100+ Printable Writing Prompts for Kids

Printable writing prompts changed everything for us when writing time used to end in frustration.

My son hated staring at a blank page, and I didn’t blame him, it’s hard to write when you don’t know where to begin.

But once we started using creative, themed prompts he could connect with, everything shifted. Instead of groans, I started hearing, “Can I write another one?”

They gave him just enough structure to feel confident, but still left room for imagination.

Whether your child needs a confidence boost or already loves writing, these free printables offer a low-stress way to build real skills, while actually having fun.

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If I Were Writing Prompts for Creative Thinking

These writing prompts were always a hit in our house. There’s something about imagining life as someone (or something) else that gets kids thinking in new ways.

Whether it was ruling a kingdom or pretending to be a turkey on Thanksgiving, my son loved these because they felt more like play than work. And along the way, they helped him learn how to structure stories and explore different points of view.

• If I were King for a day – Decide how to rule a kingdom and manage responsibilities.
• If I were an astronaut – Float among the stars and discover new worlds.
• If I were President – Think about leadership decisions and running a country.
• If I were a Leprechaun – Explore Irish folklore with a mischievous twist.

• If I were the Easter bunny – Picture yourself delivering joy during the holiday season.
• If I were a pirate – Sail the high seas in search of adventure and treasure.
• If I were a witch – Create magical spells and potions for a spooky adventure.

• If I were a turkey – Experience Thanksgiving from a turkey’s perspective.
• If I were a reindeer – Join Santa’s team and guide the sleigh on Christmas Eve.
• If I were an Elf – Help Santa prepare gifts and spread holiday magic.
• If I were Santa – Plan the perfect Christmas night delivering presents around the world!

Fantasy & Adventure Writing Prompts

These were always my son’s favorite, anything with space battles, treasure hunts, or dragons had him reaching for a pencil.

Imaginative prompts like these help kids build stories from scratch and encourage them to take creative risks without worrying about being “right.”

• Star Wars writing prompts – Great for kids who want to imagine their own characters and missions in a galaxy far, far away.
• Pirate writing prompts – Think treasure maps, daring escapes, and secret islands waiting to be discovered.

Holiday & Seasonal Writing Prompts

Holidays gave us a perfect excuse to mix writing with celebration. Whether it was writing about being a turkey on Thanksgiving or creating silly April Fools’ stories, seasonal prompts helped make writing feel fresh and relevant.

Here are some fun options for different times of year:

• 100th day of school writing prompts – Great for reflecting on what kids have learned or imagining what life would be like at 100 years old.
• Valentine’s Day journal prompts – Short and sweet writing activities about friendship, kindness, or silly Valentine cards.

• President’s Day writing prompts – Prompts about what kids would do if they were president for a day.
• St Patrick’s Day writing prompts – Fun for exploring leprechauns, rainbows, and pots of gold.

• April Fools Day writing prompts – These always led to the most ridiculous and hilarious stories in our house.
• Easter writing prompts – Mix spring themes with stories about Easter bunnies, egg hunts, or family traditions.

• Earth Day writing prompts – Perfect for encouraging kids to think about how they can help the planet.
• Summer writing prompts – Prompts about vacations, adventures, or lazy days at home.

• Back to school writing prompts – Help kids reflect on their goals, feelings, or what they’re looking forward to.
• Halloween writing prompts – Spooky prompts were always a hit and helped channel excitement into creativity.

• Christmas writing prompts – Everything from wish lists to reindeer adventures.
• 12 days of Christmas writing prompts – These follow the song and challenge kids to write something for each silly gift, from partridges to drummers.

Grade-Specific Writing Prompts

Writing looks different at each stage, so these printable prompts are grouped by grade to meet kids where they are.

• First grade writing prompts – Simple enough for early readers, but open-ended enough to spark stories about pets, favorite foods, or make-believe adventures.
• Kindergarten graduation worksheet – A sweet way to reflect on the year, what they’ve learned, and what they’re excited about next. These turned into keepsakes for us.

Why Writing Prompts Work

Printable writing prompts do more than just fill a blank page. They help kids organize their thoughts, practice sentence structure, and get more comfortable putting ideas into words.

When my son used to say “I don’t know what to write,” giving him a silly or seasonal prompt helped take the pressure off. It gave him something to react to, and that’s often all kids need to get started.

Prompts also build confidence over time. Even kids who resist writing can surprise you once they realize it doesn’t have to be perfect or serious. It just has to start somewhere.

Last Updated on 14 July 2025 by Clare Brown