creative writing titles for 11 year olds

11+ creative writing guide with 50 example topics and prompts

by Hayley | Nov 17, 2022 | Exams , Writing | 0 comments

The 11+ exam is a school entrance exam taken in the academic year that a child in the UK turns eleven.

These exams are highly competitive, with multiple students battling for each school place awarded.

The 11 plus exam isn’t ‘one thing’, it varies in its structure and composition across the country. A creative writing task is included in nearly all of the 11 plus exams, and parents are often confused about what’s being tested.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the plot of your child’s writing task is important. It is not.

The real aim of the 11+ creative writing task is to showcase your child’s writing skills and techniques.

And that’s why preparation is so important.

This guide begins by answering all the FAQs that parents have about the 11+ creative writing task.

At the end of the article I give my best tips & strategies for preparing your child for the 11+ creative writing task , along with 50 fiction and non-fiction creative writing prompts from past papers you can use to help your child prepare.

Do all 11+ exams include a writing task?

Not every 11+ exam includes a short story component, but many do. Usually 3 to 5 different prompts are given for the child to choose between and they are not always ‘creative’ (fiction) pieces. One or more non-fiction options might be given for children who prefer writing non-fiction to fiction.

Timings and marking vary from test to test. For example, the Kent 11+ Test gives students 10 minutes for planning followed by 30 minutes for writing. The Medway 11+ Test gives 60 minutes for writing with ‘space allowed’ on the answer booklet for planning.

Tasks vary too. In the Kent Test a handful of stimuli are given, whereas 11+ students in Essex are asked to produce two individually set paragraphs. The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CCSE) includes 2 creative writing paragraphs inside a 60-minute English exam.

Throughout the UK each 11+ exam has a different set of timings and papers based around the same themes. Before launching into any exam preparation it is essential to know the content and timing of your child’s particular writing task.

However varied and different these writing tasks might seem, there is one key element that binds them.

The mark scheme.

Although we can lean on previous examples to assess how likely a short story or a non-fiction tasks will be set, it would be naïve to rely completely on the content of past papers. Contemporary 11+ exams are designed to be ‘tutor-proof’ – meaning that the exam boards like to be unpredictable.

In my online writing club for kids , we teach a different task each week (following a spiral learning structure based on 10 set tasks). One task per week is perfected as the student moves through the programme of content, and one-to-one expert feedback ensures progression. This equips our writing club members to ‘write effectively for a range of purposes’ as stated in the English schools’ teacher assessment framework.

This approach ensures that students approaching a highly competitive entrance exam will be confident of the mark scheme (and able to meet its demands) for any task set.

Will my child have a choice of prompts to write from or do they have to respond to a single prompt, without a choice?

This varies. In the Kent Test there are usually 5 options given. The purpose is to gather a writing sample from each child in case of a headteacher appeal. A range of options should allow every child to showcase what they can do.

In Essex, two prescriptive paragraphs are set as part of an hour-long English paper that includes comprehension and vocabulary work. In Essex, there is no option to choose the subject matter.

The Medway Test just offers a single prompt for a whole hour of writing. Sometimes it is a creative piece. Recently it was a marketing leaflet.

The framework for teaching writing in English schools demands that in order to ‘exceed expectations’ or better, achieve ‘greater depth’, students need to be confident writing for a multitude of different purposes.

In what circumstances is a child’s creative writing task assessed?

In Essex (east of the UK) the two prescriptive writing tasks are found inside the English exam paper. They are integral to the exam and are assessed as part of this.

In Medway (east Kent in the South East) the writing task is marked and given a raw score. This is then adjusted for age and double counted. Thus, the paper is crucial to a pass.

In the west of the county of Kent there is a different system. The Kent Test has a writing task that is only marked in appeal cases. If a child dips below the passmark their school is allowed to put together a ‘headteacher’s appeal’. At this point – before the score is communicated to the parent (and probably under cover of darkness) the writing sample is pulled out of a drawer and assessed.

I’ve been running 11+ tutor clubs for years. Usually about 1% of my students passed at headteacher’s appeal.

Since starting the writing club, however, the number of students passing at appeal has gone up considerably. In recent years it’s been more like 5% of students passing on the strength of their writing sample.

What are the examiners looking for when they’re marking a student’s creative writing?

In England, the government has set out a framework for marking creative writing. There are specific ‘pupil can’ statements to assess whether a student is ‘working towards the expected standard,’ ‘working at the expected standard’ or ‘working at greater depth’.

Members of the headteacher panel assessing the writing task are given a considerable number of samples to assess at one time. These expert teachers have a clear understanding of the framework for marking, but will not be considering or discussing every detail of the writing sample as you might expect.

Schools are provided with a report after the samples have been assessed. This is very brief indeed. Often it will simply say ‘lack of precise vocabulary’ or ‘confused paragraphing.’

So there is no mark scheme as such. They won’t be totting up your child’s score to see if they have reached a given target. They are on the panel because of their experience, and they have a short time to make an instant judgement.

Does handwriting matter?

Handwriting is assessed in primary schools. Thus it is an element of the assessment framework the panel uses as a basis for their decision.

If the exam is very soon, then don’t worry if your child is not producing immaculate, cursive handwriting. The focus should simply be on making it well-formed and legible. Every element of the assessment framework does not need to be met and legible writing will allow the panel to read the content with ease.

Improve presentation quickly by offering a smooth rollerball pen instead of a pencil. Focus on fixing individual letters and praising your child for any hint of effort. The two samples below are from the same boy a few months apart. Small changes have transformed the look and feel:

11+ handwriting sample from a student before handwriting tutoring

Sample 1: First piece of work when joining the writing club

Cursive handwriting sample of a boy preparing for the 11+ exam after handwriting tutoring.

Sample 2: This is the same boy’s improved presentation and content

How long should the short story be.

First, it is not a short story as such—it is a writing sample. Your child needs to showcase their skills but there are no extra marks for finishing (or marks deducted for a half-finished piece).

For a half hour task, you should prepare your child to produce up to 4 paragraphs of beautifully crafted work. Correct spelling and proper English grammar is just the beginning. Each paragraph should have a different purpose to showcase the breadth and depth of their ability. A longer – 60 minute – task might have 5 paragraphs but rushing is to be discouraged. Considered and interesting paragraphs are so valuable, a shorter piece would be scored more highly than a rushed and dull longer piece.

I speak from experience. A while ago now I was a marker for Key Stage 2 English SATs Papers (taken in Year 6 at 11 years old). Hundreds of scripts were deposited on my doorstep each morning by DHL. There was so much work for me to get through that I came to dread long, rambling creative pieces. Some children can write pages and pages of repetitive nothingness. Ever since then, I have looked for crafted quality and am wary of children judging their own success by the number of lines competed.

Take a look at the piece of writing below. It’s an excellent example of a well-crafted piece.

Each paragraph is short, but the writer is skilful.

He used rich and precisely chosen vocabulary, he’s broken the text into natural paragraphs, and in the second paragraph he is beginning to vary his sentence openings. There is a sense of control to the sentences – the sentence structure varies with shorter and longer examples to manage tension. It is exciting to read, with a clear awareness of his audience. Punctuation is accurate and appropriate.

Example of a high-scoring writing sample for the UK 11+ exam—notice the varied sentence structures, excellent use of figurative language, and clear paragraphing technique.

11+ creative writing example story

How important is it to revise for a creative writing task.

It is important.

Every student should go into their 11+ writing task with a clear paragraph plan secured. As each paragraph has a separate purpose – to showcase a specific skill – the plan should reflect this. Built into the plan is a means of flexing it, to alter the order of the paragraphs if the task demands it. There’s no point having a Beginning – Middle – End approach, as there’s nothing useful there to guide the student to the mark scheme.

Beyond this, my own students have created 3 – 5 stories that fit the same tight plan. However, the setting, mood and action are all completely different. This way a bank of rich vocabulary has already been explored and a technique or two of their own that fits the piece beautifully. These can be drawn upon on the day to boost confidence and give a greater sense of depth and consideration to their timed sample.

Preparation, rather than revision in its classic form, is the best approach. Over time, even weeks or months before the exam itself, contrasting stories are written, improved upon, typed up and then tweaked further as better ideas come to mind. Each of these meets the demands of the mark scheme (paragraphing, varied sentence openings, rich vocabulary choices, considered imagery, punctuation to enhance meaning, development of mood etc).

To ensure your child can write confidently at and above the level expected of them, drop them into my weekly weekly online writing club for the 11+ age group . The club marking will transform their writing, and quickly.

What is the relationship between the English paper and the creative writing task?

Writing is usually marked separately from any comprehension or grammar exercises in your child’s particular 11+ exam. Each exam board (by area/school) adapts the arrangement to suit their needs. Some have a separate writing test, others build it in as an element of their English paper (usually alongside a comprehension, punctuation and spelling exercise).

Although there is no creative writing task in the ISEB Common Pre-test, those who are not offered an immediate place at their chosen English public school are often invited back to complete a writing task at a later date. Our ISEB Common Pre-test students join the writing club in the months before the exam, first to tidy up the detail and second to extend the content.

What if my child has a specific learning difficulty (dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, ASD)?

Most exam boards pride themselves on their inclusivity. They will expect you to have a formal report from a qualified professional at the point of registration for the test. This needs to be in place and the recommendations will be considered by a panel. If your child needs extra arrangements on the day they may be offered (it isn’t always the case). More importantly, if they drop below a pass on one or more papers you will have a strong case for appeal.

Children with a specific learning difficulty often struggle with low confidence in their work and low self-esteem. The preparations set out above, and a kids writing club membership will allow them to go into the exam feeling positive and empowered. If they don’t achieve a pass at first, the writing sample will add weight to their appeal.

Tips and strategies for writing a high-scoring creative writing paper

Read widely for pleasure. Read aloud to your child if they are reluctant.
Create a strong paragraph plan where each paragraph has a distinct purpose.
Using the list of example questions below, discuss how each could be written in the form of your paragraph plan.
Write 3-5 stories with contrasting settings and action – each one must follow your paragraph plan. Try to include examples of literary devices and figurative language (metaphor, simile) but avoid clichés.
Tidy up your presentation. Write with a good rollerball pen on A4 lined paper with a printed margin. Cross out with a single horizontal line and banish doodling or scribbles.
Join the writing club for a 20-minute Zoom task per week with no finishing off or homework. An expert English teacher will mark the work personally on video every Friday and your child’s writing will be quickly transformed.

Pressed for time? Here’s a paragraph plan to follow.

At Griffin Teaching we have an online writing club for students preparing for the 11 plus creative writing task . We’ve seen first-hand what a difference just one or two months of weekly practice can make.

That said, we know that a lot of people reading this page are up against a hard deadline with an 11+ exam date fast approaching.

If that’s you (or your child), what you need is a paragraph plan.

Here’s one tried-and-true paragraph plan that we teach in our clubs. Use this as you work your way through some of the example prompts below.

11+ creative writing paragraph plan

Paragraph 1—description.

Imagine standing in the location and describe what is above the main character, what is below their feet, what is to their left and right, and what is in the distance. Try to integrate frontend adverbials into this paragraph (frontend adverbials are words or phrases used at the beginning of a sentence to describe what follows—e.g. When the fog lifted, he saw… )

Paragraph 2—Conversation

Create two characters who have different roles (e.g. site manager and student, dog walker and lost man) and write a short dialogue between them. Use what we call the “sandwich layout,” where the first person says something and you describe what they are doing while they are saying it. Add in further descriptions (perhaps of the person’s clothing or expression) before starting a new line where the second character gives a simple answer and you provide details about what the second character is doing as they speak.

Paragraph 3—Change the mood

Write three to four sentences that change the mood of the writing sample from light to gloomy or foreboding. You could write about a change in the weather or a change in the lighting of the scene. Another approach is to mention how a character reacts to the change in mood, for example by pulling their coat collar up to their ears.

Paragraph 4—Shock your reader

A classic approach is to have your character die unexpectedly in the final sentence. Or maybe the ceiling falls?

