Free Pirate Writing Prompts
Pirate writing prompts have been one of the easiest ways to get my son writing without the usual complaints.
There’s something about treasure maps, parrots, and pirate ships that makes even reluctant writers grab a pencil.
These printable writing prompts started as a quick activity for Talk Like a Pirate Day, but they’ve become a favorite whenever we want a fun, low-prep way to build writing skills at home.
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Printable Pirate Story Starters for Kids
These 10 pirate writing prompts are an easy way to spark creativity, whether you’re working with a reluctant writer or planning a themed activity. Each printable story starter includes space to write and colorful visuals to help kids picture the scene.
You can use all 10 prompts or pick just a few that match your child’s interests. They’re free to print and perfect for classroom or home use. Scroll to the bottom of the page for access to the PDF.
Pirate Writing Activities
Shipwreck Survival: Imagine being shipwrecked on a deserted island with no phone. How would you survive?
Pirate Ship Defense: As a pirate, how would you protect your ship from attacks?
Treasure Map Adventure: Tell a story about finding a treasure map and your journey to uncover the lost treasure.
Walking the Plank: The pirate captain wants you to walk the plank. How do you persuade him to change his mind?
Fear of the Sea: Your parents are pirates, but you are afraid of the sea. How do you cope?
Pirate Neighbors: A family of pirates has moved next door. Do you think they want to be friends?
Pirate Vocabulary Challenge: Write a story using the words: pirates, treasure map, plank, cannon, wheel, telescope, and parrot.
Captain Flint’s Stories: An old pirate gave you his parrot, Captain Flint, who tells you a new pirate adventure each day. Write down your favorite story.
Gold Coin Dilemma: You find $1,000 in gold coins. What do you do with it?
A Day in the Life of a Pirate: Describe what a normal day looks like for you as a pirate.
More Pirate-Themed Activities for Kids
If you’re looking to build on the pirate writing prompts, these extra activities bring in grammar, history, art, and a bit of humor, all while keeping the pirate theme going strong.
Pirate Mad Libs are a favorite in our house. Kids get to practice parts of speech without it feeling like a grammar lesson, and the finished stories are always good for a laugh.
Pirate coloring pages offer a creative break with illustrations of treasure maps, pirate ships, and characters to color in. They’re great for fine motor practice and quiet time.
Famous pirate coloring sheets combine art with short bios of 15 real-life pirates, which makes them a solid add-on if you’re working on a history unit or pirate research project.
The If I Were a Pirate template lets kids create their own pirate identity, from their name and ship to the treasure they seek. It’s been a fun way to mix storytelling with self-expression.
For even more silly fun, a pirate Mad Libs book makes a great follow-up activity, especially on car rides or after the main writing is done.
And if you’re working with older students, be sure to check out our favorite middle school pirate activities. They go beyond coloring and story prompts to keep big kids engaged, too.
Pirate Research Worksheets
Pirate alphabet worksheetsFamous pirate coloring pages
Why Use Pirate Writing Prompts?
If you’ve got a reluctant writer, these prompts can make a real difference. My son used to stop after one sentence, but with themed prompts like these, I’ve seen him fill entire pages, especially when pirates are involved.
Aimed at grades 2 to 5, they also work well for middle schoolers who enjoy storytelling. The structure gives kids a place to start, but the open-ended topics let their creativity take over.
These prompts do more than just spark stories:
- They build vocabulary with pirate-themed words like telescope, plank, and treasure map.
- They introduce problem-solving by asking kids what they’d do in tricky situations, like facing a pirate captain or getting shipwrecked.
- They encourage empathy and perspective-taking, especially in prompts that ask kids to imagine life with pirate parents or new pirate neighbors.
Most of all, regular writing practice like this helps kids feel more confident expressing themselves on paper.
When they’re finished, take a look at our favorite pirate day at school ideas for even more themed fun.
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More Free Writing Prompts for Kids
If your kids enjoyed the pirate prompts, here are a few more themed writing activities to keep the creativity going:
- If I Were a Leprechaun – A fun St. Patrick’s Day prompt that lets kids imagine their own leprechaun life, gold and all.
- St. Patrick’s Day Prompts – Seasonal writing ideas that mix humor, holiday fun, and creative thinking.
- Star Wars Writing Prompts – Perfect for fans of the galaxy far, far away—great for May the 4th or any time.
- Easter Writing Prompts – Creative springtime prompts that include bunnies, eggs, and imaginary Easter adventures.
- Earth Day Prompts – Encourage eco-awareness with thoughtful writing activities about nature, recycling, and the planet.
- Summer Writing Prompts – Light, open-ended prompts that are great for keeping writing skills sharp over the break.
These resources provide even more creative writing exercises and writing inspiration for young writers to explore.
Last Updated on 30 June 2025 by Clare Brown