30 Fun and Exciting Writing Prompts
For Younger Students
Let young children write or dictate (according to their ability and willingness). Encourage them
to tell several sentences about each prompt. Motivated children are welcome to write more.
Prompt reluctant writers with who, what, when, where, why?
1.
What if there were no such thing as cold cereal? What kinds of breakfast foods would
you like to eat instead?
2.
Think of someone in your family who means a great deal to you. Write or tell about
why they are special or why you love them.
3.
Write about five activities you can do in the mountains.
4.
What if you were a race car? How about a toaster, bucket, umbrella, paint brush, or
other object? Write or tell a story about a day in your life.
5.
Make a list of five favorite books. Tell why you like each one.
6.
“I remember when ______ happened.” Think about a time something exciting, scary, or
interesting happened to you. Write or tell about this experience.
7.
What do you like to collect? Tell about your collection.
8.
Everyone has special qualities—including you! What makes you special? Write about
some of your unique qualities.
9.
What if you were an elephant? Or, perhaps you could be a fish, spider, eagle, penguin,
hamster, skunk, or other creature. Write or tell a story about how you spend your day.
10. Think of something you would like to invent. Describe your invention and tell how
someone would use it.
11. Pretend that the food in your refrigerator comes to life when you close the door. Write
about what happens inside the fridge.
12. Describe one possession could you not live without.
13. Pretend you are a bird. Tell a story about flying north for the summer.
14. You have been asked to invent a new ice cream flavor. Draw a picture of your creation
and write a tasty description.
15. If you could have a secret hideout, tell what it would look like and what you would do
there.
Kim Kautzer  Copyright ©2012 WriteShop, Inc.  www.writeshop.com  [email protected]
30 Writing Prompts
For Older Students
1.
Walt Disney said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” Imagine yourself doing
something impossible, and write a story about it.
2.
If helium balloons could lift your house, where would you travel? What would you see
and do?
3.
Who was kind to you today? Write down what this person did and how it made you
feel. Next, write down a thoughtful action that you will do for someone else today.
Now, go do it!
4.
Each of us has positive character qualities—such as generosity, kindness, or selfdiscipline—that make us helpful or easy to be with. But we also have qualities that are
disagreeable or negative.
Think of a personal quality you need to work on. Perhaps you are a bit stubborn, lazy,
or selfish. Maybe you like to argue with your parents. Or perhaps you’re not very good
about cleaning up after yourself. Explain how this character quality affects others in
your family. Then, write down five things you can do to begin improving your attitude
or behavior.
5.
If you could be friends with a character in one of your favorite books, whose friend
would you be? Choose an experience from the book and rewrite it in your own words
as if you had been there together.
6.
Would you rather live in a castle, houseboat, or jungle hut? Explain why.
7.
As a family, think up your own creative adventure using these words:
jeep, ancient pyramid, sandstorm, missing mummy, secret passageway, hieroglyphics,
trap door, palm tree, crocodile, leopard, Nile River, biplane



8.
Choose one person to begin the story.
Take turns choosing a new word and adding to the story until each player has
had a turn and all the words are used up.
For added fun, first write the words on pieces of paper and fold the papers.
Players must continue the story by drawing a new paper randomly and using
that word or phrase to continue the story.
Imagine you are opening a pizza shop for zoo animals. Plan a menu with a variety of
toppings to appeal to different animals. Describe several of your original pizza
creations, and explain which animal would most likely order each different pizza.
Kim Kautzer  Copyright ©2012 WriteShop, Inc.  www.writeshop.com  [email protected]
2
30 Writing Prompts
9.
3
Choose 3-5 favorite books that you have read and know well. In one sentence, write
the main idea of each book to tell what it is mostly about. For example:
Charlotte’s Web
A barnyard spider named Charlotte uses her amazing writing skills to spare the
life of her friend, Wilbur the pig.
10. Would you rather explore a locked garden with overgrown weeds, or a wild jungle
known for its quicksand? What might happen if you got your chance?
11. What is your best memory of last year? Tell about it.
12. A wealthy man gives you $1,000, along with the requirement that you must give the
money away. Since you cannot save it or spend it on yourself, what would you do with
the money?
13. From the chart below, pick one story element from each column (character trait,
character, plot, and setting). Write a short story.
Example: a timid mouse meets a lost baby lion in a hidden cave
Character Trait
Character
Plot
Setting
shy
fairy
meets a lost _________
toy box
clumsy
dinosaur
opens a secret _______
hidden cave
clever
mouse
tries to find_________
forest
timid
detective
discovers___________
medieval England
14. List 10 questions you would ask a Bible character you would like to meet.
15. If you could combine features from several animals to create the perfect pet, what
features would you choose? How would your customized pet look and act?
Kim Kautzer  Copyright ©2012 WriteShop, Inc.  www.writeshop.com  [email protected]