creative writing ideas for grade 8

65 Engaging 8th Grade Writing Prompts for Creative Essays

Creative writing is a discovery process, and 8th grade is a great time to encourage your students to find their voices. It’s the final grade before high school, and it’s a time when students are really discovering themselves and their place in the world as they leave middle school.

That’s why…

It’s so important to give your 8th-grade students writing prompts that will help them explore their thoughts and opinions. These 8th-grade writing prompts for creative essays are designed to do just that.

Journal Writing Prompts

Journaling is a great way to get your students’ creative juices flowing. It’s also a great way to get them thinking about their own thoughts and experiences. Here are some journal prompts to get your eighth graders started:

1. If you had the chance to travel anywhere in the world, where would you choose? What attracted you to that location?

2. Do people require a compelling reason to live? How would you characterize the purpose’s evolution over time?

3. Imagine you could go back in time and give someone advice. What would you say?

4. When it comes to writing, how do you feel? Consider something else in your life when comparing your feelings about writing to it.

5. Create a typical day in the life of an eighth-grader with a short story.

6. Write about your favorite movie or book. Why do you love it so much?

7. What do you like about your appearance?

8. Consider what you value in life and how it relates to where you want to be in five years. Make a personal vision statement for your life.

9. What are your thoughts on the notion of vulnerability? Have you ever been anxious when you’ve felt weak or exposed?

10. What are your biggest regrets so far in life? Why do you feel the way you do about it now?

11. Choose someone older, such as a grandparent. What is the most significant lesson you’ve learned from that individual?

Creative Writing Prompts

Creative writing is all about expressing yourself in your own unique way. That’s why it’s such a great activity for eighth-grade students. By allowing young writers to flex their creative muscles, they’ll be able to explore their thoughts in a way they might not have before.

Here are some creative writing prompts to get your 8th graders started:

12. If you had one opportunity to make a difference in the world, what would it be and why?

13. What would you change if you were in charge of your school and why?

14. If you had the power to transform your city’s appearance or structure, what would you do and why?

15. Who would you invite for dinner if you could choose any famous person?

16. Write a short story about what your life would be like if you lived in the cold deserts of Mongolia.

17. Your instructor has requested that you present a lesson with the fifth-graders. What will you speak about and why?

18. Name one thing you’d want to accomplish in the future. Describe why it is so essential for you and how you intend to achieve it.

19. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Have you ever heard that? What’s your take on it? To support your standpoint, utilize precise details and scenarios.

20. The town officials want you to create a community for the future. Share your vision using specific information and examples.

21. What would your brain be like if it were a physical location?

22. Write a scenario in which a usual family activity goes horribly wrong.

Expository Writing Prompts

Although similar to creative writing, expository writing is a different animal altogether. Here are some exciting prompts to get your middle-schoolers started:

23. What’s the most unusual location you’ve ever visited? Describe it in detail.

24. Tell us about your last birthday, from the moment you awoke until you went to bed that night.

25. Imagine your dream home. Make a list of each room and its features.

26. How do you get to your grandparents’ house or another family member home?

27. Write about your typical school lunch and your experience eating in the lunchroom.

28. Consider a career you’d like to have one day. Describe a typical working day in that position.

29. What unique characteristics do you possess as a member of this generation? How are people your parents’ or grandparents’ age different from yours?

30. What are three fun ways your family might spend a family vacation together?

31. Why do you think someone you know should be regarded as a leader?

32. Who’s your favorite teacher, and why?

33. If you had to be an animal, which one would you choose and why?

Precise Language Writing Prompts

When it comes to writing skills, precision is key. Your students need to communicate their thoughts and feelings clearly and concisely. That means they need to have a vast vocabulary and use it effectively. Here are writing prompts to help your students hone their skills:

34. Write a news article about a recent natural disaster.

35. Think about a time when you were extremely proud of yourself. Write a first-person account of your proudest moment.

36. What is your earliest memory of feeling fear? Write a brief story about that experience.

37. Are all teachers educators? Are all educators teachers? What is the difference between a teacher and an educator?

38. When should you say a specific number instead of “a lot” to avoid being mistaken?

39. What exactly makes something “made from natural components” distinct from anything grown in your backyard?

40. What is the difference between race and nationality?

41. What is the difference between music and sound?

42. What is the primary difference between being wise and being intelligent?

43. How can you tell the difference between an opinion and a fact?

44. Is it correct to refer to an 8th grader as a “young person”? Why or why not?

Counter-Argument Writing Prompts

To become better writers, students of this age group need to be able to anticipate and refute counter-arguments to their own claims. Here are some counter-argument writing prompts to get your reluctant writers thinking:

45. An old saying goes, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Explain why this might not be true.

46. Some individuals believe that crying is a sign of weakness. Disabuse them of this misconception.

47. Some schools enforce a dress code to discourage bullying and encourage learning. Explain why you disagree with forcing students to wear uniforms.

48. Paranormal investigators sometimes utilize photographs as “evidence” that ghosts exist. Explain why a photo of a ghost might not be considered evidence.

49. Cats are widely regarded as the greatest pets. Why might dogs be a better choice?

50. Some people think that nothing is more essential than fame or popularity. Why do you feel differently?

51. Some people believe that smartphones shouldn’t be allowed in school because they’re a distraction. In favor of allowing phone usage in class, create an argument.

52. Some people believe that there should be no restrictions placed on freedom of speech. Defend your position by explaining why freedom of speech should be limited on occasion.

53. People sometimes believe that important core principles, such as religion and politics, must be shared by good friends. Explain why this isn’t necessary.

54. Some people believe that honesty is more important than compassion. Explain why kindness is more essential at times in your essay.

55. Many individuals think it’s better to be single than in a relationship. Why might being in a relationship be preferable?

Informational Writing Prompts

Informational writing is a key skill for students to master. After all, in the real world, we need to communicate clearly, whether we’re writing an email to our boss or a letter to our elected officials. Here are informational writing prompts to keep your students busy:

56. Ask your teacher to share some insights about their life. Then, create a one-page biography based on what you learned.

57. What do you know how to do well? Write detailed instructions for someone else to perform this task.

58. Consider a destination that you’ve been to. Describe the site to someone who has never been there before.

59. There are several different family structures. What kind of family do you have?

60. Choose a subject you’re well-versed in, like a favorite sports team, movie star, musical genre, or anything that fascinates you. Explain the topic to someone else in three pages.

61. What impact has new technology had on your life?

62. Is there a familial custom that is unique to your family? Describe the custom and why your family participates in it.

63. Tell us about a typical day in one of your parents’ lives.

64. What would you do if you won the lottery?

65. How do people in your community show their support for local businesses?

Jump In : Writing essays encourage G8 students to get more creative in writing and critical in thinking. Provide them with more enthusiasm by giving them 11 Fun 8th Grade Reading Comprehension Activities & Games to stimulate their minds!

Fun Fact : There are aids available to assist your students to create correct sentences (free and paid). I researched a particular tool that I believe will improve your learners’ writing skills. Learn more about it here — Complex Sentence Generator: 7 Tools To Build Good Statements .

Get Your Middle School Students Hooked on Writing With These Engaging Prompts!

8th grade is an important time for students to focus on their writing skills. As they prepare to transition to high school and beyond, they must develop a strong foundation now.

By offering them a variety of engaging writing prompts, you can help your students build confidence and proficiency in their writing. So get those pencils and pens ready, and let’s get started!

Last Updated on July 25, 2022 by Emily

• Pinterest 67

Emily is an active mother of two and a dedicated elementary school teacher. She believes the latest technology has made a huge impact on the quality of early learning and has worked hard to upgrade her classroom and her own children’s learning experience through technology.

Follow her on Twitter , Pinterest , and Instagram for more teaching fun!

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Writing Tips
• 500+ Free Fiction Writing Prompts For Adults By Genre
• Self Publishing 101
• Best Writing Books
• Dragon Dictation Software Review
• Editing Software
• Email Marketing
• Formatting Software
• Gifts for Writers
• MasterClass Reviews
• Online Courses
• Scrivener 3 Review
• Website Hosting
• YouTube Channels

Select Page

100 Cool 8th Grade Writing Prompts

Writing Prompts |

Disclosure: The content on this site is free. Some of the links below are affiliate links from companies like Amazon.com and if you click the links and make a purchase we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you in advance if you decide to support our site by using our affiliate links!

100 Cool 8 th Grade Writing Prompts

When students reach the 8 th grade, they’re ready to write longer and in-depth pieces. Here are 100 writing prompts that will help you bring out the best out of your students, including those who are reluctant writers.

In this post, we have for you:

• Creative writing prompts
• Journal writing prompts
• Opinion writing prompts
• Narrative writing prompts
• Counter-argument writing prompts
• Expository writing prompts

Creative Writing Prompts for 8 th Grade

• Which is one place you would like to go to for a vacation? Explain why you have picked this place and what you plan to do there?
• Your teacher has asked you to share a lesson with the students of the 5 th grade. Explain what you will share and why?
• The local authorities want you to design a neighborhood for the future. Using specific details and examples share your vision.
• Is it really true that no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted? Share examples to support your viewpoint.
• If you could bring one change into the world, what would it be and why?
• A legendary jazz musician once said, “A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” Do you agree? Use examples to support your viewpoint.
• Name one thing that you would like to accomplish in the future. Share details regarding why it is so important for you and how you plan to achieve your goal.
• If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be and why?
• You may have heard the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” What’s your opinion? Use specific details and examples to back up your viewpoint.
• If you could make a significant change to the appearance or structure of your city, what would it be and why?
• Your school is thinking about making some changes to the dress code, and they have asked you for a recommendation. What would you recommend and why?
• You may have heard the old phrase: honesty is the best policy. But sometimes speaking honestly might hurt someone else’s feelings. Do you agree or not? Use examples and specific details to support your position.
• Your city’s mayor wants you to recommend one improvement to make the community better? Explain your idea for improving your community and why it should be implemented.
• If you could have dinner with any celebrity, who would you pick?
• Write a short story about what life would be like if you lived in the cold deserts of Mongolia.

Journal writing prompts for 8 th Grade

• Write a journal beginning with words…”One thing that I am sure about is…”
• Write about your first memories from childhood.
• Write about your first day in the school.
• Write a journal beginning with words…”The strangest person I ever got to know was…”
• Write a journal beginning with words…”There are so many things in the world that I find really annoying such as…”
• Describe a book you recently read or a movie you recently watched.
• Your city is considering outlawing the buying of energy drinks by those under age 16. What’s your take on this? Use examples to explain your position.
• Write a journal that begins with words…”My proudest moment was…”
• Write a journal that begins with words…”One time I really got scared of was when…”
• Write a journal beginning with words… “Last night I was kidnapped by aliens and taken to….”
• If you were to be allowed to meet the President for 20 minutes, what would you say to him and why?
• Describe a favorite movie or book. Why do you like it so much?
• Tell about a time when you hurt someone’s feelings. What did you do to make it up to him or her?
• Describe your favorite fictional character.
• Write about your first crush.
• After reading a piece on bullying on social media, your dad wants you to stay miles away from Facebook, Instagram, and the rest. Tell him he’s over-reacting.
• Write a short story on a typical day in the life of an eighth grader.
• Tell a story about something happened to one of your friends.
• Describe what you believe your life would be like when you turn 30.
• List 15 questions you would like to ask God.

