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 writing prompt. It helps in blending the course contents with the personal experiences of the students. Writing prompts for kids makes them better communicators and improves their 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
Narrative writing prompts 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. The narrative writing prompts can be based on fictional or non-fictional events.

Narrative Prompts 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.
  
• decribe the time when you had a fight with your best friend.

Narrative Prompts 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 of your way to help someone in need.

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.

Persuasive Prompts 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?

Persuasive Prompts 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?
Expository Writing Prompts
Expository writing prompts are used to present reasons and explanation regarding a topic in an step-by-step process. The expository essay should contain a main idea, supporting details and a conclusion in a logical fashion.

Expository Prompts 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?
Expository Prompts 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?
Journal Writing Prompts
Journal writing prompts 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

Journal Writing Prompts 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?
Journal Writing Prompts 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.
Essay Writing Prompts
Essay writing prompts 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.

Essay Prompts 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.
Essay Prompts 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.......
There are many ideas that can be used to make creative writing prompts for children studying in elementary school and middle school. The writing prompts should be simple yet make the children ponder while writing. Different types of writing prompts help children improve their writing skill and make them aware of their surroundings. Creative writing prompts can be fun-filled assignments and you never know, when you may discover the next Enid Blyton or J.K. Rowling in your child.