A young boy lying on his stomach, holding a pencil, and looking thoughtful next to an open notebook. Text above reads "50 Fun Writing Prompts for Summer"

50 Fun Writing Prompts to Kickstart Your Kid’s Creativity

Education | Homeschool

ByKara Peterson Reading Time: 10 minutes

Listen to the podcast version:

Unlock the Writer Within

It’s summertime!

The kids are thinking, “Yeah, no more school!”
You are worrying about the summer slide, keeping them busy, and getting some kind of routine established.

One of the simplest methods for encouraging creativity, keeping the summer slide at bay, and establishing a routine in your home over the summer is to have your children create a short daily writing.

I use writing prompts.
Writing prompts are fabulous because they are non threatening.
No one has to grade them.
They are not meant to be perfect, spelling, punctuation, and grammar do not matter.
You can have incomplete thoughts.

In previous writing prompt articles, I have explained exactly what a writing prompt is, the benefits of writing prompts and how to use them, and establishing a summer writing routine.

Before we jump into the 50 Summer writing prompts, lets look at what science says about how writing benefits both the brain and body.

Brain Well-Being:

Writing can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Writing can help individuals process difficult feelings and gain new perspectives on challenging situations.
Writing can help in regulating emotions.
Writing allows individuals to express themselves, explore their imagination, and cultivate creativity.
It improves cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
Writing regularly can improve communication skills, both in written and verbal forms.
Writing allows individuals to analyze issues, consider different perspectives, and develop potential solutions, all of which are problem solving skills.
The involvement of cognitive, sensory, emotional, and language processes, can contribute to increased neuroplasticity by promoting the formation and strengthening of neural connections in the brain.

Physical Health:

Writing helps boost the immune system.
Writing can help physical injuries heal faster (I know, I thought this was insane as well, check out the research!)
The act of physically writing, rather than using a tablet or phone, leads to improved memory.
Another study found: lowered blood pressure, improved lung and liver functions, less time spent in the hospital, and better student grades.

The benefits to writing are numerous..we now know we want our children to write.
The problem is getting them to do so.

Writing prompts are an invaluable tool for encouraging creative thinking in kids.
The writing prompts help children to explore a variety of styles of writing, concepts, and ideas.
This, in turn, helps children to develop the confidence to express their ideas while also perfecting valuable written communication skills.

You can get these 50 writing prompts in an easy to read PDF!

50 Spring Writing Prompts

Unique Ideas for free writes- Where ideas flow!

NO RULES!!!

Isn’t this what every child dreams of?

Give them writing prompts-

no strings attached!

Summer Writing Prompts:

Write a poem about the sights, sounds, and smells of a summer barbecue.
Create a “tourist guide” for kids visiting your town during the summer, highlighting the best activities and places to visit.
Imagine you are a detective and you need to solve a mystery at a carnival.
What is the mystery, what clues do you find, and how do you crack the case?
Describe the classroom pet. Now describe your efforts in persuading your parents to allow you to be the student who takes care of the pet over the summer.
Create a comic strip about all of the mishaps that can happen on a trip to the park during the summer break.
This summer you are going to create your own garden.
Describe it or draw it. Where will it be? What kinds of plants will grow in it?
How will you discourage pests from eating your hard earned plants?
Create the perfect summer camp that you would want to go to.
What is so special about it? What do you do at this camp? What do you eat?
Are there specific crafts or activities?
You discover one morning that you can control the weather.
Write a story about how you plan to use this power during the summer months.
Create a travel brochure for your ideal summer vacation hot spot.
What will you see, do, and why is it the perfect place to visit during the summer?
Invent a new superhero who fights against boredom.
This superhero appears every time a child says, “I am so bored.”
What is its super powers? What kind of costume do they wear?
How does this superhero help all children during the summer?
You wake up one fine summer morning and discover you can understand everything the animals are saying.
The problem, you cannot speak back.
What do you hear? What do you do about the animals’ issues?
How do you feel about your new ability?

Events:

Have you heard of “Cat Books?” They are books about cats doing all kinds of things.
Create a cat book on a specific topic.
Tell us all about it.
*Example: “How to interpret a Cat’s Meow”

Create a poster that shows different pollinators and why they are so important.
Write a story, from the perspective of a bedbug, of how this bedbug “met” a person at a hotel, journeyed with them to their home, and then describe what happens.
A wily old catfish has lived in the Mississippi River for 20 years.
From his point of view, talk about his life, how he eats, who he “hangs out with,” and what he does each day.
Think of all of the “everyday, common jobs” there are.
Write about which ones you feel are most important and beneficial to society and why?
You peek outside your living room window and notice the neighbor across the street has something new in their yard: a pink flamingo. What do you think about it?
Create a commercial for the new hit television show: “Ugly Dog Makeover.”
Explain how the show finds the dogs, what kind of professionals they bring in to do the makeovers and judge them for the final event, and how they actually “makeover” a dog.

