Writing Prompts for Kids in Elementary and Middle School

The purpose of a writing prompt is to incite the writing flame within the children. They can explore their imagination and come up with articles or essays describing the given prompt. It helps in blending the course contents with the personal experiences of the students. They makes the kids better communicators and improves writing skills.

There are many types of prompts that compel a child to think and come up with a logical and imaginative write-up. Narrative writing prompts, persuasive writing prompts, expository writing prompts, journal writing prompts, and essay writing prompts are few of the types of writing prompts, a teacher or parent can use for giving assignments to children.

Narrative Writing Prompts
They are related to a sequence of events that have taken place. The children are supposed to explain the events and the order in which the events took place. The clear explanation of the sequence of events and elaboration of the facts makes a good narrative description. They can be based on fictional or non-fictional events.

For Elementary School Kids

• You spent a day with your grandmother. Tell about your day.
• Narrate how you spent the first day of your school.
• It was your birthday yesterday. Narrate how you spent the day.
• Imagine you wake up one morning and realize you have become invisible. Describe what happens and how you come back to your normal self.
• Describe the time when you had a fight with your best friend.
• Imagine a small puppy running about on your school playground during lunch. Tell us about what happened that day at school.

For Middle School Kids

• Write about the most memorable day of your life.
• Trace back your memories from the day you joined school.
• Write about the worst day of your life.
• Write about the various achievements in the American history.
• Write about the time when you went out of your way to help someone in need.
• Have you lost something that was dear to you? If yes, then tell us about what happened or how someone you know lost something important.

Persuasive Writing Prompts
Persuasive writing makes the child use logic and reason and prove his point of view. It persuades the reader to adapt the writers notion. The persuasion is based on facts, logical reasons and examples.

For Elementary School Kids

• How will you convince your teacher to give you more play time?
• Convince your dad to take you to the carnival in your town.
• How will you convince your mom to let you watch cartoons before bed?
• How will you pursue your older sibling to take you along to the mall?
• How will you convince your parents to adopt a pet dog?
• How would you pursue your dad to take you to Disneyland for summer vacation holidays?

For Middle School Kids

• Why should there be no dress codes at school?
• Where and why should you go for a field trip?
• Should smoking be allowed in public places?
• Write a letter to your school principal asking him to lift the ban of chewing gums in schools.
• How will you convince your parents to raise your weekly allowance?
• Suppose the principal asks you to invite a celebrity speaker to speak on the school's annual day function. Tell us who would you like to invite and how would you pursue him/her to speak at your school function?

Expository Writing Prompts
They are used to present reasons and explanation about a topic in a step-by-step process. The expository essay should contain a main idea, supporting details and a conclusion in a logical fashion.

For Elementary School Kids

• Explain how you play your favorite game.
• Explain whether you like or don't like staying with a baby sitter.
• Explain the smile of your mother.
• How do you feel when you visit your grandparents?
• What is the best thing about your brother/sister?
• Explain the best thing about your most favorite person/pet in the world.

For Middle School Kids

• What are the good things and bad things about living in your town? Explain with logical reasons and examples.
• What does the phrase, "There are two sides to a coin" mean to you?
• Explain your feelings and thoughts when someone picks on you or your friends.
• Do you think families are important? Explain with valid reasons and examples.
• Is it important to be honest?
• Explain how will you strive to be a role-model for your younger siblings as well as peers.

Journal Writing Prompts
They help children remain occupied creatively during their summer holidays. It helps them share their experiences and emotions. Writing journal can become a habit in some children, where they can write and keep a track of all the good and bad experiences of their lives

For Elementary School Kids

• Write about your fishing experience. when you went with your dad.
• Write about your favorite hobby and how do you pursue it.
• Which is your favorite season and why?
• If you were a bird, you would......
• What would happen if you could talk to animals?
• Write a journal about your dream vacation destination and explain how would you spend your time there.

For Middle School Kids

• What would you do if you could fly?
• Write about your favorite pop star. Explain his music and why it appeals to people?
• Make journal entries describing how you spend your week.
• Gather information about the likes and dislikes of all your classmates.
• Write a description on an extinct species and what would have happened if it were still alive.
• Think about your most favorite activity or object and write a journal explaining all the details about it. You can also use pictures to explain why your favorite activity or thing is worth the effort.

Essay Writing Prompts
They require short articles to be written from the writer's point of view. It is written to explain the meaning of the statement used as a prompt. Essay writing prompts can be based on personalities, subjects, events, etc.

For Elementary School Kids

• Write an essay on visit to the zoo.
• Write an essay on 'My Mother'.
• Write about your best friend.
• What would you do if you were 5 years older.
• Write an essay on your favorite toy.

For Middle School Kids

• How will you like to spend your free time?
• Our Sports Day function.
• The most beautiful place or scene you ever saw.
• Write an essay on benefits of a healthy diet.
• If I were the President.......

The prompts should be simple yet make the children ponder while writing. They help children improve their writing skill and make them aware of their surroundings. They can be fun-filled assignments and you never know, when you may discover the next Enid Blyton or J.K. Rowling in your child.