• Write a letter to your favorite author persuading them to write a sequel to a book you love. What reasons do you give?
• Imagine you’re convincing your parents to let you take a special class or activity. How do you persuade them it’s a good idea?
• Write a persuasive essay explaining why your favorite season is the best. What makes it special?
• Imagine you’re trying to convince your school cafeteria to add a new food to the menu. What points do you make?
• Write a letter to your local library persuading them to host a special event or program. What reasons do you give?
• Imagine you’re trying to convince your teacher to give less homework. How do you make your case?
• Write an essay persuading your friends to try a new sport or activity with you. What makes it fun and worthwhile?
• Imagine you’re convincing your family to take a trip to a place you’ve always wanted to visit. How do you persuade them?
• Write a letter to your favorite TV network convincing them to create a new show based on your idea. What arguments do you use?

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts for Kids

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and celebration.

These prompts will help you reflect on the holiday and create meaningful stories.

• Write about a time when you felt especially thankful. What were you grateful for, and why?
• Imagine you could invite any three people, living or dead, to your Thanksgiving dinner. Who would you choose, and what would you talk about?
• What if you could create a new Thanksgiving tradition? What would it be, and why?
• Write a story about a Thanksgiving where everything goes hilariously wrong. How does your family handle it?
• Imagine you’re a turkey on Thanksgiving Day. What do you do to avoid becoming dinner?
• Write about a time when you helped someone who needed it. How did it make you feel, and why are you thankful for the experience?
• What if you could travel back in time to the first Thanksgiving? What do you see, and how do you participate?
• Write a letter to someone you’re thankful for, explaining why they mean so much to you.
• Imagine you’re in charge of cooking the Thanksgiving meal. What do you make, and how does it turn out?
• Write about a time when you and your family worked together to prepare for Thanksgiving. What was the best part?
• What if Thanksgiving was celebrated in a different season? How would the holiday change, and what new traditions might arise?
• Imagine you could invite your favorite fictional character to Thanksgiving dinner. How do they fit in with your family?
• Write a story about a Thanksgiving where your family decides to have a potluck with all your neighbors. What surprising dishes do people bring?
• What if you had to explain Thanksgiving to someone who had never heard of it before? How would you describe the holiday and its meaning?
• Imagine you find a magical cornucopia that fills itself with whatever you wish. What do you put in it, and why?
• Write about a time when you felt especially connected to your family during Thanksgiving. What made the day special?
• What if your Thanksgiving meal came to life and started talking? What do they say, and how do you react?
• Imagine you’re responsible for setting the Thanksgiving table. What special touches do you add to make it perfect?
• Write a story about a Thanksgiving where everyone brings a dish from their culture. What new and exciting foods do you try?
• What if you had to host Thanksgiving in a totally different place, like a beach or a mountain cabin? How would the holiday change?
• Imagine you could give one Thanksgiving meal to someone in need. Who would you give it to, and why?
• Write about a Thanksgiving where your family decides to go on a trip instead of staying home. Where do you go, and how do you celebrate?
• What if you could create a Thanksgiving parade float? What would it look like, and what message would it convey?
• Imagine you could turn your Thanksgiving dinner into a fun competition, like a cooking show. Who wins, and what do they make?
• Write a story about a Thanksgiving where you discover a hidden family recipe. How does it change the meal, and what does it mean to you?

Fourth of July Writing Prompts for Kids

The Fourth of July is all about fireworks, fun, and celebrating freedom.

These prompts will help you create stories and reflections about this exciting holiday.

• Write about a time when you watched fireworks on the Fourth of July. What made the experience special?
• Imagine you could design your own Fourth of July fireworks show. What would it look like, and what would the grand finale be?
• What if you could travel back to the first Fourth of July celebration in 1776? What do you see, and how do people celebrate?
• Write about a Fourth of July parade where all the floats are based on your favorite things. What are they, and why do they make you happy?
• Imagine you could spend the Fourth of July in any city in the United States. Where would you go, and what would you do?
• Write a story about a time when you and your friends had the best Fourth of July barbecue ever. What made it so memorable?
• What if you discovered a secret about your family’s history on the Fourth of July? How does it change the way you see the holiday?
• Imagine you could invite any historical figure to your Fourth of July celebration. Who would you choose, and what would you talk about?
• Write about a time when the weather threatened to ruin your Fourth of July plans. How did you make the best of it?
• What if you could create a new Fourth of July tradition? What would it be, and how would people celebrate it?
• Imagine you’re in charge of organizing a community Fourth of July event. What activities do you plan, and how do people enjoy them?
• Write a story about a Fourth of July where you discover a time capsule from 100 years ago. What’s inside, and how does it connect to today?
• What if you could have a Fourth of July party with people from all over the world? How would they celebrate, and what foods would they bring?
• Imagine you’re writing a letter to a soldier who is away from home on the Fourth of July. What would you say to them?
• Write about a time when you saw the most amazing fireworks display ever. What made it stand out, and how did you feel watching it?
• What if you could create your own Fourth of July outfit? What would it look like, and why would it be special?
• Imagine you could bake a cake that represents the Fourth of July. What flavors and decorations would you choose?
• Write a story about a Fourth of July where your family decides to take a road trip across the country. What do you see and do along the way?
• What if you could invite your favorite superhero to your Fourth of July picnic? How would they help make the day even better?
• Imagine you discover a hidden park where only a few people know to watch the fireworks. What’s special about this secret spot?
• Write about a time when you celebrated the Fourth of July in a totally different way, like at a beach or in the mountains. How was it different from other years?
• What if you could create a Fourth of July playlist? What songs would you include, and why?
• Imagine you’re a reporter covering the biggest Fourth of July event in the country. What do you see, and who do you interview?
• Write about a time when you made or saw the coolest Fourth of July craft or decoration. What made it special?
• What if you could spend the Fourth of July with a family from another country who has never celebrated it before? How would you explain the holiday to them, and what would you do together?

Travel Writing Prompts for Kids

Traveling opens up new worlds and adventures. These prompts will inspire you to explore different places, whether real or imagined.

• Write about a time when you visited a place that took your breath away. What made it so special?
• Imagine you could travel anywhere in the world for a day. Where would you go, and what would you do?
• What if you could explore an ancient city that no one has visited in thousands of years? What do you find?
• Write about a time when you got lost on a trip but ended up discovering something amazing. What happened?
• Imagine you could take a journey through space to visit different planets. What do you see and experience?
• What if you could visit a place from your favorite book or movie? Where would you go, and what adventures would you have?
• Write about a time when you tried a new food while traveling. What was it, and how did you like it?
• Imagine you could go on a safari in Africa. What animals do you see, and what adventures do you have?
• What if you could visit a famous landmark that you’ve always wanted to see? How does it feel to be there in person?
• Write about a time when you made a new friend while traveling. How did you meet, and what did you do together?
• Imagine you could take a trip to a place that only exists in your imagination. What’s it like, and what do you do there?
• What if you could visit the bottom of the ocean in a submarine? What creatures and landscapes do you discover?
• Write about a time when you traveled to a place that was completely different from where you live. How did it make you feel?
• Imagine you could spend a week on a deserted island. What do you do to survive, and what do you discover?
• What if you could go on a road trip across the United States? What stops do you make, and what do you see?
• Write about a time when you traveled with your family. What was your favorite part of the trip, and why?
• Imagine you could visit a place where it’s always winter. What do you do there, and how do you stay warm?
• What if you could explore the jungles of the Amazon? What animals and plants do you encounter?
• Write about a time when you visited a place with a rich history. What did you learn, and how did it impact you?
• Imagine you could take a train ride through Europe. What countries do you visit, and what do you see along the way?
• What if you could go on an adventure to the North Pole? What challenges do you face, and what do you discover?
• Write about a time when you visited a place that felt magical. What made it so enchanting?
• Imagine you could visit a castle in Europe. What stories do you uncover while exploring its halls?
• What if you could go camping in a national park? What natural wonders do you explore, and what do you learn?
• Write about a time when you visited a bustling city. What sights and sounds made the experience unforgettable?

Language Writing Prompts for Kids

Language is powerful and fun to play with! These prompts will help you explore different ways of using words to express yourself.

• Write a poem about your favorite season. How do you capture the feeling of that time of year?
• Imagine you could create your own language. What are some of the words, and what do they mean?
• What if you could learn any language instantly? Which one would you choose, and why?
• Write a story where all the characters can only speak in rhymes. How does it change the way they communicate?
• Imagine you wake up one morning and can suddenly speak to animals. What do they tell you?
• What if you had to write a letter to someone using only emojis? How do you get your message across?
• Write a story where words have magical powers. How do the characters use them?
• Imagine you could read minds. What thoughts do you hear, and how do you react?
• What if you could communicate with people in the past using letters? Who would you write to, and what would you say?
• Write a story where a character has to solve a mystery using hidden messages. How do they decipher the clues?
• Imagine you find an ancient book filled with a forgotten language. What does it say, and how do you translate it?
• What if you could speak to someone who doesn’t speak your language? How do you find a way to understand each other?
• Write a poem that describes a feeling without using the name of the emotion. How do you express it?
• Imagine you could invent a new word that everyone starts using. What is it, and what does it mean?
• What if you could only communicate through pictures and drawings for a day? How do you tell your story?
• Write a story where a character has a secret language only they understand. How does it help or complicate their life?
• Imagine you could speak the language of trees. What would they tell you about the world?
• What if you had to create a code to send a message to a friend? How do you make sure they understand it?
• Write a letter to yourself from the future. What advice does your future self give you?
• Imagine you could write a story that comes true as you write it. What happens, and how do you control it?
• What if you could translate the sounds of nature into words? What messages do you hear?
• Write a story where the main character discovers they can speak any language but can’t remember how to speak their own. How do they cope?
• Imagine you’re in a world where people communicate through music. How do they express their feelings and ideas?
• What if you had to teach someone how to speak your language? What are the most important words you’d start with?
• Write a poem or short story using a word or phrase from another language. How does it add to the meaning of your work?

Black History Month Writing Prompts for Kids

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements, culture, and history of African Americans.

These prompts will help you reflect on important figures, events, and contributions.

• Write about a time when you learned about an important figure in Black history. What did you learn, and why was it meaningful to you?
• Imagine you could interview any African American historical figure. Who would you choose, and what questions would you ask?
• What if you could create a museum exhibit dedicated to Black history? What artifacts or stories would you include?
• Write a story about a child who discovers a hidden family history connected to the Civil Rights Movement. What do they learn?
• Imagine you’re participating in a march for equality during the 1960s. What are you marching for, and what do you experience?
• What if you could have a conversation with Martin Luther King Jr.? What advice would he give you about making a difference in the world?
• Write about a time when you stood up for something you believed in, inspired by a figure from Black history.
• Imagine you could travel back in time to witness a significant event in Black history. What event would you choose, and what would you see?
• What if you could write a letter to Rosa Parks? What would you say to her about her bravery and its impact on the world?
• Write a story where the main character is inspired by Harriet Tubman to overcome a personal challenge. How do they succeed?
• Imagine you could visit a classroom in the past where students are learning about Black history. What are they discussing, and how does it compare to today?
• What if you could design a poster celebrating an unsung hero from Black history? Who would you choose, and what message would you highlight?
• Write about a time when you participated in a project or event that celebrated Black culture. What did you learn, and how did it impact you?
• Imagine you could create a book of poems inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. What themes would you explore?
• What if you could attend a speech by Frederick Douglass? What would you hope to hear, and how would it inspire you?
• Write a story where the main character learns about the importance of Black inventors and their contributions to society. How does this knowledge change them?
• Imagine you could design a monument to honor African American veterans. What would it look like, and what would it symbolize?
• What if you could visit a jazz club during the 1920s Harlem Renaissance? What music would you hear, and who would you meet?
• Write about a time when you learned about the history of African American music. What genres or artists stood out to you, and why?
• Imagine you’re writing a play about a pivotal moment in Black history. What scene would you focus on, and what message would you want to convey?
• What if you could have dinner with Maya Angelou? What would you talk about, and what wisdom would you hope to gain?
• Write a story where a young artist is inspired by the work of Jacob Lawrence to create their own masterpiece. How do they express their creativity?
• Imagine you’re part of a community project to restore a historic Black neighborhood. What stories and memories do you uncover?
• What if you could visit an African American church during the Civil Rights Movement? What would the experience be like, and how would it inspire you?
• Write about a time when you learned about the contributions of African Americans to science and technology. How did it change your perspective on history?

For even more writing prompts for kids, check out these video writing prompts:

Final Thoughts

Teachers, these prompts are just the beginning of a fantastic writing journey.

Encourage your students to take these ideas and run with them, exploring new worlds and expressing themselves freely. Kids, let your creativity soar—your stories are waiting to be told.

If you’re looking for a tool to automatically generate rubrics for writing assignments, check out my Grading GPT tool. If you’d like to customize lessons plans for different learners, try my AI Custom Learning Pro tool .

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100+ Fun Creative Writing Prompts for Kids (and Kids at Heart!)

by Sue Weems | 0 comments

One of the best ways you can foster a love of reading and writing in children is to offer lots of low-stakes opportunities to practice. These writing prompts can be used with any group of kids you're working with: elementary school, middle school, or high school writers.

Prompts can help kids break through creative writing idea blocks or boredom. Whether in a slump or starting a new project, try a prompt a day and see what happens.

Keep it as simple as possible: one notebook or document, one location, the same(-ish) time each day, and a timer set for 5, 10, or 15 minutes.

Don’t let yourself edit, reread, or rework anything. Just write. Keep the pen moving across the page. There’s no wrong way to play.

Plus, there's a great note for you, whether you're a parent or teacher or both, at the end.

Give these fun creative writing prompts a try and watch how consistent practice contributes to ideas, confidence, and yes, even stronger writing skills !

20 Journal Writing Prompts

Journal prompts are fun writing prompts that are great for recording your everyday life. It's like taking a snapshot. It's fun to look back in a month, a season, or a year to see how you've grown or changed.

One additional thought that is important to keep in mind when writing a journal writing prompt is that it encourages kids to explore answers beyond one word or sentence. The best way to get them to write more is to ask why  they answered a prompt the way they did.

Asking the question why not only encourages children to consider their beliefs, wants, and values, but also pushes them to really explore their voice through creative writing ideas .

Recommended time for each: 5-7 minutes

1. What is your earliest memory? Describe this memory.

2. What is the best part of your week and why?

3. What is your favorite thing to do after school? Why?

4. What is (or was) your favorite toy? Why?

5. Describe your favorite animal or pet. Why is this your favorite? (Fun variation: Describe your favorite pet or animal's perspective of you.)

6. Describe your typical morning as if you are your bathroom mirror or a door in your home.

7. What is your favorite food? If you could choose anything, what would you pick to eat for breakfast? For lunch? For dinner?

8. Describe your last birthday party or celebration. Why is this your favorite?

9. Describe your favorite game or video game as if you are a character in the game. Walk us through it.

10. Who is your favorite person? Describe how you spend your favorite holiday with them.

11. What is your favorite character from a TV show or book and why?

12. If your life was a fairy tale, which one would it most resemble and why?

13. What is your favorite movie and why? Favorite TV show?

14. What was your favorite book to read when you were younger? What is your favorite book now? Why do you love it?

15. What is something grown-ups or family members ask you about? How does it make you feel?

16. What is one thing you are grateful for this week? Why?

17. What would your dream job be? Why?

18. What do you know a lot about that you could talk (or write) about for days?

19. What is your favorite season and why?

20. What is your favorite sport or hobby and why?

Bonus  journal prompts !

21. What kind of ice cream or dessert do you love best? Why?

22. What do you hope to accomplish before you grow into an older kid or adult?

23. If you got to spend a whole day with one famous person, who would it be and what would you do?

20 Letter Writing Prompts

Letter writing may feel like a lost art, but it's a terrific way to help kids practice writing skills because it requires an audience and purpose. Letters can be written to send to real family members or best friends. And every person has a different writing style when they write a letter, which makes them unique!

Letters can also be creatively designed to be a part of a story. Or they can just be practice for writing with a fun writing prompt.

Whether or not you use letter writing prompts for students or as a meaningful exercise to strengthen writing skills with your kids at home, or as a method for creative writing practice in school, letters themselves are a timeless art and method of connecting with others.

Letters can also inspire writers to take up a diary. Who knows, maybe they'll even want to use some of these writing prompts for their next diary entry, just for continued practice.