Opinion Writing prompts for 8 th Grade

• Being which is harder at your age—a girl or boy? Explain why.
• How being emotionally strong is different than being physically strong?
• Is it really possible to fall in love at the first sight? Explain your viewpoint.
• Do you think bullying in school is just as prevalent as before? What steps can be taken to curb this menace?
• Do you think internet make relationships stronger? Or does it have the opposite effect of driving people apart?
• Many say that teens are spending more time in the front of a screen than ever before. Do you agree? How can teens cut down on their screen time?
• Does social media increase peer pressure and bullying? What’s your opinion?
• How can we win the war against climate change? Give five recommendations.
• If you could give one piece of advice to a seventh grader, what would it be?
• People often lie on the internet. How can we tell whether someone we have met on the net is lying or telling the truth?
• Some teenagers today have a phone addiction. Do you have that problem or do you know someone who has it? What’s the solution to this problem?
• Gaming addiction is rampant in teens. How can we tackle this problem? What are your suggestions?
• Will shifting to electric vehicles be enough to significantly reduce carbon emissions? Use well-researched points to support your position.
• Should it be mandatory for students to participate in at least one extracurricular activity? Do you agree? Use specific details to support your position.
• Should group projects be assigned in the school, since one uncooperative member can affect the entire group? Do you agree? Use specific details to support your position.

Narrative writing prompts for 8 th grade

• What does it mean to be emotionally intelligent?
• How can be bullying in schools be prevented?
• Write a bedtime story for a child.
• Describe a watershed event in your life.
• Pick one of your favorite moments in the history. Why do you think it is so special?
• What is hardest thing about being an 8 th grader?
• What is the best thing about being an 8 th grader?
• Is growing up hard as many say? Use specific details to support your position.
• If you could cure one disease, which one would it be and why?
• If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be and why?
• Is it better to be naturally gifted at something or to be a fast learner? Why?
• Do you think we are overly-dependent on technology? Use examples to support your viewpoint.
• How is artificial intelligence changing the way we live and work? Use specific examples when talking about its impact.
• Write a poem about graduation.
• What is the hardest thing about getting older?
• Is the glass full or half-empty? Why?
• What are the best ways to cope with stress in life?
• What is the funniest thing that has happened to you?
• If you go back in time and change one thing that you have done in the past, what would it be and why?
• Have you ever really had a weird dream? Describe it in detail.

Counter-Argument writing prompts for 8 th grade

• Many parents think students shouldn’t be provided with cell phones as they tend to easily get distracted by them. Write an argument in favor of allowing cell phones to students.
• Some people think that bullying is common on social media channels. Do you agree or disagree?
• Some think there’s nothing in the world that’s more important than fame. What’s your opinion?
• Is gaming addiction in teens a real problem or is it just a hyperbole? What do you think?
• Some think dogs make the best pet, some think cats. What’s your opinion?
• Do ghosts exist? Some paranormal investigators use photographs as “proof” of their existence. Is that enough proof?
• Some schools require students to wear uniforms because they think that helps reduce bullying. Do you agree or disagree?
• Crying is a sign of weakness, some say. Do you think that’s wrong? Explain your position.
• You would have heard the old saying, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Do you think that’s really the case? Explain your position.
• Some think that close friends need to share the same core values. Explain why you disagree.

Expository writing prompts for 8 th Grade

• What is your earliest memory?
• What is your favorite job? Describe a typical day in that job.
• What does it mean to be a part of the community?
• Why is it important to celebrate accomplishments such as graduation?
• What qualities make a person good listener?
• What qualities one need to become a good team man?
• What is the best thing about graduating this year?
• Describe your first birthday that you remember.
• Imagine your dream home. Describe all the rooms in it.
• What is the coolest place you’ve ever been? Describe it.
• What is the strangest place you’ve ever been? Describe it.
• Write about one family vacation that didn’t go according to the plan. What happened? 
• Summarize the plot of your favorite movie or book to someone who has not watched or read it.
• What qualities one needs to become a good friend?
• What is more important — to earn more money or to be an honest person?
• How does your family typically spend the weekend?
• How are race and nationality two different things?
• How is being wise is not the same thing as being smart?
• How important is to workout daily? Explain the benefits of being physically fit.
• How important it is for students to learn to budget their time? How can one improve this skill?

We hope these exciting prompts will help your students get started writing everything from in-depth essays to journals and, more importantly, enjoy their writing.

And if you need more writing prompts, we’ve got your back.

Here are some other cool free writing prompts for kids by grade:

• 3 rd grade writing prompts
• 4 th grade writing prompts
• 5 th grade writing prompts
• 6 th grade writing prompts
• 7 th grade writing prompts
• Middle school writing prompts

Plus, you can find Fiction writing prompts here

Related Posts

100 creative 6th grade writing prompts.

December 7, 2020

101 Scary Horror Story Ideas and Writing Prompts

August 6, 2018

100 Amazing 7th Grade Writing Prompts

49 Amazing Dystopian Writing Prompts

August 24, 2018

“This site is owned and operated by FB Global Value LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in New Jersey, USA.  FB Global Value is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from Qualifying Purchases . FB Global Value LLC also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Sites like Self Publishing Hub which are owned and operated by FB Global Value LLC are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.”

• Try for free

Eighth Grade Creative Writing Worksheets

• Who Am I? – Character Description
• Scoring Rubric: Poetry
• Story Starters
• Student Proofreading Checklist
• Creative Writing with Photo Inspiration
• The Middle Ages: The Feudal System Activity Packet
• Writing a Character Sketch
• Scoring Rubric: Research Report/Paper
• Be a Journalist!
• Poetry Terms Quiz
• An Immigrant's Story
• The Middle Ages: Knights and Knighthood Activity Packet
• The Middle Ages: Medieval Towns Activity Packet
• The "I Remember" Poem
• Scoring Rubric: Literary Analysis/Interpretation
• Really Good: Producing Synonyms
• The Peanuts Gang: Charles Schulz
• Life's Not Always Fair
• Scoring Rubric: Fictional Narrative
• Denotation/Connotation
• My New Year's Resolutions (7-12)
• Scoring Rubric: Cause-Effect
• Risking It All for a Friend
• Building a Buddy
• Great Teacher
• Scoring Rubric: Problem-Solution
• Scoring Rubric: Critical Review
• Where Are the Wild Things: Maurice Sendak
• License Plate Quickies: Writing a Paragraph
• The Final Shot
• More Creative Writing Printables, 8th Grade

Featured Middle School Resources

Related Resources

About the author.

TeacherVision Editorial Staff

The TeacherVision editorial team is comprised of teachers, experts, and content professionals dedicated to bringing you the most accurate and relevant information in the teaching space.

88 Writing Prompts for 8th Grade

By the end of junior high, most students have grasped the basics of storytelling, essay writing, and poetry.

However, these skills still need to be practiced and strengthened in order to keep their writing fresh and exciting throughout high school—where they will learn even more skills that will carry them through college.

We’ve put together a list of prompts to keep your 8th graders interested in writing, searching their emotions, and analyzing topics.

Using This List

Your students are probably pretty disciplined writers by now, but they still need a little guidance. Use this list to help challenge their writing skills and take them out of their comfort zone.

The Prompts

• Write about your favorite experience at school so far.
• Tell the story of how you met your best friend.
• Do you think social media increases or decreases bullying? Explain.
• Write a news article about something that recently happened in your school or community.
• What new extracurricular activity do you wish your school offered? Why?
• Do you think you are a good listener? What makes a good listener?
• Explain the plot of your favorite movie.
• Do you see the glass as half-full or half-empty? Why?
• Write an acrostic poem using your name.
• What are you most looking forward to in high school? Why?
• Do you think eSports are a viable career path? Explain.
• What is the hardest thing about getting older? Why?
• Is it more important to be well-read or well-traveled? Why?
• Explain the difference between being wise and being smart. Use examples.
• Are you a cat person or a dog person? Why?
• What is your favorite song? Why?
• What does feminism mean to you? Are you a feminist?
• How do you feel about dog-earring or annotating your books? Why?
• Explain the plot of your favorite video game.
• Why is it essential to examine multiple points of view when forming an opinion?
• Write a letter to a teacher or administrator who has impacted your life.
• Where is your favorite place? Explain it in detail to someone who has never been there.
• Do you think social media is helpful or harmful to teens? Explain.
• What do you wish adults understood about teenagers?
• Do you prefer watching TV or playing video games? Why?
• Write the recipe and steps for creating your favorite meal.
• Do you have any family traditions? Explain.
• Choose a prominent athlete in history and write an essay about them.
• Do you think society relies too much on technology? Why or why not?
• Write about a time when you gave in to peer pressure.
• Do you think the voting age should be lowered to 16? Why?
• Write about a time you felt embarrassed.
• If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Why?
• Are boys and girls treated equally?
• Describe the movie you saw most recently.
• If you could have dinner with any prominent figure in history, who would it be? What would you talk about?
• Debunk or support a popular conspiracy theory.
• Why is important that our media includes diverse characters, creators, and actors?
• Imagine and describe, in detail, your dream home.
• If you were granted three wishes—and you weren’t allowed to ask for more wishes—what would you wish for? Why?
• Write a news article to accompany the headline, “Bears Seen Ransacking Ice Cream Truck”.
• What are three things you can do to help the environment?
• Some people say crying is a weakness. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
• Explain your favorite board game to someone who’s never played it before.
• What do you think is the most important moment in US history? Why?
• Explain the plot of your favorite book.
• What is a job you’d like to have one day? Why does it appeal to you?
• Describe your favorite children’s story.
• Write a story that takes place at your favorite park.
• Which season is your favorite? Why?
• Explain the qualities of a good friend.
• Describe your earliest memory.
• If you could have one question answered, what would you ask? Why?
• Write a letter to yourself five years from now.
• Write a letter to yourself five years ago.
• Write a letter to someone who inspires you.
• Write about the day in the life of an animal from their perspective.
• Write about your favorite song and why it’s important to you.
• Describe what you would do if you witnessed an act of racism.
• Write a story about an astronaut who finds dragons on Mars.
• Explain three things you like to do when you’re bored.
• If you could have any mythical creature as a pet, which would you pick? Why?
• Write a description of the day from the point of view of your pet (or another animal if you have no pets).
• What is your greatest fear? What can you do to overcome this fear?
• Describe the best vacation you’ve ever taken.
• Why is it important for schools to offer free meals to all students?
• Choose a random object and describe it in as much detail as possible. Don’t reveal it until the end.
• Write an alternate ending to your favorite fairy tale.
• Write a poem about your favorite food in the shape of this food (example: a triangle-shaped poem about a slice of pizza).
• Choose a famous woman in science and write an essay about their accomplishments.
• Compare and contrast the best and worst day of your life so far.
• Describe the difference between a privilege and a right. Give examples of each.
• Why is plagiarism a bad thing?
• Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Explain.
• Write an essay about something you’re proud of and why.
• Compare and contrast eBooks, physical books, and audiobooks. Which do you prefer?
• Do you think your generation will change the world? How?
• Do you believe people deserve second chances? Explain.
• Should we continue to explore space, or should we focus more on exploring the oceans? Why?
• What do you think is the most important technological advancement of the past century? Explain.
• Should controversial topics be discussed in the classroom? Explain your reasoning.
• In the novel The Giver, society decides to erase history and feelings, in order to create a simpler lifestyle. Explain the pros and cons of this decision.
• Explain the most important thing you’ve learned from a family member.
• Write about a time when you were surprised.
• Do you think aliens exist? Explain.
• How much time do you spend on your phone daily? What are some days you can reduce this amount of time?
• Do you think homework is beneficial or detrimental to student success? Explain.

Looking for More?

We’ve got an abundance of content and resources for teachers, guardians, and students.

If you’re looking for something specific but we don’t have it, let us know and we’ll put something together for you. We are here to help you!

