Busy Minds! Fun Creative Writing Prompts for Kids at Every Age!

These days, it's so easy for kids to become attached to their devices during the summer. The need to look at a book every once in a while isn't present so it's up to us parents to push them a little. They may not like it but prying their eyes away from the monotonous YouTube videos and other various social medias will keep their brains nice and busy. 

Sparking their creativity in a number of ways benefits, not only kids, but the world around them. Getting them to think outside the box, instead of being force-fed information could inspire them to create worlds that will go on to influence thousands. Creative writing is a way for them to express themselves and be proud of the stories they can come up with.

I went in search of writing prompts for all ages, since each kid has a different story to tell. Some are universal and it could be fun to give the same prompt to multiple children and enjoy the different approaches they have. I used this as a way to keep my kids busy this summer, getting them each a new composition book, letting them pick out whatever fun designs they wanted. The kids can either pick an idea from the list or draw them, at random. Either way, they will be stories I can enjoy for years to come.

Writing Prompts for Preschoolers (they may need some help), you can write their story and they can add some pictures:

1. Write a story about a family of squirrels. What is a day in their life like?
2. Do you have a pet? Write a story about what they do when the family is out of then house.
3. Tell a story about a kid who gets to ride on Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve.
4. You get to plan the next vacation. Where do you go and what happens?
5. Do you remember any dreams? Write one into a story.
6. Write a funny story about a unicorn and a lion.
7. Walking down the toy aisle at the store, you realize each toy can tap to you. How do they sound? What do they say?
8. Write a story about what the sun thinks during the day.
9. You live in your favorite tv show. What happens while you're there?
10. Write a story about what your first day of school will be like. Or if you've already been, tell a story about your first day, add a magic lamp.

Writing Prompts for Elementary age:

1. You find an egg in your backyard. Describe it. What's in it? What happens when it opens?
2. Write a story about a super villain who wants to be good. How do they convince the heroes?
3. It's the first day of school for robots. What happens at robot school? What do they learn?
4. You wake up and there's no electricity. How do you go about your day?
5. Write a story around these five words: apple, train, elephant, paper, guitar
6. Make up a story about where thunder comes from.
7. Rewrite Snow White from the perspective of one of the dwarves.
8. You have the powers of any animal in the world. Which one? How does it show in your powers? How would you use them?
9. Write a story about a family of foxes living in the forest.
10. Your favorite toy comes to life. What do they want to do?

Writing Prompts for Middle School:

1. There's an old abandoned house at the end of your street that's been empty for years. One day, someone moves in.
2. You and your friends are out for a walk when, out of nowhere, your friends start disappearing. What's going on?
3. Deep in the heart of a dark cave, lies a mysterious stone. Write about your quest to find it. What does it look like? What does it do?
4. There's a robbery at a bank and you're in charge of finding out how it was done and who did it. How do you solve the case?
5. Finish the story. Once upon a time, there was a dragon...
6. Write a story about a girl who can go invisible at will.
7. You wake up and realize that everyone in the world is gone. What do you do?
8. You and your friends are swimming in a lake and something touches your feet. What is it?
9. You switch places with your favorite singer. How do you try to get used to being them?
10. You wake up stuck in the last movie you watched. How do you escape it?

Writing Prompts for High Schoolers:

1. You wake up a different part of the world. Where are you? How do you adjust? Why were you sent there?
2. A lonely trumpet player makes friends with the ballet dancer next door. What happens next?
3. Write a story using these 5 words: calendar, headphones, lipstick, mug, bear
4. Pick up the nearest book and turn to page 32. Close your eyes and point to a random sentence. Write a story revolving around that sentence.
5. Finish the story. "This isn't what I hoped would happen," she said...
6. You're walking down the street and see someone who looks exactly like you.
7. You travel back to another moment in time in your life. How do you react now?
8. An astronaut is lost in space. Tell the story about what he encounters.
9. A ghost from the 50's is stuck in this modern world. How do they go about their day? How can they move on?
10. Two teens on a hike discover a magical book. Where does it take them and how can they get back?

And one for everyone:

You travel back in time to your parents, at your age. Hang out with them. What do you do? What are they like? What do you learn? What is like at that time period? What would you like to bring back with you?

Have fun with these prompts and share their stories!