Give these creative writing prompts a try!

Recommended time for each: 10+ minutes

24. Write a letter to the most used piece of furniture in your home.

25. Write a letter to a best friend or good friend about a wild adventure you'd like to take together.

26. Write a letter to your favorite movie star.

27. Write a letter to your favorite wild animal (or your least favorite!) in a zoo or aquarium.

28. Write a letter to a family member about something you learned on your first day of school.

29. Write a letter to your favorite TV show character about what they should do in a future episode.

30. Write a letter to an alien explaining how you do an everyday task like eating or playing.

31. Imagine you can send mail through a time machine. Write a letter to your past or future self.

32. Write a letter to the inventor of your favorite food, toy, or game. Tell them what you love about it.

33. Write a letter to a historical figure you admire.

34. Write a letter to your favorite athlete or musician explaining why you love to see them perform.

35. Write a letter to an inventor of a household object with ideas for its improvement.

36. Write a letter to a parent, teacher, or other grown up to thank them.

37. Write a letter to a person, school, or organization about something that needs to be changed.

38. Write a letter to your favorite childhood cartoon.

39. Write a letter to your favorite author.

40. Write a letter to a pet you wish you had. (This could be a wild animal or a magical creature!)

41. Write a letter to a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other grownup about the best thing they cook or bake for you.

42. Write a letter to a sibling or friend full of as many jokes as you can think of.

43. Write a letter to the sidewalk explaining why everyone walks on them.

Bonus letter writing prompts: postcards!

Postcards require you to condense your message into as few words as possible. Try these!

44. Write about a winter or summer vacation memory.

45. Tell a friend about your last school year.

20 Story Writing Prompts

If you have a little more time, you can try these prompts to write a short story. Sometimes the hardest part about writing a story is coming up with a story idea that can get you or your students and kids started.

This article is here to help everyone get over that slump. It doesn't have to be the funniest story or best story in the world to be a great story. Every writer only gets better with practice.

Don't feel like you have to take any of these upcoming story ideas too seriously. Writing a short story is not a life or death situation. It is something that you can use  to explore yourself, your beliefs, and big, unanswered questions—all of which you get to explore through the eyes of a fictional character you create!

Most stories feature a main character who wants something, but conflict gets in the way. And the conflict forces them to make a crucial decision.

How will your hero pursue their goal? Figure this out by writing out your story idea!

Recommended time for each: 15+ minutes

46. Write a new ending or a next chapter for your favorite or a well-known fairy tale.

47. You get a call from your best friend that their favorite item is missing. Write a story where you work together to find it.

48. Imagine your bus or car suddenly turns into a spaceship with a course charted for outer space. What happens next?

49. A classmate or sibling calls for help and disappears before you can react. How will you find out what happened to them?

50. You're watching your favorite TV show when the screen flickers and you're transported into the show. What happens next?

51. A magical bird flies into a house and won't leave. What happens next?

52. A character finds a diary on their way home from school, and it's full of clues to a well-known lost treasure. Follow the clues.

53. You build a robot that is able to solve the world's most pressing problem, but you've lost control of it. What will you do?

54. Rewrite an historical event from the perspective of a kid your age living through it.

55. A character wakes up as the star player for their favorite sports team. The only problem is that they didn't get the skills to match. They have to go to practice to fake it until they find a way to change back.

56. A character discovers that their friend group is having a bash on the beach without them, but they know their family will be in the same area that day. What do they do?

57. A character's parent needs life-saving medicine but they can't afford it. How will the character get help?

58. In the middle of an acting class, an actor gets carried away and admits a life-changing secret. What happens next?

59. Send a dog and an armadillo on an adventure together to save another animal. (Challenge: no animals die.)

60. A first-time thief accidentally breaks into the wrong house and chaos ensues. What happens?

61. A character takes a wrong turn in a basement and gets lost in a series of underground tunnels where they find . . . finish the story.

62. Rewrite your favorite superhero scene or battle from the viewpoint of the villain.

63. A character inadvertently swaps backpacks with someone who is clearly a spy. What happens next?

64. A bookworm gets locked in a haunted library and can only find the way out by solving a ghost's riddles. How will they do it?

65. A couple kids are fishing from their canoe when a whirlpool opens and . . . what happens?

20 Story Setting Prompts

One element that can make or break a short story is the setting. You can have the most exciting story idea in the world, but if the setting falls short, the story probably will, too.

Use these creative writing prompts to play with imaginative settings that you can combine with story idea starters or character conflict that can amaze your friends and family.

Recommended time for each: 5 minutes

66. Describe a drive to town. (Challenge: Before cars were invented.)

67. Describe an underground tunnel in a forest.

68. You've just moved into your dream house when disaster strikes. Describe the scene.

69. Describe standing in the middle of a rushing stream or river.

70. Describe a new planet where an astronaut landed when they took a wrong turn in space.

71. Describe an abandoned skate park or playground.

72. Describe experiencing a storm from inside a car or bus.

73. Describe a world where everyone forgets something all the time.

74. Describe what it feels like in the top bunk of a cabin in the woods at midnight with no electricity.

75. Describe what it feels like to dangle your feet in the water from the edge of a dock.

76. Describe a restaurant with over-the-top decor.

77. Describe climbing through the branches of a tree. (Challenge: a bear is chasing you)

78. Describe how it feels to play hide-and-seek from your favorite real or imagined hiding spot.

79. Describe a fashion show. (Challenge: for puppy clothes)

80. Describe a summer hike on a challenging mountain trail.

81. Describe sitting in the bleachers during a packed event.

82. Describe a classroom or living room with too much stuff in it.

83. Describe getting stuck on a boat in the middle of a large lake or the ocean.

84. Describe the control room of a space ship or space station. (Challenge: add an emergency alarm buzzing)

85. Describe a supervillain's lair. (Challenge: add a stuffed bunny and make us believe it)

20 Character Conflict Writing Prompts

Conflict is what keeps a character from getting what they want. It can be another person (like a villain) or bad luck, a fear or flaw.

As you use this set of writing prompts, focus on making your character act in the face of conflict.

86. You receive a letter that you've been admitted to a high school that builds treehouses, but on the first day, you realize you're afraid of heights. What will you do?

87. You discover you have a superpower only to realize that you can only use it in one small confined space. What will you do?

88. A character spent a month and a lot of money decorating and preparing for an outdoor party when a freak snow storm hits. What will they do?

89. In the middle of a talent show, a performer begins reciting a poem that someone else wrote and had never shared with anyone. Write the confrontation scene.

90. A wilderness guide wanders off track losing a group of kids who have to survive on their wits and teamwork. How will they do it?

91. A singer joins a reality TV show contest when their twin sibling shows up one stage and says they are singing the same song. What happens next?

92. A scientist finds a rare rock formation that opens into another world, but his arch enemy appears as they're inspecting it. What will they do?

93. A bully gets trapped inside their favorite social media app and has to figure out how to make amends with those they have hurt to find their way out. How will they do it?

94. A family who often argues gets snowed into a cabin together one winter. How will they survive the storm and each other?

95. A character's cat goes missing and a week later, they see a grumpy neighbor feeding it on the back porch. How will they get it back?

96. A gamer stumbles into a chat room where other users are planning to shut down the network, and he has to find a way to stop them before it's too late.

97. A character is quietly finishing his work at school when there's a knock at the door and he gets called into the hallway where the frowning principal and another student wait. What happens next?

98. A knight is captured and told they will fight the fiercest creature in the land to the death. When they enter the arena, what do they see and how do they defeat it?

99. A spy on a top secret mission enters an enemy camp and sees their brother who is clearly part of the organization they're spying on. What do they do?

100. An assassin accidentally bumps into their arch enemy . . . at a children’s carnival where they’ve both taken their kids for an outing. What do they do?

101. A dancer gets a job on a video shoot for their favorite band of all time, but when rehearsal begins, they realize something isn't right. What happens and what will they do?

102. A tree crashes down destroying a hiker's only known bridge on the path back to their car, and their cell phone has no service. What will they do?

103. A soccer star is headed into the championship game, but they have been in a scoring slump for the entire series. What will they do to get out of their head and lead their team to victory?

104. Last year's art show winner is given the opportunity to judge this year's contest. They weren't supposed to see any of the entries before the competition, but they accidentally see a small section of the school bully's painting as they dragged it down the hall to display. When the judge arrives to view the show, they realize that the bully's work is really good, but the bully has been so mean to them and their friends. What will they do?

105. A student newspaper editor is stuck and doesn't know what to write, but their story deadline is tomorrow and they were just assigned a book report too! How will they finish on time?

A Special Note for Teachers and Parents of Kid Writers

Teaching kids to write can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t feel confident as a writer yourself. I work from three principles that help me encourage writers:

• Writing is hard work whether you are a beginner or a professional. Honor the process and write alongside your kids. It’s magic.
• Build on strengths and state explicitly what is working, what is clear, and what is unique about the writer’s voice and work.
• Beginning and developing writers cannot address everything at once. Invest in a cycle of deliberate practice, feedback , and application. Repeat.

Overall, writing is an amazing way to empower students by teaching them to use their voice and imaginations. Sometimes all they need is a little help getting started.

These writing prompts are designed for kids of all ages. Pull one or several and use as a great activator for a class—or a fun writing session in general!

It's important to teach children to use their voices, and to stretch their imaginations. Starting with these creative writing prompts for kids might be just what they need to get started, and gain confidence in exploring and sharing their ideas.

What are some of your favorite kids writing prompts?   Let us know in the comments .

It's time to use some of these creative writing prompts for kids to practice!

Depending on how much time you'd like to write, choose one of the writing prompts from this article's list. Set a timer for fifteen minutes , or ten or five. Then, write!

Don't worry about editing. Just press start and go for it! When you're done, take it one step further and share what you—or your students—come up with together.

If you're an adult/ kid-at-heart who wrote to a prompt, please share your practice in the Pro Practice Workshop here . And once you've shared, be sure to leave feedback for someone else who has shared their writing!

Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website .

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Creative Writing and Storytelling for kids-- made easy

Hi! Welcome to the best creative writing website for kids (in my humble opinion.) I’m Who. And next to me are my buddies, What and Why Not. Together we make a great story.

How do we make great stories? Come on in and we’ll show you with our super easy creative writing and storytelling formula. Then try some writing prompts and activities that help kids write creatively, right now.

Creative Writing and Storytelling Resources

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Story and Writing Prompts for Kids

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Fill in the blank stories

Story Games, Apps, Books

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Definitions of Writing Terms

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

Written by Maria Kampen

• Teacher Resources
• Prodigy English

• Elementary school writing prompts
• Middle school writing prompts
• High school writing prompts
• Social emotional learning jounal prompts
• Math writing prompts

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

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

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

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

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

Writing prompts for kids help students:

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

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

Grade school writing prompts

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

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

Creative writing prompts for elementary schoolers

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

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

Fun writing prompts for grade schoolers

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

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

Persuasive writing prompts for elementary school

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

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

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

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

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

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

Fun Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

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

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School

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

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

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

Creative Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

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

Fun writing prompts for high schoolers

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

Persuasive writing prompts for high school

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

Social emotional learning journal prompts

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

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

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

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

Math writing prompts for kids

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

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

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

Final thoughts on writing prompts for kids

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

Where will your students’ imaginations take them?

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57 Fun Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

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

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

Tips for Using These Writing Prompts

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

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

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

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

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

57 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids

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

Narrative Writing Prompts for Kids

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

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

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

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

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

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

#7: Describe three goals you have for yourself.

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

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

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

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

#12: What is your dream job?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fiction and Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

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

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

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

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

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

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

#33: Write your own silly internet quiz.

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

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

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

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

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

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

#40: Write a poem about your favorite season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Argumentative Writing Prompts for Kids

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

#48: Does homework actually help students learn?

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

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

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

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

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

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

#55: Which season is the best?

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

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

What's Next?

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

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

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

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

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Home » Blog » 140 Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

140 Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

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Table of contents.

Looking for fun writing prompts to spark your kids’ creative thinking? Well, then keep on reading.

Creative writing is an important skill for young students to start learning. Not every child will grow up to be a professional writer, but there are many benefits to having children write. 

In this article, you are going to dive into the world of creative writing with a collection of prompts that unleash the imagination and help craft captivating tales. 

These are most suited for a teacher with a class of elementary school students. However, parents are welcome to use them as well, to get their kids writing at home. Let’s dive in.

Excellent Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

Aside from creating a published masterpiece someday, there are many benefits to teaching kids to write. This can be done in part by stimulating their minds with some good writing prompts for kids.

Teaching them about journal prompts and how to become a better writer will help them in other areas of life. Below you can find 100+ writing prompts for kids:

Animal-Themed Writing Prompts for Kids

Most kids love animals. Even if they don’t, personifying and thinking about animals can spark wonderful creativity in kids. It can help kids learn how to become a better writer . Here are a few ideas for reluctant writers and kids.

• Jack is a dachshund and stands out among his border collie siblings who bully him for being different. He is determined to prove that he can herd sheep just as well as they.
• 10-year-old Kaitlyn has the unique ability to communicate with all animals. She goes around helping trainers, vets, and researchers.
• Write a story about a family of rabbits living in the woods. What is their life like?
• Imagine you are a big, majestic lion living in a zoo. How do you feel being surrounded by people all the time?
• Do you have a pet? What do you like to do with them? If not, what pet would you love to have? 
• What would you do if you had an elephant for a pet?
• If you could be any animal, what would you choose?
• Your cat gets stuck on the roof. How do you get him down?
• A baby wolf gets lost in the forest. How does he find his family again?
• Write about a school of fish who live deep in the ocean.
• How do you think it would feel to fly like a bird?
• What would you and your pet talk about, if they could talk?
• What does a naughty puppy get up to while its owners are asleep?
• Imagine everyone had a horse to ride instead of a car to drive. What would life be like?

Fiction Writing Prompts for Kids

Though they might not understand the complex workings of character and plot development, kids can still start creating fiction if they are provided with story starters. Their minds are capable of telling their own stories . It can also have students imagining endless possibilities. Starting with short pieces of fiction can teach them how to become a writer in the long run.

Writing longer pieces of fiction at a young age can be more difficult. Using a book writing template might help if they want to try.

Whatever type of story you encourage them to write, use these simple but imaginative writing prompts for kids.

• Look out the window for 30 seconds. Write a story about what you see and hear in those 30 seconds.
• Write a story about a trip you would like to take with your family.
• You and your friends build a treehouse. But, anyone who enters needs to follow some rules. What are they?
• You are trapped in the mall for the night. What do you do in there?
• Write a story about a magical pair of shoes.
• Write about what would happen if you met your favorite character in person.
• You find a time machine. Where do you go and why?
• Write a story about your parents as teenagers.
• Write a story about a tiny person.
• What does a typical day look like for a mermaid?
• Write about an astronaut who flies to space and discovers a new planet.
• Write a story about a day in the life of the president of the United States.
• A young girl finds a teleportation device abandoned across the street from her house. She soon figures out how to use it.
• Someone your age sneaks onto a spaceship going into space. What happens? Do they get caught?
• Try to write a poem or a story in the style of Dr. Seuss.
• You have an assistant for one week who will do whatever you want. What do you ask them to do?
• Write about something you and your best friend would do if you lived in the same house.
• Tell a story about a kid who gets to go for a ride on Santa’s sleigh.
• A kid gets to be invisible for one day. What happens?
• Write a story using these three words: Train, Hat, Saturday.
• A clown shows up at your door one day. What do you do?
• Write about a day when your teacher forgot to wear shoes.
• Write a story about your evil twin.
• You find a treasure chest buried in your backyard. What’s inside?
• Imagine you get to be the opposite gender for one day. What do you do?
• Write a story about an imaginary sport. How does it work? What are the rules?
• You have been asked to create a new holiday. What should the world celebrate?
• Write a story where you get stuck inside your favorite video game or TV show.
• A child has traveled back in time from 1000 years in the future. What do they tell you about their life?
• Start a story with a character saying “I won’t do it, and you can’t make me!”
• Two friends send secret notes to each other through a hiding place no one else knows about. What happens when a new note appears from someone else?
• A family is camping and doesn’t have cell phone service. What do they do when someone gets sick?
• Write a story about a kid who doesn’t have any homework to do on the weekend.
• A kid and their dog are on an adventure in the forest. What happens?
• Write about a kid who loves to play in the rain.
• A family is going together to pick out the perfect Christmas tree.
• What happens when a spaceship lands in your backyard?
• A girl finds a magic door in her closet. What happens when she walks through?
• You are stuck inside your school overnight. What do you do?
• Write a story about a vampire who just wants to fit in with his friends.
• A superhero wants to save the world, but he’s not very good at using his powers.
• Your toys have come to life for one night only. What do you do with them?
• A boy is walking down a deserted road. What does he see?
• An older sibling is babysitting a younger sibling. The older sibling gets locked in a cupboard. What happens next?
• Imagine you live in a world where humans don’t need to sleep. What do you do every night?
• An old lady owns a costume shop. Everyone who buys or rents a costume has an adventure while wearing it. Write about one of these adventures.
• Your main character is the only survivor of a shipwreck. She is floating around on a raft. She finally finds an island. What’s on the island?
• The sun decides not to go down for one night. What does everyone do overnight when it’s not dark?
• Write about what you would do if you could read minds for one day.
• You can spy on your friends and family for one day and they don’t know you’re there. What do you think you’d see?
• Your grandma tells you a shocking secret and you’re not allowed to tell anybody else! How do you react to this crazy secret?
• You are given one dart to throw at a wall map. Wherever it lands, you have to go there tomorrow. Where do you go? What happens?
• Three kids climb a tree and find a whole new world at the top.
• Write a story about someone who is working hard to keep his grades up so he will be allowed to participate in the annual principal-for-a-day event.
• What would you do if you and your teacher switched places for a day?