11+ creative writing questions from real papers—fictional prompts

The day the storm came
The day the weather changed
The snowstorm
The rainy day
A sunny day out
A foggy (or misty) day
A day trip to remember
The first day
The day everything changed
The mountain
The hillside
The old house
The balloon
The old man
The accident
The unfamiliar sound
A weekend away
Moving house
A family celebration
An event you remember from when you were young
An animal attack
The school playground at night
The lift pinged and the door opened. I could not believe what was inside…
“Run!” he shouted as he thundered across the sand…
It was getting late as I dug in my pocket for the key to the door. “Hurry up!” she shouted from inside.
I know our back garden very well, but I was surprised how different it looked at midnight…
The red button on the wall has a sign on it saying, ‘DO NOT TOUCH.’ My little sister leant forward and hit it hard with her hand. What happened next?
Digging down into the soft earth, the spade hit something metal…
Write a story which features the stopping of time.
Write a story which features an unusual method of transport.
The cry in the woods
Write a story which features an escape

11+ creative writing questions from real papers—non-fiction prompts

Write a thank you letter for a present you didn’t want.
You are about to interview someone for a job. Write a list of questions you would like to ask the applicant.
Write a letter to complain about the uniform at your school.
Write a leaflet to advertise your home town.
Write a thank you letter for a holiday you didn’t enjoy.
Write a letter of complaint to the vet after an unfortunate incident in the waiting room.
Write a set of instructions explaining how to make toast.
Describe the room you are in.
Describe a person who is important to you.
Describe your pet or an animal you know well.

11 Plus Creative Writing Tasks List

by Danielle | Jan 11, 2023 | Blog , Creative Writing

The questions your child might be asked in an 11+ creative writing assessment is endless but here is a list which you could use to guide you. These tasks are all taken from real 11+ papers, from schools including Latymer Upper, St Pauls Girls, The Perse School, Emanuel School, Alleyn’s School, Merchant Taylors and the Essex CSSE Exam.

Write a Story

‘Taught a Lesson!’ Write a story about a bully who is taught a lesson.
Write a story entitled, ‘Alone’.
“The Fire” Write a story with this as your title. Concentrate on describing a fire and its effects, and the thoughts and feelings of the people involved, so that it is convincing for your reader.

Continue a Story

Continue the story that begins with, Outside my front door, someone had left a large cardboard box .
Continue the Story that begins with, Pushing the door, his hand shook uncontrollably as he watched the ground open up to reveal a spiral staircase winding down to the unknown.

Write a recount

Imagine you are a Martian landing on Planet Earth. Write a diary entry (in English!) about your first day.
A Walk in the Dark. You have had to go out after dark to carry out an errand. Write a letter to a friend telling them: • What you saw. • What you heard. • How you felt about being out by yourself in the dark.

Write a Description

Imagine it is very early in the morning and you are all alone in your school just before anyone else has arrived. Describe your observations and what you feel.
Describe a visit to a very cold place.
Imagine that your train stops in a tunnel in the dark for half an hour. Describe what you see and how you feel.
Describe someone you will never forget and explain why.

Write about an Experience

Write about a time when you had to do something that scared you. Explain what happened and describe how you felt. You should make your writing as interesting and detailed as possible.
Write about a time that you or someone else became frustrated by something. Explain what happened and how you felt.

Write a piece of Non-Fiction

Write a persuasive letter to your local MP about the litter in your area and what you want them to do about it.
Do you think children should have access to smart phones? Write a discursive magazine article in which you outline reasons for and against.
Explain what is your favourite time in the whole year. You should aim to write at least six sentences.
Write down, in six or seven sentences, instructions for a younger brother, sister or friend on how to clean their teeth.
Write six or seven sentences describing an animal. For example, a cat, a dog, a guinea pig, a horse. Make your writing as vivid as possible.
In six or seven sentences, write down clear instructions how to make a piece of toast with jam. Make your writing as precise as possible.

Write about an Image

Write a story based on the picture below.
Describe the image.

creative writing titles for 11 year olds

Creative Writing: Core Skills and Story Writing

Interview Workshop and 11+ Interview Practice Skills

11+ Interview Practice Workshop

Years 4-6 Comprehension Course

Years 2-3 Creative Writing Club: Smashing Story Skills

Other blogposts.

Igniting Writing: Why it Matters in 2024

Nov 16, 2023

In July 2023, the National Literacy Trust published a report entitled, Children and Young People’s Writing in 2023. The report summarises the findings from their 2023 Annual Literacy Survey, which was completed by 71,351 children and young people aged 5-18 in schools...

Phases 4-6 Phonics

Nov 7, 2023

How is Phonics Taught? Phonics is taught in phases, starting in the preschool setting and continuing until year 2. Phase 1 is usually covered in the preschool setting as well as in Reception and is all about speaking and listening. Following on from this, Phase 2...

Phase 3 Phonics

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

100 Writing Prompts for Kids: Ideas and Story Starters to Get Pens Moving Faster Than Ever

Stuck for writing prompts that will inspire your students to fill their pages?

We’ve got you covered. Here are 100 writing prompts that will get heads down and pens moving faster than ever.

Write about a special bond you have with an animal.
Describe your dream bedroom. What would be in it and why?
You’re trapped on a desert island with only the things in your schoolbag. What do you do?
Your pet is in charge of you for a day. What will they make you do?
Write about a place that is important to you.
When I discovered there was treasure buried in the backyard I…
A friend from another country is going to swap schools with you. Write a letter telling them what to expect.
The moment I woke up, I knew something wasn’t right…
Write a letter to your teacher telling them why your favourite/favorite book should be studied in class.
You get to be your favourite/favorite animal for a day. What do you do?
Write a story where all your favourite/favorite characters from books and movies meet up. What do they get up to?
Write an alternative ending for your favourite/favorite book or movie.
Describe a day in your life if you were famous.
Write a story where the main character faces their biggest fear.
I looked out the window and couldn’t believe what I saw…
You’ve got a magic pen. What can it do and how will you use it?
Write a story that includes the sentence, “I should have seen this coming.”
You discover a trapdoor in your house. What lies beneath?
Describe a mistake you made and what you learned from it.
Write a speech that tells the whole school why you should be a student leader.
Write a letter to a younger sibling telling them everything they need to know about being in Grade 4.
You can choose one new subject or sport to be taught at school. What do you choose and why?
Homework should be banned. Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.
If you could travel through time, would you go to the past or the future? Explain why.
Write about a famous person and why you admire them.
Write about the best gift you’ve ever received. What made it so amazing?
The dinosaurs are back, and they’re in your street. What happens next?
If I could visit another planet I would go to…
You dig the world’s deepest hole. What lies at the bottom?
You’re the teacher for the day. What will you do in your lesson?
If I could keep any animal as a pet I would choose… because…
Your house has a secret and mysterious history. Write a story about what happened before you lived there.
If I had a superpower it would be…
The most interesting thing I’ve learned this year is…
You get to change the school uniform. What would you make everyone wear and why?
You get transported into the last video game you played. Where are you?
If you could invent anything, what would it be?
If I could only eat one food from now on it would be… because…
You’re a detective working on a big, important case. What is it and how do you solve it?
If I could have any job in the world it would be…
Write a story where the main character is hiding a big secret.
An alien arrives at your house. What happens next?
You climb to the top of the tallest tree in your neighbourhood/neighborhood. What can you see that you couldn’t see from down below?
Write a story where a boring, everyday experience gets turned into a big adventure.
Describe what you look for in a friend.
Who lives in the clouds and what do they do up there?
What is your favourite/favorite holiday and why?
It started out as just an ordinary day, but then…
Write about a family member who has an interesting story to tell.
You’re organizing the ultimate birthday for a friend. What have you planned for them?
You can breathe underwater and swim like a fish. What will you do with your new power?
Write a story about a lost city.
What has someone taught you that you will never forget?
You get sucked into the pages of your favourite/favorite book. What happens when you join the story?
This year my goal is to…
Write a thank you letter to a person who has helped you in some way.
What is your favourite/favorite season and why?
You work at the zoo and the elephants have broken loose! What will you do?
“You’ve got the wrong person – it wasn’t me!” Continue this story…
Write about a time when you felt a strong emotion (e.g. happy, sad, angry, scared). What made you feel this way?
Write a story where a character discovers something surprising.
If I could change one thing in the world it would be…
Describe the oldest person you know.
Imagine your life on a farm. What would be on it and what would you do?
Write a story about a journey at sea.
What is your favourite/favorite room in your house and why?
You have $1000 to spend. What will you buy?
You’ve grown wings and now you can fly. Where will you go?
What is a food you find really disgusting? Explain why it’s so bad.
Write about a journey to the top of a huge mountain.
You’re the mayor of a new town, and now you want people to move there. How will you convince them to join you?
Would you rather live in a cold, snowy place, or a hot and sunny place? Why?
What would be in your dream playground?
You’re starting a band. What instruments will you need and what sort of music will you play?
Write about the best ride you’ve ever been on.
One thing I am really good at is…
What is your earliest memory? Describe it in as much detail as you can remember.
Write about the most fun holiday you’ve been on.
You’re a wildlife photographer trying to get a photo of a rare animal. What animal is it and how will you find it?
Write a story where one character must keep an important secret. Will it be discovered?
“Don’t look down,” I told myself. But then I…
Write a story where two people meet in an unusual way and become fast friends.
Write a “quarantine story” set in a single house.
Write a recommendation of a book or movie for a friend. Why do you think they would enjoy it?
A mystery chest washes up on the shore after a storm. Write a story about what happens when it’s discovered.
Turn one of your strangest dreams into a story.
Write a “how to play” guide for your favourite/favorite sport.
Write about the most delicious OR the most disgusting meal you can think of. Make sure your reader can imagine what it tastes like!
Every year a new person is sent to the moon, and now it’s your turn. What happens when you step out of the rocket?
If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
Write a story where a holiday goes horribly wrong.
I was terrified. Butterflies filled my stomach. But I took a deep breath and finally stepped out onto the stage…
You’re handed a letter with your name on it. When you open it up you can’t believe your eyes…
Write a story where someone discovers something surprising about their neighbor.
You get to create a new holiday that will be celebrated every year. What is it called and what will people do to celebrate on this day?
Write a story that takes place in a forest.
There’s an old house at the end of the street hidden behind tall, dark trees. No one has been brave enough to enter, until now…
Write a story about a snow day.
You’re the host of a new game show. Write about what happens in the first episode.
Write a story where someone discovers something they aren’t supposed to know.

Looking for more writing prompts for your class?

Reading Eggs is brimming with thousands of reading and writing activities. Story Factory in Reading Eggs for example, allows students to create their very own story books with illustrations. Once they have written a story, you can print it out to create a real book that is uniquely theirs.

Try Reading Eggs for free today

Help your child succeed in their 11 Plus exams

The 11 plus guide - free advice and help for the 11 plus exams.

The 11 Plus Guide – FREE advice and help for the 11 Plus exams.

11 Plus Exam Papers & Books
11 Plus Exam Preparation
11 Plus Subjects
Independent & Private Schools
Grammar School Test Areas
11 Plus Forum
Numerical Reasoning
What do Maths tests include?
Maths preparation mistakes
Most common Maths mistakes
Early years Maths preparation
Year five Maths preparation
CEM Numerical reasoning
GL 11 Plus Maths
School written Maths papers
Maths- KS2 Syllabus topic guide
Independent School Maths
How to prepare for Engish
English preparation mistakes
Common English exam mistakes
Gauging English performance level
Early years English preparation
Year five English preparation
GL 11 Plus English
CEM 11 Plus English
School written English papers
Key topics from the KS2 English Syllabus
How to prepare for VR
GL style tests
CEM style tests
Independent School VR
VR preparation mistakes
Most common VR mistakes
Pressure and VR
VR preparation in years three and four
VR specific year four work
VR preparation in year five
How to prepare for Non-Verbal Reasoning
GL Non-Verbal Reasoning
CEM Non-Verbal Reasoning
Independent School NVR
Preparation mistakes NVR
Exam mistakes NVR
Pressure and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Year three NVR preparation
Year four NVR preparation
Year five NVR preparation
Classic Books Vocabulary
How Children Develop Vocabulary
Vocabulary Development Plan
11 Plus Vocabulary Books and Reviews
11 Plus Vocabulary Development
11 Plus Vocabulary List
Commonly Misspelt Words – 11 Plus
Homophones for the 11 Plus
KS2 Statutory Spelling Words
When to double letters in spelling
11 Plus Creative Writing – Example Topics and Tasks

11 Plus Creative Writing – Example Topics and Tasks

Schools can of course ask anything so these example tasks shouldn’t be used as stock answers.

Pupils will however find that developing a full description bank of characters, emotions, action, the natural world and the built environment etc will help them to deliver effective and creative descriptions on the day.

Using those description banks within these sample stories will help them to develop their work further and enable them to embed their thoughts so they can deliver properly on the day.

