Writing Prompts For Elementary Students – Inspire kids to write with these 40 writing tips! Half the problem with writing is that it’s hard for kids to decide what to write about. These printable prompt cards solve that problem and help kids move on to real writing.
This post was originally published in June 2013 and updated with new ideas and printable cards in May 2021.
Writing Prompts For Elementary Students
These writing ideas are perfect for students in grades 3-5 or 8-10 years old. Of course, students will be different, so you can choose topics/cards that work best for your children.
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There are 40 cards to print. Ideas include a variety of writing styles—narrative, persuasive, descriptive, and practical. There are even several tabs that are research topics.
I offer these tips as a free download, but please use them for personal use only. Don’t offer them on your site. Once you’ve printed out the writing instructions, simply cut out the cards and you’ll have a writing desk in no time!
Summer is a great time for extra writing practice! You can easily make it fun by letting the kids choose a new notebook and fun pens. And who said that you need to write at the desk? Children can spread a blanket under the tree or sit in the play set. Or head to the park or cafe for some work!
However, these written prompts do not have a summer theme, so they can be used at any time of the year.
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You can let kids write just for experience and it’s definitely worth it! If you’re doing this as a summer letter, maybe you just want them to write and that’s it!
Or you can add more structure to it. If you want to teach the process of writing, I suggest the following.
1. Write in advance. Make a list or some kind of graphic organizer. Many of the clues are designed to lead children straight to the 5 paragraph essay. It’s easy to plan 3 main points with additional details followed by a short introduction and conclusion.
3. The child corrects punctuation, spelling and grammar. Replace boring words like “nice” and “good” with more descriptive words like “amazing” and “fantastic”.
Every Day Hero Community Helper Writing Prompts For Elementary
4. Parent edits for all the same things in case something is missing. (And remember, we don’t edit for punishment, but because the best writers do.)
Ready to print your own set of 40 cards? Click on the link below. The file will open and from there you can save or print it. We may earn a commission when you purchase products and services we recommend through one of our links. As an Amazon partner, we earn on qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!
It’s never too early to start writing, which is why we’ve created this fun list of 300 creative kids tips for teachers and parents.
You will love these fun ideas for kids writing prompts that can be used as creative sparks to get your young imagination to write in no time!
Free Kindergarten Writing Prompts
They are perfect to use as writing tips for children’s magazines, tips for writing short stories, or simply as exercises to help students and children of all ages express their creativity. Maybe your kids will write an essay, maybe a poem, maybe a whole book!
Whether you are a teacher or parent who wants to inspire their children to write, or maybe even an adult who would like to practice writing with a more playful and youthful heart, I hope these creative writing tips inspire you!
Buy Printable Cards! We’ll always have this list of 300 free tips for kids, but I’m excited to now offer an ad-free printable version of these tips on my online Etsy store. Thanks for your support!
No. 1. Imagine that a huge box with your name on it was delivered to your doorstep. What’s inside and what happens when you open it?
Ask A Stupid Question Day Writing Prompts For Elementary
#2 Write a short story about what it would be like to wake up one morning with a mermaid tail.
No. 3. Which is better, winter or summer? Write about the reasons why you think winter or summer is better.
#9 If you had a secret superpower, what would it be and why?
No. 10. Write about 3 places you would like to visit in one day. What do these three places have in common?
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#12 Imagine what would happen if someone reduced you to 1 inch. How will 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 meals would you serve each day?
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#19 You are a mad scientist and you have invented a new vegetable. How does is called? What does it look like? How does it taste? The most important:
#20 You go to school one morning and discover that an evil witch has turned your best friend into a frog! How do you help your friend?
#23 Imagine what it would be like to live on a boat all the time and write about it.
#26 You are walking through the woods when one of the trees starts talking to you. What he says? What are you doing?
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No. 27. The weather forecast promises a blizzard in the middle of summer. What are you doing?
No. 29. What were your favorite toys when you were very young? Do you still enjoy playing with them?
No. 35. You are writing a guidebook for children visiting your city. What places do you think we should visit?
No. 37. Imagine what would happen if there was no electricity. What would change in your daily routine?
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No. 38. You are building a new city! What do you think your city needs? How will you convince people to move to your new city?
No. 39. What is your favorite movie? Write your review of the movie and explain why you think people should watch it.
#40 Imagine getting a magical sweater for your birthday. What happens when you put on a sweater? What do you do with these newfound magical abilities?
#41 You are a zookeeper and someone has stolen a rhinoceros! How to track down a thief?
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No. 42. You are invited to dinner with the queen. What kind of food do you eat and what topics do you talk about with the queen?
#43 If you could design a school uniform, what types of clothing would you suggest? What colors will they be?
#45 Run a lemonade stand. Describe the steps involved in making lemonade and the types of customers you see throughout the day.
No. 48. You decide to grow a sunflower, but the sunflower grows so high that it reaches the sky! Write what happens when you decide to climb to the top. What did you discover?
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#49 Imagine you are looking out the window and ice cream is raining from the sky! Write a story about this experience.
No. 52. Do you have a pet? Write an essay about how you take care of your pets. If you don’t have a pet, what kind of pet would you like?
#53 Imagine that you are opening a store that sells only blue products. What types of goods do you sell?
No. 55. Write a story about a child who has gone to a new school. How do you think they might feel?
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No. 56. Rewrite the end of your favorite fairy tale. For example, what would happen if Cinderella never went to the ball?
No. 58. Do you have a favorite song? Write about the type of music you like to listen to.
#59 Imagine your parents waking you up one morning to tell you they’ll take you with them to do whatever you want all day—you don’t even have to go to school or do household chores. What would you choose and why?
No. 62. Have you ever been to the beach? Write about your favorite things you do. If you’ve never been to the beach, what would you like to do for the first time?
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No. 63. Is there a favorite TV show that you like to watch? Write about your favorite character and why he is your favorite.
#64 Write a poem using onomatopoeia in which the words you use are pronounced the same as the sounds they make. For example, buzzing, barking, hissing, thumping and clapping.
No. 65. Have you ever had to stand in line to wait for something for a long time? What did you do while you waited? How did you feel while you waited? How did you feel after the end of the wait?
#66 Should ALL secrets be kept secret? Write about examples of when you can tell a secret and when you can’t.
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No. 68. What historical period and place would you return to if