Historical Writing Prompts for Kids

Writing stories about history can be a fun way for older kids, to learn some basic historical facts and events. Use these writing prompts to walk them through time in a way they can enjoy.

A book writing template may come in handy here as well. History can be complicated and confusing. It might be beneficial to have some information laid out in a structured way.

• Imagine everything in a historical museum coming to life one night. What happens?
• If you could have a conversation with one person from the past, who would it be?
• Imagine your family ruled over an ancient kingdom. What would life be like as a prince or princess?
• Write a story about the life of a child before TV was invented.
• Write a story about a family traveling a far distance by horse and carriage – before cars were invented.
• Imagine you were alive when the pyramids in Egypt were being built. What are they like in person?
• What do you think would have happened if humans were alive at the same time as dinosaurs?
• How do you think people in the past celebrated holidays?
• If you could travel backward in time to before you were alive, where would you go and why?
• If you could change any part of history, what would it be?
• Many years ago, all the grades of a school would be in a class together. Would you like this? Why or why not?
• Write about a building that no one has lived in for 100 years. What is left in the building? Who used to live there?
• What do you think the worst thing is about being a king or queen?
• Write about what kids did for fun in the old days.

Stimulating Writing Prompts for Kids

In addition to writing stories, many kids will benefit from other forms of mental stimulation like journal writing prompts. These can be done in a journal or essay writing exercise.

Use these prompts and questions to get them thinking about a time . Encourage them to answer all questions with as much detail as possible.

• Write a detailed description of your favorite toy.
• How would you describe the color green to someone who is blind?
• Where is your favorite place to hide during hide and seek? Why?
• Write a letter to your grown-up self.
• Imagine you are the first person to ever walk on the moon. Write a letter to your family about what it’s like up there.
• Write about something you want to learn more about.
• If the sky could rain any food for one day, which food would you want and why?
• Someone has never heard of magic. Explain it to them.
• A genie is going to grant you one wish. What is it?
• You are in charge of your school for a whole week. What do you do?
• What is the worst possible superpower someone can have?
• If you had $1,000 what would you buy for yourself?
• Which animal is your favorite? What do you like about it?
• What would your life be like if you were a movie star?
• Write about what life would be like without electricity.
• If you could go anywhere for a school trip where would it be and why?
• What do you want to do once you turn 16?
• If you could ask your teacher one question and get an honest answer, what would it be and why?
• Write about the weirdest dream you ever had.
• Describe the happiest day of your life so far.
• If you were in the circus, what would you do?
• If you won an award, what would it be?
• What is your favorite holiday and why?
• If you could have one extra limb, what would it be and why?
• What is your favorite season and why?
• Write about what life would be like if you got your dream job as an adult.
• If you could create a new animal, what would it look like?
• What is your favorite day of the week and why?
• Write about the person you admire the most.
• What is the best joke you ever heard? Why did it make you laugh so hard?
• You are in charge of inventing a new sandwich. What are you putting on it?
• Write about three things you are good at.
• If you could make anything grow on trees, what would it be and why?
• What is your most unusual talent?
• What’s the best book you’ve ever read? Describe the book to someone without spoiling the story.
• What one thing would make your life easier?
• Imagine you are 16 and your parents have bought you a car. What does it look like?
• What one thing would make school more fun?
• Describe what happens on the absolute best day you can think of.
• What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
• You are given $1,000 but you can’t spend it on yourself. What do you buy and for whom?
• You are creating the perfect town for you and your family to live in. What does the town have?
• What is one talent you wished you had but didn’t?
• Write about your favorite music.
• Describe your favorite movie without mentioning the title or the character’s names. Can anyone guess the movie?
• If you could control your dreams, what would you choose to dream about tonight?
• You can ask the government one question and they have to answer you honestly. What do you ask and why?
• Do you think you could go a whole day without talking? What would be difficult about this?
• If you could stop anyone else from talking for one day, who would it be and why?
• If the world was going to end in one hour, what would you want to do?
• What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?
• Do you have any toys right now that you think you will still play with when you are 20? Why or why not?
• What would you do if you were the last person on earth?
• Write about something you believed as a small child, but it turned out to be wrong. What was it? How did you find out?
• What would you do if you suddenly woke up in another country and no one could understand you?

Writing Tools for Kids

As kids get a little bit older, they can start being introduced to some tools and programs that will help their writing. As they age, they will start to get a sense of how to write properly and they will develop a voice and style of their own.

Those who are serious about writing and/or show some real promise might benefit from the use of some writing software to help them become a better writer .

We have created a list of 20 excellent tools for writers and gone over them in detail. But, a good place to start is with Squibler and Grammarly .

In today’s advancing world, AI is taking over most of the jobs. But there’s nothing to do about it as it is not a bad thing. You can think of AI as just another skill you learn to become more productive. The same is the case when it comes to writing. AI will generate the initial draft that will always require human skills. 

Squibler is the first AI book writing tool that assists aspiring authors to write with 50% more efficiency due to its advanced AI technology. It generates content based on your instructions and expands the story. 

Squibler’s Smart Writer works just like a real-life assistant who works 24/7 with no breaks. You can not just command it to write for you but also rewrite and rephrase existing text. Squibler includes features like adding more intensity and conflict to the plot. 

Squibler also offers excellent organization features. It offers a place to take notes and record research. It then encourages the writer to break down their chapters and scenes for easy organization and editing. You can not just organize, and take notes but also share the project with others to collaborate. 

Squibler also offers a series of templates that might be helpful to kids as they learn about story structure and character development. These templates will walk them through the writing of a book and offer guidelines and suggestions to make the story as effective as possible.

There are several style and genre options, but a good place to start is with the general fiction template:

Second, is Grammarly . Kids will often struggle with grammar and punctuation for a while. Grammarly is designed to help all types of writers fix and polish up their work from a grammatical standpoint.

It is largely intended for professional writers who do it for a living, or students who need to hand in perfect written pieces. But, that doesn’t mean kids can’t benefit.

As they go through their work in Grammarly and find their errors, they will learn from them. If they see the same thing pop up numerous times, they will learn not to do it anymore.

Final Remarks

Kids are the next generation of writers , authors , and creators. Start their writing skills early and encourage them to expand and improve. Teach them how to craft their words. Teach them how to paint a picture in someone else’s mind.

From writing descriptions to organizing thoughts and emotions, and even creating interesting characters – kids should be flexing their creativity muscles whenever possible.

Whether they go free form or you use a book writing template , encourage them to let their imaginations loose regularly with kids’ writing prompts . These writing prompts will convince students to imagine endless possibilities.

Here is a list of questions on creative writing prompts for kids:

What if I can’t think of anything to write about?

Don’t worry if you’re stuck! Sometimes ideas can be hidden in plain sight. Look around you, think about your favorite things, your favorite sports team, or your favorite hobby. You can even ask your friends and family for ideas. You can also try using prompts or writing games to spark your imagination.

How do I make my stories more interesting?

Adding details and descriptions can make your stories come alive! Think about what your characters see, hear, feel, taste, and smell. You can also try adding twists to your plots or creating unique characters with special traits or abilities.

Can I write about anything I want?

Absolutely! Your imagination is your superpower. You can write about anything from magical adventures to everyday moments. The most important thing is to write about what excites you and makes you happy.

How long should my story be?

There’s no right or wrong answer here! Your story can be as short as a few sentences or as long as a whole book. Just focus on telling your story in a way that feels right to you.

What if I’m scared to share my writing with others?

It’s natural to feel nervous, but sharing your writing can be exciting too! Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and feedback can help you grow as a writer. Start by sharing with someone you trust, like a family member, favorite teacher, or friend, and gradually build your confidence from there.

How do I know if my story is any good?

The most important thing is that you enjoy writing it! But if you’re looking for feedback, you can ask others to read your story and tell you what they think. Remember, every writer faces rejection and criticism sometimes, but it’s all part of the learning process. Keep writing and improving, and you’ll get better with time.

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127 Story Starters & Writing Prompts for Kids (Ages 10 – 14)

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Coming up with story starters for kids can be difficult. This article provides 127 writing prompts that can get kids’ creative writing off to a great start. Download my three great creative writing lesson plans that I use as a supply teacher. They’re easy-to-use lessons that you can teach on the go.

Article Key Points

• Select from the list of 127 writing prompts below for story ideas that you like.
• Put these writing ideas in a hat and have students randomly pick out their assigned story.
• Use the 3 lesson plans provided for a ready-made creative writing lesson. Great for supply teachers!

You can get my printable story starters sheet at the end of this article

A full list of 127 story starters and writing prompts for kids

Writing prompts for adventure stories.

• A princess who needs to rescue a puppy from a river.
• A family on a road trip who got lost and ended up on a whole new adventure.
• Two friends who go on an adventure down a river on a rowboat.

A superhero who lost his superpowers in the middle of a rescue.

• A kid who wakes up one day to find out he / she was turned into a dog.
• The day in the life of an inanimate object (tree, statue, etc.).
• Three friends who can time travel forward in time. What will the world look like when they arrive?

The main character of your story has to escape a pirate ship after being captured in the night.

• Pioneers travelling the whole way across a new land in just a wagon. What challenges will they face?
• You’re a detective trying to uncover a crime: someone stole grandma’s apple pie when it was cooling on the windowsill!
• You walk past a phone booth that is ringing. You answer the phone. Who is on the other end?

You wake up one day to find out that you grew and you’re suddenly 12 feet tall! You try to go to school but you find life’s hard as a giant…

• A giant and a mouse live in a house together and are best friends. Tell a story about them preparing dinner together. What would each eat, and how would their preparations be different?
• You’re half way up Mount Everest when you drop your pack with all your climbing gear off a cliff. What are you going to do about it?
• A dorky kid suddenly develops superpowers and fights crime in the city at night.

A talking dog and his best friend race against time to defuse a bomb.

• A firefighter is in a race against time to put out a fire before it burns down a magical forest full of talking animals (who help him / her to put out the fire!). Help him put out the fire safely !
• You are walking along the beach and find a message in a bottle. The message provides the directions to something special – follow the directions!
• Write a story about a refugee. They have recently had to flee their home to go to a safer place. Explain their journey.

You wake up one day and you’re only 6 inches tall! Write the story of what happens next – will you go on an adventure? Will you go to school? What will your parents say when they see you?

• Write a story about being lost in a maze. How did it make you feel? What did you come across as you turned corners in your attempt to escape?
• You’re going camping but you’re only allowed to bring 5 belongings. What would you bring, and why?
• You’re the only survivor of a plane that has crashed in the wilderness. Describe how you will survive.

You’re a book that keeps getting passed from person to person and bookshop to bookshop. What sorts of people read your book and what crazy places do you end up going?

• You’re 5 feet tall and live in a garden. How will you make your own comfortable little home in amongst the leaves?
• You’ve found yourself trapped in a prison cell. What creative ways will you come up with to escape?
• You dig a hole in your backyard and find a treasure. What is the treasure and what will you do with it?

You have to set up a new colony on Mars. Who would you take with you and what struggles will you have setting up your new colony? Who would be king? What would be the rules?

• You have magical pockets. Every time you put your hand in your pocket, you pull something else out! Write a story of the 5 different, random things you pull out of your pockets. Will some of them be slimy and scary? Will some be alive? Will some be tasty?

Read Also: 25 Central Ideas for Stories

Writing prompts for stories about your life

• Your favorite memory with your family.
• The best vacation or adventure you ever had.
• A time you went to the dentist.

Your two favorite movies (and how they’re similar and different).

• What you think would happen at a dinner party involving any three of your favorite people (living or dead).
• Your hero and why they’re your hero.
• Write a story about your ideal day. Start with your alarm going off to wake you up, and end with you closing your eyes and falling asleep.

The happiest moment of your life. What was it that made you so happy?

• What a day in your life would be like if you had your dream job.
• You have swapped jobs with one of your parents. You have to go to work for the day and they have to go to school. What funny things will happen?
• Write a story about a dream you have had in your past. Was it a logical story, or did your dream defy the rules of the world? If you can’t remember your dream, you can make it up or fill in the gaps.

Write a story about a time you were wrong and how you felt. Were you glad you learned something new? Were you ashamed? Did you apologize?

• Write a story about your favorite place. If you don’t have a favorite place, invent one and explain why it would be your favorite place.
• Write about a skill you recently learned. Was it frustrating? After learning the skill how did you feel? How do you use the skill in your life now?
• Write a story about the things you think about just before you go to sleep at night.

Write about exactly what you’re going to do when you get home from school today.

• Write a story about all the things you’re grateful for and why you’re grateful for each one.
• Write about the moment your parents or grandparents met and how they felt at that time. If you don’t know about it, make it up!
• Write about your first day at high school or university. What will your emotions be? Will you meet anyone?

Read Also: A List of 107 Effective Classroom Teaching Strategies

Writing prompts for imaginative stories

• What you would do if you could travel back in time to hang out with one of your ancestors.
• You have a metal detector and are using it on a beach. What do you turn up? Describe it and what you would do with it.
• You invent your own tree house. Describe it – how do you get into it? How many rooms are there and what is in each room?

You could travel back in time to any time in world history. What is it and why?

• You meet a fairy who gives you any one gift – what would it be and how would you use it?
• You just bought a haunted house and are about to spend your first night in it. It’s run down and creepy. Describe your first night, starting with when you step in the door at 5 pm.
• You’re shipwrecked on a deserted island with only 5 of your belongings. Which would they be and why?

Imagine an older version of you has traveled back in time and has come to give you advice. What advice will they give you and what will your conversation be like?

• Imagine you’re a farmer. Describe the farm animals or plants you would farm and a day in your life.
• Write a story about having fear of the grass, but needing to walk through a park. How will you get across the park without touching the grass!?
• Imagine it’s the world 2100 and climate change has changed the climate where you live. Describe the new climate, the new plants that grow there, and whether it’s extremely hot or extremely cold!

Imagine an ice age has arrived and the whole world is -30 degrees! How will you live? In an igloo? What clothes would you wear? Would the cities be made of ice? Explain a day in the life.

• You have created your own personal robot. What does the robot do and how does this improve your life?
• You wake up one day and the only people left in the world are 3 of your closest friends. How will you survive?
• Your house has been converted into a spaceship and you’re flying to the mysterious planet Obertoron. What is the climate like in this new planet? What challenges do you face settling into this new planet?

You are in the middle of a lesson at school when … suddenly gravity stops working and everything starts floating into the air!

• You can breathe underwater and go on underwater adventures to a city under the sea. You’re on a mission to save the city from an evil octopus.
• You wake up in the morning and suddenly you’re 30 years old. What is a day in the life of the 30 year old version of you?
• Make up the rules of your own sport. You can get inspiration from real sports or a made up sport like Quidditch.

Write a story about the most peaceful place you could imagine. What is surrounding you that makes it so peaceful?

• Peter Pan flies in through the window to teach you to fly. Describe how it feels to fly out the window and look down on the streets below.
• You’re in a garbage dump sifting for goodies. What do you find and what do you do with it?
• You receive a mysterious item in the mail. Describe the item and why you might have received it.