Remember if you are going to tackle any of these sample writing topics and tasks you should always plan to revisit your work a few days after you have done it. As part of the process children who often re-write their work to improve it find they make better progress.

Good resources to help with creative writing are rare. If you need help then we do recommend this creative writing preparation course . Since we started recommending it we have had very good feedback from our users, whether they have used it to prepare for an 11 Plus exam or an Independent entry test.

11 Plus creative writing example topics list

The following topics and tasks have come up in either in grammar school or independent school 11 plus writing tests:

Core themes for creative writing topics and tasks:

Many stories have core themes or emotions or feelings within them. When developing your descriptions banks these are useful areas to think about:

Animals – Typically describe your pet or your favourite animal or an animal you are frightened of. Be prepared to be use literary devices like personification or exaggeration or even simple similes to bring your description to life.

Emotions and feelings – Stories often include a requirement to describe emotion like fear, or joy or what it feels like to be lost or alone. They could easily ask you to describe enjoyment through a title like My brilliant day. Sometimes the titles may overtly lead you in a very clear direction. Lost ! and Alone! Are two previous examples that have come up.

Activities you enjoy doing – This is chance to describe the activity itself ( whatever you like from mountaineering to gardening and everything in between) plus how it makes you feel. Again your development of description banks should have helped you.

The natural world – Could be hills or mountains, rivers or streams or lightning or the rain or the feeling of sunshine or how a meadow looks or a field of wheat. Children who cover the natural world in their descriptions development work always find it useful.

The built environment – Think houses or offices blocks or cottages or castles. Roads and bridges, churches and sheds. Developing some thoughts about how to describe the built environment is always useful.

Story Titles:

Story titles can be long or short. Here are some examples of story titles which have come up in both Grammar School and Independent School tests.

The Day Trip
The Broken Window
The Abandoned House
The Voice in the Darkness
Write a story with Alone as the title, where you suddenly realise that you are on your own. It may be a true or entirely made up, but it should include your thoughts and feelings as well as what happened.
Write a story (true or made up) about a visit you make to some relations of your own.
Write a letter to a cousin inviting him to stay with you. You should try and interest him in some of the varied and unusual activities he can take part in.
Describe a situation which you have experienced which might also be called A Magical Moment, showing what your thoughts and feelings are.
Write a clear description of an animal you know well. Make sure you describe what it does and how it behaves as well as what it looks like.
I prefer Winter to Spring.
The door and what was behind it.
The Prince of Darkness is a Gentleman.
Ash on an old man’s sleeve.
Write a story that begins with the words – I had been waiting for such a long time for this to happen.
Write a description of someone you admire. (You may choose someone you actually know, or someone you have never met. Describe them and explain why you admire them).

Forum Feature

The 11 plus forum - answers to common questions about the 11 plus exam, favourites links, independent school past papers.

11 Plus Exam Format by Region

Preparation Options

Pages of Interest

Top ten tips, 11 plus guided courses, which books to use, 11 plus mock exams.

Site Managed by Matt Porter

140 Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

Creative writing is an important skill for young students to start learning. Not every child will grow up to be a professional writer, but there are many benefits to having children write. Here we have some useful and effective creative writing prompts for kids to get you started.

These are most suited for a teacher with a class of students. However, parents are welcome to use them as well, to get your kids writing at home.

The Benefits of Writing Prompts for Kids

Aside from creating a published masterpiece someday, there are many benefits to teaching kids to write. This can be done in part by stimulating their minds with some good writing prompts for kids.

Teaching them how to become a better writer will give them advantages in other areas of life.

[table id=26 /]

Animal Themed Writing Prompts for Kids

Most kids love animals. Even if they don’t, personifying and thinking about animals can spark wonderful creativity in kids. It can help kids learn how to become a better writer.

Jack is a dachshund and stands out among his border collie siblings who bully him for being different. He is determined to prove that he can herd sheep just as well as them.
10-year-old Kaitlyn has the unique ability to communicate with all animals. She goes around helping trainers, vets, and researchers.
Write a story about a family of rabbits living in the woods. What is their life like?
Imagine you are a big, majestic lion living in a zoo. How do you feel being surrounded by people all the time?
Do you have a pet? What do you like to do with them? If not, what pet would you love to have?
What would you do if you had an elephant for a pet?
If you could be any animal, what would you choose?
Your cat gets stuck on the roof. How do you get him down?
A baby wolf gets lost in the forest. How does he find his family again?
Write about a school of fish who live deep in the ocean.
How do you think it would feel to fly like a bird?
What would you and your pet talk about, if they could talk?
What does a naughty puppy get up to while its owners are asleep?
Imagine everyone had a horse to ride instead of a car to drive. What would life be like?

Fiction Writing Prompts for Kids

Though they might not understand the complex workings of character and plot development, kids can still start creating fiction. Their minds are capable of telling stories. Starting with short pieces of fiction can teach them how to become a better writer .

Writing longer pieces of fiction at a young age can be more difficult. Using a book writing template might help if they really want to try.

Whatever type of story you encourage them to write, use these simple but imaginative writing prompts for kids.

Look out the window for 30 seconds. Write a story about what you see and hear in those 30 seconds.
Write a story about a trip you would like to take with your family.
You and your friends build a treehouse. But, anyone who enters needs to follow some rules. What are they?
You are trapped in the mall for the night. What do you do in there?
Write a story about a magical pair of shoes.
Write about what would happen if you met your favorite character in person.
You find a time machine. Where do you go and why?
Write a story about your parents as teenagers.
Write a story about a tiny person.
What does a typical day look like for a mermaid?
Write about an astronaut who flies to space and discovers a new planet.
Write a story about a day in the life of the president of the United States.
A young girl finds a teleportation device abandoned across the street from her house. She soon figures out how to use it.
Someone your age sneaks onto a space ship going into space. What happens? Do they get caught?
Try to write a poem or a story in the style of Dr. Seuss.
You have an assistant for one week who will do whatever you want. What do you ask them to do?
Write about something you and your best friend would do if you lived in the same house.
Tell a story about a kid who gets to go for a ride on Santa’s sleigh.
A kid gets to be invisible for one day. What happens?
Write a story using these three words: Train, Hat, Saturday.
A clown shows up at your door one day. What do you do?
Write about a day where your teacher forgot to wear shoes.
Write a story about your evil twin.
You find a treasure chest buried in your backyard. What’s inside?
Imagine you get to be the opposite gender for one day. What do you do?
Write a story about an imaginary sport. How does it work? What are the rules?
You have been asked to create a new holiday. What should the world celebrate?
Write a story where you get stuck inside your favorite video game or TV show.
A child has traveled back in time from 1000 years in the future. What do they tell you about their life?
Start a story with a character saying “I won’t do it, and you can’t make me!”
Two friends send secret notes to each other through a hiding place no one else knows about. What happens when a new note appears from someone else?
A family is camping and doesn’t have cell phone service. What do they do when someone gets sick?
Write a story about a kid who doesn’t have any homework to do on the weekend.
A kid and their dog are on an adventure in the forest. What happens?
Write about a kid who loves to play in the rain.
A family is going together to pick out the perfect Christmas tree.
What happens when a spaceship lands in your backyard?
A girl finds a magic door in her closet. What happens when she walks through?
You are stuck inside your school overnight. What do you do?
Write a story about a vampire who just wants to fit in with his friends.
A superhero wants to save the world, but he’s not very good at using his powers.
Your toys have come to life for one night only. What do you do with them?
A boy is walking down a deserted road. What does he see?
An older sibling is babysitting a younger sibling. The older sibling gets locked in a cupboard. What happens next?
Imagine you live in a world where humans don’t need to sleep. What do you do every night?
An old lady owns a costume shop. Everyone who buys or rents a costume has an adventure while wearing it. Write about one of these adventures.
Your character is the only survivor of a shipwreck. She is floating around on a raft. She finally finds an island. What’s on the island?
The sun decides not to go down for one night. What does everyone do overnight when it’s not dark?
Write about what you would do if you could read minds for one day.
You are able to spy on your friends and family for one day and they don’t know you’re there. What do you think you’d see?
Your grandma tells you a shocking secret and you’re not allowed to tell anybody else! How do you react to this crazy secret?
You are given one dart to throw at a wall map. Wherever it lands, you have to go there tomorrow. Where do you go? What happens?
Three kids climb a tree and find a whole new world at the top.
Write a story about someone who is working hard to keep his grades up so he will be allowed to participate in the annual principal-for-a-day event.
What would you do if you and your teacher switched places for a day?

Historical Writing Prompts for Kids

Writing stories about history can be a fun way for kids to learn some basic historical facts and events. Use these writing prompts to walk them through time in a way they can enjoy.

A book writing template may come in handy here as well. History can be complicated and confusing. It might be beneficial to have some information laid out in a structured way.

Imagine everything in a historical museum comes to life one night. What happens?
If you could have a conversation with one person from the past, who would it be?
Imagine your family ruled over an ancient kingdom. What would life be like as a prince or princess?
Write a story about the life of a child before TV was invented.
Write a story about a family traveling a far distance by horse and carriage – before cars were invented.
Imagine you were alive when the pyramids in Egypt were being built. What are they like in person?
What do you think would have happened if humans were alive at the same time as dinosaurs?
How do you think people in the past celebrated holidays?
If you could travel backward in time to before you were alive, where would you go and why?
If you could change any part of history, what would it be?
Many years ago, all the grades of a school would be in a class together. Would you like this? Why or why not?
Write about a building that no one has lived in for 100 years. What is left in the building? Who used to live there?
What do you think the worst thing is about being a king or queen?
Write about what kids did for fun in the old days.

Stimulating Writing Prompts for Kids

In addition to writing stories, many kids will benefit from other forms of mental stimulation. These can be done in a journal or essay writing exercise.

Use these prompts and questions to get them thinking. Encourage them to answer all questions with as much detail as possible.

Write a detailed description of your favorite toy.
How would you describe the color green to someone who is blind?
Where is your favorite place to hide during hide and seek? Why?
Write a letter to your grown-up self.
Imagine you are the first person to ever walk on the moon. Write a letter to your family about what it’s like up there.
Write about something you want to learn more about.
If the sky could rain any food for one day, which food would you want and why?
Someone has never heard of magic. Explain it to them.
A genie is going to grant you one wish. What is it?
You are in charge of your school for a whole week. What do you do?
What is the worst possible superpower someone can have?
If you had $1,000 what would you buy for yourself?
Which animal is your favorite? What do you like about it?
What would your life be like if you were a movie star?
Write about what life would be like without electricity.
If you could go anywhere for a school trip where would it be and why?
What do you want to do once you turn 16?
If you could ask your teacher one question and get an honest answer, what would it be and why?
Write about the weirdest dream you ever had.
Describe the happiest day of your life so far.
If you were in the circus, what would you do?
If you won an award, what would it be?
What is your favorite holiday and why?
If you could have one extra limb, what would it be and why?
What is your favorite season and why?
Write about what life would be like if you got your dream job as an adult.
If you could create a new animal, what would it look like?
What is your favorite day of the week and why?
Write about the person you admire the most.
What is the best joke you ever heard? Why did it make you laugh so hard?
You are in charge of inventing a new sandwich. What are you putting on it?
Write about three things you are good at.
If you could make anything grow on trees, what would it be and why?
What is your most unusual talent?
What’s the best book you’ve ever read? Describe the book to someone without spoiling the story.
What one thing would make your life easier?
Imagine you are 16 and your parents have bought you a car. What does it look like?
What one thing would make school more fun?
Describe what happens on the absolute best day you can think of.
What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
You are given $1,000 but you can’t spend it on yourself. What do you buy and for who?
You are creating the perfect town for you and your family to live in. What does the town have?
What is one talent you wished you had but don’t?
Write about your favorite music.
Describe your favorite movie without mentioning the title or the characters names. Can anyone guess the movie?
If you could control your own dreams, what would you choose to dream about tonight?
You can ask the government one question and they have to answer you honestly. What do you ask and why?
Do you think you could go a whole day without talking? What would be difficult about this?
If you could stop anyone else from talking for one day, who would it be and why?
If the world was going to end in one hour, what would you want to do?
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?
Do you have any toys right now that you think you will still play with when you are 20? Why or why not?
What would you do if you were the last person on earth?
Write about something you believed as a small child, but it turned out to be wrong. What was it? How did you find out?
What would you do if you suddenly woke up in another country and no one could understand you?

