creative writing ideas for grade 5

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100 Best Fun Writing Prompts for 5th Grade: Journal Prompts

• Prompts for Narrative Essays
• Prompts for Informative Essay Writing
• Prompts for Research Writing
• Funny Fifth Grade Writing Prompts
• 5th Grade Poetry Writing Prompts
• Prompts for 5th Grade Fiction Writing
• 5th Grade Animal Writing Prompts
• 5th Grade Emotion Writing Prompts
• Journal Writing Prompts for Fifth Graders
• 5th Grade Descriptive Writing Prompts

As parents and teachers, we recognize the significance of writing as a fundamental skill that enables children to express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas. However, generating ideas and inspiration for writing can be challenging for many 5th-grade students. To aid students in this process, 5th grade writing prompts prove to be a valuable resource. Furthermore, Science Daily published an article that highlights the crucial connection between handwriting and brain activity. Writing can increase brain activity, leading to better memory retention and cognitive development. This is particularly important for students as it can positively impact their academic performance.

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“Writing is the painting of the voice.” – Voltaire

By using writing prompts, children can explore various topics, develop their imagination, and hone their writing skills. In this collection, we have compiled various writing prompts that are engaging, entertaining, and sure to inspire creativity in 5th grade students. This collection has something for everyone: Persuasive writing, descriptive essays, narrative stories, and imaginative writing. Fifth grade journal prompts can help inspire creativity and reflection in their writing. So, let’s get started and explore these exciting 5th Grade writing prompts.

Explore 5th Grade educational resources !

10 Prompts for Narrative Essays

Writing Narrative Essays? Here Are Ten 5th grade narrative writing prompts:

“A great story can lead us to new worlds, new ideas, and new ways of thinking.” – Neil Gaiman

• Write about a time when you faced a difficult decision.
• Imagine you are stranded on a deserted island. Describe what you would do?
• Create a narrative about a magical adventure.
• Write about a time when you learned something important.
• Think about the prospect of time travel. How would you react, and where would you go?
• Develop a narrative about a superhero you create.
• Describe a time when you overcame a fear.
• Imagine you can do whatever you want. Tell me what it would be and how you’d use it.
• Create a narrative about a day in the life of your pet.
• Write about a time when you had to stand up for what you believe in.

10 Prompts for Informative Essay Writing

A list of ten 5th grade writing prompts to get you started on an informative essay:

• Write an essay about a famous person who inspires you.
• Research and write an essay about a historical event that interests you.
• Write about the benefits of physical activity and exercise.
• Write an essay about the effects of technology on society.
• Research and write an essay about a country you would like to visit.
• Write about the importance of reading books .
• Write an essay about the positive and negative effects of social media.
• Research and write an essay about an animal species that is endangered.
• Write about the importance of recycling and conserving natural resources.
• Please write an essay about the role of education in shaping our future.

10 Prompts for Research Writing

Here are ten Research writing prompts for 5th grade:

“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.” -Zora Neale Hurston, author and anthropologist.

• Research and write about your favorite historical figure.
• Choose a famous landmark and research its history and significance.
• Investigate and write about an important event in history.
• Research and write about a unique and interesting animal species.
• Study and write about famous inventors and their inventions.
• Research and write about the culture and traditions of a country you are interested in.
• Explore and write about a current scientific discovery or innovation.
• Investigate and write about the effects of climate change on a particular region or ecosystem.
• Research and write about a famous artist and their artwork.
• Study and write about a significant moment in space exploration history.

10 Funny Fifth Grade Writing Prompts

Here are ten prompts for Fun Writing Prompts for 5th Grade:

• Write a funny story about a talking animal.
• Imagine speaking to your pet and writing about what you would say.
• Write a comic dialog between two unlikely characters.
• Write a humorous story about a mischievous character getting into trouble.
• Create a funny story using three random objects.
• Write a funny kids’ poem . This can be about your favorite food.
• Imagine a world where everything is opposite, and develop a narrative about it.
• Develop a narrative about a silly superhero with extraordinary power.
• Create a funny dialog between a parent and a child.
• Develop a narrative about a funny and unexpected event that happened to you.