You can read minds. What are the thoughts in the heads of people around you? Are you glad you can read minds, or will you end up regretting it?

• You’re born into royalty and will be the future king or queen. How are people treating you and what will be your responsibilities? Are you happy about being the future monarch, or will you end up just wishing you were a normal person.
• You’re the president, king or prime minister for the day. What will you do today to improve your society or change the world?
• Invent your own movie. What is the main character’s name and what is the movie’s plot? How will the movie end?

Imagine you’re a mermaid for a day. What sea creatures would you talk to? Where would you sleep and live under the sea?

• Imagine you are a teacher. What would you teach and why?
• Imagine you have a secret hatch under your bed that takes you into your own private cave. What will you keep in your cave that makes it the prefect secret room for you?
• Imagine you woke up one morning and there was no electricity for the next year. What would change about your life?

Write a story that involves the following 5 objects: a foot, a lake, a spaceship, a pizza, and a dinosaur.

• Imagine you’re from a tribe that has never had contact with anyone else in the world. You go for a walk and stumble upon a city. Explain how you feel and what you see.
• Everything you touch with your right hand turns to candy. Write about a day in your life and the sorts of issues you might come across during your day.
• You feel the emotions of all the people around you. Write about a day walking through a city, the people you see, and how your emotions go up and down like a roller coaster.
• Imagine your toys have come to life (like in Toy Story!) What sorts of things will they get up to while you’re at school?

Writing prompts for descriptive stories

• Write a story about the weather. Choose one type of weather (thunderstorm, sunny day, humidity, rain) and describe it. Use adverbs, adjectives and superlatives to describe how the weather makes you feel.
• Write a story about a delicious feast you made for your friends. What will be served? Describe its taste in your mouth. Don’t forget to describe the appetizers, main course and dessert!
• Pretend you are the god of your own little world and you can invent an animal. What would its features be? Think about its head, body and limbs. Don’t forget to describe its skin (fur? Scales? hair?), eyes, mouth (or is it a beak or bill?), ears, fingers, etc.

You are on the train observing other people and listening in to their conversations. Describe the people on the train and what they’re doing with their lives.

• You are Santa Claus and you’re reading children’s wish lists. Describe three different children’s wish lists. The children need to have different personalities and this needs to be reflected in their wish list.
• You’ve been given $100 to spend in the supermarket. Start the story of you walking down the aisle trying to pick out what you want. First you’ll describe 7 objects that you find, but then you can only choose 3. Explain your choice.
• Describe the taste of chocolate to someone who has never tasted it before. How will you explain it?

You’ve met someone who has never smiled before. Explain to them how to smile without using the word ‘smile’.

• Describe what it’s like to see to someone who was born blind.
• Describe what it’s like to hear to someone who was born deaf.
• You start your own club. What would the club be, and what would be the conditions for entry to the club?

You’re about to take an exam. Describe your feelings before the exam begins, then your feelings during the exam, and finally your feelings after you leave!

• You’re walking through a refugee camp. Describe what you see.
• Write a story about how you feel on the first warm, sunny day of the year.
• Describe snow to someone who has never seen or touched it.

Write a story about how it feels to be cold to someone who’s from Jamaica and has never felt the cold!

• Write a story about how it feels to be hot to someone from the North Pole who’s never felt the heat!
• You invent your own board game . What is the theme and what are the rules?
• Describe what it feels to walk through a city to someone who has never been in the city before.

Describe what it feels like to be all alone in the forest to someone who’s never been in among trees before.

• You move into a new house and have to set up your new bedroom. What would its theme be? What posters would you put on the walls?
• You’re an architect and can design your dream house. What would it look like? What rooms would there be? What cool things would you include in your new house?
• If there was one thing you could invent, what would it be? Describe it and how it is used.

A fire has started in your home. You can only save 3 of your belongings. What are they and why would you save them?

• You make a new friend. Describe the friend’s personality and why you like them so much.
• You have to plan a birthday party for yourself. What will be the party’s them? Where will it be?
• You can invent your own car. What special features will it have that will make it your ideal car?

You are going to go a full year without creating and trash. Write about the lifestyle changes you will make in order to prevent making trash. How will you get food without wrappings?

• There is a new kid who has arrived at school today. Write about what you will do to make them feel welcome.
• You have to buy Christmas gifts for all of your family members. Describe what the gifts will be and why you think they’re ideal for each family member.
• You can change your style to any style you like: what would you wear, what would your hair look like, and what sort of music would you listen to?

Describe what it’s like to feel hungry to someone who’s never felt hunger before in their life.

• You have $50 to buy food for a week. What foods will you buy and why? Will you focus on health food to keep yourself healthy, or binge on junk that tastes so yummy?
• Imagine you work for the post office. What is a day in your life? What dogs will you come across? What different sorts of letters will you deliver? Happy letters? Sad letters?
• Describe what it feels like to take a shower to someone who’s never had a shower before.

It’s opposite day and you have to lie about everything. What sorts of trouble are you going to get into from all of your lies?

• Explain how you would start a fire without a lighter or matches.
• Describe the feeling of being sticky to someone who has never felt the feeling of being sticky. You can’t use the word ‘sticky’.
• Describe the feeling of being dirty to someone who has never felt being dirty. You can’t use the word ‘dirty’.

Write a story about how it feels to be bullied, and someone who arrives and is kind to you. Describe how it feels to have a friend who is kind after you’ve been bullied.

• You have been asked to create a new game show on TV (Think: Family Feud or Wheel of Fortune). What will be the rules of your new game show?
• You are a genetic scientist and can create a new fruit. Describe the fruit: how it feels, tastes, and looks. What does the tree that it grows on look like? In what climate does it grow?
• You’re an architect and you’ve been asked to design the ideal playground. What sort of cool play equipment will you place in your playground?

3 Great Writing Prompts and Story Starter Lesson Plans

Lesson 1: mix-and-match story starter lesson.

Printable 1: Fun Story Stater and Writing Prompt Mix-and-Match Lesson (Takes you to a Google Doc)

This lesson plan download has a list of mix-and-match story starters. Cut up each story element and put them into three hats: Character, Setting and Plot (you might also want to read my article about about all 8 elements of a story ). The students are blindfolded and must take one story element out of each hat and make a story out of the three elements they get!

Lesson 2: Planning your Creative Story Plot

Printable 2: Story Planning Template (Takes you to a Google Doc)

Teach students about the important elements of a story using this story planning lesson template. Your students need to describe their main character, plot and setting before they tell their story. It’s a great scaffold to ensure your students follow the conventions of story writing.

Lesson 3: Random Creative Writing Story Prompts

Printable 3: A List of 127 Story Starters (Takes you to a Google Doc)

I love this one for an easy afternoon. Simply cut up the 127 creative writing story ideas below, place them in a hat, and have students close their eyes and pick out the story that they will have to write about.  

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

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BRYN DONOVAN

tell your stories, love your life

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50 Story Ideas for Kids

For a while now, people have been asking me to do story ideas for kids.

 This year, more busy teachers and homeschoolers are looking for easy creative writing lesson plans, and some of them have used my summer writing prompts  and my Christmas writing prompts .

So I put together this list of writing prompts for kids. They include some story starters, some funny writing prompts, and some mystery and adventure ideas. I hope these are helpful for parents looking for creative writing activities, too…so their kids can learn how fun writing can be.  Then again, maybe they already know!

STORY STARTERS

The writing prompts in this first section are “finish the story prompts”…kids start with the first sentence given, and take it from there.

1. Once upon a time, there was a girl who did something that nobody thought she’d be able to do.

2. Once upon a time, a boy found a suitcase with his name on it and fifty thousand dollars inside.

3. My family’s camping trip didn’t go the way we planned.

4. I packed my suitcase to go on my dream vacation.

5. I packed my suitcase because I was moving with my family to another country.

6. An odd family moved in next to us.

7. George was a friendly snake, and he wanted people to stop being afraid of him.

8. Lila was a duck who hated getting wet.

9. One morning when I woke up, I was invisible.

10. One morning when I woke up, I was only six inches tall.

11. I was so surprised when I realized my new skateboard could fly off the ground.

12. A boy met his guardian angel.

13. A girl met the President.

14. I met a person from one hundred years in the future.

15. I opened the huge birthday present.

16. I was standing in the middle of a dark forest.

17. There once was a boy who painted his horse to look like a zebra.

18. There once was a girl who loved hats more than anything else in the world.

19. I was asked to star in a movie.

20. I got a robot to help me with things.

MYSTERY STORY IDEAS

21. You get an invitation to a secret party.

22. You find a strange map tucked inside a book.

23. You find a fancy key in your backpack.

24. Someone stole your bicycle, and you want to find out who it was.

25. Someone keeps eating all the cookies in the house when everyone else is asleep.

26. There’s glitter all over the living room floor, and nobody knows why.

27. There are animal tracks in your backyard, and you follow them.

28. There’s a house on your block that’s been empty for years, but at night, you can hear music playing inside.

29. At the beach, a bottle washes up on the shore with a mysterious note inside.

30. A girl keeps insisting she’s your sister, but as far as you remember, you’ve never met her before in your life.

ADVENTURE STORY IDEAS

31. You were chosen to be the first kid astronaut and you go into outer space.

32. You wake up on an island. You don’t know how you got there, and you’re the only person there.

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33. You and your best friend explore Antarctica.

34. You and your best friend explore a volcano…avoiding the lava.

35. You walk into a store and find yourself in a whole other world.

36. You sail on a sailboat to a faraway place.

37. You go on a cruise, and pirates attack the ship.

38. You take a hike in the rainforest and meet some interesting animals.

39. You travel across the desert on a camel.

40. You explore a cave and make an amazing discovery.

OTHER STORY IDEAS FOR KIDS

41. You’re not allowed to have pets, but you’re secretly taking care of a baby unicorn in your room.

42. Your new babysitter is a talking elephant.

43. A puppy tries to go to school like human kids do.

44. An ice cream company hires you to invent new flavors.

45. Your homework assignment is to interview a Disney cartoon character.

46. Someone from your favorite TV show shows up in real life and wants to hang out with you.

47. You get to design your own bedroom. You can have anything in there you want.

48. You become the king or queen of the world. Where would you live? What would you do?

49. Aliens visit Earth and believe you are the king or queen of the world, even though you keep telling them you’re not.

50. You dress up as something for Halloween, and everyone thinks that’s what you really are.

If you liked my story ideas for kids, please share them on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter—I really appreciate it! And if you don’t want to miss future posts, be sure to subscribe to the blog. Thanks so much for reading, and have a great rest of your week!

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21 thoughts on “ 50 story ideas for kids ”.

These are great. They could work for adult stories too.

You know…now that I think about it, you’re totally right, Darlene! I hope you have a good week!

Hi Bryn, Thanks for this post. I think this is a great idea. Since my grandson always wants me to tell him stories and he always adds to them, I can simply give him one of these and let him create the stories. Also, I have several friends who are teachers. I will share your post with them. I’m sure they will appreciate these.

Hi Cheryl! Aww, I love it that your grandson loves stories…he takes after you! I would so appreciate your sharing. 🙂 Have a good week!

Hi Bryn, Just what I needed and at the perfect time! How did you guess? Tomorrow morning I am giving a Zoom meeting through Nepris for a class of 4th-graders. The topic is writing fiction. Since I am a Discovery Writer, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to present “how to write fiction” till I remembered your index card plot illustration from Blank Page to Final Draft page 61. I simplified it a bit. Haha. I’ll bet you didn’t think it could be simpler than what you created. (Don’t worry, I give you credit) I feel confident now, that I will be able to help the students “see” the structure of a story. And then the BIG FINISH. We can let them choose an idea from your list to write their own story. It’s Perfect! Thank you so very much not only for this post, but also for all the tips, ideas, encouragement, and (OK I admit it) LOVE you give and are willing to receive.

Jessie! You’ll probably be done teaching by the time you read this, but that’s so great that this was helpful! I love it. Lucky kids, getting you for a guest teacher! Thanks so much for the kind words…you made my day. 🙂

I love your prompts! So many wonderful ones! Thanks for sharing!

Thank you, Andrea! You’re so kind. Hope you have a great week!

YES! This is perfect timing. Both my kids have expressed interest in writing, and the youngest is getting a word processing machine (a Neo2) from Santa (he asked; how can I say no??) so I might have to print out this list for them. Thank you, Bryn!! <3

Hey friend! Ahh, that’s awesome…they’re writers like you! I hope they like these. 🙂

wonderful prompts. shared.

Aww thanks Denise! Hope you have a great week. 🙂

Hi there! Thank you so much for this incredible prompts! I have a little cousin who doesn´t like to write, she says that she never gets good ideas and that she gets bored when she’s writing, so I’ll try to use this prompts to increase her writing. There are so many funny and cute ideas in this post so I am sure that she will find something she would love to write about.

Thank you so much! :3 :3 :3

How nice that you’re helping your cousin be creative! I hope she likes one of the ideas. 🙂 Thanks for commenting!

This is a very generous list! Thank you. Also , it reminded me that my dad always used to make up a story when he tucked me in at night, so good for this too.

Naomi, that is so sweet about your dad. 🙂 What a great memory!

I’m a retired teacher (thirty-one years in grades 2-6), but I would have used many of these prompts.

Hi Pete! Ah, I’m glad I’m hitting the mark here. Hope everything’s going well with you!

I’m using one of your prompts to write a story for my granddaughter! Thanks so much!

thank you for all of these amazing prompts I am planning to enter this years BBC 500 words writing competition

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If you’re looking to inspire your students’ writing and creativity, turn to these fun and exciting writing prompts. Perfect for overcoming writer’s block or even starting a brand-new short story in a different narrative, creative writing prompts can help students begin a new piece with confidence.

Plus, these story starters can also encourage students to explore different genres while honing their writing skills. There are a lot of ways you can use writing prompts in your classroom. Try: 

Reading a book in a genre, then having students use a story starter in that same genre. 

Starting off class with 10 minutes of writing, using one of the prompts below. If you'd like, you can ask a volunteer to share their story! Students may be surprised by the variety of stories that are written based on the same prompt. 

Using these prompts as an introduction to a creative writing unit. 

Providing fast finishers with a way to stay busy — and have fun. 

Using story starters to encourage students to write at home.

Adventure Story Starters 

Take inspiration from classics like Treasure Island and newer popular series like The Bad Guys to explore how to write thrilling adventure stories. And to encourage students to begin writing their own adventure-focused stories, share these creative story starters: 

You’re part of a pirate crew in search of a long-lost storied treasure trove. What is happening on the ship and where do you find the treasure? 

You get the chance to use a time machine to meet one historical figure of your choice. Who do you go meet, and what will you do to explore that time period?

You receive a fortune in a fortune cookie that changes the course of your life. What does the fortune say, and what happens when it comes true?

Get students excited about adventure stories with these great books: 

Fantasy Story Starters 

Have fans of dragons, unicorns, wizards, and other mythical creatures in class? Encourage them to give fantasy writing a shot. 

You’re on a quest through a hidden underground world that no one else has ever seen. What magical creatures do you come across? What do they look like, and how do they act? 

There is a witch who lives in a nearby legendary haunted house. She puts a hex on you that needed to be broken by the time the clock struck midnight the next night. What kind of hex is it, and how do you break it? 

You stumble into an enchanted forest. How did you find it, and what do you discover in it?

Check out these fun fantasy titles for more inspiration:

Sci-Fi Story Starters 

Kids interested in STEM concepts will love science fiction! Try these prompts to see how your students combine science with their wildest imaginations. 

• You’re the first person to ever set foot on Mars. What is it like? What do you explore first? 
• You and your friend have the same dream in the middle of the night about a prophecy that involves another dimension. What is the prophecy, and what is this other dimension? What do you and your friend have to do to reach and alter this dimension?
• After NASA discovers a whole new world of giants in a nearby nebula, they send a team of scientists through a wormhole to study them. You are one of the scientists on board. What does the journey feel like? What do the giants look like in this world? 