Writing Tools for Older Kids

As kids get a little bit older, they can start being introduced to some tools and programs that will help their writing. As they age, they will start to get a sense of how to write properly and they will develop a voice and style of their own.

Those who are serious about writing and/or show some real promise might benefit from the use of some writing software to help them become an even better writer.

We have created a list of 20 excellent tools for writers and gone over them in detail. But, a good place to start is with Squibler and Grammarly .

Squibler will help them figure out how to organize a book. It offers a place to take notes and record research. It then encourages the writer to break down their chapters and scenes for easy organization and editing.

Squibler also offers a series of templates that might be helpful to kids as they learn about story structure and character development. These templates will walk them through the writing of a book and offer guidelines and suggestions to make the story as effective as possible.

There are several style and genre options, but a good place to start is with the general fiction template:

Second, is Grammarly . Kids will often struggle with grammar and punctuation for a while. Grammarly is designed to help all types of writers fix and polish up their work from a grammatical standpoint.

It is largely intended for professional writers who do it for a living, or students who need to hand in perfect written pieces. But, that doesn’t mean kids can’t benefit.

As they go through their work in Grammarly and find their errors, they will learn from them. If they see the same thing pop up numerous times, they will learn not to do it anymore.

Get Kids Thinking With These Writing Prompts

The kids are the next generation of writers , authors , and creators. Start their skills early and encourage them to expand and improve. Teach them how to craft their words. Teach them how to paint a picture in someone else’s mind.

From writing descriptions to organizing thoughts and emotions, and even creating interesting characters – kids should be flexing their creativity muscles whenever possible.

Whether they go free form or you use a book writing template , encourage them to let their imaginations loose on a regular basis.

These writing prompts for kids will get them started, but if you’re looking for more, try using the scholastic website. They have a writing prompt generator with lots of variety. It also has a fun design if you’re using it with your kids.

This will give you an endless source of fun prompts for the kids to enjoy.

Published in Writing Prompts

Join 5000+ Technical Writers

Get our #1 industry rated weekly technical writing reads newsletter.

ThinkWritten

300 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids: Story Starters, Journal Prompts & Ideas

Are you a parent or teacher? Here are 300 fun and creative writing prompts for kids to spark the imagination of young writers everywhere. Use these kids writing ideas as journaling prompts, story starters or just for fun!

We may receive a commission when you make a purchase from one of our links for products and services we recommend. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for support!

Sharing is caring!

It’s never too early to start writing, and so we’ve created this fun list of 300 creative kids writing prompts for teacher and parents to use.

You’ll love these fun ideas for kids writing prompts to use as creative sparks to get young imaginations writing in no time!

These are perfect to use as kids journal writing prompts, as short story writing prompts, or just for exercises to help students and children of all ages tap into their creativity. Maybe your kids will write an essay, maybe a poem, or maybe even a whole book!

Whether you are a teacher or parent looking to inspire your kids to write, or maybe even an adult who would like to practice writing with a more playful and young-hearted approach, I hope you find these creative writing prompts inspiring!

Buy the Printable Cards! We will always have this list of 300 kids writing prompts available for free, but I’m very excited to now also offer an ad-free printable version of these prompts in my online Etsy shop. Thank you for your support!

The Ultimate List of 300 Fun & Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

#1. Imagine a giant box is delivered to your front doorstep with your name on it. What’s inside and what happens when you open it?

#2. Write a short story about what it might be like if you woke up one morning with a mermaid tail.

#3. Which is better, winter or summer? Write about the reasons why you think winter or summer is better.

#4. Write about what would it be like if you had an alligator as a pet.

#5. If you had $1,000, what would you buy and why?

#6. Write a story using these 5 words: apple, train, elephant, paper, banjo

#7. What do you want be when you grow up and why?

#8. Who is your favorite person on the planet? What do you like most about that person?

#9. If you could have any secret super power, what would you want it to be and why?

#10. Write about 3 places you would like to travel someday. What do these three places have in common?

#11. Write about a time you felt really happy. What happened? What made you feel happy?

#12. Imagine what would happen if someone shrunk you down to be only 1″ tall. How would your life change?

#13. If you were in charge of the whole world, what would you do to make the world a happier place?

#14. Write a story about what it would be like to climb to the very top of the highest mountain in the world.

#15. If you were in charge of planning the school lunch menu, what foods would you serve each day?

#16. What are some of your favorite animals? What do you like about them?

#17. Imagine that dogs take over the world. What do they make the humans do?

#18. Write a story about flying to outer space and discovering a new planet.

#19. You are a mad scientist and have invented a new vegetable. What is it called? What does it look like? What does it taste like? Most importantly: Is it safe to eat?

#20. You go to school one morning to discover your best friend has been turned into a frog by an evil witch! How do you help your friend?

#21. Describe what it is like when trees lose all of their leaves in the autumn season.

#22. Write about your favorite sport and why you like it so much.

#23. Imagine what it might be like to live on a boat all the time and write about it.

#24. If you had one wish, what would it be?

#25. Write about what you might do if you have the super power to become invisible.

#26. You are walking through the forest when one of the trees starts talking to you. What does it say? What do you do?

#27. The weather forecast is calling for a blizzard in the middle of the summer. What do you do?

#28. What types of transportation will people have in the future?

#29. What were some of your favorite toys when you very little? Do you still enjoy playing with them?

#30. What would a day in your life be like if you were a movie star?

#31. Imagine you’ve invented a time machine! What year do you travel to?

#32. What are your favorite things to do over summer vacation?

#33. What is your favorite holiday and why?

#34. If you could meet any fictional character from a book, who would it be?

#35. You are writing a travel guide for kids visiting your city. What places do you think they should visit?

#36. What is a food you hate? Write about it!

#37. Imagine what it would be like if there was no electricity. What would be different in your daily routine?

#38. You are building a new city! What types of things do you think your city needs? How will you convince people to move to your new city?

#39. What is your favorite movie? Write your review of the movie and why you think people should watch it.

#40. Imagine you get a magic sweater for your birthday. What happens when you wear the sweater? What do you do with these new found magical powers?

#41. You are the security guard at the zoo and someone has stolen a rhinoceros! How do you track down the thief?

#42. You have been invited to have lunch with the queen. What foods do you eat and what topics do you and the queen discuss?

#43. If you could design a school uniform, what types of clothes would you suggest? What colors would they be?

#44. Imagine you are a reporter interviewing a celebrity about their life. What questions do you ask?

#45. You are running a lemonade stand. Describe the steps for how you make lemonade and the types of customers you see during the day.

#46. Write a story about being the ruler of an underwater world.

#47. Write an acrostic poem for the word “treehouse”.

#48. You decide to grow a sunflower, but the sunflower grows so tall it reaches up to the sky! Write about what happens when you decide to climb to the top. What do you discover?

#49. Imagine you look out the window and it is raining popsicles from the sky! Write a story about the experience.

#50. If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?

#51. If you were on a spaceship, what would you be most excited about seeing?

#52. Do you have any pets at home? Write an essay about how you take care of your pets. If you do not have a pet, what type of pet might you like?

#53. Imagine you are opening a store that only sells items which are blue. What types of items do you sell?

#54. Have you ever lost something that is important to you? Were you able to find it?

#55. Write a story about a kid who is moving to a new school. How do you think they might feel?

#56. Rewrite the ending of your favorite fairy tale. For example, what would have happened if Cinderella never went to the ball?

#57. Have you ever forgotten to do your homework? What happened?

#58. Do you have a favorite song? Write about the type of music you like to listen to.

#59. Imagine your parents wake you up one morning to tell you they will take you to do anything you want to do for the whole day – you don’t even have to go to school or do your chores. What would you choose to do and why?

#60. Do you like amusement parks? What are some of your favorite rides?

#61. Write a story using these three words: detective, piano, and pizza.

#62. Have you ever been to the beach? Write about your favorite things to do. If you have never been to the beach, what would you like to do the first time you visit?

#63. Is there a favorite tv show you like to watch? Write about your favorite character and why they are your favorite.

#64. Write a poem using onomatopoeia , where the words you use are pronounced similar to the sound they make. For example, buzz, bark, sizzle, slam and pop.

#65. Have you ever had to stand in line to wait a long time for something? What did you do while you waited? How did you feel while waiting? How did you feel once the wait was over?

#66. Is it a good idea to keep ALL secrets a secret? Write about examples of when it is okay to spill a secret – and when it isn’t.

#67. Is there something you are good at doing? Write about your best strengths.

#68. What historical time period and location would you go back to live in if you could? Write about it!

#69. Write about 5 things you can do that are important for you to stay healthy and safe.

#70. Do you think thunderstorms are scary? Why or why not?

#71. What would you most like to learn over the next year? Think about things that interest you or questions you might have about the world and make a list!

#72. You are going on a trip to a jungle safari! What items do you pack in your suitcase?

#73. Imagine you are sitting at home one day and you hear someone shrieking in the living room they see a mouse in the house! Write a story about what might happen next.

#74. You are writing a letter to someone who is having a hard time making new friends at school. What do you write? What advice do you give them?

#75. Imagine you just met a magician – but their beloved rabbit who they pull out of a hat for all the tricks has been kidnapped! How do you help find the rabbit?

#76. Do you hear what I hear? Set a timer for 5 minutes and write about all of the sounds you hear in those 5 minutes.

#77. Imagine you go to get a haircut and they accidentally shave your head! How do you feel about that and what would you do?

#78. Do you find it easy to talk to people you don’t know? What are some ways you can start up a conversation with someone you have never met before?

#79. Are there any chores you have to do at home? What are they? What do you like – and not like – about each one?

#80. Open up a random book to any page. Write for 5 minutes about the first word you read.

#81. Pretend you are a writer for your city’s newspaper. Who would you like to interview for a news story and why?

#82. There are many fictional characters who live in unusual houses, such as the old woman who lived in a shoe. What kind of unusual house would you like to live in? Write about what it would be like to live in an unusual house!

#83. Write a list of 10 things you can do to practice kindness to others.

#84. Is there a homework subject you dread? Why do you not like getting homework in that subject?

#85. What is your favorite month of the year? Write about why you like it and some of your favorite things to do during that month.

#86. Imagine you are planning a surprise birthday party for someone. How do you keep it a surprise?

#87. Pretend you walked outside to find a sleeping dragon in the grass! Why is the dragon there? Is it a friendly dragon? What do you do? Write about it!

#88. What are you grateful for today and why?

#89. You were on your way to a very important event when you fell into a puddle. Now what?

#90. Have you ever watched a movie and didn’t like how it ended? Write what you think should happen instead.

#91. Can you answer this riddle from Alice in Wonderland ? How is a raven like a writing desk?

#92. Imagine you are the captain of a pirate ship. Write a diary entry for what your day was like.

#93. If you could start any type of business, what kind of business would you start? What types of products or services would you provide?

#94. Write a sequel to one of your favorite fairy tales. For example, what was Goldilocks’s next adventure after she left the bears?

#95. What is something you are afraid of? What helps you to feel less afraid of something? What would you say to a friend who feels scared to help them feel less afraid?

#96. Write a letter to your future self in 20 years.

#97. In addition to basic survival needs such as food, water, air and shelter, what are 3 things you would you need to be happy?

#98. If you could invent a robot of any type who could do anything you imagine, what types of things would you would have the robot to do?

#99. Which do like better? Apples or Oranges? How are they alike? How are they different?

#100. Why did the chicken cross the road? You are a detective and are assigned to the case. How do solve the mystery?

#101. Write instructions for how to make your favorite snack. Be sure you add your favorite tips and suggestions for how to select the best ingredients!

#102. Imagine you borrowed a friend’s favorite lucky pencil to help you pass a math test – but then it snapped in half! How will you ever tell the news to your friend?

#103. Look around the current room you are sitting in and choose 3 random objects that are nearby. Now write a story or poem that includes those three items!

#104. Write a letter to the author of a book you recently read and tell them what you liked most about the book.

#105. Ernest Hemingway is famous for writing a six word story. Can you write a story in just 6 words?

#106. What do you think will be the future for cell phones? Will people still use them in 25 years or will something else take its place?

#107. Do you want to go to college? Why or why not?

#108. Write a story or poem about a kitten who wanders off and gets lost. How does the kitten find its way home?

#109. Currently, it is required by law that kids go to school. Do you think this is a good or bad idea?

#110. If you could invent a new board game, what would it be called? How is it played? What are the rules? What makes it fun to play? Write about it!