8th Grade Writing Prompts: Unleash Your Imagination

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

1. Exploring the Power of ⁣Imagination: Unleashing Creativity through⁤ 8th‍ Grade Writing Prompts

2. how writing prompts nurture⁣ critical thinking ⁤skills in 8th graders, 3. inspiring personal reflection: writing prompts that encourage self-expression, 4. ⁢developing strong narrative skills: engaging writing prompts for storytelling, 5. ​building effective ​persuasive techniques: harnessing the​ power of 8th grade writing prompts, 6.‍ discovering new worlds: imaginative⁣ prompts ⁢to encourage descriptive writing, 7. enhancing vocabulary and language skills: stimulating writing prompts for 8th graders, enhancing classroom discussions with writing prompts, frequently asked questions, insights and conclusions.

​ Writing prompts are an invaluable tool for nurturing the creative minds of 8th-grade students. By igniting‍ their imagination, these prompts⁣ bolster writing skills and offer an outlet ⁢for self-expression. Delving into a world of limitless possibilities, ⁣students can explore different genres of writing and dive into thought-provoking topics that challenge their perspectives⁣ and provoke introspection. Whether it’s crafting an engaging short story, composing ‌a captivating‍ poem, ⁤or even jotting down personal reflections, 8th-grade⁤ writing ​prompts provide‍ an ⁢opportunity for students to⁢ enhance their creativity while developing crucial​ communication skills. ‍

⁢ ⁣ So, just how do these writing prompts unleash the power of imagination? Firstly, they encourage students to think outside⁣ of the box, allowing ideas to flow freely⁢ and ⁣unburdened by fear of ‍judgment. By presenting intriguing scenarios, fictional characters, or real-life situations,⁤ these prompts motivate ​students to explore uncharted creative territories . ⁣Additionally, they foster critical thinking and ​problem-solving abilities, as students envision possible outcomes or intriguing solutions. Through writing, students develop empathy, as they⁣ delve ‍into the minds of diverse characters or contemplate ‌their ​own emotions‌ and experiences. By providing a safe space for expression, these writing prompts empower 8th graders to embrace their unique voice, perspectives, and imagination, fostering a​ deep appreciation for the power of words.

Writing prompts serve as powerful tools to cultivate critical thinking skills in 8th graders. By presenting them with thought-provoking prompts, students are encouraged to analyze, evaluate, and formulate ⁢their own unique perspectives. This practice instills in them the ability to‍ think critically, encouraging them to question, reason, and draw conclusions while honing their analytical skills. Here, we explore how these⁢ prompts effectively nurture​ critical thinking in young minds.

1.⁢ Encouraging ⁢Divergent Thinking: Writing prompts offer students the opportunity⁢ to think ​outside the box ⁣and explore multiple perspectives. They ‌challenge students to generate creative ideas and solutions, fostering‍ divergent thinking. By asking open-ended questions or presenting complex scenarios, these prompts prompt⁣ students ⁤to consider various angles and possibilities,⁢ teaching them the ⁤importance ​of breaking down a problem and ​exploring different viewpoints.

2. Enhancing⁤ Problem-Solving Skills: Through writing ​prompts, 8th graders learn to approach problems with‍ a well-structured thought process.‍ As they engage ⁣with ​prompts that require analysis, students learn to identify key information, evaluate evidence, and propose solutions. This practice offers ‌a practical application of critical thinking skills, enabling students to break down complex problems into‍ manageable parts, evaluate their⁣ options, and make informed decisions. By sharpening their problem-solving abilities, students⁢ become more ⁤confident⁣ and capable critical thinkers.

Self-expression through writing can ‌be a powerful tool for personal​ reflection ⁤and growth. It allows us ‌to delve into our thoughts and emotions, enabling ​a deeper understanding of ourselves⁢ and the world around us. To stimulate your creativity and encourage insightful introspection, here are some thought-provoking writing prompts :

• Reflect on ‍a life lesson: Recall a significant experience or challenge you faced. How did it shape who you are today? What lessons did you learn from it?
• Describe your ideal day: Imagine a perfect day without any limits or constraints. Write about how you would​ spend‌ it, detailing the activities, people, ​and locations⁣ that bring you joy.
• Explore your fears: Take a moment to⁣ identify your deepest ​fears or anxieties. ⁤Write about them, focusing on​ why they⁤ exist and how they impact your life. Consider how you can overcome or​ manage them.

Writing‍ about these prompts not only provides an opportunity for ​self-reflection, but it can also bring clarity to your thoughts ​and emotions. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and embrace the process of self-discovery through writing. Remember, there ‌are no right or wrong⁢ answers, only a chance⁢ for personal​ growth and understanding.

Storytelling is⁤ a powerful ⁣tool that nurtures our imagination and helps⁣ us communicate ideas effectively. Whether you are an aspiring writer or‍ simply ‍want to ‌enhance ⁣your narrative skills, engaging writing prompts can ‌be a valuable resource. Here are some⁢ creative ideas to ​get your creative ‌juices flowing:

• Unleash the ⁤Power of Emotions: Write a story where the main character experiences ‌a rollercoaster of emotions – from overwhelming joy to devastating sorrow. Explore ⁤how these emotions shape their decisions and transform‌ the storyline.
• Adventures in Time: Imagine going back ⁢in time to a significant historical event and becoming an eyewitness. Create a compelling narrative by describing the sights, sounds, and emotions experienced during this extraordinary journey.
• Magical ⁤Realms: Transport your readers to a mythical land of your ‍own‌ creation. Develop multi-dimensional characters, elaborate landscapes, ‌and intriguing magical‍ elements to captivate your audience.

Remember, strong narrative skills are⁢ developed ​through practice and persistence. Embrace these prompts ‍as opportunities to explore new genres, experiment with different writing⁤ styles, and unleash your storytelling potential. Happy writing!

In order to build effective⁣ persuasive techniques, it is crucial to harness the power of 8th grade writing prompts. These prompts serve as valuable tools that can enhance critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills. By engaging with thought-provoking prompts, students can ‌develop persuasive writing techniques that are not⁣ only ‍compelling but also impactful.

One way to harness the power⁣ of‍ 8th grade writing prompts is to encourage students to explore multiple perspectives. By examining a prompt from different angles, ‌students can strengthen their ability to understand⁢ various viewpoints and ⁣effectively convey their own ⁤opinions. This skill is essential in persuasive writing as it allows​ writers to anticipate counterarguments and address them with logical reasoning. Moreover, examining multiple perspectives fosters empathy and helps⁤ students build a stronger connection with their audience.

• Tap ⁣into personal experiences: Encourage students to draw from⁣ their own experiences when responding to writing prompts. ​This personal touch not only adds ‍authenticity to​ their writing but also enables⁢ them to make emotional connections with their readers.
• Utilize persuasive language: Teach⁢ students to employ ​persuasive language techniques such as using ‌strong adjectives, powerful‍ verbs, and rhetorical‍ questions. These ⁢tools can captivate the reader’s attention and effectively convey the writer’s message.
• Provide evidence and examples: Stress the importance of supporting arguments with credible evidence and real-life ‌examples. This adds credibility to their writing and enables them to build a strong case for their persuasive stance.

Imaginative Prompts to Encourage Descriptive Writing

Unleash your creativity and​ embark on a journey to unexplored realms with these captivating⁤ prompts designed‍ to ignite ​descriptive writing like never‍ before. Step ⁣beyond the⁣ boundaries of reality and allow‌ your imagination to soar, as you dive into new worlds ⁢bursting with vivid colors,‌ extraordinary creatures, and thrilling adventures.

Whether you are an aspiring​ writer or simply seeking a ‍fresh⁣ burst of inspiration, these​ prompts will transport you to enchanting realms begging to be discovered. Brace yourself as you:

• Describe ‍a bustling bazaar in a futuristic metropolis, where swirling neon lights reflect off shiny hovercrafts, and exotic scents fill the air.
• Introduce a mythical ⁢creature that has the ability to ⁢control the elements, painting the sky ⁣with breathtaking⁤ displays of nature’s power.
• Guide ⁢readers through an underwater paradise where translucent‍ sea creatures glide through coral reefs, surrounded by ⁤a kaleidoscope of​ shimmering⁢ colors.

Immerse yourself in ⁣rich details, breathtaking landscapes,​ and captivating characters that will bring your writing to life. Encourage descriptive prose to flourish as you explore new worlds brimming with limitless possibilities.‌ Tap into ​the depths of ‍your imagination and unleash your creative potential ⁣with these mesmerizing prompts.

In ​order to enhance their vocabulary and language skills, it is essential ​to provide 8th graders with stimulating writing prompts ⁢that foster creativity and critical thinking. Engaging writing ⁢prompts not only encourage students to ‌expand their vocabulary, but also help them develop their communication skills and express their ideas effectively. Here are some exciting ideas to inspire 8th ​graders‌ and make their writing journey enjoyable:

• Imaginative Scenarios: Encourage students to explore their creativity by providing them with thought-provoking scenarios. For example, ask them to imagine they have been granted superpowers for a day and describe ⁣how they’d use them to solve a real-world problem.
• Controversial Topics: Present students with various controversial topics, allowing them to ‍express their opinions and develop argumentative writing skills. Topics such⁤ as climate ‍change, social media influence, or animal rights‌ can spark discussions and critical thinking.
• Time Travel Adventures: Transport students ⁤to different time​ periods, ‍like ancient civilizations or the future, and ask them⁢ to describe their experiences. ‌This not only encourages them to research and expand their knowledge, ​but also helps improve their descriptive writing abilities.

By providing stimulating ⁣writing prompts on a regular basis, ⁣8th graders have the ⁤opportunity to expand their language skills, increase their vocabulary, and refine their⁤ writing abilities. Additionally, these prompts foster creativity,‍ critical thinking, and‌ the ability to express ideas effectively. Encourage students to embrace these prompts as a tool for personal growth‌ and to enjoy the process of exploring their imagination and enhancing their language abilities.

8. Promoting Collaborative Learning:‌ Using Writing Prompts to Foster Classroom Discussions

In today’s digital age, fostering meaningful classroom discussions can be a challenge. However, incorporating writing prompts into your teaching methodology ‌can prove ⁤highly effective⁢ in promoting collaborative learning and enhancing student engagement. Writing ⁤prompts serve as a valuable tool⁢ to spark creativity,⁣ critical​ thinking, and facilitate deeper ‌discussions among students.

• Diversify​ Perspectives: ‍ Writing prompts encourage students to express their​ unique perspectives and insights⁣ on various topics, allowing for a rich exchange of ideas. By exploring different viewpoints, students gain ​a broader understanding of the subject matter and develop empathy⁢ towards others’ opinions.
• Develop Communication Skills: Through writing, students are able to organize their⁤ thoughts, articulate their arguments, and⁣ effectively ​communicate their ideas.⁢ The use of writing prompts cultivates ‌their ability to express themselves​ clearly and coherently, providing a solid foundation for thoughtful and respectful classroom discussions.
• Encourage ⁣Active Participation: ⁤Writing​ prompts empower students to actively participate in class ‍discussions⁢ by giving them time to reflect on the topic before ​sharing their thoughts. This level of preparation boosts students’ confidence, encourages meaningful contributions, and ensures a more inclusive⁢ and ‍engaging classroom environment.

By incorporating writing prompts as a regular practice, both ‍in-class and through‍ online platforms, educators can create an environment that fosters⁣ collaborative learning and promotes​ dynamic classroom discussions. The benefits ​of ⁢integrating writing prompts into your teaching methodology are clear: enhanced critical thinking, improved ‌communication skills, and increased student engagement.

Q: What are some interesting writing prompts for ⁣8th graders? A: In our article “8th Grade Writing ‌Prompts: Unleash Your Imagination,” we have compiled a list of creative prompts that will inspire​ 8th graders to let their imagination⁢ soar. These prompts‍ include exploring‌ a mysterious island, writing a letter ‌to your‌ future self, and creating an alternate ending for a popular story, just to name ‍a few.