Plus, find great kid-friendly sci-fi here:

Genre Scrambler Story Starters 

Have some fun with genre studies by combining them! Try these prompts to get started:

• You are on an expedition in the Arctic and discover a new species of animals living in the harsh climate that no one has ever seen before. What kind of species is it, and what characteristics do they have? 
• You’re walking home from school and notice that the front door of a neighbor’s house is wide open, and no one is in sight. The old man who normally lives there is nowhere to be found. Curious, you go into the house and find that everything is fake: the furniture, the food, the technology, etc. In fact, the whole property is made of plastic, even the grass and trees! What happened to the old man who lives here? Why does this house exist, and why is everything fake? 
• You are a child living in the early 1800s in an unnamed country when an asteroid hits, releasing aliens that want to make contact with your leaders. What do these aliens want? How does everyone react?

Shop popular books of all genres that will inspire young writers below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store .

50 creative writing prompts for kids

Writing prompts for kids of all ages and unique ways you can help inspire your young author.

Getting lost in a great story is a thrilling way for kids to pass the time—especially if the story is in their own minds.

Making up stories or simply recording their thoughts in a journal builds learners’ self-awareness, self-esteem, creativity, and writing skills. Creative writing can also lay the groundwork for a lifelong habit that can help them process their emotions and observations about the world.

Here’s a quick overview of why creative writing is important for kids, age-appropriate writing prompts, and fun writing classes your kids can try. 

Why it’s so important to get kids writing creatively

Writing is an amazing outlet for creativity. When kids are allowed to write what they’re passionate about , they learn to associate learning with fun and happiness. In contrast, kids who “have” to read or write what they’re told, regardless of if they’re interested in the topic, can become completely disinterested in recreational reading and writing.

A study from the United Kingdom shows that while kids are largely leaning towards writing on screens instead of using pen and paper, the types of writing they do are surprisingly varied. Children and young people enjoy writing stories and poems, song lyrics, reviews of products they’re interested in, and diary entries.

Nearly 62% of kids stated they wrote social media content every month, highlighting the usefulness of online platforms for encouraging writing and reading in the home .

Kids of all ages can also benefit from 1-on-1 writing tutoring , especially if they’ve lost their love of writing and need to re-engage their curiosity. Take a look at our prompts below as a great way to jump-start the imagination and latch on to something your young learner is passionate about. 

You can also take ideas from your family’s favorite books or a beloved character from another media format, such as TV or movies.

25 writing prompts for young kids 

Write a story about a character who has a secret power—but no one knows about it.

Imagine a city that existed long ago but has now been destroyed. What did it look like? Who lived there? How did it all end?

Write a story about a planet that hasn’t been discovered yet.

Imagine you’re a mermaid. Describe your under-the-sea home. Who are your friends? What does your house look like?

What if your pet could talk? What would you two discuss?

Create a daily schedule for a person who is as small as a snail.

If you had to choose one of the following biomes to live in, which would you choose, and why: desert, rainforest, deep sea, arctic, mountains, or tropics?

If you could become invisible, where would you go first? What would you do there?

Why do you think your parents chose your name? Does it suit you? Why or why not?

Imagine you live on a deserted island, and there’s a big storm coming.

What is your earliest memory?

What would you do if you found a magic compass on the sidewalk that showed you how to get to wherever you wanted to go in under 3 minutes?

If you were the ruler of a kingdom, what would its laws be? Write a constitution for your society.

What would life be like if you were your favorite animal?

Is sweet or salty better? Write persuasively to defend your choice as if you had the chance to win a million dollars for making the best argument.

Write a step-by-step guide to being you.

Imagine you were the ONE person alive in the age of the dinosaurs. How would you spend your time?

Would you rather always be hot or always be cold? Decide, then write a story where the character is always too hot or always too cold. What are they going to do about it?

If there were a secret passageway in your house, where would you find it, and where would it lead?

If an alien landed in your backyard, what would happen?

What will life be like in the year 3000?

Are you most like an ocean, a gust of wind, a fire, or a tree? Why?

Write a letter to your current self from the future.

Imagine you lived in the mall.

Write a poem about one of your family members.

Find the perfect writing class for your young scribe. They’ll connect with passionate teachers and peers to kickstart their creativity. 

25 writing prompts for big kids and teens

In the movie of your life, who would you cast to play you, your family members, and your friends?

Write a scientific essay about your pet. Use language that is objective rather than subjective.

Write an itinerary for your dream vacation.

Write a story from the perspective of your favorite Star Wars character.

Write a letter to your younger self.

Would you rather have farts people can see or burp glitter? Defend your choice.

Create an original superhero—like Spider-Man or Batman.

If you became president, what’s the first thing you’d do?

What was life like for your great-great-grandparent at your age?

What would your life be like if you lived underground? Describe a typical day from the moment you wake up to when you get to sleep.

Imagine you’re a star athlete in your favorite sport. Describe a day in your life.

You’re living in ancient Egypt. Describe a day in your life.

Rewrite a classic fairy tale like Little Red Riding Hood, but set it in modern times.

Describe a day in your life to an alien from another planet. Remember, they don’t know ANYTHING about Earth!

Imagine you live inside your favorite video game—and you have to figure out how to get back to real life.

Invent a new sport. Describe the rules, equipment needed, and traditions surrounding games.

If you had a robot as a friend, what would you do together? What conflicts might arise?

Imagine you were in the zoo like an animal, and no one thought that was weird at all.

Write a letter to yourself in the future. Describe what life is like today—what technology do you use? Who are your friends? What are your favorite things to do?

Write a story where the characters can only ask questions.

Write a song that you’d perform if you got a record deal.

What would happen in the first episode of your favorite TV show with you as a starring character?

Write a text conversation between you and a ghost that lives in your attic.

Think of yourself as a character in a book. In the book's story, you're living your normal life until, one day, everything changes. What is your normal life like? How do you interact with the people in your life? What changes? How do you respond?

Write a story that will scare your readers.

Another fun way to inspire your growing author is with online writing workshops and clubs . Giving them practical opportunities to study and practice creative writing is a great way to support their passion. 

Resources for developing kids' creative writing skills

Help your children develop multiple crucial writing skills with Outschool’s live online classes, like: 

Writing persuasively

Creative writing skills for different age groups

Getting writing coaching and tutoring

Mastering essay writing

Constructing a five-paragraph essay

Writing poetry

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The Absolute Best Creative Writing Topics for Kids!

Creative writing is a great way for children to express themselves using imagination. At Kids Play and Create, we value young writers, and we are constantly updating our list to bring you new, fun, and imaginative writing prompts for kids.

We have story starters, icebreakers, fiction writing prompts, and fun topics to inspire kids through writing. From young students to middle school students and even high school, we have great writing prompts for all writing styles and even the most reluctant writers.

                Check the end of the article for updated Creative Writing Topics for Teens. Are you looking for Creative Writing topics for 1st grade and 2nd grade with free printables? We have that too!

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing can be used to explain many types of writing. It is a writing style that lets the writer express themselves.  Some forms of creative writing entertain the reader, while others are therapeutic.  Creative writing lets the writer use their imagination and takes the reader on a journey into their thoughts.

Is Creative Writing Important?

Creative writing is a great way to learn more about the children you work with.  You can find out things about what they like and don’t like.  Depending on the topic you choose, you can also find out things about their personality, what kind of friends they are, how they feel about themselves, and if they set goals and more.  

How do you get kids to want to write without complaining?  Give them fun topics that they will learn about themselves while writing.  On this list, you will find various good topics for both younger and older children.

Creative Writing is fun for All Ages.

Creative writing isn’t just for older children. It can be for the little ones too. Young students as early as Preschool or Kindergarten may not have the ability to write but can express themselves through drawing.

Have young students concentrate less on the writing and more on drawing a picture that goes with the topic. Children are great at expressing themselves through art.

Awesome Creative Writing Prompts for Elementary Students

1. Have the children write on top of the page:  I Am Special Because… This is a good topic to help children express themselves.

 Examples of powers they can write about are flying, super speed, eye lasers, walking through walls, shooting ice, shooting fire, changing the weather, camouflage, shapeshifting (changing shape), and turning invisible. 

When the writing activity is over, split the children into two teams, the superhero team and the villain team.  Have them vs. each other in a game of tag.  Who will champion the superheroes or the villains? 

3. What do I want to be when I grow up and why?

This is a fun topic.  Children can think about having anything in the world.  Will they pick something like peace on earth or go the million-dollar route?  

5. If I could invent a new animal, what animal would it be? 

Have the children ask themselves the following questions: What does the animal look like (what color, is it big or small, is it a combination of two animals)?  What sounds does the animal make?  What does it eat?  Where does it live?  Describe the animal’s habitat.

Creative Writing Topics for Kids

6. If I could invent a new toy, what kind of toy would I create and why? Or, If I could improve a toy, which toy would I improve, and how would I make it better?  

Talk to the children about the creative process:  First, you come up with an idea, then you have to get it made. 

Talk to the children about manufacturing toys. 

Here are some questions you can ask the children about improving a toy.  How do you want to make the toy better?  Do you want to make the remote control car faster?  Is the game challenging enough?  Do you want your doll to have more features or do more? 

You can ask the children these questions to get their brains thinking.

7. If I could make something disappear in my life, what would it be and why?

Ask the children if there is something in your life that makes them unhappy.  Is there a problem you are having?  

8 . All About me essay.

Some sample questions the children can ask are:  What are my likes and dislikes?

What is my favorite subject in school? What do I want to be when I group up?  Who is their favorite actress/actor?  Where do they want to visit? They can name the people in their family, talk about any extracurricular activities they do, etc.

9 . In what ways do I help my family?

Have children write about the ways they help their families.  Do you have chores?  If so, what are they?  Do you help your mom or dad cook?  Do you talk out the garbage? Do you take care of your siblings?  Do you have a job to help pay bills?  

10. How can I be a better friend?  

Have children think about what type of friends they are.  Are they good listeners?  Are you kind?  Do you talk about your friends to other people?  Have them think about how they would like to be treated by a friend, do they treat their friends the way they want to be treated?

The Best Creative Writing Topics for 4th and 5th grade

11. If you could be invisible, what would you do and why?

Have the children think about what it would be like to be invisible.  Would they use this new power for good or would they try to do something bad?

12. What do you think about bullies and why? 

Have the children define what a bully is to them in their paper.  Do they think they are a bully?  Do they think bullying is wrong?  Remember, these are things the children are feeling, there are no wrong answers.

To them, the children with their writing ask them the following questions. What does it mean to be honest?  Have you ever told a lie that turned into another lie?

14. What would you do if you won a million dollars? 

This question is usually a favorite topic with the children.  Ask them if they think one million dollars is a lot of money. 

Depending on where you live, it might be just enough to buy a small house and a car.  What are some things you would buy?  Would you save some or spend it all?

15. If you could change the world, what would you do and why?

Would they change things, such as ending hate and violence in the world? Would they change things such as making gas or food free for everyone? You will get various answers, making this a fun and interesting topic.

Fun Writing Prompts Ideas

This is a fun topic for both younger and older children.  Activity: Have the children draw their kingdom and a picture of them as king or queen

This topic is also great for older and younger children. While children love playing video games, they may not realize that they can make video games for a living.

Talk to the children about video game developers and the process of creating video games. Have them brainstorm ideas for games and find out what they can come up with.

18. Write about a time when you had to be brave, what did you do, and how did it make you feel?

19. Write about a trip to the moon, how you got there, what you saw, and whether it was fun or scary.

20. Write about something you are good at.

22. Write about a time when you worked hard to get something.

This can be a thing or an accomplishment, like making a team, finally getting that cartwheel, or passing a test.

There is always room for improvement.  Talk to the children about the importance of trying hard and working towards a goal.

24. If you had to give away $1,000, what would you do with it, and who would you give it to?

This is a great question to ask children when talking about being kind and helping others.  

Journal Prompts or Kids

25. What is the best thing someone has ever given to you?

This question helps children think about what they’re good at and how they can help others.

Explain what happened and how it made you feel.  

30. Did someone ever hurt your feelings?

31. Is there anyone you would like to switch places with? Who and why?

32. What does it mean to be loyal?

33. When was a time you were loyal to a friend or a friend who was loyal to you?

34. What famous person would you like to meet?

Self-Esteem Writing Topics

35. Have you ever been friends with someone who was unpopular or not part of the group?  

This is a great question to ask children when teaching them about acceptance and how it feels not to be part of a group.

36. When was a time you felt you were treated unfairly? How did it make you feel?

37. Is it fair to give someone a head start in a race?  When is it fair? When is it not fair?

Everyone makes mistakes.  This writing topic helps children understand that mistakes are part of the learning experience.

40. Write about a time when you were very angry.  What happened? How did being angry make you feel?  

Did I make a good choice when I was angry? This is a great writing topic when discussing feelings with children.  It is important for them to understand that anger isn’t wrong and that you are allowed to feel angry.

41. What would you do if you heard a rumor about a friend you knew wasn’t true? How would it make you feel? What would you do?

44. Write about three things that are hard for you and why.

46. What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

49. Write about your best friend. Who are they, how long have you known them, and why are they your best friend?

Short Story Writing Topics for Kids

52. If you could be on a t.v show, which one would it be and why?  

55. You just found a treasure map; write about what you would do next.  Do you decide to look for the treasure?  Who is going to help you?  What supplies do you need? Did the map lead you to the treasure, or was it fake?  If you found the treasure, what was it?  What did you do with it?

56. You just built a time machine.  Where in time would you go?  What did you do?  What did you see?  Would you want to stay there or come back to the present time?

58. Challenge the kids to write a scary story.

2.  Create an animal.  This is the same as the monster but just an animal instead.

3. Create new food. What kind of food is it?  Is it a dessert, is it something spicy, is it a combination of both?  Have the children draw a picture of their new food.

Group Writing Prompts for Kids

I’ve been working with kids on group writing and art projects.  The kids enjoyed these topics the best.

58. Create a fairy tale. have each group member write one part of the story. Then have each member of the group draw one part of the story. When the children are finished writing, have them come up in front of the class and retell their story.   

59.  Create an amusement park.  Discuss as a group the name of the park.  Have each member of the group write about the parts of the park. 

B.  Write about the type of rides in the park.  Are there shows in the park?

Art Project:  On a large poster board, have each group member draw a park map.  List of attractions, games, food, restrooms, gift shops, shows, etc..

Newly Added Creative Writing Prompts

61. Create a new food/or meal and make a recipe to teach others how to make it.  Have the kids draw a picture of the new food/meal.

62. Create a new game and describe how to play.  This writing topic lets children use their imaginations.  Have the children draw out the game on paper.  If creating a  board game, have the children turn the paper into a board game.

64.  Your video just went viral on YouTube.  What did you do in your video? These days, children spend so much time looking at videos on YouTube.  Have them imagine what it would be like to become famous overnight with a viral video.

Magical Writing Prompts for Kids

67. What is your sorcerer’s name?  What kind of sorcerer would you be?  Would you be evil or nice?  What kind of powers would you have?  What is something that you did as a sorcerer?

69. Write about a time when you were proud of your work and did your best.  How did that make you feel?  Do you always try your best?  Why or why not

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Reap what you sow, write a story about a child overhearing something they don’t understand., set your story on the eve of the first day back at school., write about a school trip that takes a turn for the unexpected., write a fable inspired by a relatable life experience (explaining the moral before or after the story, if you’d like)., write a story told from the point of view of an animal..

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The best writing prompts for kids

For a child, a couple of pillows can become a magical fort. The very floor beneath them can turn into lava. A cardbox box can become a great voyageur on the choppy seas. The sky is the limit when it comes to the adventures a day might hold — and for that reason, there’s no better time to start writing stories than childhood. If you’re a parent or a teacher looking to help inspire children or students to write, look no further than our list of imaginative writing prompts for kids. Hey, even if you’re an adult simply looking to reconnect with your former sense of childlike wonder or your own history, these writing prompts for kids will be right up your alley.

The creative writing prompts range from ideas that will spark a child’s ability to think outside the box, as well as prompts that will help them self-reflect. Each one is sure to inspire their curiosity and lead to an adventure of the imagination. Not only will these prompts provide fun, but they can also be helpful teaching exercises! Want to help your child practice their grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and sentence structure? Creative writing is the answer.

To get you started, here are our top ten writing prompts for kids.

• Imagine you owned a pet monkey for a day. What would you do with it?
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
• If you found a time machine, would you use it to travel to the past or future? Why?
• You and your family are going on a trip together. Where do you go? What do you do there?
• Imagine what your parents' lives were like as teenagers. Write a story about it.
• Imagine you and your best friend hanging out ten years from now. What has changed? What hasn't changed?
• Write about your favorite birthday present. Why is it your favorite?
• What is your dream job? Write a story based on that.

If you’re an adult writing for kids, check out this free resource:

• Children’s Books Writing 101: Writing for the Right Age Group (free course) — Our ten day course for writing for young readers, including tips and tricks for publishing and marketing your book if you want to release your work to the world!

Want more help learning how to write a short story for kids? Check out How to Write a Short Story That Gets Published — a free, ten day course by Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who runs a book editing company in Brooklyn.

Ready 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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Creative writing techniques for kids: a step-by-step guide to writing a story

The way literacy is taught in primary schools has changed radically in the last couple of decades; when I was at school in the 80s we copied from blackboards, had whole hours of handwriting practice and sweated over spellings without any formal teaching of phonics whatsoever. While I think the more structured approach to literacy teaching we see in classrooms today makes learning more fun and accessible, my one worry is that there’s little time left for writing creatively.

When I was at school I adored writing stories – even stories with chapters and illustrations. I know my author brother did too – we found some of his old stories a few years back, and I felt so pleased he’d had the time to write these endless pages of action, adventure, characterisation and twisting plotlines.

As a primary teacher I ensured I would have a week each term when, during literacy sessions, we would focus solely on creating stories. I wasn’t deviating from the curriculum – far from it. During this week children would be consolidating their learning of phonics and  be ‘writing for purpose’, considering carefully the aspects of story and who their audience might be.

It may very well be that your children write stories at home regardless of whether they’re required to for school, because most children have a seemingly natural urge to want to do so from time to time. This is just a little guidance on how you can support them and encourage a more structured approach to their story writing.

Plot planning

Firstly, ask your child where the story is going to take place . It could be somewhere fictional or real, it could be a planet, a country, a town or a house – anywhere! 

Then, ask when the story is taking place – now? In the future? In the past? 

Finally ask what they think is going to happen . Remember that this doesn’t have to be accurate and they don’t have to stick to what they say; many of the best writers say that their plots develop organically as they write. If they do have a firm idea of where they want to go with the plot, though, they can create an outline by completing a story planner, which could look something like this:  

• And finally….

Download a FREE Creative Writing toolkit!

• KS1 & KS2 workbooks
• Bursting with fill-in prompt sheets and inspiring ideas
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Characterisation

Ask your child who is going to be in the story. How do they want their readers to feel about each character? Again, they may want to jot some ideas down. You could make a table for them to help them organise their thoughts, with these headings:  

• Name of character
• Relationship to other characters
• What he/she looks like

Story language

Ask your child to think of some fabulous words to use in their story writing . They might be long words or simple ones, or they might be great descriptive words or words that help create pace and tension. Encourage them to jot these down and refer to the list as they write their story.

Story starters

All writers know that you’ve got to capture the attention of your readers right from the start; you want to make them desperate to read on. Ask your child to think of some good story openers that’ll entice people to find out more. Here are a few examples:

First sentences that are mysterious… Molly had no sense of the day that lay ahead.

Story starters that use language tricks like alliteration… It was damp, dark and dreadfully dusty when Molly entered the house.

Story openers that create tension… Molly could hear her heart beating faster than ever before. Could this really be happening?

Stories that go straight into dialogue… “But I don’t want to go to school, Mummy,” groaned Molly.

Encourage your child to look at some of the books they like to read and see how they begin in order to offer inspiration.

Get writing!

Once they’ve got all of these ideas in place, they can start writing. They could do a draft in the first instance and then a neat, polished version later. They may wish to write in short chapters, use illustrations, or make their own book to write in – let them use their imagination and creativity when it comes to presentation, and make sure you show how much you value the end product by keeping it to read again with the other books in your house.

If your child finds writing a story a little daunting, start with something small from our list of 9 fun writing projects to do with your children .

We also recommend the free art and creative writing challenges on the Night Zookeeper website ; your child will be contributing to a co-created animated television show.

You could also try a great story-making app and get your child writing fiction on their tablet!

Plus, find out how to support storytelling skills for children in EYFS , KS1 , KS2 and KS3 to get them thinking about story elements, plot and character development.

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With new vocabulary in their minds, your child will come across varied writing lessons, sentence building games, short writing challenges, and many more exciting activities to build grammar skills and help them start writing with ease!

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Children are then challenged to try different writing processes to produce short stories, reports, poems and other forms of writing. They’re also encouraged to develop their knowledge of different styles of writing, including narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive writing. Their work will be added to a personal portfolio that can be shared with family, friends and fellow users!

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How to Write a Story for Children in 14 Steps

Where do I even start? That’s the overwhelming thought that comes across most aspiring children’s writers when they want to write their own book. It doesn’t matter if you want to write a picture book or a novel –  the problem is always the same. The goal of this article is to teach beginners how to write a story for kids, from having a simple idea to publishing your complete story. Let’s get started on writing your first children’s story.

Interested in fantasy stories? You might find our guide on how to write a fantasy novel useful.

• Brainstorm your ideas
• Develop your ideas
• Develop your characters
• Get the setting right
• Plan the ultimate climax
• Plan an awesome ending
• Outline your story
• Write the opening
• Use effective dialogue
• Include sensory elements
• Write the Ending
• Read and edit
• Give your story a title
• Publish your story

So, to summarise…

Planning your story.

Before you even begin writing your story, you need to plan out all the important elements. Carry on reading for our amazing tips on how to plan your story.

Inspiration is everywhere, you just need to know how to find it. Sometimes it takes a short walk or a moment to yourself to find inspiration. Other times you could be talking to your friends or just watching TV when inspiration strikes.

Wherever you find inspiration it is important to keep a note of this moment. We really recommend getting into the habit of carrying a notebook and pen with you wherever you go. This way you won’t forget all those amazing ideas that pop up in your head. You can even call it your ideas book! There is no right or wrong way of structuring your ideas book, but if you need help you could try the following:

• Write a list of words you find funny or interesting
• Draw or describe different characters
• Stick newspaper or magazine headlines you find interesting
• Stick any photos or images you find interesting
• Make note of any dreams you had and remember

Another great idea could be to carry a camera with you when you’re out on a walk or on a day trip and take snaps of anything interesting. Photo or image prompts are brilliant for inspiring the imagination and reminding you of past memories. We recommend you read this post on how to use image prompts to see how you can use your old photos as a source of inspiration.

Photos along with your notebook are the perfect source of inspiration for when you’re ready to sit down and start planning your next story.

Now that you have a book full of ideas, the next part is to pick one or combine a couple of ideas to focus on. Then you can start developing your ideas into brilliant stories.

We all know that every story has a beginning, middle and end. In fact, the most basic structure you might notice in stories is that you have a hero who sets off on an adventure. They face a couple of challenges on the way, overcome them and live happily ever after (of course it’s not always a happy ending for some). Knowing this basic structure we can develop our ideas further using the story jigsaw method:

Each piece of the puzzle is explained below:

• Who: Who is your character?
• Want: What does your character want?
• Why not: Why can’t your character get what they want?

This sounds simple enough! Let’s take a look at an example: Jimmy the fox wanted to enter the spelling bee, but could not find the money to pay for books.

In the above example, Jimmy the fox is the who. His want is to “enter the spelling bee“ and the why not is that he does not have enough money to pay for books. Our simple puzzle of 3 pieces has created a plot for a possible story. However, to make an even more interesting story, you may add several other pieces, such as another who, want and why not. This is explained in more detail in our free story writing pack .

The advanced writer might be interested in adding plot twists to their story to surprise the reader. This could be a surprise ending or a new character entering your story mid-way through and so on.

Hopefully, by now you should have a clear story idea to work on. The next part is to think carefully about the characters you want to include in your story. Characters are one of the most important elements of a story .

Don’t over-complicate this step by including too many characters. We suggest choosing one or two main characters to focus on in your story. When developing your character/s , you might want to think about the following in detail:

• What do they want?
• What are they scared of?
• What bad memories do they have?
• What good memories do they have?
• Have they always been good/bad?
• What are their strengths?
• What are their weaknesses?
• What do they look like? Any unique features?

But why would anyone want to know all these little details about your character? Well… they don’t. You just need to make your characters relatable to your readers. And what makes a character relatable, you ask?

Relatable characters have traits (or features) that an everyday person can understand and believe in. Even if you’re writing a fantasy story about witches and wizards. Your characters may have magical powers, but they could also be kind, come from a poor family, have a bad experience with bullies and so on. These extra pieces of information about a character’s backstory make your character interesting to your readers.

Oh and there’s one more very important thing you need to know about the main characters in stories. And that is…they always change in some way. Your character can start off as someone who is weak and scared of everything. Then by the end, they would overcome their greatest fear and become someone who is brave. This is what makes your story really interesting!

The setting of your story is very important, as this is where everything in your story will happen. You can choose to stick to one setting or move between various settings. Depending on what your story is about, you can choose to set the whole story in someone’s house or even just the school canteen. Or you can go all out on selecting various settings for your story, especially if it’s a story about time-travelling or just normal travelling.

Whatever your setting is remember to explain all the little details so your readers can also imagine being there with the characters. And by little details, we mean even the tiniest detail can make a huge difference. For example, if you chose a bus shelter as one of the key settings in your story, talk about the cracks on the glass or the pieces of litter on the floor. Don’t just stick to the appearance of objects, go further by describing the smell in the air and the sounds you hear. Just think about the five senses, sight, smell, taste, hear and touch for ideas.

The climax of the story is where the actual conflict happens or where your main character’s problems are at their highest point. This is the key moment just before the solution is revealed and normally happens towards the end of the story. To make sure your story has the ultimate climax give your character limited options, so they feel trapped or overwhelmed by recent events. This can then build up to a powerful ending (discussed in the next section).

In the actual climax itself, your main character should use a new skill, piece of information or even friends they made before this point. It is important to remember that without this “new something” your character could never have overcome their problem earlier on in the story. If your readers feel that your main character could have easily overcome their problems at the beginning of the story, then your climax is likely to disappoint your readers

The climax is the perfect place to demonstrate how much your character has grown since the beginning of the story. And to provide a valuable life lesson to your readers. And there are a number of things your character might learn, such as:

• Discovering what they wanted was bad and now changing their want
• Having to sacrifice something important to them to help/save someone else
• Realising the consequences of their past behaviour

It is important to note that the actual climactic scene of your story should feature your character facing their problems alone. Even if your main character received help from other characters throughout the story. The climax must have a moment where only your main character goes ahead and defeats the problem.

Your ending doesn’t need to be very long and drawn out. In fact, it can quickly end after the climax. But that doesn’t mean that you should rush it off without considering your readers. There are a number of ways you can end your story, which include:

• Happy Ending: The conflict ends, and the hero wins and lives happily ever after with everything they ever wanted.
• Sad Ending: The conflict ends, but there were some difficulties or consequences because of how this conflict ended.
• Cliff Hanger: The main conflict ends, but the reader does not know what happened to the main character or another bigger conflict is revealed to the readers.
• Twist Ending: The most unexpected thing happens at the end, shocking the reader.

It is important when planning the ending that it clearly shows the end of the main conflict your character was facing throughout the story. And that this conflict was resolved through your main character’s actions. For example, if your main character was cursed by an evil witch and now they can’t speak at all. The ending should show that your main character was able to overcome this curse and live their life happily (if this was a happy ending).

When planning your ending you might want to play around with different endings to your story to see which one is the most powerful and exciting for your readers.

Before actually writing your story, we suggest you sit down and write out the basic structure of your story (preferably in one sitting). There are a number of ways you can do this, but the simplest way may be to list everything you know about your story somewhere (See our guide on how to outline a book with a free template ). This will help you to note down every idea you have about your story and make sure nothing interesting gets missed out or forgotten about. Listing out your key scenes can also help you identify any holes in your plot and opportunities to make your story even better. This can even save you time and frustration when it comes to actually writing your story.

Once you have finished listing out all your scene ideas, take a moment to look through your list. If you feel a scene idea is not clear or does not connect you can highlight these ideas. You may also highlight ideas that need further research. Now review all the highlighted ideas again and expand on these until they make sense or maybe just remove them from the story if there is no real connection. Think about alternative scenes that your reader won’t expect. F or example, you might have 3 different ideas for how your story will end.

You might even go a step further and sketch out the main scenes of your story using a storyboard or even some index cards. A storyboard will help you logically layout the key scenes in your story and swap them around to see what works best. A storyboard can also ensure that there are no gaps in your story or even scenes that repeat themselves. Once you are happy with your outline and feel confident that all the key areas of your story have been covered, you can move on to writing your first draft.

Writing Your Story

Now it’s time to start writing the first draft of your story. We call it the first draft because it is highly likely that you will have to write your story a number of times before it is ready to be published.

The opening sentence is one of the most essential parts of any story. It hooks the reader and encourages them to read on if they like the opening. Let’s all face it, there’s nothing really exciting about a story that starts off like, “One day I went to the park…”.

So what makes a good opening? A good opening should set the scene and get the reader excited about what will happen next. It should give enough information to the reader, so they are faced with a series of questions in their head, such as why did this happen? Some of the information you might include in your opening may be details of a setting, a character description or a significant memory in their life. For example. Danny The Champion Of The World by Roald Dahl starts off by describing the main character’s backstory:

“When I was four months old, my mother died suddenly and my father was left to look after me all by himself.”

Your opening should also set the mood for the entire story. For example, if you are writing a horror story, you might want to set a dark tone at the beginning. But bear in mind just because you are writing a horror story, you can still include humour or change tones slightly throughout the story. You just need to remember the overall mood of your story.

There are a number of ways to open your story, such as:

• Starting with dialogue: A character in your story could be talking about something.
• Begin with an action scene: Something might have happened to your main character.
• Describe the setting: Use sensory details to describe an important setting.
• Describe the character’s backstory: Your character has an important memory to share.

An extra tip for your opening is that you might want to plan a number of openings for your story to see which one is the most exciting.

Dialogue is speech between two or more characters. This can be expressed internally through thoughts or externally through conversations. Effective dialogue sets the scene, adds drama and develops your character’s personality. Dialogue also breaks up big chunks of descriptive text to add more life to your story and characters.

While using dialogue in your story may seem like a great idea, it can get boring if used wrongly. A mistake some writers make is including long dialogue between characters talking about minor or unnecessary things that have very little relation to the main conflict. While dialogue may seem like an easy way to clarify parts of your story, don’t use it as the only way to describe your story’s plot. Keep your dialogue short and simple, with important and interesting information.

Another common mistake in writing dialogue is not including the character’s emotions or personality in the dialogue. You might use straightforward direct words, but we all know that conversations in real life aren’t always that direct and simple. Try inventing your own words and don’t be afraid of including informal or slang words in your dialogue, as this could add to your character’s personality.

Learn how to write effective dialogue with our guide on how to write dialogue .

Sensory elements is another word for including the five senses throughout your story. When drafting out your story, try to find opportunities to include all the senses (not just sight). For example, if you’re introducing a new character, talk about how they smell, what their voice sounds like as well as any features that stand out. The same goes for when you are describing different settings or scenes in your story (see our section on settings above). Sensory elements make the reader feel like they are experiencing the story for themselves.

Typically taste is the least used sense in any story because it is hard to think about how something tastes unless your character is actually eating something. But a very good way to use the taste sense could be to describe how your character is feeling at a certain moment. For example, if your character is walking through a scary corridor, you can say their mouth felt dry and tasted like dry cement. This gives the reader a feeling of how scared or nervous that character felt at that moment.   

We already touched on the ending above so won’t go into too much detail here. The key to a good ending is to make sure your readers don’t feel disappointed after finishing your book. Make sure you don’t rush the ending by missing out on key details as to why this is the ending. For example, if you are ending on a happy note, don’t forget to tell your readers how and why your character/s are happy now compared to the beginning of the story.

The ending is a good place to close any gaps or things you forgot to mention earlier on, such as side characters which may have disappeared or a minor conflict that was never resolved. Your ending should also feature your main character otherwise the ending would be pointless to the reader.

Finally, no matter how you are ending your story, make sure the main conflict is resolved in some way. Whether this is a good solution or a solution with terrible consequences, you should clearly show the end of the conflict. As a bonus, a good ending almost always has a memorable last line. So when you are writing your ending, you might what to write down several last lines and pick the best one that summarises your story the best.

Publishing Your Story

Your first draft is now complete, it’s time to read and edit your story until you are happy to share it with the world.