#111. Imagine you come home to discover your entire bedroom is covered in ketchup! What on earth happened? What is your reaction? How do you clean everything up?

#112. What is something you learned today?

#113. Would you rather have a goldfish or shark as a pet?

#114. From A-Z: make a list of something for every letter of the alphabet.

#115. Have you ever gone fishing? If you have, did you like it? Why or why not? If you haven’t, do you think you might want to?

#116. What is one of the most important things you do each and every day?

#117. Write a story about Gretchen the Grouch, a girl who is always angry! Will she ever be happy? Why is she so grumpy all of the time?

#118. How do you feel when someone takes something of yours without asking? What is a good way to deal with it when that happens?

#119. Write a poem that starts with the word “if”.

#120. Write a story about a family of rabbits who live in the woods. What are some of the challenges they face?

#121. What clothes do you think are the most comfortable? What kind of clothes do you like to wear the most? What clothes do you NOT like to wear?

#122. Imagine there are no grocery stores and you must get your own food. What are some of the ways you find food? What types of things do you eat?

#123. What are 3 things you can do that are good for the environment?

#124. If you could meet any famous person today, who would you want to meet and why? What questions might you ask them?

#125. A tongue twister is a quick poem where many of the words start with the same letter and are similar in sound. For example, “Peter picked a peck of pickled peppers.” Try writing your own with this fun kids writing prompt!

#126. What is the first thing you think of when you hear or see the word green?

#127. A hero is someone who is admired for their courage and achievements. What do you think makes someone a hero? Who are some of your heroes?

#128. What did you do during summer vacation last year? What do you want to do for summer vacation this year?

#129. Write a story about a super hero dog who saves the day! Who does the dog help and why?

#130. Would you rather live somewhere that is always cold, or somewhere that is always hot? Write about which one you would rather choose.

#131. Have you ever volunteered to help a charity? If so, write about the experience! If not, what are some charities you think you might like to volunteer for?

#132. What does the word courage mean to you?

#133. What makes you unique? What are some things about you that make you an individual?

#134. Have you ever been to a museum? What is your favorite thing to look at on display?

#135. What can you do to set a good example for others to be kind?

#136. A Tall Tale is a story that exaggerates something that actually happened. Write a tall tale about something that recently happened to you.

#137. What is one of your favorite toys that you think you might still want to have and play with when you are 22 years old?

#138. Oh no! Everyone around you is sick with a nasty cold! Write a silly poem about how you try to avoid catching their germs!

#139. Personification is when a non-living object takes on human characteristics. Write a story where you personify a common electronic gadget in your house, such as the Television or toaster.

#140. Write a poem using similes, which is when you say an object is like something else. Here is an example of a simile: “Her eyes were as blue as the sky.”

#141. Have you ever read a book written by Dr. Suess? Write your own “Suess-style” story, complete with rhymes and made up words.

#142. Do you have any siblings? Think about what it might mean to be a good brother or sister and write about it!

#143. Make a list of questions to interview your parents or grandparents about what it was like when they were growing up as a kid. Then, ask them the questions and write about their answers!

#144. You are in charge of writing a new radio show just for kids! What topics will you talk about? What music do you play?

#145. What do you usually eat for breakfast every day? What, in your opinion, is the greatest breakfast food ever created? What makes it so great?

#146. Write a 12 line poem where every line is about a different month of the year.

#147. What is something you look forward to doing the most when you are an adult?

Use these prompts in your classroom! Get the ad-free printable version of these prompts to inspire your students to write! Thank you for your support!

#148. Do you like to try new things? What is something new you have tried recently or would like to try?

#149. Imagine what it might be like to be alive in Egypt when the pyramids were built. Write about what it was like.

#150. A credo is a statement of personal beliefs. Try writing your own credo for things that you believe in and feel are important.

#151. The circus has come to town but they have no place to perform! How do you help the ringmaster find a place to put on a show?

#152. Do you like to act? What are some of your favorite actors or actresses? What do you think makes someone a good actor or actress?

#153. “Practice makes perfect” is a popular saying. What is something you like to practice so you can become better at it? A sport? A musical instrument? A special skill? Do you like to practice?

#154. Write about what it might be like to be water drops freezing and turning into ice.

#155. Do you think it is important to keep your room clean? What do you like about having a clean room?

#156. Imagine your parents are sending you away for a two week summer camp trip. Would you be excited? Why or why not?

#157. What are you currently learning about in history class? Write a fictional story about someone from the past you are learning about.

#158. Many wars have been fought in the past. Instead of going to war, what do you think countries could do to resolve their differences peacefully?

#159. Every year over 8 billion plastic bottles and cans are thrown away. What are some things you can do to help encourage your family and friends to recycle?

#160. Imagine if you were the principal of the school. What might you do differently? What things would you do that are the same? Write about it!

#161. Pretend that one day you are at your neighbor’s house and you notice a strange noise coming from the basement. You go downstairs to investigate to see a large machine running with many lights and buttons. Why is it there?

#162. Write an essay that starts with the line, “Tomorrow, I hope…”

#163. If you could give one thing to every child in the world, what would you want to give them?

#164. Do you have a piggy bank at home? How do you earn money to add to your savings?

#165. What qualities make a house a home? What are 3 things you think every house should have?

#166. Would you rather go scuba diving or rock climbing? Write about which one you think you would like to do more and why.

#167. Do you think it is a good idea for kids to write a daily journal? What are some of the benefits of writing every day?

#168. Do you like watching fireworks or are they too noisy? Write about a time when you saw fireworks in the sky.

#169. Oh no! Your friend has turned into a statue! How did this happen? What do you do? Does your friend ever turn back into a person again?

#170. If you could be any movie character, who would you be and why?

#171. A mysterious message appears in code on your computer screen. What could it mean?

#172. If you could go to work with one of your parents for a day, what do you think the day would be like? What types of things do your parents do at work all day long?

#173. Imagine you are the President and you are creating a new national holiday. What is your holiday about? How is it celebrated? What day of the year do you celebrate? Write about it!

#174. You won a never-ending lifetime supply of spaghetti noodles! What will you do with all of these noodles?

#175. Would you rather be a bunny rabbit or a hawk? Why did you choose the one you chose?

#176. Your teacher has been acting mysterious lately. After school one day, you notice a weird green light shining through underneath the door of your classroom. What do you do? What is happening with your teacher?

#177. Write an article about tips for how kids can be more organized and study well for tests.

#178. Look at any product in your house and read the ingredients labels. Research what each ingredient is. Do you think these ingredients are good or bad for people?

#179. If you were a doctor, what do you think would be the most important part of your job every day?

#180. The school librarian needs your help! A truck just arrived with 2,000 books and she can’t fit all the books onto the shelves! What do you do? How do you find a place to put all these books?

#181. Do you think it would be fun to plant a garden? What types of plants would you want to grow? Write about your garden ideas.

#182. What is a sport or activity you would like to try playing for the first time?

#183. Do you think kids should be allowed to do the same things as adults? What things do you think kids should be able to do that only grown-ups can?

#184. Imagine you and your parents switch places for a day. Your parents are the kids and you are now in charge! What would you do?

#185. Write a get-well letter to someone who has been sick. What can you say to make them feel better?

#186. If you could visit any planet in the solar system, which planet would you like to visit the most and why? Write about what it might be like.

#187. Have you ever been to a farm? What did you like about it? If you haven’t been to a farm, do you think you might like to visit one? Why or why not?

#188. The mayor of the city has a big problem and needs your help! What is the problem and how will you solve it?

#189. Pretend your little sister ate carrots for dinner and the next morning woke up with rabbit ears! How did this happen? What do you do? Will she be a rabbit forever?

#190. Imagine you wake up in the morning to find out you get to relive any day of your life again for the whole day. What day would you want to experience again and why?

#191. Do you think you might like to be a firefighter? Why or why not?

#192. You are a lawyer and your client has been accused of stealing a car. How do you convince the jury your client is innocent?

#193. Think of the four elements: fire, air, earth, and water. Which of these four elements do you like the best?

#194. What would you do if you could be invisible for a whole day? Do you think you would enjoy it or be glad to be back to normal the next day? Write about it!

#195. Imagine you are a meteorologist and people are starting to get angry that your weather predictions are always wrong. What do you do?

#196. If you could create any law, what would it be? Why do you think the law is an important one to have?

#197. You are going incognito and need to hide to your identity so you aren’t recognized or discovered while you walk through the city. What type of disguise do you wear?

#198. Write a persuasive letter to your parents explaining why you should get a new pet. Make sure you provide a convincing argument they won’t be able to refuse!

#199. Your friend wants to do something dangerous. What should you do?

#200. How do you think the world would be different if there were no oceans?

#201. What do you do when someone disagrees with your opinions? Is there a better way to handle conflicting opinions?

#202. What do you think you as a kid could do to help encourage more people to read?

#203. Do you have a good luck charm? What makes this item lucky? When do you use it? How do you use it?

#204. What is at the end of a rainbow? Imagine you follow a rainbow to the end. What do you discover? Is it a pot of gold, or something else?

Use these prompts in your classroom! Get the ad-free printable version of these prompts to inspire your students to write! Thank you for your support!

#205. What do you think the consequences should be for someone who is caught cheating on a test at school?

#206. Imagine you are riding your bike one day when you encounter an older kid who wants to steal your bike. What do you do?

#207. You are the lead singer and star of a famous rock and roll band, but there is one problem – your drummer is jealous of your fame! How do you solve this situation?

#208. If you could help a group of kids in any part of the world, what kids would you want to help the most and why? What are some things you think would help these kids?

#209. Everyone knows the house on the end of the street is haunted. What are some of the strange things that happen there? Why is the house haunted?

#210. You notice at school one day there is a door to a secret passage next to the janitor’s closet and decide to explore. Where does it lead? Why is it there? Do you go alone or bring a friend along?

#211. A bucket list is a list of things you want to accomplish in your lifetime. What are 5 things on your bucket list?

#212. Imagine the perfect treehouse or clubhouse for you and all of your friends as a place to hang out. Describe what it is like inside.

#213. Do you get bored easily? Make a list of things you can do whenever you feel like you are bored and there is nothing fun to do!

#214. Now vs. Then: Think about how today is different from one year ago. How have you changed? What things in your life are different?

#215. Write your autobiography about your life.

#216. It’s a heat wave! What do you do when the weather is hot? What are some of your favorite ways to stay cool?

#217. What are three important safety tips every kid should know to stay safe?

#218. What genre of books do you like to read the most? Write about the characteristics of the genre and list some of your favorite books as examples.

#219. Holiday Traditions: How does your family celebrate the different holidays and events? What are some traditions you do each and every year?

#220. Imagine one day in science class a science experiment goes terribly wrong and now you and all of your classmates have superpowers! What are your superpowers and what do you do with them?

#221. Who is favorite teacher? Why are they your favorite?

#222. You are baking a cake, but you accidentally put salt in the cake instead of sugar. Nobody will eat it! How do you feel? What will you do next time?

#223. Do you think it is important to have good table manners? What do you think some good manners to practice might be?

#224. Many schools no longer teach cursive handwriting. Do you think this is a good or bad thing? Do you know how to write cursive handwriting? Would you like to learn if you haven’t?

#225. If you were the owner of a theme park, what types of rides and attractions would have? Describe what they would be like and why people would want to visit your park.

#226. Your parents give you $100 to spend at the grocery store. What do you buy and why?

#227. Some people who are alive today grew up without computers or video games. What would you do if you didn’t have a computer or video games? How would life be different?

#228. You walk into your living room and discover there is a giant elephant standing there. How did the elephant get there? What do you do about it? How do you explain the elephant in the living room to your parents?

#229. Have you ever had a weird dream? What happened in the dream? What do you think it means?

#230. Do you like to draw or paint? Write a story inspired by a painting, doodle, or sketch.

#231. You are being sent on a mission to outer space to live in a space station for 5 years. What supplies do you pack and why?

#232. What is the scariest creature alive on earth? Describe in detail what makes it so horrifying.

#233. What do you think your pet might say if they could talk to you?

#234. Imagine your school is putting on a talent show. What act will you perform? What other acts will be in the show?

#235. If you could breathe under water, what would you do?

#236. What time of day do you think school should start? Write a convincing argument on why or why not the time of day school starts should change.

#237. If you were to start your own YouTube video channel, what would the videos on your channel be about?

#238. Do you like to cook? What are some things you like to make and eat?

#239. Your school is having a field day and you are in charge of planning the activities and games. What types of activities and games would you plan for the event?

#240. If you had a remote control drone that takes video of everything it sees from the sky and you could take it anywhere, what would you film? For example, the inside of a volcano or soar it over the plains of Africa.

#241. The Bermuda Triangle is an area of the ocean where many ships and planes have gone missing. Why do you think this could be? Write a story about what it might be like to travel there.

#242. There are 7 great wonders of the world – which one do you think is the most wonderful?

#243. If you could speak any foreign language fluently, which one would you like to speak and why?

#244. You are inventing a new flavor of ice cream! What is the new flavor called and what ingredients do you need to make it?

#245. Would you rather go to a baseball game or read a good book? What reasons do you have for your choice?

#246. You walk outside to get your mail and your mailbox starts talking to you! What does your mailbox have to say?

#247. Imagine you are a famous person. What are you most famous for? What is it like to be famous?

#248. What do you think would be the most fun job in the world to have? Give examples of why you think it would be a fun job to have.

#249. Write a poem about an object that is shiny and dazzling.

#250. Do you like to watch the Olympics? Why or why not? If yes, what is your favorite Olympic sport?

#251. What kind of car do you want to drive when you are older? Do you think learning to drive will be easy or hard?

#252. What do you think would make for a great gift to give someone on their birthday?

#253. Describe a time when you needed help and someone helped you. What did they help you with and how did it make you feel?

#254. If you could be any type of fruit or vegetable, what would you be and why?

Love these prompts? Get the ad-free printable version of these prompts to use at home or in the classroom!

#255. Do you think it is more important to have a good imagination or have all the facts proven?

#256. Do you have a favorite aunt, uncle, or another relative? Write a story about their life and why you like to be with them.

#257. Think of a time you laughed really, really hard. What was so funny? Why were you laughing? Write about it!

#258. Write a poem about an emotion. For example: happy, sad, angry, embarrassed, guilty.

#259. Do you ever have a hard time falling asleep? What are some things that help you feel sleepy?

#260. If you could drive a car, where would you drive and why?

#261. Imagine you are trading places with your friend for a day. What will it be like to be at their house? What will your friend think while they are at your house? Write about it!

#262. If you could break a world record, what would it be? What do you think would be necessary to be able to break the world record?

#263. Imagine you live in Colonial times. What would it be like to grow up as a kid in Colonial America?

#264. You are building a new city. What is the name of your city? What is the weather like? What buildings will you build?

#265. What do you think it would be like to work as a sailor on big ship in the ocean each day?

#266. Imagine you are the teacher for the day. What types of activities do you make the students in the class do?

#267. How would you feel if your parents told you that you would be getting a new baby brother or sister? Write about it!

#268. Do you know any good jokes? What are some of your favorite jokes? What makes them funny? Do you think you could write your own?

#269. Imagine you are floating down a river on a raft. What types of things can you see from the river that you normally wouldn’t see from the land?

#270. You want to start a new hobby collecting something. What kinds of things would you collect and why?

#271. Your mom announces she is having a yard sale. Would you let her sell any of your things? Why or why not?

#272. Imagine you walk out your front door one morning and it is raining popcorn! What do you do?

#273. You are camping in the woods one night and hear a scary noise. What do you do? What might be the cause?

#274. What do you think might make kids really happy to go to school? What are some things you think schools should do so that it could be more fun?

#275. Today’s lunch at the cafeteria was unusually horrible. You are a detective on the case to investigate. What do you think is the cause?

#276. If you had a tree that grows money, what would you do?

#277. What would you do if you had a unicorn as a pet?

#278. Would you rather go to the zoo or go to the aviary? Which one would you pick and why?

#279. What are some safety tips you should follow when riding a bike?

#280. You are designing the cover of a magazine. What are some of the headlines on the cover?

#281. Are you afraid of the dark? Why or why not?

#282. If you could learn to play any type of musical instrument, which one would you like to learn how to play and why?

#283. Imagine you are playing a sport that involves a ball, such as soccer, baseball or kickball. What would it be like if the ball could talk?

#284. You come home to discover a friendly alien has been living in your closet. What do you do? Why is there an alien in your closet?

#285. Is there something you are afraid of that you wish you weren’t afraid of? Write about it.

#286. Write about the best party you’ve ever been to. What made the day fun and special?

#287. What makes you feel loved and cared about? What are some ways people can show you that they love and care about you?

#288. There is a kite flying competition coming up and you are going to design your own kite. What will your kite look like? What colors will it be? Will it have any certain shape?

#289. You are given the challenge to drop an egg on the floor – without it breaking! What are some things you might try to make sure the egg won’t break?

#290. What are some of the things you can do every day to stay healthy?

#291. Do you think grown-ups are boring? Why do you think they are so boring all of the time? What is something fun that boring grown-ups could do instead of being so boring?

#292. Write a lyrical poem or song about what kids do while they are at school all day long.

#293. What are the first things you like to do when you are done with school each day? What are some of the activities you like when you are not at school?

#294. Imagine dinosaurs were still alive today. How do you think our lives would be different?

#295. Would you rather visit a volcano or a desert? Which one would you choose and why?

#296. Is there a sound you think is annoying? What types of sounds drive you crazy? Write about them!

#297. What do you think it would be like to be the size of an ant for a day? What types of things would you do?

Writing Prompt: What would it be like if your teddy bear came to life?

#298. Imagine one of your stuffed animals comes to life and starts talking to you. What types of things will you talk about? What will you do?

#299. What makes you feel happiest? Write about the things in life that make you feel happy!

#300. Imagine there is no gravity. What kind of things would you do you for fun? How would some of the things you already do for fun be different?

Parents and teachers, I hope you enjoyed these 300 writing prompts for kids and that you will use them to inspire your children’s creative imaginations.

These prompts of course can be used in a number of different ways and can be adapted for a variety of different styles of writing !

What do you think? Do you think these are good conversation and story starters for kids? Do you have any ideas for writing prompts you would like to share?

And of course, if you’d like to make it super fun and easy to use these prompts at home or in your classroom, be sure to get our ad-free printable version of these kids writing prompt cards now available in my Etsy shop.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on different creative writing ideas and topics for kids to write about! Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

7 Creative Writing Exercises For Writers

365 Creative Writing Prompts

108 Romance Writing Prompts & Love Story Ideas

42 Fantasy Writing Prompts & Plot Ideas

101 Poetry Prompts & Ideas for Writing Poems

48 comments.

These are awesome! I feel like answering the questions myself! Thanks a million!

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

Lovely and amazing help

I wrote all 300! but my fingers hurt badly now. :l But i got to admit these are exellent questions!

Hi. Thanks for this list. So many great ideas. I will definitely use some of them for my Language Arts class.

hi people THIS WAS SO LONG but so worth it for my class thx mate

This was great for homework

Thank you for the topics. It was really helpful

Your writing prompts are awesome

These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. I will definitely be using it with my kids.

Thank you! I hope they enjoy the writing prompts!

I love these, they are awesome and very helpful too. Thank you very much.

these questions hooked me on easily thanks your the best!

They are all good prompts

This is always good and improves the brain.

These are very useful and very enjoyable topics, i enjoy by giving these to my students , their creations are marvelous

It’s was very long but worth it

This is good. I love it. It helps me in my studies. I share it with my friends children that likes the writing. We love it. Please, think of another writing.

Thanks! Worth printing and providing for my middle school students as a first week of the year activity. Must have taken you ages to come up with all 300 of these!

I’m glad to hear you can use them for your students! It did take some time, but it’s well worth it knowing it might inspire kids to write! 🙂

You need a printable version of this!!

Hi Katelyn, we have one! https://gumroad.com/UBnsO Hope you enjoy!

The link doesn’t seem to be working for me… Could you send me a copy of the list, please?

Hi Tori, the printable version of this post is available as an ad-free paid upgrade – you can purchase it through my Gumroad store: https://gum.co/UBnsO

I quite liked your ideas, I’ll try a few, surely!

How long did it take for you guys to make 300 ideas?

Definitely took some time Vilenti, but it was definitely worth writing all of them! Our prompts reach over a million people a year and are used in literacy, poverty, and mental health programs worldwide. 🙂

These were awesome, thanks a TON

i have school work and this is one thing i do.

i do this for school work to

i do this for school work

Hello Chelle, thanks a lot for this. During these tough Covid times, I find your list to be a great idea to engage kids. Have got them started on some today. Hopefully this will be a long term engagement for them.

The prompts are grrrreat

This was really helpful i have looked for a lot of these, that have a lot of topics and only found one other good one and finished it all, i got to 17 and was like are they all this good! And they all are so thanks!

Glad you enjoyed them!

These are awesome

These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.

I loved looking at these prompts!! They were very helpful. I am loving writing and supporting my claims with these prompts. You should post more ideas!! Thanks for sharing the prompts.

Do you have any more?

This really was think written

I’d like to use a few of your questions in a journal for adults that I am creating for sale. I will absolutely credit you at the beginning of the book. Is that okay with you or not? I don’t want to infringe on any copyright laws. I think I used about ten of them.

Hi Kristen, you cannot use these prompts for products for sale, that would definitely be an infringement on copyright. These prompts can only be used for non-commercial use.

this is the greatest app ever

I like all the questions

thank you for all the ideas they are so good

OMG These are all very good and many questions i like all these Thankyou soooooooooooo much for these

I’m in class doing this and it is so fun yes every body is doing this

I LOVE these! My daughter and I stumbled across a post full of fun writing prompts on another website but they were more geared for adults. This list is HUGE and perfect for us to tackle together. Thank you! ❤️

Writing Topics

Minilessons
Shopping Cart
Inside Grammar
Grammar Adventures
CCSS Correlations
Infographics

How do I use writing topics in my classroom?

Do you want to inspire your students to write great narratives, essays, and reports? Check out these grade-specific writing topics organized by mode (explanatory, creative, and so on). Or search for writing topics that relate to a theme, such as “life” or “animals” or “family.”

Jump to . . .

Explanatory writing.

A day in the rainforest
After-school games
An important person I know about
At the library
Foods I don't like
Friendly places
Games I play with friends
Games we play at recess
Good things in my neighborhood
How plants grow
How to make my favorite dessert
How to make new friends
I like spring because . . .
I like to make . . .
I'd like to see . . .
Insects, insects everywhere
Learning to ride a bike
My favorite food
My favorite pet
My favorite season
My mom's/dad's hobby
My new friend
My shopping list
Our clubhouse
The biggest bubble-gum bubble
The funniest zoo animal
This person makes me laugh
What I know about . . .
What I know about an animal
What I know about dinosaurs
What I know about stars
What I know about the ocean
What I like about math
What makes me laugh?
What will I share?
Who I will be in the future
Who's at the zoo?
Why I like to read
Why I love to sing
Words I think are funny

Persuasive Writing

Don't litter!
Things that would make my neighborhood better

Narrative Writing

A day at the beach
A special birthday
Buying something with my own money
Cooking dinner with Mom/Dad
Eating lunch with my friends
Going grocery shopping
Going to the circus
I rode on a . . .
I'm happy when . . .
Losing my teeth
My adventure
My trip to . . .
Noisy times and quiet times
Playing a game with Grandma/Grandpa
Playing with pets
Something funny that happened to me
The biggest thing I ever saw
The last time I cried
When _ was born

Response to Literature

A book I just read
Some of my favorite books

Creative Writing

A story about a holiday
A trip on a rocket ship
Dear George Washington
Seeing the world through the eyes of . . .
Sometimes I wish . . .
What if I met a . . .
What if I were 10 years old?
What if I were someone else?
What if toys could talk?
What's under my bed?

