Writing prompts for elementary students are an excellent exercise to practise writing skills and develop thinking abilities. These prompts encourage kids to think, articulate their thoughts and express their opinions.
- Writing Prompts For Grade 1
- Writing Prompts For Grade 2 Students
- Writing Prompts For Grade 3
- Writing Prompts For Grade 4
- Writing Prompts For Grade 5
- Writing Prompts Free Printable for Elementary
In case you are wondering why writing prompts should be practised when AI can be used to write anything and everything, there are many key skills writing prompts for kids inculcate.
From encouraging kids to think of their original novel ideas to channelling creativity, building critical thinking skills, communication skills and emotional intelligence – there is so much to the process and not just the final piece of writing.

AI cannot compensate for these essential skills development that takes place when children think and express their own thoughts.
Writing Prompts for First Graders
First graders are immensely creative and have a fresh, out of the box thinking that is yet to be diluted by the outside world.
These fun writing prompts for first grade will work on their innate imagination and give them a creative outlet to channel their thoughts and ideas. Perfect for home and classroom!
1. What is your favourite cartoon?
2. What would you like to change about Peppa pig and why?
3. If you could fly, where would you go and why?
4. If it could rain candies, which candy would you choose and why?
5. What annoys you most about your parents?
6. What do you love doing the most? Why?
7. If you could do magic, what would you do?
8. What is your favourite pet & why?
9. If you could make friends with a talking animal, which animal would you choose?
10. What do you like best about home?
11. What is your favourite toy?
12. Who is your best friend?
13. What makes you special?
14. What is the most fun thing about school?
15. What makes birthdays special?
Quick Tip: Include these fun prompts in home-learning during summer break!
Writing Prompts For Second Graders
Much apt at weaving sentences, second graders have a fairly good vocabulary. Build on these literacy skills with these Writing prompts for second graders.
16. If you could be an animal, what animal would you be?
17. What does friendship mean to you?
18. Would you holiday in the mountains or at a beach? Why?
19. What do you like more – indoor games or outdoor games? Why?
20. What is your favourite book?
21. What would you do if your friend is sad?
22. What makes you happy?
23. If you could change the colours of the rainbow, what colours would it be?
24. Would you like to bring dinosaurs back to life? Why or why not?
25. What would you like to play with your dad?
26. What is your favourite season and why?
27. What is your favorite holiday and why?
28. What would you like to have for a birthday present?
29. Who is your favourite person? Why?
30. What would you like to tell Santa?
Related: Club Creative Writing Activities for Kids to boost writing skills in a fun way!
31. What is your favourite Dr Seuss book?
32. Which magical animal do you think is real?
33. Would you like to study magic? Why?
34. What is your favourite movie to watch with your family?
35. Describe your classroom in ten words.
36. What are you scared of?
37. Do you like creepy crawlies? Why or why not?
38. Which is your favourite Disney character?
Writing Prompts for Third Grade Students
With foundational skills right in place, third graders are ready to delve a bit deeper. They are learning to articulate their ideas with better clarity and are able to pen down longer stories.
39. What are three things you would like to change about your school and why?
40. Who is your favourite superhero and why?
41. What do you think makes a person strong?
42. If you could be a superhero for a day, who would you be?
43. Write five things you love about your mother.
44. Do you think homework should be given? Why or why not?
45. Would you rather be able to fly like a bird or swim like a fish? Why?
46. What are the three things you find most difficult to do?
47. What is that one thing you don’t like about your friend?
48. What would you like to do more of at school?
49. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Related: Try these Back To School Writing Prompts for the new session!
50. What would you do if you got separated from your parents in a mall?
51. Name a superhero power that you would like to have.
52. What is your favourite sport and why?
53. Which celebrity would you like to meet and why?
54. Do you think chores are important? Why or why not?
55. What is friendship according to you?
56. If you could turn yourself into an animal at will, what animal would you be and why?
57. Why do you think trees are important?
58. What are the three things you can do to help the planet?
59. Write five things you are grateful for.
60. Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn? Why?
Writing Prompts for Grade 4
Writing prompts for fourth grade include a variety of prompts – think of journal prompts, story starters, essay prompts to get students excited. With their writing skills gaining finesse, it is time to add variety and creativity to their writing prompts
61. What would your best day be like?
62. If you could change one thing about the world, what would that be and why?
63. What qualities in your opinion make for a great friend?
64. If you were a superhero, how would your costume look?
65. What is that one thing that really gets you excited and why?
66. If you could make a hobby into a profession, what hobby would you choose?
67. What is the nicest thing you have done for your parents?
68. Name an adventure sport you would like to try and why?
69. If you won a lottery of $1000, what would you spend it on?
70. What does kindness mean to you?
71. What is the silliest thing you have ever done?
72. Think of an alternate ending for Red Riding Hood.
73. Would you rather be a YouTube sensation or a sports star? Why?
74. If you could visit any place, where would you go and why?
75. What would you choose – online learning or classroom learning? Explain why.
76. You are incharge of making the time-table for your grade. What changes would you make?
77. Mysterious things are happening in your town and you are a detective! How would you solve the case?
78. How do you react when you are angry or irked? What would you like to change about your reaction?
79. Would you rather be a demigod or a wizard? Why?
80. Write a poem in figurative language.
81. If you had to review a book, which book would you choose and why?
82. What in your options matter more – talent or hard work? Why?
83. What is the best and the worst thing about being a 4th grade student?
84. If you and your best friend could be George and Harold of Captain Underpants, what special powers would you give your school principal?
85. Describe your favourite fruit without naming it.
Writing Prompts For Grade 5 Students
Kids in the last year of their elementary school are ready for longer writing. With better skills, they are ready to showcase their creative writing abilities.
86. How does it feel to be in the last grade of elementary school?
87. If you could add a character or feature to Minecraft, what would it be and why?
88. Do you think it is important to learn facts since everything is now available on the internet?
89. What in your option is more important – IQ or EQ?
90. Do you think kids should have social media access? Why or why not?
91. What is more important – family or friends? Explain why
92. Do you think writing skills matter when you can use AI to write about anything?
93. Would you rather try and fail or never try? Why?
94. If you could fix one environmental issue, what would that be and why?
95. Would you rather have the superpower to be a shapeshifter or be invisible at will? Why?
96. What would you like to teach your teachers?
97. If you could change one home rule, what would that be and why?
98. If you were to be a character from the movie Jumanji, who would you choose to be and why?
99. Write about a day at the park from the perspective of a pet dog.
100. What is the funniest prank you have ever witnessed?
101. What is more important – being funny or being smart? Why?
102. What are a few stereotypes you have observed that you would like to address?
103. If you could go and live in another country, which country would you choose and why?
104. Who is your favourite band/singer and why?
105. If you were in charge of the school lunch menu, what changes would you make?
106. What do you think elders don’t understand about 5th grade kids?
107. You are going on a trip to a rainforest with friends. What all things will you pack for your trip?
108. Design a recipe for perfect friendship.
109. Write a twisted fairy tale.
110. If you could be any Greek God, who would you be and why?
Download Writing Prompts Free Printable For Elementary Kids
Print these exciting Writing Prompts for Elementary Students Free printable and get them practicing their writing skills at home or in classroom. Simply cut out the cards and put them in a bowl for kids to pick up their writing prompt or assign them according to the grade level.