Miscellaneous:

You have decided to take up a cause.
What do you feel strongly about? How will you support this cause?
Think of a fundraiser for the organization that is a good fit for who they are and what they do.
Imagine that you are a volcano.
Write a diary entry expression your thoughts and feelings leading up to the big explosion.
Pick a cartoon character you know well.
Think of an event that has happened in your life that caused concern.
Put the cartoon character in your place in that same situation and describe what happens with the character experiencing the event.
You are in the exploration group that discovers avocados for the first time.
Tell us the conversation that happens amongst the members of the group about the avocado-what do they think of it when they find it? Why do they decide to eat it?
How do they know it is not poisonous?
Create your own island in the Caribbean. Tell us about it.
How many people live there? Is there an industry?
What kind of food is the native cuisine?
What are the main attractions or things to do?
Balloons: Would you rather give hot air balloon rides, be a balloon twister at kids’ parties, or deliver balloon bouquets as a job? After you pick tell us why you like your job and describe what you do.
What is your favorite crayon color? Mine is periwinkle.
Crayola has some fun named ones.
Why that color? What do you think of or feel when you use that color?
When you are sick or feeling down, is there a specific food you like to have prepared for you? Some people call this “soul food” because it feeds your soul.
Create a list of foods you would include as soul foods and then tell us how they make you feel or why you included them.
Imagine you are experiencing a hurricane.
Describe the sights, sounds, and emotions as the storm approaches and its aftermath. How do you adapt and stay safe during the hurricane?
You are trying to convince your family to go camping.
Talk about the pros and cons to camping in a tent or a camper or in camping in the forest or near the lake.
Write a funny poem about common pet peeves.
Have you ever been to a rodeo?
The clowns at the rodeo are funny, but they also have a serious job to perform.
Tell us about a rodeo clown.
Write a job posting for a ghost buster to join your team.
If you could be any “act” in the circus, which one would you be and why?
There have been many “life changing” advancements in the last 15 years, which one do you think is the most important for humans as a society? Which one do you think is the worst? Examples: smartphones, electric vehicles, self driving cars, AI, online payments, streaming, “wearables” (fitbit type)

Summer is a perfect opportunity to foster a love of writing in your children.
With these 50 writing prompts, you can help them combat summer slide, unleash their creativity, and create a fun and productive summer routine. Remember, the benefits of writing are endless, both for the brain and body.
So grab a pen and paper, let your imagination soar, and enjoy the journey of writing this summer!

“The pen is mightier than the sword.” – Chicken Little, “Chicken Little”

Create a comic strip or graphic novel type writing about a special or memorable moment you had with your dad. (Father’s Day)
Create a story about the longest day of the year and how all of the characters are either glad it is going on for a long time, or just wish it would end. (Summer Solstice)
In 1940, actress Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to be nominated for and win an Academy Award. It was for her role, as “Mammy,” a slave, in Gone with the Wind.
The next time an African American actor or actress was nominated for and won an academy award was in 1963.
What do you think of Hattie McDaniel’s accomplishment? (Juneteenth)
You are a pyrotechnical (the person who handles and sets off the fireworks and designs the way they will all go off so they design the arial firework display). Tell us about a memorable 4th of July for you. (4th of July)
Create an agenda for the perfect day with your parents.
What activities, conversations, and special moments would you include? (Parent’s Day)
In 1870 the 15th Amendment was passed, your color (not sex) will not determine your right to vote.
Susan B. Anthony fought for and was arrested for her efforts to have women have the right to vote in 1872.
Women got the right to vote in 1920 with the 19th amendment.

What do you think was more important to add as the 16th, 17th, and 18th amendments, rather than the women’s vote, or do you think there was another reason? (Women’s Equality Day)
Create a guide for National Blueberry Month.
Include recipes, crafts, and activities that are central to blueberries.