Research Writing

I wonder why . . .
Something I don't understand
A bicycle I'd like to have
A day in the desert
A great place to go
A great treehouse
A place I like to visit
A sport I'm good at
A trip on a monorail
Activities for indoor fun
Activities for outdoor fun
Amazing facts I know
An amazing animal
Dancing to the music
Having fun at school
Helping out around the house
Magic tricks I can do
Making my favorite food
My favorite baby-sitter
My favorite board game
My favorite teacher
My homework place
Our classroom pet
Some things I like about the museum
The best house pets
The weirdest house pets
Things that are hard to believe
Things to do in the snow
Unusual fruits and vegetables
Water balloons!
What I like about where I live
What makes me special
Who is beautiful?
Let's help the environment by . . .
Things I'd like to change
A cozy spot at home
A funny time in my family
A great day with a friend
A helpful person I have met
A person who means the world to me
A walk in the woods
Funny things my pet has done
My best birthday
My favorite family story
Putting on a play
Swimming at the pool or lake
When everything goes wrong
Book characters I'd like to meet
A dark hallway
Donuts for dinner
Something I wish would happen
What if there were no electricity
All about an amazing animal

Business Writing

A cartoon character that I like
A song that means a lot to me
A special photograph
A special, secret place
A trip in a submarine
An important time in history
Building a fort
Creatures that live in the ocean
Creepy, crawly things
Dirt bikes and skateboards
Do I want to be famous?
Doing homework
Going to the dentist
Gone fishing!
How to stop hiccups
How we divide the chores at our house
I don't understand why . . .
I'd like to invent a machine that . . .
If I started my own business, I'd . . .
Instructions for a pet sitter of my pet
Let's help the animals by . . .
Looking at the globe
My favorite clothes
My favorite form of exercise
Pizza is . . .
Staying at a friend's house
The first day of school is the worst/best because . . .
The rules we follow
Things I see when I take a walk
What I use a computer for
What if I were the teacher?
What is important to me?
What it's like to use a wheelchair
What my dreams feel like
When I see nature, I . . .
Why I like/dislike playing team sports
Why my mom and dad are the greatest
My school really needs . . .
A day in the life of my pet
A visit to a friend's school
An excellent birthday party
Discovering a new friend
Getting my first pair of glasses
Grandma's attic
I'll never eat another . . .
My best day
My first school memories
My most embarrassing moment
Rings on her fingers
Talk about being scared!
When I did something amazing
When I was upside down
When the big storm hit
If I wrote like the author of . . .
A really spooky story
Summer games
What if we suddenly had to move?
A game that meant a lot to my childhood
A school field trip
A toy I've held onto all these years
A trip to a space station
A typical lunch hour
Can farmers grow enough food for everyone?
Here's what a new student needs to know
How I can change the way I look
How I picture myself four years from now
How I would define the word . . .
I would have liked to have lived during this time.
I'm principal for the day. Here is my schedule.
I've done something that no one else has done
If I could be someone else, I would be . . .
My bedroom from top to bottom
My favorite place
My idea of a fun weekend
My life as a . . .
My participation in an activity outside of school
One thing I want to do by the time I leave 8th grade
Overcoming health problems
The wildest hairstyle I have ever seen
What a family member taught me
What a house of the future might look like
What I broke or lost that belongs to someone else
A big hazard on the road
A big problem in education is . . .
A cool store
A dedicated teacher or coach
Dear Senator
Discover nature
Finally, a good assembly
How could TV be better?
Let's save _ in our schools
My best class ever
My favorite neighbor
My favorite singer(s)
Rights that kids in my grade should have
The worst food I ever ate
This really bugs me
What's good about hard work?
Why I deserve a larger allowance
Why parents should be honest with their kids
Why school fund-raisers are important
Why weekends need to be longer
A memorable bus ride
A narrow escape from trouble
A time that was just not fair
A visit to a relative's house
If I lived back in history
If only I would have listened!
My first concert
My first friend
Summer in a cabin by a lake
The most fun I've had recently
We couldn't stop laughing!
We got caught!
When I was lost
A great book made into a great movie
My favorite character from a book
What if a book came to life?
What this story means to me
How _ came to be.
Life among the cloud people
Long ago and far away
Meeting myself in the future
Traveling west in a wagon train
When the dinosaurs returned
A job I'd really like to have
All about an amazing place
The most fascinating things I learned
The tallest, the deepest, the longest, the biggest
When I conducted an experiment
When science took a big leap forward

Personal Writing

The book that got me hooked on reading
A day I will always remember
A friend who moved away
A great scientific breakthrough
A person who changed history
A personal habit I'd like to change
A project I am working on
A typical evening at home
A visit with the doctor or dentist
An invention that transformed the world
Causes of a huge change in the world
Coping with brothers and sisters
Hanging out
How a vehicle works
How do people cope with constant pain?
How I express myself artistically
How it would feel to walk in space
I admit it: I enjoy professional wrestling.
I take some things too seriously
If I were a superhero, I'd be . . .
Is pollution a necessary evil?
Is this love?
Morning madness
My craziest experience in a restaurant or shopping mall
My dream car
My first crush
My first encounter with a bully
My muscles were so sore after . . .
My Web site
Self-esteem
Something this school really needs is . . .
Sometimes, adults seem . . .
The environment: problem and solution
The hardest thing I have ever done
The idea hit me like a tornado.
The next wave of social media
The toys I'll never give up
Tools I will need in my intended profession
We all make mistakes
What animals can teach people
What different colors mean to me
What do Americans do well?
What do I do to break routine?
What do I worry about?
What if school sports were dropped?
What invention would I like to see in my lifetime?
What it's like where I work
Who knows me best?
Why are crime dramas so popular?
Why are some people so cruel?
"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal."
A change that would improve school life
Foods I love, foods I hate
I couldn't believe that Mom/Dad volunteered me for that job
It's a rule, so it's right . . . right?
Let's hear it for my favorite senior citizen
Let's push alternate forms of energy
Putting my foot in my mouth
The government should . . .
What most drives me crazy is . . .
Why appearance is not so important
Why I deserve the job
_ is like a boomerang
A funny thing happened when . . .
A meaningful gift I've given or received
A time when I got in trouble
An unforgettable dream
Looking at pictures of family and friends
My brother or sister made me so mad
My worst vacation
What I regret most
When I faced my fears
When I learned something difficult
When I traveled to . . .
A remarkable artist
An all-new album from an important artist
An amazing work of art
Meet the characters of . . .
The music that moves me most
The theme of my favorite story is . . .
Alone on a desert island

25 Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

Writing helps children develop their communication, emotional intelligence, self-expression, and confidence. We know this skill doesn't always come naturally to children, so we're here to make it easy and fun to learn!

Here are 25 fantastically fun writing prompts for you to try, whether you’re homeschooling , or simply looking for an educational activity to do at the weekend:

You find a door in the school that you have never seen before. You peer through the large keyhole and see something that resembles a time machine… What happens next? Do you try to open the door?
Write a story about a Monster that shows up at your birthday party.
Write a story about a magical ring that can grant all your favorite things. Until…
You are the main character in your favorite video game. What happens?
Story starter: You’re watching your favorite movie when suddenly, you get pulled into the screen! After a moment of confusion, you discover that you’ve replaced the main character... What happens next?
You’re building your dream treehouse, but first you need to get all the materials you need to complete it! Can you write a list of everything you need to build your treehouse?
Your best friend gives you their favorite book, and you find out it has magical powers! What are its magical powers? How will you use them?
Once upon a time, in Fairy Tale Land, there lived a sad, sad princess. She was always teased by her family members, so she set off on an adventure…
Time for an adventure story: you wake up in a spaceship and a fellow astronaut tells you that you’re there to explore outer space. What happens? Do you discover a new planet? Who do you meet?
What is your favorite animal, and what is the funniest thing about them? Write a report on this and include as many fun facts as you can!
A package arrives. It is shaking violently.The worst part is you didn’t order anything. Write a short story about what happens when you open the package.
Can you describe your favorite food? Is it ice cream? A burger? Pasta? Tell us all about it!
You’re walking through the park when you spot a group of older kids playing your favorite sport. As you approach them to ask if you can join them, you spot a very shiny object by a tree. As you get closer, you can’t believe what you’ve discovered... What is it? And what happens next?
You find yourself stranded on a desert island. As you search for other people and food, you find a cell phone that seems to be giving you directions to a mysterious location. Are you accepting the quest? What challenges do you face? Do you find a treasure, or something more dangerous? Write an exciting adventure story based on your quest to solve this mystery.
Write an acrostic poem about your favorite season.
You discover an animal that you’ve never seen before and it bestows some magical powers on you that change your life! Write a letter to a good friend explaining this.
If I Found One Million Dollars… Write an adventure story that starts when you discover a bag containing one million dollars. Do you spend it, or save it? Do you buy all your favorite toys, or do you pretend you never found anything?
Pretend that you are a “grown-up” who is 70 or 80 years old. Write a complaint about what is wrong with “kids these days”!
If your favorite holiday is Christmas, we’ve got a secret mission for you: write a story persuading Santa that you could be his very best elf.
Chindōgu (珍道具) is the Japanese art of inventing useless gadgets. Design a useless gadget and persuade people to buy it!
What superpower would you NOT want and why?
If you could create the perfect TV show, what would it be? What would happen?
Write a story about what you think it’d be like to visit another planet for the first time.
Can you invent your own company and write about what it would do?
Journal writing prompt: What are your favorite things about yourself? Write a list of all the things that make you unique and special.

More Writing Resources for Kids

We hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of creative writing prompts for kids! For more creative writing ideas and prompts, check these out:

Elementary Writing Prompts
Picture Writing Prompts
Writing Activities For Kids

Our Writing Program For Kids

If you’re looking for a little extra guidance and support, we can help! Our writing program for kids makes learning fantastically fun for children aged 6 to 12. Our award-winning content will improve your child's writing skills whilst keeping them engaged - they won't even realize they're learning!

Try our program for FREE today!

Got any questions? Reach out to us via email at [email protected] , or through our social media pages:

Make Reading & Writing Fantastically Fun

❤ Personalized feedback on your child's work
❤ Improves spelling, grammar and writing skills
❤ Over 1,000 different learning games and activities

“My Child Hates Writing.” What do I do?

How To Get Your Child To Love Writing

Top 7 Writing Activities For Kids

11 Plus EXAM Tuition | Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and GCSE Tuition | IN-PERSON IN BECKENHAM and Lewisham CENTRES | Online Tuition

15 Creative Writing Prompts for 11-year-olds Preparing for the 11 Plus English Exam

If your child is in year 5 of primary school, then chances are they may be sitting their 11+ exams soon.

In many of the 11 Plus exams will be an English paper that includes a creative essay, in which your child will be expected to demonstrate their literacy skills creatively by using extensive language, grammar and punctuation.

In order to put their best foot forward, your child will need to prepare adequately – there is no such thing as too much practice when it comes to writing. That’s why we have created some free creative writing resources , including the following 15 creative writing prompts to help your child exercise their creativity

Don’t forget – we have lots of writing prompts books and booklets, too! See below:

15 Creative Writing Prompts

Launch rocket spaceship startup business

Let’s say you could create your own animal, what would it look like? How would you describe it in terms of size, colour and height? What would it sound like? What does it eat?
Write a story about a day in your life from the viewpoint of a mouse.
Imagine you are 10 years older. Write about what the 21-year-old version of you would be like.
Imagine that you were chosen as one of the first people to visit Mars. What would you take with you and what do you think the planet would be like?
If you switched places with your parents for a day, how would you run the house? What rules would you introduce and which rules would you change?

Pages: 1 2 3

2 responses to “15 Creative Writing Prompts for 11-year-olds Preparing for the 11 Plus English Exam”

127 Story Starters & Writing Prompts for Kids (Ages 10 – 14)

Coming up with story starters for kids can be difficult. This article provides 127 writing prompts that can get kids’ creative writing off to a great start. Download my three great creative writing lesson plans that I use as a supply teacher. They’re easy-to-use lessons that you can teach on the go.

Article Key Points

Select from the list of 127 writing prompts below for story ideas that you like.
Put these writing ideas in a hat and have students randomly pick out their assigned story.
Use the 3 lesson plans provided for a ready-made creative writing lesson. Great for supply teachers!

creative writing prompts and story starters for kids

You can get my printable story starters sheet at the end of this article

A full list of 127 story starters and writing prompts for kids

Writing prompts for adventure stories.

A princess who needs to rescue a puppy from a river.
A family on a road trip who got lost and ended up on a whole new adventure.
Two friends who go on an adventure down a river on a rowboat.

A superhero who lost his superpowers in the middle of a rescue.

A kid who wakes up one day to find out he / she was turned into a dog.
The day in the life of an inanimate object (tree, statue, etc.).
Three friends who can time travel forward in time. What will the world look like when they arrive?

The main character of your story has to escape a pirate ship after being captured in the night.

Pioneers travelling the whole way across a new land in just a wagon. What challenges will they face?
You’re a detective trying to uncover a crime: someone stole grandma’s apple pie when it was cooling on the windowsill!
You walk past a phone booth that is ringing. You answer the phone. Who is on the other end?

You wake up one day to find out that you grew and you’re suddenly 12 feet tall! You try to go to school but you find life’s hard as a giant…

A giant and a mouse live in a house together and are best friends. Tell a story about them preparing dinner together. What would each eat, and how would their preparations be different?
You’re half way up Mount Everest when you drop your pack with all your climbing gear off a cliff. What are you going to do about it?
A dorky kid suddenly develops superpowers and fights crime in the city at night.

A talking dog and his best friend race against time to defuse a bomb.

A firefighter is in a race against time to put out a fire before it burns down a magical forest full of talking animals (who help him / her to put out the fire!). Help him put out the fire safely !
You are walking along the beach and find a message in a bottle. The message provides the directions to something special – follow the directions!
Write a story about a refugee. They have recently had to flee their home to go to a safer place. Explain their journey.

You wake up one day and you’re only 6 inches tall! Write the story of what happens next – will you go on an adventure? Will you go to school? What will your parents say when they see you?

Write a story about being lost in a maze. How did it make you feel? What did you come across as you turned corners in your attempt to escape?
You’re going camping but you’re only allowed to bring 5 belongings. What would you bring, and why?
You’re the only survivor of a plane that has crashed in the wilderness. Describe how you will survive.

You’re a book that keeps getting passed from person to person and bookshop to bookshop. What sorts of people read your book and what crazy places do you end up going?

You’re 5 feet tall and live in a garden. How will you make your own comfortable little home in amongst the leaves?
You’ve found yourself trapped in a prison cell. What creative ways will you come up with to escape?
You dig a hole in your backyard and find a treasure. What is the treasure and what will you do with it?

You have to set up a new colony on Mars. Who would you take with you and what struggles will you have setting up your new colony? Who would be king? What would be the rules?

You have magical pockets. Every time you put your hand in your pocket, you pull something else out! Write a story of the 5 different, random things you pull out of your pockets. Will some of them be slimy and scary? Will some be alive? Will some be tasty?

Writing prompts for stories about your life

Your favorite memory with your family.
The best vacation or adventure you ever had.
A time you went to the dentist.

Your two favorite movies (and how they’re similar and different).

What you think would happen at a dinner party involving any three of your favorite people (living or dead).
Your hero and why they’re your hero.
Write a story about your ideal day. Start with your alarm going off to wake you up, and end with you closing your eyes and falling asleep.

The happiest moment of your life. What was it that made you so happy?

What a day in your life would be like if you had your dream job.
You have swapped jobs with one of your parents. You have to go to work for the day and they have to go to school. What funny things will happen?
Write a story about a dream you have had in your past. Was it a logical story, or did your dream defy the rules of the world? If you can’t remember your dream, you can make it up or fill in the gaps.

Write a story about a time you were wrong and how you felt. Were you glad you learned something new? Were you ashamed? Did you apologize?

Write a story about your favorite place. If you don’t have a favorite place, invent one and explain why it would be your favorite place.
Write about a skill you recently learned. Was it frustrating? After learning the skill how did you feel? How do you use the skill in your life now?
Write a story about the things you think about just before you go to sleep at night.

Write about exactly what you’re going to do when you get home from school today.

Write a story about all the things you’re grateful for and why you’re grateful for each one.
Write about the moment your parents or grandparents met and how they felt at that time. If you don’t know about it, make it up!
Write about your first day at high school or university. What will your emotions be? Will you meet anyone?

Read Also: A List of 107 Effective Classroom Teaching Strategies

Writing prompts for imaginative stories

What you would do if you could travel back in time to hang out with one of your ancestors.
You have a metal detector and are using it on a beach. What do you turn up? Describe it and what you would do with it.
You invent your own tree house. Describe it – how do you get into it? How many rooms are there and what is in each room?

You could travel back in time to any time in world history. What is it and why?

You meet a fairy who gives you any one gift – what would it be and how would you use it?
You just bought a haunted house and are about to spend your first night in it. It’s run down and creepy. Describe your first night, starting with when you step in the door at 5 pm.
You’re shipwrecked on a deserted island with only 5 of your belongings. Which would they be and why?

Imagine an older version of you has traveled back in time and has come to give you advice. What advice will they give you and what will your conversation be like?

Imagine you’re a farmer. Describe the farm animals or plants you would farm and a day in your life.
Write a story about having fear of the grass, but needing to walk through a park. How will you get across the park without touching the grass!?
Imagine it’s the world 2100 and climate change has changed the climate where you live. Describe the new climate, the new plants that grow there, and whether it’s extremely hot or extremely cold!

Imagine an ice age has arrived and the whole world is -30 degrees! How will you live? In an igloo? What clothes would you wear? Would the cities be made of ice? Explain a day in the life.

You have created your own personal robot. What does the robot do and how does this improve your life?
You wake up one day and the only people left in the world are 3 of your closest friends. How will you survive?
Your house has been converted into a spaceship and you’re flying to the mysterious planet Obertoron. What is the climate like in this new planet? What challenges do you face settling into this new planet?

You are in the middle of a lesson at school when … suddenly gravity stops working and everything starts floating into the air!

You can breathe underwater and go on underwater adventures to a city under the sea. You’re on a mission to save the city from an evil octopus.
You wake up in the morning and suddenly you’re 30 years old. What is a day in the life of the 30 year old version of you?
Make up the rules of your own sport. You can get inspiration from real sports or a made up sport like Quidditch.

Write a story about the most peaceful place you could imagine. What is surrounding you that makes it so peaceful?

Peter Pan flies in through the window to teach you to fly. Describe how it feels to fly out the window and look down on the streets below.
You’re in a garbage dump sifting for goodies. What do you find and what do you do with it?
You receive a mysterious item in the mail. Describe the item and why you might have received it.

You can read minds. What are the thoughts in the heads of people around you? Are you glad you can read minds, or will you end up regretting it?

You’re born into royalty and will be the future king or queen. How are people treating you and what will be your responsibilities? Are you happy about being the future monarch, or will you end up just wishing you were a normal person.
You’re the president, king or prime minister for the day. What will you do today to improve your society or change the world?
Invent your own movie. What is the main character’s name and what is the movie’s plot? How will the movie end?

Imagine you’re a mermaid for a day. What sea creatures would you talk to? Where would you sleep and live under the sea?

Imagine you are a teacher. What would you teach and why?
Imagine you have a secret hatch under your bed that takes you into your own private cave. What will you keep in your cave that makes it the prefect secret room for you?
Imagine you woke up one morning and there was no electricity for the next year. What would change about your life?

Write a story that involves the following 5 objects: a foot, a lake, a spaceship, a pizza, and a dinosaur.

Imagine you’re from a tribe that has never had contact with anyone else in the world. You go for a walk and stumble upon a city. Explain how you feel and what you see.
Everything you touch with your right hand turns to candy. Write about a day in your life and the sorts of issues you might come across during your day.
You feel the emotions of all the people around you. Write about a day walking through a city, the people you see, and how your emotions go up and down like a roller coaster.
Imagine your toys have come to life (like in Toy Story!) What sorts of things will they get up to while you’re at school?

Writing prompts for descriptive stories

Write a story about the weather. Choose one type of weather (thunderstorm, sunny day, humidity, rain) and describe it. Use adverbs, adjectives and superlatives to describe how the weather makes you feel.
Write a story about a delicious feast you made for your friends. What will be served? Describe its taste in your mouth. Don’t forget to describe the appetizers, main course and dessert!
Pretend you are the god of your own little world and you can invent an animal. What would its features be? Think about its head, body and limbs. Don’t forget to describe its skin (fur? Scales? hair?), eyes, mouth (or is it a beak or bill?), ears, fingers, etc.

You are on the train observing other people and listening in to their conversations. Describe the people on the train and what they’re doing with their lives.

You are Santa Claus and you’re reading children’s wish lists. Describe three different children’s wish lists. The children need to have different personalities and this needs to be reflected in their wish list.
You’ve been given $100 to spend in the supermarket. Start the story of you walking down the aisle trying to pick out what you want. First you’ll describe 7 objects that you find, but then you can only choose 3. Explain your choice.
Describe the taste of chocolate to someone who has never tasted it before. How will you explain it?

You’ve met someone who has never smiled before. Explain to them how to smile without using the word ‘smile’.

Describe what it’s like to see to someone who was born blind.
Describe what it’s like to hear to someone who was born deaf.
You start your own club. What would the club be, and what would be the conditions for entry to the club?

You’re about to take an exam. Describe your feelings before the exam begins, then your feelings during the exam, and finally your feelings after you leave!

You’re walking through a refugee camp. Describe what you see.
Write a story about how you feel on the first warm, sunny day of the year.
Describe snow to someone who has never seen or touched it.

Write a story about how it feels to be cold to someone who’s from Jamaica and has never felt the cold!

Write a story about how it feels to be hot to someone from the North Pole who’s never felt the heat!
You invent your own board game . What is the theme and what are the rules?
Describe what it feels to walk through a city to someone who has never been in the city before.

Describe what it feels like to be all alone in the forest to someone who’s never been in among trees before.

You move into a new house and have to set up your new bedroom. What would its theme be? What posters would you put on the walls?
You’re an architect and can design your dream house. What would it look like? What rooms would there be? What cool things would you include in your new house?
If there was one thing you could invent, what would it be? Describe it and how it is used.

A fire has started in your home. You can only save 3 of your belongings. What are they and why would you save them?

You make a new friend. Describe the friend’s personality and why you like them so much.
You have to plan a birthday party for yourself. What will be the party’s them? Where will it be?
You can invent your own car. What special features will it have that will make it your ideal car?

You are going to go a full year without creating and trash. Write about the lifestyle changes you will make in order to prevent making trash. How will you get food without wrappings?

There is a new kid who has arrived at school today. Write about what you will do to make them feel welcome.
You have to buy Christmas gifts for all of your family members. Describe what the gifts will be and why you think they’re ideal for each family member.
You can change your style to any style you like: what would you wear, what would your hair look like, and what sort of music would you listen to?

Describe what it’s like to feel hungry to someone who’s never felt hunger before in their life.

You have $50 to buy food for a week. What foods will you buy and why? Will you focus on health food to keep yourself healthy, or binge on junk that tastes so yummy?
Imagine you work for the post office. What is a day in your life? What dogs will you come across? What different sorts of letters will you deliver? Happy letters? Sad letters?
Describe what it feels like to take a shower to someone who’s never had a shower before.

It’s opposite day and you have to lie about everything. What sorts of trouble are you going to get into from all of your lies?

Explain how you would start a fire without a lighter or matches.
Describe the feeling of being sticky to someone who has never felt the feeling of being sticky. You can’t use the word ‘sticky’.
Describe the feeling of being dirty to someone who has never felt being dirty. You can’t use the word ‘dirty’.

Write a story about how it feels to be bullied, and someone who arrives and is kind to you. Describe how it feels to have a friend who is kind after you’ve been bullied.

You have been asked to create a new game show on TV (Think: Family Feud or Wheel of Fortune). What will be the rules of your new game show?
You are a genetic scientist and can create a new fruit. Describe the fruit: how it feels, tastes, and looks. What does the tree that it grows on look like? In what climate does it grow?
You’re an architect and you’ve been asked to design the ideal playground. What sort of cool play equipment will you place in your playground?

3 Great Writing Prompts and Story Starter Lesson Plans

Lesson 1: mix-and-match story starter lesson.

Printable 1: Fun Story Stater and Writing Prompt Mix-and-Match Lesson (Takes you to a Google Doc)

This lesson plan download has a list of mix-and-match story starters. Cut up each story element and put them into three hats: Character, Setting and Plot (you might also want to read my article about about all 8 elements of a story ). The students are blindfolded and must take one story element out of each hat and make a story out of the three elements they get!

Lesson 2: Planning your Creative Story Plot

Printable 2: Story Planning Template (Takes you to a Google Doc)

Teach students about the important elements of a story using this story planning lesson template. Your students need to describe their main character, plot and setting before they tell their story. It’s a great scaffold to ensure your students follow the conventions of story writing.

Lesson 3: Random Creative Writing Story Prompts

Printable 3: A List of 127 Story Starters (Takes you to a Google Doc)

I love this one for an easy afternoon. Simply cut up the 127 creative writing story ideas below, place them in a hat, and have students close their eyes and pick out the story that they will have to write about.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/admin/ 10 Critical Theory Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/admin/ 13 Social Institutions Examples (According to Sociology)
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/admin/ 71 Best Education Dissertation Topic Ideas
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/admin/ 11 Primary Data Examples