From Pumpkins to Turkeys: 50 Fun Fall Writing Prompts for Kids

Inspiring Fall Writing Prompts for Kids

Fall is here — the season of crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters, pumpkin-spiced everything, and stories just waiting to be told.
Whether you’re inspired by a scarecrow in the field, a football game under the Friday night lights, or, if you are like me, that crow on the tree, autumn has a way of filling our imaginations.
These 50 fall writing prompts are here to help you capture that seasonal magic, with ideas for holidays, animals, everyday adventures, and plenty of “what if” moments to spark your creativity.

How to Use These Prompts

There’s no right or wrong way to use a writing prompt.
You can write a short story, a poem, a journal entry, or even a comic strip based on the idea.
Pick one prompt at random and see where it takes you, or work through the list in order and try them all.
Some prompts are silly, some are thoughtful, and others are meant to make you see the world from a new point of view — like a giraffe on the safari or a football helmet on the sidelines. Teachers, parents, and students can use them for classroom warm-ups, homework inspiration, or even family writing nights.

A Few Tips

1. Write whatever comes to mind
2. Keep writing for the allotted time (usually 2-5 minutes)
3. I use these for “Quick Writes” not long, concentrated, and no editing
4. Don’t get stuck on the actual prompt, if you are led somewhere else, follow
5. For extra creativity, use “mood” music to match the prompt

Seasonal

• October is Poetry Month — write a poem about something you see every day in fall.
• Describe what you would do if you had a big pile of fall leaves to yourself — or what you would use instead if you don’t have leaves where you live.
• What’s your favorite fall clothing item, and why?
• Pick a fall color and describe everything it reminds you of.
• Write about a fall chore you secretly enjoy.
• You find a leaf with mysterious writing. What does it say?
• The wind whispers your name — what does it want?
• Write about a scarecrow who’s terrible at its job.
• You follow a trail of pumpkins into the forest — what’s at the end?
• Write about a family or community tradition that only happens in autumn.

Halloween

• Describe the wildest or favorite costume you’ve worn (or wanted to wear).
• If you were a friendly ghost, how would you spend Halloween?
• Invent a Halloween creature no one’s heard of before.
• You get lost in a haunted house — how do you get out?
• Rank Halloween candy from best to worst — and explain your choices.
• Write about a Halloween party for monsters.

Thanksgiving

• You are the turkey — write your escape plan.
• List five things you’re thankful for — and one surprising one.
• Describe your dream Thanksgiving dinner with any foods you want (yes, even tacos).
• If dinosaurs celebrated Thanksgiving, what would it look like?
• Tell the story of the first Thanksgiving — in rhyme.

Animals

• You’re an owl. People call you wise — what do you actually know?

• You’re a black cat. Do you bring bad luck, or is that a myth?

• You’re a bat. What’s a night in your life really like?

• You’re a spider. What’s your real job, and how do you feel about humans?

• Imagine you are an ant. Describe your day from morning to night.

• You’re a giraffe on the safari — what’s your name, and which animal are you jealous of? Why?

• If Mickey Mouse visited your town today, where would you take him?

People

• If you could choose four presidents for Mount Rushmore, who would you pick and why?
• With all our technology, facial recognition, and cameras, how do thieves still get away with crimes today?
• Franklin Roosevelt was elected for 4 presidential terms. What are the pros and cons of having the same leader for many years?
• Pretend you are Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling-what do you think about?

Random

• What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
• If you could design the perfect cake, what would it look and taste like?
• Imagine your town has a water shortage. How would you help solve the problem?
• How would you do everyday tasks if there were no internet at all?
• What’s the best thing to pair with peanut butter, and why?
• What’s the kindest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
• What is your favorite picture book, and why do you love it?
• What is your favorite board game to play, and why?
• Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, but not a state — what do you think that means for the people who live there?
• The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France — what do you think she stands for?
• Create a family cookbook — what recipes will you include, and why?
• Plan the class field trip — where will you go, and how is it educational?
• “Funky” can mean many things. If you feel funky, what do you look and act like?
• Choose two pieces of football equipment — a whistle and a football, a helmet and shoulder pads, a scoreboard and bleachers, or anything else. Write their conversation on the sidelines about who’s more important in the game.
• The word “babysitting” — does it actually describe the job? Do you get to sit?
• If you could live in any time period other than today, when and where would you choose?
• Think of a time you heard live music — at a school event, a fair, or even on the street. What was it like?
• Breaking (“breakdancing”) became an Olympic sport in 2024 — what should be next?

Autumn doesn’t last forever, so “fall” into these prompts while it “is the season.”
Whether you’re writing about pumpkins, ghosts, turkeys, or everyday life, let these ideas spark something new.
Who knows — your next favorite story might start with just a few words from this list.

“Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.”
— Linus, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown