100 Writing Prompts for Kids: Ideas and Story Starters to Get Pens Moving Faster Than Ever

 

Stuck for writing prompts that will inspire your students to fill their pages?

We’ve got you covered. Here are 100 writing prompts that will get heads down and pens moving faster than ever.

1. Write about a special bond you have with an animal.
2. Describe your dream bedroom. What would be in it and why?
3. You’re trapped on a desert island with only the things in your schoolbag. What do you do?
4. Your pet is in charge of you for a day. What will they make you do?
5. Write about a place that is important to you.
6. When I discovered there was treasure buried in the backyard I…
7. A friend from another country is going to swap schools with you. Write a letter telling them what to expect.
8. The moment I woke up, I knew something wasn’t right…
9. Write a letter to your teacher telling them why your favorite book should be studied in class.
10. You get to be your favorite animal for a day. What do you do?
11. Write a story where all your favorite characters from books and movies meet up. What do they get up to?
12. Write an alternative ending for your favorite book or movie.
13. Describe a day in your life if you were famous.
14. Write a story where the main character faces their biggest fear.
15. I looked out the window and couldn’t believe what I saw…
16. You’ve got a magic pen. What can it do and how will you use it?
17. Write a story that includes the sentence, “I should have seen this coming.”
18. You discover a trapdoor in your house. What lies beneath?
19. Describe a mistake you made and what you learned from it.
20. Write a speech that tells the whole school why you should be a student leader.
21. Write a letter to a younger sibling telling them everything they need to know about being in Grade 4.
22. You can choose one new subject or sport to be taught at school. What do you choose and why?
23. Homework should be banned. Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.
24. If you could travel through time, would you go to the past or the future? Explain why.
25. Write about a famous person and why you admire them.
26. Write about the best gift you’ve ever received. What made it so amazing?
27. The dinosaurs are back, and they’re in your street. What happens next?
28. If I could visit another planet I would go to…
29. You dig the world’s deepest hole. What lies at the bottom?
30. You’re the teacher for the day. What will you do in your lesson?
31. If I could keep any animal as a pet I would choose… because…
32. Your house has a secret and mysterious history. Write a story about what happened before you lived there.
33. If I had a superpower it would be…
34. The most interesting thing I’ve learned this year is…
35. You get to change the school uniform. What would you make everyone wear and why?
36. You get transported into the last video game you played. Where are you?
37. If you could invent anything, what would it be?
38. If I could only eat one food from now on it would be… because…
39. You’re a detective working on a big, important case. What is it and how do you solve it?
40. If I could have any job in the world it would be…
41. Write a story where the main character is hiding a big secret.
42. An alien arrives at your house. What happens next?
43. You climb to the top of the tallest tree in your neighborhood. What can you see that you couldn’t see from down below?
44. Write a story where a boring, everyday experience gets turned into a big adventure.
45. Describe what you look for in a friend.
46. Who lives in the clouds and what do they do up there?
47. What is your favorite holiday and why?
48. It started out as just an ordinary day, but then…
49. Write about a family member who has an interesting story to tell.
50. You’re organizing the ultimate birthday for a friend. What have you planned for them?
51. You can breathe underwater and swim like a fish. What will you do with your new power?
52. Write a story about a lost city.
53. What has someone taught you that you will never forget?
54. You get sucked into the pages of your favorite book. What happens when you join the story?
55. This year my goal is to…
56. Write a thank you letter to a person who has helped you in some way.
57. What is your favorite season and why?
58. You work at the zoo and the elephants have broken loose! What will you do?
59. “You’ve got the wrong person – it wasn’t me!” Continue this story…
60. Write about a time when you felt a strong emotion (e.g. happy, sad, angry, scared). What made you feel this way?
61. Write a story where a character discovers something surprising.
62. If I could change one thing in the world it would be…
63. Describe the oldest person you know.
64. Imagine your life on a farm. What would be on it and what would you do?
65. Write a story about a journey at sea.
66. What is your favorite room in your house and why?
67. You have $1000 to spend. What will you buy?
68. You’ve grown wings and now you can fly. Where will you go?
69. What is a food you find really disgusting? Explain why it’s so bad.
70. Write about a journey to the top of a huge mountain.
71. You’re the mayor of a new town, and now you want people to move there. How will you convince them to join you?
72. Would you rather live in a cold, snowy place, or a hot and sunny place? Why?
73. What would be in your dream playground?
74. You’re starting a band. What instruments will you need and what sort of music will you play?
75. Write about the best ride you’ve ever been on.
76. One thing I am really good at is…
77. What is your earliest memory? Describe it in as much detail as you can remember.
78. Write about the most fun holiday you’ve been on.
79. You’re a wildlife photographer trying to get a photo of a rare animal. What animal is it and how will you find it?
80. Write a story where one character must keep an important secret. Will it be discovered?
81. “Don’t look down,” I told myself. But then I…
82. Write a story where two people meet in an unusual way and become fast friends.
83. Write a “quarantine story” set in a single house.
84. Write a recommendation of a book or movie for a friend. Why do you think they would enjoy it?
85. A mystery chest washes up on the shore after a storm. Write a story about what happens when it’s discovered.
86. Turn one of your strangest dreams into a story.
87. Write a “how to play” guide for your favorite sport.
88. Write about the most delicious OR the most disgusting meal you can think of. Make sure your reader can imagine what it tastes like!
89. Every year a new person is sent to the moon, and now it’s your turn. What happens when you step out of the rocket?
90. If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
91. Write a story where a holiday goes horribly wrong.
92. I was terrified. Butterflies filled my stomach. But I took a deep breath and finally stepped out onto the stage…
93. You’re handed a letter with your name on it. When you open it up you can’t believe your eyes…
94. Write a story where someone discovers something surprising about their neighbor.
95. You get to create a new holiday that will be celebrated every year. What is it called and what will people do to celebrate on this day?
96. Write a story that takes place in a forest.
97. There’s an old house at the end of the street hidden behind tall, dark trees. No one has been brave enough to enter, until now…
98. Write a story about a snow day.
99. You’re the host of a new game show. Write about what happens in the first episode.
100. Write a story where someone discovers something they aren’t supposed to know.