10 5th Grade Poetry Writing Prompts

The following are ten writing topics for 5th graders seeking poetry writing prompts:

• Write a poem about your favorite season.
• Imagine you are a raindrop falling from the sky. Write a poem describing your journey.
• Write a poem about a place that makes you happy.
• Choose an object in the room and write a poem about it.
• Write a poem about a dream you had.
• Create a poem that includes the words “whisper,” “twist,” and “moon.”
• Write a poem about a memorable moment with a friend.
• Describe a beautiful sunset in a poem.
• Write a poem about the ocean and all its wonders.
• Create a poem about your favorite animal.

10 Prompts for 5th Grade Fiction Writing

Opinion writing prompts 5th grade to help encourage critical thinking and self-expression in young students. Here are ten 5th grade writing prompt ideas to get them started:

• Create a story about a mysterious package that arrives in the mail.
• Develop a narrative about a person who can time travel.
• Create a story about a magic tree that grants wishes.
• Imagine being lost in the forest and creating a story about your adventure.
• Develop a narrative about a group of friends who discover a hidden treasure.
• Create a story about a person who can talk to animals.
• Create a narrative about a family vacation gone wrong.
• Imagine you could shrink to the size of an ant. Develop a narrative about your adventures.
• Create a story about a person who wakes up one day with superpowers.
• Develop a narrative about a group of people stranded on a deserted island.

10 5th Grade Animal Writing Prompts

Here are ten writing ideas for 5th grade for animal-themed assignments:

• If you could be any animal for a day, which animal would you choose and why?
• Create a narrative told from the point of view of a bear family as they emerge from their hibernation period.
• Describe the life of a whale in the deep sea.
• Write a persuasive essay on why zoos are important for conserving endangered animals.
• Describe the life of a squirrel gathering nuts for winter.
• Write a fictional story about a fox trying to outsmart a group of chickens.
• Describe the life of a butterfly from caterpillar to butterfly.
• Write a research paper on the migration patterns of birds.
• Describe the life of a lion in the savannah.
• Write a poem about the beauty of nature and the animals that live in it.

10 5th Grade Emotion Writing Prompts

Here are ten prompts for 5th grade writing prompts About Emotion:

• Describe a moment when you experienced a strong sense of self-satisfaction and accomplishment.
• Describe a moment when you felt scared and how you overcame your fear.
• Create a narrative about a character who overcomes a difficult challenge.
• Describe a time when you felt happy for someone else.
• Write a letter to your future self about your dreams and aspirations.
• Describe a time when you felt angry and how you managed your anger.
• Develop a narrative about a character who learns the importance of forgiveness.
• Describe a moment when you felt grateful for something or someone.
• Write a poem about the different emotions that people feel.
• Describe when you felt sad and how you coped with your sadness.

10 Journal Writing Prompts for Fifth Graders

The following are ten suggestions for 5th grade journal prompts to use:

• Describe an instance where you successfully conquered a challenging obstacle.
• Describe a moment when you felt proud of yourself and why.
• Write about a place that is special to you and why it is important.
• Describe a time when you helped someone else and how it made you feel.
• Write about your favorite book and what you learned from it.
• Describe an instance where you made a mistake and what you learned from it.
• Write about a person who inspires you and why.
• Describe a time when you felt grateful for something or someone.
• Write about your favorite hobby and why you enjoy it.
• Describe when you tried something new and what you learned from the experience.

When choosing 5th grade journal topics, consider selecting prompts that encourage students to explore their interests, emotions, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

10 5th Grade Descriptive Writing Prompts

Here are ten topics to consider when looking for descriptive writing prompts for 5th grade:

• Describe your favorite outdoor place and explain why it is special to you.
• Write a descriptive paragraph about a delicious meal you recently enjoyed.
• Imagine you’re walking through a spooky forest. Describe what you see, hear, and feel.
• Describe the view from your bedroom window. What can you see in the distance?
• Write a paragraph describing a character from your favorite book. What do they look like, and what makes them interesting?
• Describe your dream bedroom. What colors would you use, and what kind of furniture would you have?
• Imagine you’re on a deserted island. Describe the island and the environment around you.
• Write a paragraph describing a memorable moment from a family vacation.
• Describe a special item you keep in your room. Why is it important to you?
• Imagine you’re in a bustling city. Describe the sights, sounds, and smells you experience.