If you have written your story on a computer, we suggest you print it out as it will make it easier for you to read a printed version. Once you have your story in hand, find a pen (preferably a red one) to circle or make notes of anything that doesn’t make sense in your story. When reading your story, we suggest reading it out loud, so you can listen to any words that are repeated or sentences that don’t make any sense.  

Read your whole story in one sitting, as you read you can make notes in any white spaces around the story text. While reading lookout for any boring or unnecessary information in your story and highlight it. In your first reading, we suggest that you avoid looking at spelling and grammar errors, instead focus on the content and ideas in your story. Once you have done this, you can edit your first draft. It is likely that your second draft will be slightly shorter, as you would have removed any boring parts of the story. Do the same with your second draft, ask yourself if the plot is clear and interesting? Are the characters interesting? Have I described the setting clearly?

When you are happy with the story concept, you can then move on to editing your story for spelling and grammar mistakes. At this stage, you can also look for opportunities to be more descriptive and sentences that start with the same words. Once you have sorted out these mistakes, you can ask someone else to read your story or even read it out loud to them. Another person will be able to give you feedback on how interesting your story is and whether it makes sense. They may even be able to give ideas on how to improve your story further.

The final step is the edit your final draft with all the changes you identified and then it’s ready for publishing.

Your story is almost ready, but we need to give it an interesting title. When picking a title for your story, you might focus on a particular quote, the name of the main character, or even key objects from your story. In most cases story titles are short and easy to remember, so avoid using long and complicated words in the title.

If you can’t find inspiration from your own story, try doing some research by looking at other book titles or using our book title generator . When researching make note of book titles that interest you and review your list to see what they have in common. You might even draw inspiration from everyday stuff, such as music or a movie you recently saw.

Remember the story title is the first thing your reader will see, therefore it should make them curious to open and read your book.  

So your story is now ready to be shared with the world! You can publish your story for free on many websites, including Imagine Forest . The benefit of publishing your story on this site is that you can share your story with a community of active members and receive feedback from other writers. You can even include images, create a cover for your story and print out your final story to share with friends and family.

With a solid story under your belt, you might be ready to write some more stories. To motivate yourself you can enter many story writing competitions for young writers, where you can win awesome prizes for your writing skills.  We also recommend our weekly short story challenge for those who want to practice their creative writing skills.

Writing a good children’s story requires a lot of research and planning before you even actual begin writing it. And even with all your notes and ideas, drafting, rewriting and getting feedback can take a long time. The important thing to remember is to let your imagination run wild and never worry too much about spelling or grammar (or at least not at the beginning).  

If you’re looking for a quick step-by-step on how to write a children’s story, then here is a summary of  all the crucial steps you’ll need from planning to publishing your story:

Are you ready to write a story? Let us know your beginner tips for writing stories and what your next story is about in the comments below.

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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Blogs / Writing Tips / How to Write a Children’s Book in 9 Steps

Write a Novel Readers Love

How to write a children’s book in 9 steps.

Do you have a head full of whimsical ideas, a heart bursting with stories, and maybe a drawer full of half-eaten crayons? Congratulations! You’re halfway to becoming a children’s book author. Now, if only you knew what to do with all that creative chaos, right?

Well, hop on the big yellow bus of imagination, because we’re about to take a field trip through the colorful world of writing children’s literature! By the time we’re done, you’ll be armed with everything you need to transform your brilliant idea into a bona fide children’s book. 

How to Start a Children’s Book 

First things first: you need a spark. An idea. A little firefly of inspiration that’ll light up your brain like a jar full of magic. But where do these elusive idea-fireflies come from, you ask? Well, they’re hiding everywhere! In that weird-looking cloud that resembles your Aunt Mildred’s hairdo. In the way your dog tilts his head when you say “walkies.” Even in that piece of broccoli on your plate that’s totally giving you the stink eye.

The key is to embrace your inner child. You know, that part of you that still giggles at the word “underpants” and thinks mud puddles are nature’s trampoline. Dust off that imagination of yours and let it run wild. No idea is too silly, too wacky, or too out-there. Remember, we’re talking about a world where cats wear hats. The sky’s the limit!

How to Start a Children’s Book Examples

Let’s kick things off with a good old-fashioned brainstorming session. This is where you get to unleash your inner child and let your imagination run wild. Remember, there’s no such thing as a bad idea at this stage. Jot down everything that pops into your head, no matter how silly or outlandish it might seem. 

Here are some brainstorming ideas to get your wheels turning.

The Accidental Adventure of Lefty the Left Sock: One day, Lefty woke up to find his best friend, Righty, was missing. Determined to find him, Lefty rolls off the bed and tumbles into a world of dust bunnies, lost toys, and the terrifying Vacuum Monster.

Cloudy with a Chance of Friendship : Meet Cumulus, the loneliest cloud in the sky. All he wants is a friend, but every time he tries to hug another cloud, it rains! Will Cumulus ever find a friend who doesn’t mind getting a little wet?

The Day the Crayons Went on Strike : When little Timmy opens his crayon box, he finds a bunch of angry notes instead of crayons. Blue is tired of coloring oceans, Green has had it with drawing trees, and Pink… well, Pink just wants to be used for something other than princesses!

See what I mean? These ideas are just the tip of the iceberg (which, by the way, could be another great story— The Iceberg Who Wanted to Be a Tropical Island ).

Steps to Writing a Children’s Book

Step 1: know your tiny humans (aka your audience).

Writing for kids isn’t just about unleashing your inner goofball (though that’s a big part of it). It’s about understanding the tiny humans you’re writing for. Each age group has its own quirks, interests, and attention spans.

So, start with researching the typical traits of your target age group. What are their interests? What kind of language do they understand? What is their attention span? A book for a 3-year-old will be very different from one for a 10-year-old. 

Step 2: Choose Your Format

This decision is crucial as it will shape how you present your story and how readers will interact with it. Are you aiming for the drooling, board-book-chewing crowd? The just-learning-to-read-and-still-eating-crayons gang? Or the sophisticated chapter-book aficionados who’ve graduated to eating actual food?

Board Books: If you’re writing for tiny humans who think books are a food group, board books are your jam. These sturdy books are perfect for the youngest readers (0-3 years). They typically have 10-20 pages with simple concepts and minimal text.

Picture Books: Aimed at ages 3-8, these books usually have 32 pages with text and illustrations on each spread. They can tell more complex stories but still rely heavily on visuals.

Early Readers: For kids just starting to read on their own (ages 5-7), these books have simple sentences, lots of repetition, and illustrations on every page. You want it to be simple enough to engage the kid, but interesting enough that it doesn’t drive parents bonkers on the 100th bedtime read.

Chapter Books: Designed for independent readers (ages 7-10), these books are where the kiddos are starting to stretch their literary legs a little bit. These books have more text, fewer illustrations, and are divided into short chapters.

Middle Grade Novels: For older children (ages 8-12), these books are longer, with fewer (if any) illustrations. Middle grade books are just right for kids who’ve outgrown picture books but aren’t quite ready for YA angst. You can tackle bigger themes and more complex plots, but keep it PG, folks.

Your choice of format will depend on your story’s complexity, your target age group, and your personal strengths as a writer or illustrator. Remember, each format has its own set of guidelines and expectations, so it’s worth researching your chosen format in depth before you start writing.

Step 3. Plot Your Story (But Keep It Simple, Silly!)

Now that you have your idea and know your audience, it’s time to plot your story. Children’s books may be simple, but even the simplest story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Introduce your characters and setting, present a problem or challenge, and wrap it up with a satisfying resolution.

And don’t forget about conflict! Every story needs a bit of tension, even if it’s just about sharing toys or overcoming a fear. This is what keeps your readers engaged and turning pages.

Step 4: Create Characters That Kids Will Love (or Love to Hate)

Characters are the heart of any story, and in children’s books, they need to be especially memorable and relatable. Create main characters that your readers can see themselves in. Give them flaws, fears, and dreams that kids can understand and empathize with.

But don’t forget the supporting characters! These folks—or animate objects—can really make a story shine. Whether it’s a loyal best friend or a mischievous antagonist, make sure they’re just as well-developed as your main character.

Step 5: Write the Thing

Now it’s time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, if that’s more your style). Remember, the first draft is all about getting your ideas out there, no matter how messy or muddled they might be. Just get it down. 

Think of your first draft as a sandbox. Build castles, dig moats, make mud pies—just have fun with it! Don’t worry about perfection; that comes later. Right now, your job is to let your creativity flow like a river of chocolate in Willy Wonka’s factory.

Step 6: Leave Room for Illustrations

Your words should leave room for illustrations to shine. If you’re describing every detail of how the mischievous monkey looks, what’s left for the illustrator to do? Let the pictures tell part of the story too.

If you’re not illustrating yourself, provide clear art notes but don’t be too bossy. Illustrators are artists too, and they might have brilliant ideas you never thought of. And if you’re going the DIY route? Break out those crayons and channel your inner Picasso!

Step 7. Read It Aloud (and Listen to the Crickets or Giggles)

Gather some mini-humans (borrow some if you need to) and let ‘er rip!

Does your tongue trip over any words? Are there any awkward pauses? Reading aloud helps you catch clunky sentences and pacing issues. If you’re out of breath by the end of a sentence, it might be time for some pruning.

Watch your audience closely. Are they hanging on your every word, or are their eyes glazing over faster than a donut? Kids are the world’s most honest critics. If they’re giggling, you’re golden. If they’re fidgeting… well, back to the drawing board!

Step 8. Polish Until It Shines Like a Unicorn’s Horn

You’re in the home stretch now! Time to make your manuscript sparkle. Put on your editor’s hat (I recommend a sparkly wizard hat for this). This is where you shape your story, tighten your prose, and make sure every word earns its place. 

Go through your story with a fine-toothed comb (or a unicorn’s mane-brush, if you prefer). Cut the fluff, polish the rough spots, and make your story shine brighter than a dragon’s treasure hoard. Is that adjective really necessary? Could that sentence be punchier? Remember, in kids’ books, less is often more. 

Step 9: Share Your Masterpiece with some Discerning Adults

Share your story with other writers, parents, teachers, and librarians. Listen to their feedback with an open mind. You don’t have to take every suggestion, but if multiple people are stumbling over the same part, it might be worth a second look.

Why You Should Start Writing a Children’s Book

Still on the fence about diving into the wonderland of children’s literature? Let me give you a gentle nudge (or a playful shove) towards your destiny as a kid-lit superstar!

Unleash Your Creativity

Remember that wild and wacky imagination of yours that’s been locked up in the attic of adulthood? It’s time to set it free! Writing children’s books is like having an all-access pass to the playground of your mind. Want to create a world where pizza grows on trees? Go for it! A story about a sneaky shadow that steals socks? Why not! The only limit is your imagination.

Make a Difference in Young Lives

Imagine a child all cuddled up with your book, lost in the world you’ve created. Your words can spark a child’s imagination, teaching them valuable lessons, or simply making them giggle uncontrollably. Books have the power to shape young minds, instill a love for reading, and even help kids navigate the tricky waters of growing up. By writing a children’s book, you’re not just telling a story—you’re potentially changing lives, one bedtime read at a time.

Leave a Lasting Legacy

Long after we’ve hung up our adult-ing shoes, our stories can live on. Think about it: “The Cat in the Hat” is still causing mischief, and “Where the Wild Things Are” is still sending kids on wild rumpuses decades after they were written. Your book could be the one that kids remember fondly when they’re all grown up, the one they can’t wait to share with their own little ones. Now that’s what I call leaving your mark on the world!

Potential for Fun and Profit

Let’s face it—writing children’s books is just plain fun. It’s a chance to play with words, invent silly characters, and basically be a big kid again. But wait, there’s more! If your book takes off, you could be looking at the kind of profit that buys a lot of ice cream (or pays the bills, if you’re into that sort of thing). From book sales to school visits to merchandise, a successful children’s book can open up a whole new world of opportunities.

Tips For How to Create a Children’s Book

You’ve crafted a story that’s sure to delight young readers and drive parents to the brink of insanity with repeated readings. But the journey isn’t over yet. Here are some tips to help you navigate the wild and wacky world of children’s book creation and publication.

Navigate the Wild World of Publishing

First you have to make a choice: traditional publishing or self-publishing? 

Traditional publishing is like trying to get into an exclusive treehouse club. You’ll need a secret password (a great manuscript), and you might face a few rejections before you’re allowed in. But once you’re in, you’ve got a whole team to help you build your treehouse and tell everyone about it.

Self-publishing, on the other hand, is like building your own treehouse from scratch. You have complete control over every nail and board, but you also have to do all the hammering yourself (and convince the neighborhood kids to come play in it).

Both paths can lead to success. Choose the one that fits your goals, skills, and tolerance for papercuts.

Print and Production Pointers

If you’re self-publishing, the next step is to turn your masterpiece into an actual, physical book. Exciting!

Remember when we talked about book formats earlier? Your choice will affect everything from the type of paper used to the binding method. The paper you choose can make a big difference. Thicker paper stands up better to repeated readings (and the occasional juice spill), while thinner paper keeps costs down. Glossy pages make colors pop but can be prone to glare.

As for binding, you’ve got options. Hardcover books are durable and look great on a shelf, but they’re more expensive. Paperbacks are budget-friendly but might not survive as many “love-readings.” Board books are practically indestructible—perfect for your tiniest fans.

And don’t forget about e-books! They’re great for tech-savvy kids and parents who don’t want to lug a whole library on vacation. Plus, you can add fun features like read-aloud narration or simple animations.

Apps take things a step further. Imagine your book, but interactive! Kids can tap the cow to make it moo or drag and drop characters into new scenes.  Even paper books can get in on the interactive action. Think lift-the-flap reveals, textured pages for sensory exploration, or even scratch-and-sniff elements (stinky cheese scene, anyone?). These features can make your book more engaging and memorable.

But here’s a little secret: one of the best interactive elements is a good story. If you can get kids to use their imagination, ask questions, and relate to the characters, you’ve created something truly interactive—no fancy features required.

Market Your Book Like a Boss (in Footie Pajamas)

You’ve written a great book, but now you need to tell the world about it. Time to put on your marketing hat (may we suggest a propeller beanie?).

Start by building an author platform. This is like your own personal stage to shout from. Start a website, blog about your writing journey, or create a newsletter. The goal is to connect with your audience—both the tiny humans who’ll read your books and the bigger humans who’ll buy them.

In terms of connecting with your reading audience, try doing some school visits. There’s nothing quite like seeing a room full of kids hanging on your every word. Plus, it’s excellent market research. If you can keep a classroom of third-graders entertained, you know you’re onto something good. Share behind-the-scenes peeks at your writing process, do live readings, or host Q&A sessions. Just remember to keep it kid-friendly—no spoilers about Santa or the Tooth Fairy!

In the end, writing a children’s book is a magical journey that combines creativity, perseverance, and a touch of whimsy. Whether you’re crafting a simple board book or an engaging chapter book, remember that your words have the power to spark imagination, teach valuable lessons, and create lasting memories for young readers. 

So grab your thinking cap (or that glittery tiara), let your imagination soar, and start weaving your own literary spell. Who knows? Your story might just become the next bedtime favorite, cherished by children and adults alike for generations to come. Now, off you go—there’s a world of wonder waiting for you to bring it to life!

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30 Best Jewish Books for Kids (with Jewish Main Characters)

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Honor Jewish culture by reading Jewish books with Jewish main characters! These fictional children’s books fill a much-needed gap in children’s literature because there just hasn’t been enough Jewish representation…and I’m happy to see this body of literature growing in quantity with high-quality books about the Jewish culture, religion, and heritage.

This list of books with Jewish main characters will help you discover exceptional picture books and middle grade books with compelling writing, intriguing stories, and memorable characters. If you’re not Jewish, you’ll learn more about your Jewish friends and neighbors. If you are Jewish, you may see yourself represented in one of these Jewish books.

Jewish Books for Kids with Jewish Main Characters

Picture books.

Shabbat Shalom!  by Douglas Florian, illustrated by Hannah Tolson JEWISH RELIGION Rhyming text shows a family’s Shabbat traditions, including lighting candles, praying, and sharing a meal. It’s a simple glimpse into this weekly Jewish religious celebration of Shabbat.

We Go to Shul  by Douglas Florian, illustrated by Hannah Tolson JEWISH RELIGION When a Jewish family attends shul (temple) on Saturday, the Torah is read and there is singing and prayers. Illustrations show men sitting separately from women and the family walking to and from shul.