Q: How ‍can writing‍ prompts help 8th graders improve their ⁣writing skills? A: Writing prompts serve as a catalyst to engage students in the writing process and encourage them to express their thoughts and ‌ideas. By providing a clear and ⁤specific topic, prompts help students⁢ focus their writing, build confidence,​ and‍ enhance skills ​such as grammar, vocabulary, and organization. Regular practice with writing prompts also ⁢reinforces‌ critical thinking abilities and stimulates ⁣creativity.

Q: Are ​these​ writing prompts suitable for different writing styles? A: ‍Absolutely! The writing prompts in this article are intentionally diverse ‌to accommodate various writing styles and preferences. ​Whether your ‌child enjoys descriptive, narrative, persuasive,‌ or expository writing, ⁤they will surely⁤ find a ​prompt that ⁤sparks their interest and encourages them​ to write in their preferred style.

Q: Can ⁣these prompts be⁤ adapted for different skill levels? A: Yes, definitely! These prompts are designed to be flexible and adaptable to⁢ different skill levels.⁣ For students who ⁢may need additional support, ​they can simplify the prompt or break it⁤ down into smaller tasks. On the other hand, advanced writers can⁢ be encouraged to include more complex elements or explore deeper themes within⁢ the given prompt.

Q: ⁢How can parents and teachers utilize these prompts effectively? A:‌ Parents and teachers can use ⁢these writing⁤ prompts to enhance their child’s or student’s writing skills. They can assign ⁢them as‍ homework or use them during writing workshops or in-class exercises. By providing⁣ constructive ‌feedback and guidance, adults can help young‌ writers develop their ideas and further improve their writing‌ abilities.

Q: How often should students engage with these⁤ writing prompts? A: It is recommended ​that students engage ⁣with writing prompts regularly to establish ​a consistent writing routine and ​refine their skills. Teachers might assign prompts on a weekly basis, while parents can encourage their⁤ children to explore one or two ⁤prompts per week,⁢ depending on their availability. Regular practice ‍will ultimately lead to better ⁢writing proficiency.

Q: Can these prompts be used for ⁤group activities or classroom discussions? A: Absolutely! These‍ prompts⁤ can be utilized for group activities or classroom discussions, fostering an interactive learning experience. Teachers can encourage students to share⁢ their responses, allowing‍ for peer feedback and the exchange ⁤of ideas. Such⁢ collaborative exercises not only strengthen writing skills but also promote teamwork and communication among students.

Q: Are these writing prompts solely for school purposes, or can ⁤they be used ⁣in ‍leisure time as well? A: These prompts can‌ certainly be used outside of school for creative writing during leisure⁤ time. They provide an opportunity for 8th graders to continue developing their ⁤writing skills ⁤independently, explore⁣ their interests, and​ unleash their imagination‌ in an enjoyable and engaging manner.

Q: Is ⁣there any guidance provided along with these writing ⁢prompts? A: Alongside each writing ⁤prompt in the⁣ article, we offer helpful tips and prompts to further guide 8th graders’ writing process. These suggestions range from brainstorming techniques to narrative structures, adding a layer of ⁤support ⁣for‍ students to enhance their creative ⁢writing skills while working on the given prompts.

In conclusion, ​8th-grade writing prompts are ⁤a valuable tool for unleashing students’ imagination and honing their writing skills.

Race Writing Prompts PDF: Explore Themes of Equality

Spicy Writing Prompts: Add Heat to Your Stories

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities.

Welcome to Creative Writing Prompts

At Creative Writing Prompts, we believe in the power of words to shape worlds. Our platform is a sanctuary for aspiring writers, seasoned wordsmiths, and everyone. Here, storytelling finds its home, and your creative journey begins its captivating voyage.

© 2024 Creativewriting-prompts.com

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to secondary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

An Everyday Story

Baby Gifts, Kids Toys & Motherhood

• Terms of Services
• Privacy Policy

70 Example Ideas 8th Grade Writing Prompts

By Suzanne Brown | Last Updated May 4, 2022

School is hard, and when it comes to 8th-grade writing prompts, students are often overwhelmed with the possible topics they can choose from. On top of that, the eighth-grade year is jam-packed with so much material that it becomes impossible to know where to even begin! That’s why we’re here for you. We’ve put together a list of 70 great example ideas for 8th-grade writing prompts, which will help make your job a lot easier.

1. What are You most Proud of Accomplishing? How Do You Feel When You Reflect on It?

2. Write about a Time When Your Best Friend Surprised You

3. what qualities make someone a good listener why are you a good listener, 4. how do you feel about graduating this year what part are you most excited about, 5. why is it important to celebrate accomplishments like graduation, 6. write about something that comes easily to you. what makes you so good at this particular thing, 7. write about something that you find challenging. why is it hard what could you do to improve.

8. What was Your Most Embarrassing Moment? Why?

9. write about a time when you felt successful. what did you do how did you feel afterward, 10. what does it mean to be a part of a community, 11. how will you choose which high school you’re going to do you get to decide, or will your parents decide, 12. do you crave adventure or attention why or why not, 13. if you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would you choose and why.

14. What New Technology Has Developed in Your Lifetime, and How Has It Helped You? 

15. Write a News Article Outlining the Dangers of Global Warming

16. describe your favorite place to someone who has never been there. what can they do and see, 17. think about your hobby and write an article explaining its benefits to someone who doesn’t know about it, 18. describe a unique family tradition of yours to someone not in your family, 19. write a story informing elementary school kids about how to prepare for middle school.

20. Do You Think It is Easier to Be a Boy or a Girl? Why?

21. does online bullying exist why or why not.

22. What is the Most Important Piece of Information That You Can Give to an Adult? 

23. Do You Think That Free Speech Should not Have Consequences?

24. Do You Think Wearing a Uniform to School Benefits all Students? Why or Why not?

25. sometimes people say boys should not cry. do you agree or disagree why, 26. if you were to make a youtube channel, what would it be about and why .

27. Do You Think 8th Graders are Young or Old? Why?

28. what are you allergic to, and how do you deal with this daily, 29. what do you do when you are sick, 30. why are writing skills important, 31. do you prefer to watch tv or read books why is this better .

32. Describe a Food That Someone Has Never Eaten to them. How Will It Taste, Smell and Feel?

33. write a letter to a friend who has just lost a family member.

34. Write a Letter to Your Grandma Teaching her How to Use an iPhone

35. write a letter to yourself, to open on the first day at school next year .

36. How Frequently Do You Take Photos? What Do You Like to Take Photos of? Do You Share them with other People?

37. are you looking forward to advancements in artificial intelligence or has technology already advanced too far.

38. Describe Your Daily Routine to Someone Who Lives in Japan

39. write a poem about graduation, 40. what does “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree mean, and where did it originate” .

41. Write a Letter to Your Principal Convincing them to Let You Start a School Club 

42. Think about all of the Plastic Waste in the Ocean. Write a Solution Essay for This Problem

43. Why is It Important to Conserve the Rainforest?

44. Should People be Allowed to Travel anywhere in the World without a Passport? Why or Why not?

45. What is Haggis, and Would You Eat It? Why or Why not?

46. Do all States Have the Same Laws? Why or Why not?

47. Write a Character Profile about One of Your Favorite Television Characters 

48. What is the Best Way for Schools to Prevent Bullying?

49. Write a Response to This Quote by Frida Kahlo “”I don’t Paint Dreams or Nightmares, I Paint my Own Reality””. What Does She Mean by this, and How can You do this?”

50. We are Becoming too Dependent on Technology. Do You Agree or Disagree with this Statement? Why?

51. Should Children be Allowed to Vote in Political Elections, such as Presidential Elections? Why or Why not?

52. Is the Glass Half – Empty or Half -Full? Why?

53. Who is Your Favorite Actor or Actress? What do You Like about him or her?

54. What does It Mean to be Emotionally Intelligent?

55. Do Your Parents Allow You to Have or Use a Cell Phone? Why or Why not?

56. What is the Best Thing about Getting Older? Why?

57. Write a Short Story about What Life Would be Like If You Lived in a Different Country

59. Do You Consider Yourself to be a Good Test – Taker? Why or Why not?

60. Write a Daily Journal Entry from the Perspective of Yourself in 5 Years’ Time

61. Should the Wealthiest People in the World be Made to Give up Some of Their Money to Help those Who are less Well – off?

62. Are Boys and Girls Treated equally?

63. write a fictional story that is set in your hometown, 64. the school board should ban junk food on school grounds/property. why or why not.

65. Exams and Tests Should be Banned in School. Why or Why not? 

66. Describe the Day of Your Proudest Moment

67. Think about How You could Improve Your School for yourself and for Your Fellow Students. Write a Letter to Your School Board with Your Ideas 

68. Do Eighth Graders Have the Toughest Time at School Compared to every other Grade? Why or Why not?

69. What are 5 Easy Things We Can Do in Our Daily Lives to Look After Our Planet?

70. Cell Phones should be Locked away at the Start of the School Day and only Given Back at the end. Do You Agree or Disagree? Why?

71. Describe Your Dream Family Vacation. Where Would You Go? Who Would You Go with? What Would You Do?

72. should there be a limit on wealth or a maximum amount of money one person can have why or why not .

• Prodigy Math
• Prodigy English
• Is a Premium Membership Worth It?
• Promote a Growth Mindset
• Help Your Child Who's Struggling with Math
• Parent's Guide to Prodigy
• Assessments
• Math Curriculum Coverage
• English Curriculum Coverage
• Game Portal

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

Written by Maria Kampen

Prodigy English is here! Get your students playing — and learning — today.

• Teacher Resources
• Elementary school writing prompts

Middle school writing prompts

High school writing prompts.

• Social emotional learning jounal prompts
• Math writing prompts

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

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

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

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

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

Writing prompts for kids help students:

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

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

Grade school writing prompts

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

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

Creative writing prompts for elementary schoolers

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

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

Fun writing prompts for grade schoolers

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

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

Persuasive writing prompts for elementary school

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

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

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

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

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

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

Fun Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

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

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School

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

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

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

Creative Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

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

Fun writing prompts for high schoolers

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

Persuasive writing prompts for high school

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

Social emotional learning journal prompts

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

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

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

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

Math writing prompts for kids

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

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

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

Final thoughts on writing prompts for kids

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

Where will your students’ imaginations take them?

Inspire student imagination with Prodigy English

Prodigy's brand-new game, Prodigy English , encourages students to build creativity and reading and language skills. Students can explore and create a world of their very own as they answer questions to gain energy, meet new characters, earn coins and build a village. And as they play, you'll be able to track their progress and achievement for easy assessment!

Create your free teacher account today to get started.

ThinkWritten

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!

We may receive a commission when you make a purchase from one of our links for products and services we recommend. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for support!

Sharing is caring!

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.

Similar Posts

101 Poetry Prompts & Ideas for Writing Poems

365 Creative Writing Prompts

108 Romance Writing Prompts & Love Story Ideas

7 Creative Writing Exercises For Writers

42 Fantasy Writing Prompts & Plot Ideas

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Get our FREE Field Trip Reflection printable 🦁!

150 Inspiring Picture Writing Prompts To Spark Creativity (Free Google Slides)

Use a picture to write a thousand words!

Creative writing is a challenge for many students, often because they can’t come up with anything to write about. That’s why we love picture writing prompts. Each one sparks the imagination and helps young writers jump right into crafting a story to match. We rounded up a whole collection of intriguing images for use with kids in grades K-12 along. Plus we designed a set of free Google Slides featuring all of the prompts so you can easily share them with students.

Tip: Start by showing students the picture (or let them choose from among several) without making any comment about what they’re seeing. For kids who still struggle to get started, suggest a potential title or opening sentence, like the examples included here.

Don’t miss our free downloadable. Grab your full set of ready-to-go Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all of the prompts below.