People:

Ben Shelton (tennis player) and Collin Johns (pickle ball player) have a discussion about the differences between their sports and why each feels theirs is better.
Tell the story of a man (or woman) who used to be a successful CEO of a bank, had a wonderful family, and an active social life and then one day…just walked away and now chooses to live a solitary, hermit type of life.
Imagine you are a DJ. What is your DJ name? What is your style?
You have a big event coming up, create a playlist explaining why you chose each song and what you hope the song accomplishes with the crowd.
Tell us about Bruce Irons, the brother of Andy Irons who was a professional surfer. Make up Bruce’s story, why didn’t he become a professional surfer?
What is he doing now, at 54 years old? Where is he living?
Create a character who is addicted to garage sales.
Describe his/her frenzy each Friday/Saturday morning, how they plan out their day and route, what they are looking for at each sale, and what convinces them they should buy.
In 1907, Alois Alzheimer uplifted an article describing “Alzheimer’s” as a degenerative disease affecting the nerve cells of the brain, leading to severe memory loss.
Talk about your theory or thoughts on why, in 117 years, we still have very little information about how to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s.
Create your character. You are an ice cream taster.
This is your job, you taste and review ice cream flavors all day long.
Write a journal entry about one day in your life, the flavors you tasted, the one you liked the least, and the one you liked the most.
You are a psychic. How do you get your predictions?
Can you control them? Can you “ask” for visions about specific topics (ie. advances in technology)?
Tell us what you think about your ability and if and how you use it.
If you were to receive an award your senior year in high school, what would you want it to be for; what do you want to be remembered for?
Why this particular award and why is it important?
If you were president and could control the outcome of one bill and vote, what would you suggest to make every child’s life in the United States better?

Animals/Insects:

Have you heard of “Cat Books?” They are books about cats doing all kinds of things.
Create a cat book on a specific topic.
Tell us all about it.
*Example: “How to interpret a Cat’s Meow”

Create a poster that shows different pollinators and why they are so important.
Write a story, from the perspective of a bedbug, of how this bedbug “met” a person at a hotel, journeyed with them to their home, and then describe what happens.
A wily old catfish has lived in the Mississippi River for 20 years.
From his point of view, talk about his life, how he eats, who he “hangs out with,” and what he does each day.
Think of all of the “everyday, common jobs” there are.
Write about which ones you feel are most important and beneficial to society and why?
You peek outside your living room window and notice the neighbor across the street has something new in their yard: a pink flamingo. What do you think about it?
Create a commercial for the new hit television show: “Ugly Dog Makeover.”
Explain how the show finds the dogs, what kind of professionals they bring in to do the makeovers and judge them for the final event, and how they actually “makeover” a dog.

Miscellaneous:

You have decided to take up a cause.
What do you feel strongly about? How will you support this cause?
Think of a fundraiser for the organization that is a good fit for who they are and what they do.
Imagine that you are a volcano.
Write a diary entry expression your thoughts and feelings leading up to the big explosion.
Pick a cartoon character you know well.
Think of an event that has happened in your life that caused concern.
Put the cartoon character in your place in that same situation and describe what happens with the character experiencing the event.
You are in the exploration group that discovers avocados for the first time.
Tell us the conversation that happens amongst the members of the group about the avocado-what do they think of it when they find it? Why do they decide to eat it?
How do they know it is not poisonous?
Create your own island in the Caribbean. Tell us about it.
How many people live there? Is there an industry?
What kind of food is the native cuisine?
What are the main attractions or things to do?
Balloons: Would you rather give hot air balloon rides, be a balloon twister at kids’ parties, or deliver balloon bouquets as a job? After you pick tell us why you like your job and describe what you do.
What is your favorite crayon color? Mine is periwinkle.
Crayola has some fun named ones.
Why that color? What do you think of or feel when you use that color?
When you are sick or feeling down, is there a specific food you like to have prepared for you? Some people call this “soul food” because it feeds your soul.
Create a list of foods you would include as soul foods and then tell us how they make you feel or why you included them.
Imagine you are experiencing a hurricane.
Describe the sights, sounds, and emotions as the storm approaches and its aftermath. How do you adapt and stay safe during the hurricane?
You are trying to convince your family to go camping.
Talk about the pros and cons to camping in a tent or a camper or in camping in the forest or near the lake.
Write a funny poem about common pet peeves.
Have you ever been to a rodeo?
The clowns at the rodeo are funny, but they also have a serious job to perform.
Tell us about a rodeo clown.
Write a job posting for a ghost buster to join your team.
If you could be any “act” in the circus, which one would you be and why?
There have been many “life changing” advancements in the last 15 years, which one do you think is the most important for humans as a society? Which one do you think is the worst? Examples: smartphones, electric vehicles, self driving cars, AI, online payments, streaming, “wearables” (fitbit type)

Summer is a perfect opportunity to foster a love of writing in your children.
With these 50 writing prompts, you can help them combat summer slide, unleash their creativity, and create a fun and productive summer routine. Remember, the benefits of writing are endless, both for the brain and body.
So grab a pen and paper, let your imagination soar, and enjoy the journey of writing this summer!

“The pen is mightier than the sword.” – Chicken Little, “Chicken Little”

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