Lilah Tov Good Night by Ben Gundersheimer (Mister G), illustrated by Noar Lee Naggan IMMIGRATION This gentle Hebrew lullaby that celebrates family, nature, and love shows a family of three traveling to a new home. Lilah Tov , says the little girl, to the creatures and landscapes she passes including roosters and hens, bears in their dens, bats in their caves and the beach and the waves. Extraordinary. This will become a new bedtime favorite. When they finally arrive at their new, safe home, the girl’s parents tuck her into bed. Lilah Tov, sweet girl.

Too Many Golems  written by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Maya Shleifer JEWISH MYTHOLOGY IN PRESENT DAY Abi, the rabbi’s son, is a little bit mischievous and always in trouble. His latest antic is stealing a scroll from the synagogue basement. And he tries to say the words right but little does he know that he is summoning GOLEMS! Ten golems. The golems are usually fighters, but for Abi, they help Abit with his Hebrew. By the time Abi has his bar mitzvah, his Hebrew is better than perfect!  I LOVE this story for so many reasons– the infusion of Jewish religion and mythology, the mischievous Jewish main character, and the sweetness of helpful monsters.

On Friday Afternoon A Shabbat Celebration  written by Michal Babey, illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt SHABBAT Leelee and her dog Pickles race through the house eating challah rolls while they “clean” the house for Shabbat. With three hours to go, they find coins (and a sock) for Tzedakah, and they make a specialbox for their loot. What else could they donate? But in the process of their search, they make a grape juice mess! Whoops. Now, there are only two hours to go, so they mop, bathe, and dress. Then, they parade through the house and out the door, inviting neighbors over for Shabbat dinner. With ten minutes to go, everyone helps to pick up the house until finally, it’s time to light the candles. I love this  playful, joyful celebration of Jewish faith and tradition!

Challah Day! written by Charlotte Offsay, illustrated by Jason Kirschner JEWISH Make challah step by step with this little girl and her family. The illustrations, which I adore SO MUCH, show every ingredient and step — from pouring flour to kneading, cleaning, braiding, and eventually, lighting the candles for Shabbat and eating the homemade challah. Yum! This is a warmhearted, family-filled celebration of the Jewish tradition of making challah bread . Back matter explains more about challah, including a recipe so you can make your own.

Bubbie & Rivka’s Best-Ever Challah (So Far!) by Sarah Lynne Reul GROWTH MINDSET Rivka and Bubbie want to make challah bread, so they try and fail but continue to persevere — enjoying their time together and the process of figuring out how to make the bread come out even tastier than before. I love this wonderful story of family, culture, and growth mindset .

Rivka’s Presents written by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Adelina Lirius HISTORICAL FICTION / JEWISH MAIN CHARACTER In this historical fiction picture book, Rivka advocates for her own learning of letters and numbers, reading and addition, but since she can’t go to school because her papa is sick with a long-term flu, Rivka asks local shopkeepers to teach her. In return, she works at their shops. When her papa is no longer sick, Rivka is reading and able to go to school for more learning. This is a warm-hearted story about education, community, and family.

Sharing Shalom written by Danielle Sharkan, illustrated by Selina Alko With the rise of antisemitism around the world with people who you’d think should behave better, we need books like this one that show a Jewish girl struggling to be as proud of her beloved heritage as she used to be after someone vandalizes her synagogue. Then Leila realizes her friends and neighbors who are all different colors, shapes, and sizes, help repair what was broken, including her heart. For show and tell, she teaches her classmates how to write “shallow” in Hebrew.

The Bagel King by Andrew Larsen JEWISH CULTURAL TRADITIONS No matter the season or weather, Zaida brings bagels from Merv’s Bakery to Eli’s house on Sundays. And they were the best thing about Sunday! But when Zaida falls, he can’t deliver bagels to Eli or his friends. That’s okay. Eli knows just what to do…he goes to the bakery himself. A glossary in the back defines the Yiddish words.

Chik Chak Shabbat by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Krysten Brooker SHABBAT Each week, Goldie cooks cholent for Shabbat and invites her neighbors to share in the meal. But one week, she’s too sick to cook, so her neighbors take care of the food for the Shabbat meal. It’s a story of a loving community and hospitality.

Soosie The Horse that Saved Shabbat by Tami Lehman-Wilzig, illustrated by Menahem Halberstadt SHABBAT You’ll love this sweet story of a horse that delivers the challah bread when the delivery boy is sick. Jacob drives all over town with Soosie the cart horse delivering challah bread for Shabat. But when Jacob arrives at the bakery for his deliveries too sick to work, Esther and Jacob know just what to do — send Soosie with the bread and a note. Will it work? Yes! People pay for their bread into Soosie’s tin and she makes it back home safely.

Jewish Books with Jewish Main Characters

Hidden Truths  by Elly Swartz REALISTIC On a camping trip, the camper catches fire, confining Dani to a wheelchair with months of PT appointments ahead. She’s angry that she won’t get to play on the boys’  baseball  team. Her best friend Eric worries that the fire is his fault if he forgot to turn off the stove. When he confesses to Dani his worries, it ruins their friendship. Dani’s new friend calls Eric a loser and bullies him on social media while Eric tries to fix things. I loved this unique plot of relatable friendship woes!  This is a memorable story of friendship, growing up, and forgiveness.

All of Me  by Chris Baron REALISTIC / BODY IMAGE Ari is  bullied for being fat and Jewish.  He hates being fat so much that one day, he hurts himself. After that day, his mom helps him start a diet. It works to help him lose weight –but it doesn’t fix everything. As Ari grows into himself, he is supported by a kind rabbi who accepts him unconditionally, offering patience and wisdom.  Soon, Ari realizes that he’s more than his weight.  This is a moving and powerful story with heart and hope.

Not Your All America Girl  by Wendy Wan-Long Shang and Madelyn Rosenberg COMING OF AGE  / RACISM / THEATER Lauren, a girl with Jewish and Chinese heritage, tries out for the school play but despite her talent, she doesn’t get cast as the lead since she doesn’t look the part of someone all-American.  Her best friend Tara, who is not as talented, gets the leading role because she fits the look of a so-called American girl. The story is filled with both micro-aggressions and overt racism. Tara finds solace in the music of Patsy Cline and finds her voice.

Get a Grip Vivy Cohen  by Sarah Kapit REALISTIC Vivy is a girl on the autism spectrum who loves baseball , particularly pitching knuckleballs.  The book is written as letters (epistolary) and emails between Vivy and her favorite baseball player, VJ Capello. Vivy writes to VJ all about getting to play on a team as well as making her first friend, pitching, and getting bullied by the coach’s son. When she gets hit in the head with a ball and her mom won’t let her play anymore. How can she convince her mom to change her mind when her mom won’t listen and Vivy gets overwhelmed with communication easily?

How To Find What You’re Not Looking For  by Veera Hiranandani HISTORICAL FICTION Written in the second person , this story puts you in the center of a historical fiction book about a Jewish girl named Ariel whose older sister falls in love and runs away to marry a Hindu boy  after the Loving vs. Virginia verdict. Ariel misses her sister terribly but her parents refuse to talk about her or let Ariel have her sister’s contact information. Meanwhile, Ariel’s teacher thinks she has a learning disability called dysgraphia. Ariel’s mom refuses to listen to the teacher, triggered by her own experiences of a special ed classroom. Even though Ariel struggles with writing, her teacher encourages her to write poetry to express her feelings and to try the typewriter. As she learns to do both, Ariel finds the courage to look for her sister and help reunite her family. It’s a beautiful story inspired by the author’s family history of love, family, forgiveness, and growing up — you’ll love it.

Across So Many Seas  written by Ruth Behar HISTORICAL FICTION I love this profoundly moving, gorgeous generational story that begins with a 12-year-old girl’s Sephardic  Jewish  family forcibly leaving Spain.  It continues with another generation in Turkey, where this 12-year-old girl is disowned and sent to Cuba for an arranged marriage. When the next generation of 12-year-old girls faces Fidel’s revolutionary violence, the daughter is sent to the United States for safety. The thread uniting this family is one of faith, music, Ladino language, and love. Do not miss this gem!

Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II  written by Adam Gitwitz HISTORICAL FICTION Max is a super-smart  Jewish  boy living in Germany during World War II. He loves his family and tinkering with radios. Then,  his parents send Max to safety on the Kindertransport.  He’s joined by two personality-filled (grumpy) mythical creatures, a dybbuk and a kobold, living on his shoulders. Once in England, Max’s sole focus is returning to Germany to help his parents. His clever tactics impress the British spies, and the government agrees to recruit Max if he can pass their rigorous spy training. Brilliant, exciting, and funny!

Sky Full of Song  by Susan Lynn Meyer HISTORICAL FICTION Following her father and brother, Shoshana, her mom, and her siblings flee Jewish persecution in Ukraine for North Dakota in 1905. They move into a mud house on the plains. Being Jewish isn’t always accepted, even in this new land…the store owners won’t give them credit and their neighbors can’t imagine why the family isn’t Christian. At school, Shoshana wants to fit in so much that she agrees to participate in the Christmas activities. Her sister Libke is furious at Shoshana’s behavior and insists they value their language, Yiddish, and remember their heritage. Shoshana sees that she must accept herself as a Jewish girl, even if others don’t. Brilliant writing and important history.

Recipe for Disaster  by Aimee Lucido REALISTIC A heart-warming story about family, faith, forgiveness, and learning to define yourself instead of letting others define you.  Hannah, a girl who loves  cooking and food , wants to figure out what being Jewish means…and have her bat mitzvah. Since her mom forbids her to be Jewish, her Grandma helps her secretly study the Torah with her Aunt Yael, a rabbi and the estranged sister of Hannah’s mother. As she pursues her lessons, other things aren’t going well in her life…her dad and brother argue all the time, her BFF dumps her, and her new friend Vee experiences anti-Semitism graffiti on her house. Ultimately, Hannah will use all of these experiences to discover who she is and who she wants to be in the world. And you’ll love Hannah’s insights into relationships with her unique recipes such as “Recipe for a She-ra” and “Recipe for a Best Friendship.”

Sweep  by Jonathan Auxier MAGICAL REALISM Set in Victorian London, this is a beautiful, bittersweet story about a plucky girl and her protector  golem .  Nan works for a cruel chimney sweep. When another sweep tries to burn Nan alive, a charcoal golem emerges to save her. She and her protector golem, Char, find a new place to live but must stay vigilant so her old master doesn’t find them. On their own, they are helped by a street boy and a kind Jewish teacher with trust, love, and friendship growing slowly.

The Gray by Chris Baron REALISTIC / ANXIETY / MENTAL HEALTH Chris Baron packs a lot of meaningful themes and topics into this hopeful, complex story about mental health, abuse, death, Jewish wisdom, friendship, bullying, and family. Sasha is a Jewish boy with severe anxiety, “the Gray” who is staying at his aunt’s for the summer. He’s bullied by a group of small-town kids but hires the town’s outcast, a kid named Eli, as his bodyguard. Sasha practices his strategies for the Gray, spends time with his aunt and his two friends, and learns Krav Maga. Then, Sasha risks a trip to the Gray when he searches for his missing friend Eli on horseback. This is a hopeful, complicated story about self-love and acceptance.

Black Bird, Blue Road  by Sofiya Pasternack HISTORICAL FANTASY Set in the historical Turkic Jewish empire of Khazaria, Ziva’s beloved twin brother with leprosy continues to deteriorate.  When she learns he’ll be taken away by her uncle to die elsewhere, she steals him away to search for a cure. Along their journey, they meet a half-demon boy who tells them about a mythical city where the Angel of Death can not enter. They journey toward the city, and Ziva clings to the hope that the city will be the answer to everything. She’ll bargain and beg with Death, but ultimately, she’ll have to accept that in life, there always is death.

When the World Was Ours   by Liz Kessler (ages 9 – 12) HISTORICAL FICTION /  WWII Inspired by the author’s family history, three friends from Vienna, Leo, Max, and Elsa, can’t imagine the direction their lives will take, separating them by war, location, and ideology. Leo and Elsa are Jewish, so their path includes ghetto housing, escape for one of them and prison camp for the other. But Max is not Jewish and his main goal is to get the approval of his brutal Nazi father. To do so, he gladly pursues Nazi beliefs and actions, despite the nagging voice that reminds him that his friends aren’t “dogs” or less than human.  The conclusion weaves together their stories in a heartbreaking, beautiful ending that will leave you with a lot to discuss about humanity, morality, hope, and love.

Aviva and the Dybbuk  by Mari Lowe REALISTIC In their Orthodox Jewish community,  Aviva and her shut-in mom are struggling five years after the death of her father. Her mom rarely gets out of bed, and there’s a mischievous dybbuk (spirit) causing trouble  –for which Aviva must always clean up. After a fight with her former friend at school, the girls’ punishment is to work together to create a fun Mitzvah activity for mothers and daughters. Beautifully written, this is a heartfelt story about grief and healing.

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar HISTORICAL MEMOIR After a terrible car accident, Ruthie’s entire body is in a cast. She’s stuck in bed for months, then more months, then over a year with no television (it’s 1960). In a story based on the author’s childhood, we see this hardship punctuated by a vibrant, caring neighbor, a loving school tutor, and a determined physical therapist. Overall, Ruthie feels gratitude that she didn’t die, even on her hardest days, but it’s a challenging time, to say the least, and one that I connected to because of my daughter’s long-term illness.

The Many Mysteries of the Finkle Family by Sarah Kapit REALISTIC Written in alternating perspectives, autistic sisters Lara and Caroline share their experiences in middle school and home. Lara starts a detective agency to investigate her dad’s bad food and inability to keep a job. And her snooping goes a bit too far. Meanwhile, her little sister, who is non-verbal and uses a computer, makes a friend in middle school who encourages her to pull pranks. She feels terrible about doing them. Both girls’ realize that for Yom Kippor, they can ask for atonement and make better choices.

Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron REALISTIC After his mom leaves for a mental hospital stay, Etan stops talking. After school, he runs errands for a grocery store, and on one delivery, he meets a girl named Malia, who has a skin condition. She homeschools because other kids call her “Creature.” Etan shares his immigrant grandfather’s special clay from the Dead Sea with Malia, and it seems to help her skin. Etan encourages his new friend Malia to perform in a talent show, but a devastating earthquake changes their best-laid plans with ruinous plans of its own. This heartfelt book is about a friendship, faith, Jewish heritage, mental health, family, and differences, and it is beautifully narrated in verse .

All Three Stooges  by Erica S. Perl REALISTIC I loved the richness of this cultural perspective, especially how the main character interacts with his Rabbi. Noah and Dash have always loved comedy — but when Dash’s dad commits suicide, their friendship is shattered. The author contrasts comedy with grief as Noah tries to make sense of what happened.

Prince of Steel Pier  by Stacy Nockowitz HISTORICAL FICTION It’s 1975, and Joey is a Jewish boy whose family owns a hotel in Atlantic City. He’s a bit sheltered and accidentally gets involved with some shady gangsters. The mob boss tells Joey to hang out with his daughter while she visits for the summer. But he’s asked to hide something valuable, and as events unfold, he thinks about his Jewish faith, lying, legacy, and family.  It’s a coming-of-age story with a strong atmospheric (New Jersey) setting.

A Ceiling Made of Eggshells  by Gail Carson Levine HISTORICAL FICTION There aren’t many (any?) children’s books written about this time period in Spain during the Spanish flu and the Spanish Inquisition when Jews were persecuted and forced out of the country or killed. Loma is a super smart Jewish girl and a favorite of her abuelo, who advises the monarchy, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.  Set in this dangerous time, we see Loma growing into herself while she’s abuelo’s traveling companion. The pacing was a bit sluggishM but the historical information was very interesting.

Genius Under the Table  by Eugene Yelchin HISTORICAL  MEMOIR Growing up in Cold War Russia , Yevgeny’s Jewish family is crowded into one room of an apartment housing many other families and a KBG spy, so he sleeps under the table –and draws under it, too. His mother works at the ballet and is obsessed with Baryshnikov and finding Yevgeny’s talent — which they discover is art. Even though their lives are filled with secrets and loss, Yevgeny finds happiness with his family and his art.

KEEP READING

Books for Jewish High Holidays

Hanukkah Books

Book Club Books

Books About the Holocaust

Books to Give Hope Amid the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Passover Books

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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