Elementary Picture Writing Prompts

Middle school picture writing prompts, high school picture writing prompts, art picture writing prompts.

When kids first see these picture writing prompts, they may or may not immediately feel inspired. If they need some help, ask them questions like “What led up to this moment?” or “What’s going to happen next?”

When Larry fell in love, he fell hard.

When the new sign appeared on Main Street, everyone in town wondered exactly what it meant.

Snowy Footprints

After that crazy day, all that was left to show for it was footprints in the snow.

Dinosaur Bones

“Come with me if you want to live!” Ash said, reaching out a hand.

Undersea Treasure

For years, no one saw the locked treasure chest but the local fish, who wondered what it could contain.

A Game of Fetch

To Scout, it was a game, but to Mr. Freezy, it was much more.

Ladybug Gossip

The ladybug’s picnic was an excellent chance to meet up with old friends and hear all the latest gossip.

We met them when they peeked into our window, watching us as we ate lunch and watched cartoons.

King of the Jungle

It wasn’t the crown that made Amari the king of all he surveyed.

The Final Pitch

It all came down to this—the final pitch in a game that was tied 2-2.

Doggie Massage

Every dog in the neighborhood knew that Rocky gave the best massages and was always willing to lend an ear too.

Skateboard Life

When Charli got her first skateboard, she made herself a promise.

Garden of the Past

The woman walked in the garden every day, never saying a word.

Sunset Friends

They met on the jungle gym every day at sunset, sharing everything about their days.

Pink Umbrellas

When the pink umbrellas first appeared, Toni thought they might be magic.

Firefly Forest

Olivia was surprised to discover that the fireflies didn’t just glow, they also sang.

Robot Spider

When it first crawled ashore, the mechanical spider moved slowly.

Fallen House

Staring at their house, which was now on its side, the whole family was in shock.

Red Riding Hood

If only she’d been riding her faithful steed the day she’d met the Big Bad Wolf, things might have been very different.

Kangaroo Fall

“Well, this is embarrassing,” thought Bouncer, as laughter filled the air around him.

Daci’s big brother said her signs wouldn’t help them find their runaway cat, but he was wrong.

Penguin Bookshop

A visit to Mr. Pickerel’s Penguin Bookshop is always an adventure.

Of all the eggs in the carton, Ella was the one who could always crack you up.

That was the year Min was finally tall enough to ride the Sky Swings, but now she wasn’t so sure.

Rubber Duck Parade

It was truly an honor to be asked to lead the Spring Duck Parade.

Teddy Story Time

Every afternoon, the three friends gathered for story time in their favorite spot in the woods.

Underwater School

Nia thought going to school underwater would be exciting, but some days she really missed going outside for recess.

The day Amos started his journey down the river, the sun was shining brightly.

Turtle Trouble

“None shall pass,” growled the old sea turtle, blocking the way.

Dinosaur Race

Pia was supposed to keep Balthazar on a leash, but once they reached the forest, she set him free and they both began to run.

Finally Seeing Eye to Eye

“So, we meet at last, face to face,” Lord Squeakerton said to his enemy, the Count of Catnip.

It takes a lot to surprise a monkey, but you don’t see something like this every day.

Not Coming Out

The day started out normally enough, but by the end, Chris knew he was in over his head.

Life on Other Planets

“Hurry up,” Grnklor told his robopup. “We have to get back inside before nightfall.”

Reindeer Games

The wind had died down, but the setting sun seemed to take all the warmth of the day with it.

Something to Celebrate

Their classmates could hear their shouts of joy from all the way down the hall.

Home Sweet Mushroom

When the fairies that lived in the garden invited her to stay with them for awhile, Maria wasn’t sure what to expect.

Loch Ness Mystery

“There it is! I told you Nessie is real!” Angus whispered to Lee.

Lonely Bear

It was hard to say who was lonelier that night, Amil or his lost stuffed bear, Jasper.

Sometimes You Lose

When his team lost the championship, Miguel was crushed, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.   

Middle school writing prompts can be a little more complex, with pictures that have a lot of potential interpretations. Encourage students to delve deeper into the story by describing how the characters feel and why they behave the way they do.

Morgan was incredibly proud of those shoes, paid for entirely with money from after-school jobs.

Never Lose Hope

With his last bit of energy, Kai scrawled his message in the wet paint.

The keyboard button could only be used once, and no one knew exactly what happened when you pressed it.

Piano Lessons

Before she could even speak, Arya was drawn to the black and white keys.

There was no doubt about it, this was was indeed a very special kind of garden.

No matter how you looked at it, it had been a very rough day to be the Easter Bunny.

Empty Chairs

By sunset, all four chairs were empty, and the only signs of life were the gulls swooping down from above.

Floating Treasure

To the birds, it was simply a convenient place to land, but Ali and I knew it was much more than that.

Shadow Question

That was the day they discovered that just because you were invisible didn’t mean your shadow was.

Letter and Key

The day she turned 12, Vivi’s aunt handed her an envelope containing the family secret.

Space Target

Onyx paused, knowing that once their arrow hit the target, there was no knowing what would happen.

Mermaid Mystery

It was a mermaid—or was it?

World on a String

Her dad had promised to give her the world, but she wasn’t expecting three more planets as well.

Bee Standoff

“This flower ain’t big enough for the both of us!” said Bianca.

Solitary Seat

For as long as anyone could remember, Angus McGee spent his evenings in the same chair next to the woodstove.

Best Friends

When you decide to run away from home forever, you can’t possibly leave your best friend behind.

Dinosaur Demise

In retrospect, setting the time machine to randomly choose a day and time in the past might not have been such a good idea.

Magic Lamps

“Choose wisely,” said the old shopkeeper, “for only one of these lamps is truly magic.”

Message in a Bottle

The message floated at sea for more than 50 years before the day we found it on the beach.

Barrel Boat

Of all the ways to impress someone, Jonah thought to himself, this had to be one of the most ridiculous.

Dragon Guardian

When your parents give you your own dragon guardian, your childhood is bound to be enchanted.

Octopus’s Garden

Wouldn’t you like to be under the sea, in an octopus’s garden in the shade?

Around the Corner

After finally pressing “send,” she couldn’t resist peeking around the corner to watch him read the text.

Beam Me Up!

Milo’s earliest memory was of watching his beloved tricycle float into the sky above him, caught in a beam of light.

Poison Apple

To join the club, all Aaron had to do was creep up and snatch the apple from the skeleton’s hand without being seen.

Giraffe Council

“It is now 3 p.m., and I call this meeting of the Mighty Council of Giraffes to order,” announced Imari.

Mystery Creature

At first glance, it was hard to tell whether the little creature was friend or foe.

As the sky turned orange, Keisha ran faster than ever and used the last of her energy to push off and soar over the water below.

The End of Days

Despite their best efforts, they arrived too late—the battle had already begun.

Out of the Book

“Happily ever after” was about to take on a whole new meaning.

Stopped Clock

I was sure that the time on the broken clock was the clue to solving the mystery.

Dueling Webs

It’s never a good idea to build your web too close to another spider’s, but this time I had no choice.

Do Shoes Grow on Trees?

The day I threw my own shoes into the tree was the day I really started to grow up.

Abstract Art

“So,” asked their art teacher, “what do you think this painting means?”

Wandering Robots

Everything about NB-317 was made of cardboard except his heart—that was made of flesh and blood and very capable of being broken.

Dream Come True

It all started when Quinn watched her favorite movie the night before they assigned partners for the eighth grade science fair project.

Mysterious Cave

The cave was unlike anything we’d ever seen before, and what was more, it almost seemed like the rock was alive.

Storm at Sea

As the rain lashed his face and lightning tore apart the sky, Kiran had to admit he’d always thought it would be a lot more fun being a pirate.

Grasshopper Close-Up

That’s when Javed realized it wasn’t that the grasshopper was too big—it was that he was suddenly very, very small.

UFO Parking

“Well, that’s convenient,” Javdok remarked to Qabow when they saw the sign.   

High school writers are ready to dig deep, exploring character development and detailed plots. These pictures offer a jumping-off point to set their imaginations free.

Cyborg Girl

When she was 14, Tasha’s parents finally told her the truth about what she really was.

BBQ Cookout

“So, I’m guessing no one told you I’m a vegetarian?” asked Sadie with a smile.

The latest app was like a time machine, allowing people to look back in time, but it also had a dark side.

She was surrounded by people but never felt more alone.

Hippo Troubles

Like all parents, hippos sometimes really need a break from their kids.

iPad Farmer

Grandpa Jack never failed to surprise us.

Marching Band Blues

Kaleel sat sadly on the bench, watching the rest of the band march away in jaunty time to the music.

Never-Ending Tunnel

The tunnel seemed to stretch to infinity, but Jayma knew what was at the end, and it terrified her.

Carving Out Love

For years, we wondered who “WP” was, and who it was who loved them so much they carved it into a tree for all to see.

Glowing Globe

Just then, the globe began to glow, and Jaxson knew he was about to leap through space and time once again—destination unknown.

See No Evil

It seemed like a funny joke to pose the skeletons in front of old Mrs. Petoski’s house, but then she turned up dead, and the police said it was murder.

Upside Down

It’s an odd feeling to wake up one morning and find yourself able to walk on the ceiling.

Face at the Fence

So much depended on which side of the fence you were on.

Bicycle Race

Finley had trained too hard for this race to come in third—it just wasn’t good enough.

Family Travels

In the picture, my grandmother’s expression is hard to interpret, but she’s told me the story many times.

Laundromat Antics

Dani never expected to meet her first love feet first.

Molly’s mom probably didn’t mean for her to be the one to find the note, but that’s how things turned out.

Through the Storm

Javier knew it would have been smarter to stay put, but he had to make sure his mom was safe before the worst of the storm arrived.

Lifetime Friends

They’d been friends for as long as they could remember—even longer, in fact.

Stray Kitten

“I am NOT taking you home with me,” Kai told the tiny mewling kitten firmly.

Abandoned Greenhouse

Willow was free to leave at any time, but she couldn’t make herself go.

Amani’s earliest memory was razor wire—miles and miles of it.

Church Graveyard

Everyone feels differently in a graveyard, but for me, they’re very peaceful places.

Orb of Death

“Do you really want to know?” Death asked. “Because once you know, you won’t be able to forget.”

Missed Shot

Steve was sure his shot would make it, but it bounced off the rim just as the buzzer rang to end the game.

First Contact

This was it—the moment that would change what it meant to be human forever.

One Life To Live

His face said his life had been a hard one, but his eyes told a different tale.

Winter Walk

Snow fell, creating a blank canvas to record the story of that fateful walk.

Train to Nowhere

It certainly wasn’t the most luxurious way to travel, but then again, no one really wanted to make this trip in the first place.

Modern Mary Poppins

She dropped into our lives on a gray day in midwinter, a hint of the spring that was to come.

All That Remains

Dust motes filled the air of the abandoned hallway, replacing the voices once heard there.

From the day he found the little creature, Luis refused to go anywhere without him.

The Question

Their happily ever after began quietly, with a bouquet of wildflowers.

Night Lights

Misty rain both blurred and emphasized the lights that lit Suri’s way home that evening.

Forest of Fear

At first, Mateo thought it was a joke, but the screams that followed told him there was nothing remotely funny about it.

At the elite level, being a spy meant serious commitments.

The Yellow Door

On their 14th birthday, every resident of Fresnia was required to stand before the Wall of Doors and make a choice.

Graffiti Palace

To strangers, it seemed random, but every mark on those walls had deep meaning for us.

Fossil Fish

Millions of years ago, the fish gave one final flop before lying still in the deep mud.

On the Rails

Aliyah stood on the tracks, uncertain of where to go next.

These picture prompts are all works of art, some more well known than others. Try providing them to students without sharing the titles first, then offer up the titles if they need some help getting started.

The Dance Class (Edgar Degas)

Greek Funerary Plaque (520-510 BCE)

Washington Crossing the Delaware (Emanuel Leutze)

Kyōsai’s Pictures of One Hundred Demons

First Steps, After Millet (Vincent van Gogh)

Lady Lilith (Dante Gabriel Rossetti)

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (Georges Seurat)

After the Hurricane, Bahamas (Winslow Homer)

Drawing Lots for Prizes (Kitagawa Utamaro)

Portions of Field Armor (Jacob Halder)

Sadie Pfeifer, a Cotton Mill Spinner (Lewis Wickes Hine)

Still Life With Monkey, Fruits, and Flowers (Jean Baptiste Oudry)

Man Leading a Giraffe, 5th Century Byzantine

The Three Skulls (Paul Cézanne)

The Madame B Album (Marie-Blanche Hennelle Fournier)

Coiled Trumpet in the Form of a Snarling Feline Face (c. 100 BCE to 500 CE)

Crazy Quilt With Animals (Florence Elizabeth Marvin)

Storytime (Eugenio Zampighi)

Cubist Village (Georges Gaudion)

Zig-Zag Passenger and Freight Train (Unknown)

The Power of Music (William Sidney Mount)

The Large Tree (Paul Gauguin)

After the Bath (Mary Cassatt)

Wedding Gown (Korea, Late 1800s)

The Contemplator (Eugène Carrière)

The Girl I Left Behind Me (Eastman Johnson)

24c Curtiss Jenny Invert Single

Creeping Baby Doll Patent Model

Wrecked Zeppelin (British Library)

Skeleton (Tales of Terror Frontispiece)

Get Your Free Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides

Just click the button below to fill out the form and get instant access to free downloadable Picture Writing Prompts Google Slides with all the prompts included above.

How do you use picture writing prompts in your classroom? Come share ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

You Might Also Like

The Loss of School Librarians Is Hurting Kids (and Teachers)

Lower grades, less parent involvement, and more. Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Jump to navigation

• Inside Writing
• Teacher's Guides
• Student Models

Writing Topics

• Minilessons
• Shopping Cart
• Inside Grammar
• Grammar Adventures
• CCSS Correlations
• Infographics

How do I use writing topics in my classroom?

Do you want to inspire your students to write great narratives, essays, and reports? Check out these grade-specific writing topics organized by mode (explanatory, creative, and so on). Or search for writing topics that relate to a theme, such as “life” or “animals” or “family.”

Jump to . . .

Explanatory writing.

• A day in the rainforest
• After-school games
• An important person I know about
• At the library
• Foods I don't like
• Friendly places
• Games I play with friends
• Games we play at recess
• Good things in my neighborhood
• How plants grow
• How to make my favorite dessert
• How to make new friends
• I like spring because . . .
• I like to make . . .
• I'd like to see . . .
• Insects, insects everywhere
• Learning to ride a bike
• My favorite food
• My favorite pet
• My favorite season
• My mom's/dad's hobby
• My new friend
• My shopping list
• Our clubhouse
• The biggest bubble-gum bubble
• The funniest zoo animal
• This person makes me laugh
• What I know about . . .
• What I know about an animal
• What I know about dinosaurs
• What I know about stars
• What I know about the ocean
• What I like about math
• What makes me laugh?
• What will I share?
• Who I will be in the future
• Who's at the zoo?
• Why I like to read
• Why I love to sing
• Words I think are funny

Persuasive Writing

• Don't litter!
• Things that would make my neighborhood better

Narrative Writing

• A day at the beach
• A special birthday
• Buying something with my own money
• Cooking dinner with Mom/Dad
• Eating lunch with my friends
• Going grocery shopping
• Going to the circus
• I rode on a . . .
• I'm happy when . . .
• Losing my teeth
• My adventure
• My trip to . . .
• Noisy times and quiet times
• Playing a game with Grandma/Grandpa
• Playing with pets
• Something funny that happened to me
• The biggest thing I ever saw
• The last time I cried
• When _ was born

Response to Literature

• A book I just read
• Some of my favorite books

Creative Writing

• A story about a holiday
• A trip on a rocket ship
• Dear George Washington
• Seeing the world through the eyes of . . .
• Sometimes I wish . . .
• What if I met a . . .
• What if I were 10 years old?
• What if I were someone else?
• What if toys could talk?
• What's under my bed?

Research Writing

• I wonder why . . .
• Something I don't understand
• A bicycle I'd like to have
• A day in the desert
• A great place to go
• A great treehouse
• A place I like to visit
• A sport I'm good at
• A trip on a monorail
• Activities for indoor fun
• Activities for outdoor fun
• Amazing facts I know
• An amazing animal
• Dancing to the music
• Having fun at school
• Helping out around the house
• Magic tricks I can do
• Making my favorite food
• My favorite baby-sitter
• My favorite board game
• My favorite teacher
• My homework place
• Our classroom pet
• Some things I like about the museum
• The best house pets
• The weirdest house pets
• Things that are hard to believe
• Things to do in the snow
• Unusual fruits and vegetables
• Water balloons!
• What I like about where I live
• What makes me special
• Who is beautiful?
• Let's help the environment by . . .
• Things I'd like to change
• A cozy spot at home
• A funny time in my family
• A great day with a friend
• A helpful person I have met
• A person who means the world to me
• A walk in the woods
• Funny things my pet has done
• My best birthday
• My favorite family story
• Putting on a play
• Swimming at the pool or lake
• When everything goes wrong
• Book characters I'd like to meet
• A dark hallway
• Donuts for dinner
• Something I wish would happen
• What if there were no electricity
• All about an amazing animal

Business Writing

• A cartoon character that I like
• A song that means a lot to me
• A special photograph
• A special, secret place
• A trip in a submarine
• An important time in history
• Building a fort
• Creatures that live in the ocean
• Creepy, crawly things
• Dirt bikes and skateboards
• Do I want to be famous?
• Doing homework
• Going to the dentist
• Gone fishing!
• How to stop hiccups
• How we divide the chores at our house
• I don't understand why . . .
• I'd like to invent a machine that . . .
• If I started my own business, I'd . . .
• Instructions for a pet sitter of my pet
• Let's help the animals by . . .
• Looking at the globe
• My favorite clothes
• My favorite form of exercise
• Pizza is . . .
• Staying at a friend's house
• The first day of school is the worst/best because . . .
• The rules we follow
• Things I see when I take a walk
• What I use a computer for
• What if I were the teacher?
• What is important to me?
• What it's like to use a wheelchair
• What my dreams feel like
• When I see nature, I . . .
• Why I like/dislike playing team sports
• Why my mom and dad are the greatest
• My school really needs . . .
• A day in the life of my pet
• A visit to a friend's school
• An excellent birthday party
• Discovering a new friend
• Getting my first pair of glasses
• Grandma's attic
• I'll never eat another . . .
• My best day
• My first school memories
• My most embarrassing moment
• Rings on her fingers
• Talk about being scared!
• When I did something amazing
• When I was upside down
• When the big storm hit
• If I wrote like the author of . . .
• A really spooky story
• Summer games
• What if we suddenly had to move?
• A game that meant a lot to my childhood
• A school field trip
• A toy I've held onto all these years
• A trip to a space station
• A typical lunch hour
• Can farmers grow enough food for everyone?
• Here's what a new student needs to know
• How I can change the way I look
• How I picture myself four years from now
• How I would define the word . . .
• I would have liked to have lived during this time.
• I'm principal for the day. Here is my schedule.
• I've done something that no one else has done
• If I could be someone else, I would be . . .
• My bedroom from top to bottom
• My favorite place
• My idea of a fun weekend
• My life as a . . .
• My participation in an activity outside of school
• One thing I want to do by the time I leave 8th grade
• Overcoming health problems
• The wildest hairstyle I have ever seen
• What a family member taught me
• What a house of the future might look like
• What I broke or lost that belongs to someone else
• A big hazard on the road
• A big problem in education is . . .
• A cool store
• A dedicated teacher or coach
• Dear Senator
• Discover nature
• Finally, a good assembly
• How could TV be better?
• Let's save _ in our schools
• My best class ever
• My favorite neighbor
• My favorite singer(s)
• Rights that kids in my grade should have
• The worst food I ever ate
• This really bugs me
• What's good about hard work?
• Why I deserve a larger allowance
• Why parents should be honest with their kids
• Why school fund-raisers are important
• Why weekends need to be longer
• A memorable bus ride
• A narrow escape from trouble
• A time that was just not fair
• A visit to a relative's house
• If I lived back in history
• If only I would have listened!
• My first concert
• My first friend
• Summer in a cabin by a lake
• The most fun I've had recently
• We couldn't stop laughing!
• We got caught!
• When I was lost
• A great book made into a great movie
• My favorite character from a book
• What if a book came to life?
• What this story means to me
• How _ came to be.
• Life among the cloud people
• Long ago and far away
• Meeting myself in the future
• Traveling west in a wagon train
• When the dinosaurs returned
• A job I'd really like to have
• All about an amazing place
• The most fascinating things I learned
• The tallest, the deepest, the longest, the biggest
• When I conducted an experiment
• When science took a big leap forward

Personal Writing

• The book that got me hooked on reading
• A day I will always remember
• A friend who moved away
• A great scientific breakthrough
• A person who changed history
• A personal habit I'd like to change
• A project I am working on
• A typical evening at home
• A visit with the doctor or dentist
• An invention that transformed the world
• Causes of a huge change in the world
• Coping with brothers and sisters
• Hanging out
• How a vehicle works
• How do people cope with constant pain?
• How I express myself artistically
• How it would feel to walk in space
• I admit it: I enjoy professional wrestling.
• I take some things too seriously
• If I were a superhero, I'd be . . .
• Is pollution a necessary evil?
• Is this love?
• Morning madness
• My craziest experience in a restaurant or shopping mall
• My dream car
• My first crush
• My first encounter with a bully
• My muscles were so sore after . . .
• My Web site
• Self-esteem
• Something this school really needs is . . .
• Sometimes, adults seem . . .
• The environment: problem and solution
• The hardest thing I have ever done
• The idea hit me like a tornado.
• The next wave of social media
• The toys I'll never give up
• Tools I will need in my intended profession
• We all make mistakes
• What animals can teach people
• What different colors mean to me
• What do Americans do well?
• What do I do to break routine?
• What do I worry about?
• What if school sports were dropped?
• What invention would I like to see in my lifetime?
• What it's like where I work
• Who knows me best?
• Why are crime dramas so popular?
• Why are some people so cruel?
• "Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal."
• A change that would improve school life
• Foods I love, foods I hate
• I couldn't believe that Mom/Dad volunteered me for that job
• It's a rule, so it's right . . . right?
• Let's hear it for my favorite senior citizen
• Let's push alternate forms of energy
• Putting my foot in my mouth
• The government should . . .
• What most drives me crazy is . . .
• Why appearance is not so important
• Why I deserve the job
• _ is like a boomerang
• A funny thing happened when . . .
• A meaningful gift I've given or received
• A time when I got in trouble
• An unforgettable dream
• Looking at pictures of family and friends
• My brother or sister made me so mad
• My worst vacation
• What I regret most
• When I faced my fears
• When I learned something difficult
• When I traveled to . . .
• A remarkable artist
• An all-new album from an important artist
• An amazing work of art
• Meet the characters of . . .
• The music that moves me most
• The theme of my favorite story is . . .
• Alone on a desert island

All Formats

Resource types, all resource types.

• Rating Count
• Price (Ascending)
• Price (Descending)
• Most Recent

Free 8th grade creative writing projects

Reading Comprehension Strategies MEGA Bundle | Social Emotional Learning | ELA

Cursive Handwriting Practice Worksheets

Step up to Writing Inspired Narrative Writing Bundle

Phonics - A comprehensive beginner newcomer phonics program - bundle ESL/ELL

7th & 8th Grade ELA Worksheets. 156 Grammar Lessons & Reviews. 362 PAGES. BUNDLE

8th Grade Math Anchor Charts for Interactive Notebooks and Posters Bundle

8th Grade Math Escape Rooms Bundle ★ Digital and Printable

8th Grade Math Digital Curriculum Resources Bundle ⭐ Distance Learning

CHARACTER ANALYSIS Book Report Activity | Generic Novel Unit Study Activity FREE

Parts of Speech Practice: Create a Menu (Middle School Grammar)

Blank Comic Strip Template

*Student Project* Design Your Own School

• Word Document File

Beginning of the Year Activity - Name Glyph

Poetry Book Project - Free with Easel Activity

• Easel Activity

Soundtrack Of My Life {Student Project}

I AM - Poem Writing Using Similes

POETRY MONTH ACTIVITY | Personification Poetry Walk | Figurative Language Skills

Where I'm From: List Poem Activity for Secondary Students

I Once Was a Squiggle

I AM Personal Narrative Project

Poetry Teacher's ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE: A Handbook for Secondary ELA Teachers

Adjective Advertisement! Be persuasive!

Poetry Stations: Four Group Assignments for Poetry Fun

Poetry Portfolio Assignment for High School With a Scoring Guide

• Google Apps™

"Recipe of Me" Creative Writing Project

Breaking News Journalism Assignment

New Year's Resolution Writing Project/ Goal Setting Project

A Week of Kindness Activities

Making a Memory Book: An End-of-the-Year Project

Book Bento Project Description and Grading Checklist

• Google Docs™

Magazine Characterization Playwriting Scene Writing Acting Activity Project

End of The Year Brochure

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think

Hundreds of Awesome 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.

We started out with 50 creative writing topics for kids but have added many more. Check back regularly for newly added writing topics. 

                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.  

There are many benefits to writing. Creative writing helps build critical thinking skills and writing skills. These writing prompts will build a child’s confidence to write their own stories.

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.

Have the children think about why they are special and ask themselves questions, here are some examples: what am I good at? Who have they helped? How have I made a difference? What special talent do I have?

2. If I was a superhero, what kind of superhero would I be, and what powers would I have? (This can also be done using villains)

 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. 

Activity:  Keep track of who chose a superhero or a villain. Do not let the children know that another activity will follow after the writing activity. 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 a great way to get to know children.  By asking what they want to be when they grow up, you can find out what the children like.  It’s also a great way for children to start thinking about the future.

4. If you were given three wishes, what would they be 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?  You can talk to the children about the creative process:  First, you come up with an idea, then you have to get it made.  You can 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?  These are all questions you can ask the children 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.

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?

See also   Top 10 Ways you can Encourage Good Homework Habits for Elementary Students .

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.

13. Why is it important to be honest and not lie?  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? This is a good question for older children.  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

16. If you were a king/queen, what would you do and why? 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

17. If you could invent a video game, what kind of game would you create and why? This topic is also great for older children and young er children.  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 feel?  Ask the children if they have ever been afraid. What were they afraid of? Did something scary happen to them?  What did they do to get through it?

19. Write about a trip to the moon, how did you get there, what did you see, it was fun or scary?

20. Write about something you are good at?

21. Write about one thing you want to learn about?

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.

23. Write about five things you could be better at if you worked hard and gave more effort.  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, who would you give it to? This is a great question when talking to children about being kind and helping others.  

Journal Prompts or Kids

25. What is the best thing someone has ever given to you?

26. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

27. Write about what you can teach others. Everyone is good at something.  This question helps children think about what they’re good at and how they can help others.

28. Did you ever get into an argument with a friend or family member? How did that make you feel?  

29. Did you ever hurt someone’s feelings?  Explain what happened and how it made you feel.  

30. Did someone ever hurt your feelings? How did it make you feel? Did you talk to that person about it?

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? Write about a day spent with a famous person.

Self-Esteem Writing Topics

34. Has a friend ever betrayed you? How did it make you feel? What do you think your friend should have done differently?

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?

38. Write about a time when you had a strong opinion about something? Why did you feel so strongly about it?

39. Write about a time you made a big mistake.  How did you fix it?  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? I find that many times children will feel sad when they are angry.  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 you are allowed to feel angry.

41. If you heard a rumor about a friend you knew wasn’t true, what would you do? How would it make you feel?

42. Write about a time when you cheered someone up. What did you do? How did it make you feel? How did it make that person feel?

43. Write about a time you used your inner strength to get through a tough situation.

44. Write about three things that are hard for you and why.

See also   Free Colorful Printable Tracing Worksheets for Kids ‘

45. When was the last time you were afraid? What scared you? How did you react?

46. What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

47. Who is your hero, and why?

48. What do you think risk-taking is?  Have you ever taken a risk?

49. Write about your best friend. Who are they, how long have you known them, and why are they your best friend?

50. What does it mean to have good character? Do you think you have good character, why?

Short Story Writing Topics for Kids

51. Think about something you are not allowed to do but wish you could.  Write about why you want to do it and why you should be allowed to do it.

52. If you could be on a t.v show, which one would it be and why?  

53. If you had to choose to be one age for the rest of your life which age would you want to be?  Why?

54.  If you could pick the perfect job, what would it be?

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?

57.  You just discovered a new land.  What are you going to call your land?  What kind of animals live there?  Have you discovered anything on your land?  What are you going to build on your new land?

58. Challenge the kids to write a scary story.

59. If you are working with younger children, instead of having them write, you can have them draw and answer questions about their drawing.  Try some of these topics.

1  Create a monster.  Your monster can be silly, scary, funny, big, little, colorful, etc..  What is your monster’s name?  What does your monster eat?  Where does your monster live?  Is your monster nice or mean?  You can write the answers to the questions on the paper for the child or have them come up and share their drawing, while they are showing their picture, ask them questions about their monster.

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. 

A. What is the theme of your park?  Adventure, thrill rides, water rides, safari, etc.

B.  Write about the type of rides in the park.  Are there shows in the park?

C. Describe places to eat at the park and what type of food they serve.

D. Do they have a gift shop?  What do they sell at your 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..

 60. Create a planet – Your group has just discovered a new planet.  Have a group discussion about the planet.  What is the name?  Do anyone live on the planet? Is there water on the planet? Did you find fossils, aliens, or animals?  Is there oxygen? Are there plants, trees, or water?  Have each member of the group write something about the planet.

Art Project: Make a planet out of paper mache.  Once dry, paint, and decorate the planet.

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.

63. Write about a time you lost a game, didn’t do well on a test, or made a mistake, what lesson did you learn? This is a great writing topic to use when teaching children about losing.  Everyone loses sometimes.  losing actually makes you better.  Without losing, sometimes, you won’t strive to become better.

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.

Fabulous Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

65.  Pretend you had an evil twin.  Write about some things your evil twin does.

66. What is the grossest lunch you have ever been served?  Write about this gross meal.  Remember to add many details about what the food looked and tasted like.

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?

68. What are your personal superpowers?  Are you a great friend, are you smart, do you have a hidden talent?  Write about the superpowers that you already have.

See also   Black History Month Writing Prompts for Students .

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

70. You have been working hard on your schoolwork/project all for a while, and your mind and body are tired, and you need a break.  What are some ways that you like to take a break?  Do you like to color, take deep breaths, play your favorite game, nap, or have a snack?  Tell us about how you like to take a break.

• Invent a new holiday. What would you call your holiday? When is it celebrated? How is it celebrated?
• You became a movie star overnight, what movie were you in? What character did you play?
• Write about your favorite sport. Why is it your favorite? Give directions on how to play.
• What is your favorite thing? Describe it and tell why it is your favorite.
• Who is your favorite teacher? Explain why they are your favorite.

The Best Creative Writing Prompts and Topics for Teens

• Have you ever seen somebody being treated unfairly?  If so, did you do anything about it, or did you ignore it and walk away?
• Do you talk to people the same way in person as you do on social media?
• How do you think social media has changed or is changing the world?
• What kind of America do you want to live in?
• What are your plans after high school?
• What do you think college life is like?
• Do you think it is important to save money at your age?  If so, how do you save money?  Why do you think it is important?
•  Do you know what it means to have good credit?  Do you think it is important to have good credit?  Why?
• Would you ever join the military?  Why?
• Who is your idol, and why?
• What is your favorite childhood memory?

New Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School and High School Students

• If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
• Write about something you would love to try and why
• Write about something you did but then felt guilty about it later.  How did you handle the situation?
• What is the hardest experience you have ever been through?  How did you handle it?
• Have you ever been to a job interview?  Where are you prepared?  Did you get the job? Would you say something different if you could do it over? Would you be better prepared next time?
• How do you think the world will be 50 years from now? How do you think people will treat each other?  How do you think the internet/social media has changed the world?  What kind of cars do you think we will be driving?  Will we still be using gas?
• Write about your dream home.  Would you live in a house or an apartment in the city?  Do you want a big house or something small?  What kind of fun features would your dream home have?
• If you were a parent, would you let your child have a social media account?  Why or why not?
• Would you rather work in a team on a project or alone?
• Write about your favorite song, why is it your favorite?  What is your favorite verse?  How do you feel when listening to it?
• If you were a clothing designer, what kind of clothes would you design?
• You have to spend one year stranded on a deserted island, you can bring five things or people with you, what do you bring?
• You are a superhero, you have to use your powers to make a positive change in the world.  What powers do you have?
• You are given the power to change one thing you don’t like about yourself, would you change anything?  If yes, what would you change and why?
• Write about your future self. What is your life like?

Updated Creative Writing Topics for Middle School and High School

• You are creating a new amusement park.  What kind of park would it be?  What kind of rides does it have?
• Write about the best Christmas gift you have ever received. Explain what it was, why it was your favorite, who gave it to you, do you still have it.  
• You were given 1 million dollars, but you must give it away.  Who would you give it to?  would you give it to one person or a couple of different people?  Would you donate it to an organization? 
• Name 5 of the most important things in your life ( house, family, health, etc..); now you just lost all of them.  How would you feel, what would you do?
• You just became a YouTube sensation.  What did you do that made you famous?  How does it feel to be recognized by people on the street?
• A friend of yours has been depressed and said that they told you they don’t want to live anymore.  What do you do and why?
• How would people describe you and why?
• Do you think that violent video games make people violent?  Do you think there should be age restrictions on video games?
• You have a choice of giving up social media or hanging out with your friends for a week, which one do you choose and why?
• Do you think what you learn in school can help you in the real world?  What topics do you think you should be learning and why?

The Best Creative Writing Prompts for Teens Continued 

• Do you think that money can buy happiness, why or why not?
• Do you think you need higher education to become successful?
• How important is your cell phone with you? I rather give up….blank…. than my cell phone (explain).
•  Describe the perfect day. What would you do?
• Have you ever been faced with discrimination?  Were you the one being discriminated against, or were you a witness to discrimination, How did you feel?
• If you were given the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, living or dead, who would you want to meet and why?
• Why do you think we pay taxes?  Do you believe taxes are necessary?  What do you think our tax money is used for?

Related Posts:

• Halloween Activities for Kids
• DIY Homemade Spa Party Recipes for Kids
• Fascinating Orca Facts for Kids
• Fun Halloween Facts for Kids! Halloween 2021
• Amazing Animal Facts for Kids!

Related Posts

All about me collage self-esteem/character building activity for kids, being thankful activities for kids, thanksgiving activities for kids, feel good notebook self-esteem character building activity for kids, positive notes game self-esteem character building activity for kids, how to get kids to work together, games for kids.

Walking by the Way

the road to inspired learning

Eight Free Creative Writing Lessons

February 17, 2012 by Ami 17 Comments

I know I throw around the word favorite all the time. But this is the truth: teaching creative writing lessons is my favorite. 

I have taught creative writing enrichment for summer school students. I have taught creative writing in various homeschool settings and co-ops. I have taught big students and little students. And I love it. 

Since I love to share homeschool co-op class ideas , I have compiled the creative writing lessons from a co-op class that I taught. 

Creative Writing Lessons for a Homeschool Co-op Class

First, please remember that any teacher can use these creative writing lessons. You don’t need to be teaching homeschoolers. You can be a classroom teacher or a homeschool teacher at home with one student. You can even be a librarian who needs a fun program series.

Second, I used these creative writing lesson plans with upper elementary students (with maybe a few 7th graders thrown in). However, you can adapt and use them for older students or younger students!

Creative Writing Lesson Plans

Creative writing lesson one.

The first lesson focuses on cliché and metaphor. It prompts students to consider how words matter.

Grab lesson one here .

Creative Writing Lesson Two

The second lesson teaches students about sensory details: why they are important and how to include them in their writing. Students will begin using sensory details to evoke smells and sounds and sights.

Grab lesson two here.

Creative Writing Lesson Three

The third lesson introduces showing vs. telling. Students learn how to recognize authors who utilize showing, and students are able to articulate the difference between showing and telling.

Grab lesson three here.

Creative Writing Lesson Four

The fourth lesson teaches students how to capture images. We use examples of poetry and prose to discuss this important writing skill.

Grab lesson four here.

Creative Writing Lesson Five

The fifth lesson introduces the story elements of character and conflict.

Note: You may choose to split this lesson into two lessons since it covers two big elements. I only had nine weeks with my students, so I had to jam character and conflict together.

Grab lesson five here.

Creative Writing Lesson Six

The sixth lesson introduces the students to point of view and perspective. We have fun reading poems and using pictures to write descriptions from different points of view.

Grab lesson six here.

Creative Writing Lesson Seven

The seventh lesson puts everything we’ve learned together. I read the students some fractured fairy tales, and we watch some, too. Students then use the prewriting activities and their imaginations to begin drafting their own fractured fairy tales.

Grab lesson seven here.

Creative Writing Lesson Eight

The eighth lesson focuses on revision. After a mini-lesson, students partner up for peer editing.

Grab lesson eight here .

For our final class day, students bring revised work, and I host coffee shop readings. This is a memorable experience for students (and their teacher).

Creative Writing Lessons FAQ

Since posting these creative writing lessons, I have had lots of questions. I decided to compile them here in case you have the same question.

Q: What are copywork quotes? A: Copywork quotes are simply great quotes that students copy as part of their homework assignments. You can use any quotes about writing. I’ve included my favorites throughout the printable packs.

Q: Can I use this with a younger or older student? A: Absolutely! Just adapt it to meet the needs of your student.

Q: Can I use this for my library’s programming or my homeschool co-op class? A: Yes! I just ask that it not be used for profit.

Do you have any questions about teaching creative writing? What’s your biggest hang-up when it comes to teaching creative writing? I’d love to hear from you and help you solve the issue.

January 7, 2016 at 1:57 pm

Hi Theresa,

As long as you are not profitting from using them, they are yours to use! Enjoy! Wish I could be there to help facilitate all those young writers! 

[…] Creative Writing Class […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Video Explanations
• Printable Worksheets
• ArgoPrep for Families
• ArgoPrep for Educators
• Promoting Learner Variability
• Purchase Workbooks
• SHSAT Program
• What is SHSAT?
• Reading Comprehension
• SHSAT Test Dates
• SHSAT Test FAQ
• SHSAT Practice Test

ENTER BELOW FOR ARGOPREP'S FREE WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS. EVERY WEEK!

FREE 100$ in books to a family!

Writing Prompts by Grade Level (K-8)

Creative prompts for kindergarteners, creative prompts for grade 1, creative prompts for grade 2, creative prompts for grade 3, creative prompts for grade 4, creative prompts for grade 5, writing prompts for grade 6, creative prompts for grade 6, creative prompts for grade 7, creative prompts for grade 8, bottom line.

But most importantly, whether your children are in grade 1 or 8, writing prompts can help them express themselves. As a result, your children build confidence, realistic opinions about topics, and thus make informed decisions later in life.

Here, we have listed some writing prompts according to the grade levels so that you can use them for your children.

Writing Prompts for K-Grade

Children in kindergarten have just started writing and reading. At this stage, their thinking ability has not fully developed. Hence, they will find it hard to write things all by themselves. So, they need a narrative writing prompt to get an idea and expand it further using their creativity. When you regularly give them writhing prompts, it will help them broaden their imagination and thoughts.

• What is your favorite flower and why do you love that flower?
• Name the animal you like the most. Why it is your favorite animal?
• What three things do you do when you get out of bed in the morning?
• Tell us about your best friend. What three things do you like in them?
• What about the things your mother has thought of you?
• Name your favorite cartoon. Tell us what you love the most in it?
• What is the last dream you had?
• Who is your best friend in the school?
• What is your favorite subject and why?
• Describe three things that you like the most in your school.
• What type of sports do you like? When is the last time you have played it?
• What things do you like the most in your room?

Writing Prompts for Grade 1

The first grade is a special year for most children. It is when kids start to attend school for the entire day for the first time. At this point, children have learned basic vocabulary and grammar. They are also a bit creative and good communicators or storytellers. You need to offer prompts that encourage them to broaden their vocabulary and creativity.

• If you asked to make lunch for your friends, what about it?
• What superpower do you want to achieve, and why?
• If you get to eat one food item in the whole day, what thing you will choose to want?
• What do you want to become after you finish school?
• If you are given three wishes by the genie, which one you will choose?
• What are the things you love to do with your best friend?
• You get the chance to change something about your school, what will it be?
• Write three lines about your favorite indoor game.
• What do you like to do on a rainy day?
• Think, what is your earliest memory?
• What is your favorite room in your house and why?

Writing Prompts for Grade 2

When a child reaches grade 2, they grow familiar with attending school and its different aspects. The world starts making sense to them. Children in grade 2 need something that can help them reflect on aspects of their life so that they can understand things going on around them. So, if you want to improve your children’s learning abilities, you can create a worksheet from the below-mentioned writing prompts.

• Would you rather be a jungle explorer or a pirate? Why?
• Which toy is your favorite and why?
• What your mother have told you about the day you were born? Tell us the whole story.
• What will be your reaction when your parents told you were going to move?
• Would you rather be really small or really tall? Why?
• What do you like the best about living in our city?
• Tell us about your experience of your last Christmas vacation? What was the best thing about that Christmas?
• Do you love to pretend? What is your favorite thing to pretend?
• What is the name of your parents? Where they were born and when?
• What do your parents love to do?
• Who tells the best story? Your father and mother?

Writing Prompts Grade 3

These prompts help grade 3 children understand their feelings and emotions. They also learn to express their thoughts and opinions. In writing prompts for the third grade, children can work to improve their writing. If given write prompts, then can build abilities to present cohesive and clear reasoning of their beliefs. Writing is one of the perfect ways to teach children critical thinking.

• What activities do you love to do with your parents and why?
• Last year on Christmas, I was ____________ because _____________
• What do you do when your best friend gets sad? And when is the last time your best friend got sad?
• Who is the best cartoon character and why? When was the last time your watched them?
• Who is the nicest and bumble person you know? What makes them so special for you?
• I feel safe when _________ because ___________
• Why your parents have given you your name?
• What is the best thing about living in the 21st century?
• Who is your hero and why did you choose them?
• Describe your room in four sentences.

Writing Prompts for Grade 4

Grade 4 children become good communicators. They have vivid imaginations as well as strong options about things in life. Children of this age group also start making their own decisions. They can express themselves entirely and easily show their emotions and feelings.

• If you could create a holiday, what activities would it include?
• If you get the chance to make the whole dinner for a day, what would you make?
• What do you do when you get sad about anything?
• Do you believe that there are aliens?
• What profession is best?
• If you were a teacher what subjects you will teach and why?
• Describe your best friend in four words. Why did you choose these words?
• Do you want a mobile phone? Why?
• What you are planning to do in the coming weekend?
• What do you think about politics?

Writing Prompts for Grade 5

5th graders are constantly challenged to use their writing knowledge through writing assignments. This helps them learn synonyms of words they already know. They can also test their skills and understand whether they can use idioms and phrases in the right way. Written prompts can help children explore their writing abilities.

• Should children be allowed to vote? Why?
• Should children be allowed to use mobile phones?
• Does showing kindness can make people look weaker?
• Which channel do you think has better shows?
• How do you persuade your teacher so that they can allow you to sit on your favorite seat?
• Do fifth-grade children need recess?
• Should children of grade five be allowed to live alone?
• Do you want to travel alone? And to which country?
• What are your opinions about the Christmas holidays?

Sixth-grade prompts don’t need to be unimaginative and dull. Kids in these classes can write more deeply on different topics. They can give more precise information about different things. These kids can express their opinions in a more understandable way. Most importantly, they love to communicate their thoughts. Writing prompts can give them a chance to show their opinions and thoughts.

• My dream summer vacation to ____________ was ruined when __________
• My first trip on the airplane don’t go well because ______________
• John look down at his food, which was ________________
• Describe the earliest memory you have of your childhood.
• Tell a family store that your mother has told you many times in your own perspective.
• What do you think you will look like in the future?
• Is getting old is a writing thing?
• Track the weather for a week. What day do you like the most?
• What is your favorite joke and why?
• Sit down under a tree and describe what you have seen.

Writing Prompts for Grade 7

Seventh graders are all grown up and may have decided what they want to do in life. At this age, they start working on their development so that they can achieve their goals and ambitions. Your children are becoming teenagers and officially leaving their childhood behind. This is also a tough part of their life as they are introduced to new aspects of life. You can offer them writing prompts that can help them figure out things about themselves and life as well as improve their writing and learning skills.

• What makes a person smart?
• Think about something that you are proud of yourself, and write a paragraph about it.
• Think about the major difference between grades 6 and grade 7 that you have experienced.
• Do you think being an organized individual is important? Are you an organized person?
• What are you grateful for? Give a list of things with the reason you are grateful for them.
• As you are getting older, what is the most important lesson you have learned in your life?
• What good qualities do you want to develop in yourself?
• Is technology good or bad for humans? What is your opinion about it? 
• What career do you want to choose when you grow up? Describe what fascinates you in this career?
• What is the best memory you have of your siblings? What makes it so special?

Writing Prompts for Grade 8

When children start eighth grade, they are eager and ready to move to the next big step in their life – high school. Writing is the best way of self-expression and writing prompts can help kids sort out their feelings and thoughts. Plus, giving them an opportunity to write can help them build critical thinking and figure out whether their opinions about different aspects are right or wrong.

• Write about something that you can easily do.
• Write about something that challenges you but you still love to do it.
• What was the most embarrassing movement of your life and why?
• What things in our country disturb you and do you want to improve it?
• If you get the chance what thing you will improve in this world?
• Write a paragraph about the [politics of your country.
• If you could have lunch with any historical leader, who would it be?
• What is the person who makes you inspired?
• If you become a leader, what type of leader you would be?

With the help of writing prompts, you can help your children excel in the academic world. Additionally, writing prompts also provide children with a way to build their personalities. They can build options about new things, become more imaginative, and learn to express themselves. So, no matter which grade your children are in, give them an opportunity to benefit from the writing prompts. You can also use worksheets to make the teaching process easier for you.

Shipping calculated at checkout.

• - Unlimited access to all K8 printable worksheets and answer sheets.
• - Premium access to K-8 Math and ELA Video Lectures, Drills and Practice questions.
• - Progress tracking for your child.
• - One premium access to all family members!