Encourage Fifth Graders in Becoming Writers

Writing is a significant skill that is essential for communication, expression, and personal growth. As highlighted in an article published by UCONN , writing prompts play a crucial role in engaging students’ interest in a particular topic and encouraging them to write thoughtfully and creatively. While effective prompts should introduce and limit the writing topic, they should also provide clear instructions about the writing task. It is imperative to equip 5th graders with resources and guidance to help them develop their writing skills. 

Educators and parents can provide 5th grade journal prompts and creative exercises to assist students in exploring various forms of writing and finding their unique voice. Additionally, feedback and constructive criticism can help students improve their strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, teaching 5th graders to write improves their academic and personal lives by promoting self-expression, creativity, and critical thinking.

Fifth Grade Writing Prompts for Developing Young Writers

5th-grade writing prompts can be a powerful tool for parents and teachers to help students develop their writing skills and creativity. By providing a starting point for writing, prompts can help students overcome writer’s block and find inspiration for their ideas. The prompts in this collection cover a wide range of topics and genres, encouraging students to explore their interests and experiences through writing.

“A well-crafted writing prompt can spark creativity and lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around us.” – Laura Robb

Parents and teachers can inspire students to develop regular writing habits and enhance their skills by utilizing 5th grade journal prompts. According to an article published by the Journal of Instructional Research , both approaches of writing i.e. direct and indirect, have positive effects on students’ writing abilities. This article dived into exploring these approaches for promoting writing. The direct approach focuses on teaching writing skills explicitly and providing feedback on children writing. The indirect approach, on the other hand, emphasizes creating a supportive environment that encourages writing.

We can motivate students to write on a variety of topics, experiment with different writing styles, and share their work with others. By nurturing a passion for writing, we can help our students become confident, creative, and effective communicators. Why not give these prompts a try and see where they take you? Let’s encourage our young writers to unleash their creativity and express themselves through the power of writing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are these prompts suitable for all 5th class students.

These 5th grade writing prompts are designed to be accessible to most students, but they may need to be modified or adapted for students with special needs or English language learners.

How can I implement these ideas into my lesson plans?

Creative writing prompts 5th grade to use it for anything from journal entries to class discussions. Teachers can also have their students use these as a springboard for creative thinking and topic development.

Can these prompts be used for other grade levels?

Yes, many of these prompts can be adapted for other grade levels depending on the level of complexity and difficulty. Teachers can also modify the prompts better to fit the interests and abilities of their students.

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50 Exclusive 5th Grade Writing Prompts That Are Printable For Free

• February 28, 2024

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Types of prompt writing for 5th graders, 1. creativity boost, 2. encourages critical thinking, 3. confidence unlocked, 5. helps develop writing skills, 6. frees your writing, imaginative & creative writing prompts, narrative & storytelling writing prompts, descriptive & explanatory writing prompts, reflective & analytical writing prompts, collaborative & interactive writing prompts, for teachers, for students, faqs on 50 exclusive 5th grade writing prompts, we also recommend.

5th grade writing prompts can be incredibly helpful for elementary teachers looking for creative and engaging ways to encourage their students to write. Not only do writing prompts help students develop their creativity and imagination, they also help them learn the fundamentals of good writing, such as grammar and structure.

These prompts are designed to inspire your students to think outside the box and flex their creative muscles. Whether it’s a narrative, persuasive, or informative writing task, these prompts cover a wide range of topics that will challenge and excite your students. Say goodbye to writer’s block and hello to endless creative possibilities with these 5th grade writing prompts!

Are you searching for engaging and thought-provoking 5th grade writing prompts to ignite your student’s imaginations? Look no further! We have compiled a list of 50 exclusive prompts that are printable for free, each carefully crafted to spark creativity and provide hours of engaging writing adventures.

Imaginative & Creative:

• What-if scenarios: What if animals could talk? What if you woke up with superpowers?
• Fantasy and adventure: Invent a magical creature. Create a secret world hidden within your school.
• Humor and silliness: Write a funny commercial for a strange product. Tell a story from the perspective of your pet.

Narrative & Storytelling:

• Historical fiction: Imagine being a child living in a different historical period.
• Mystery and suspense: Unravel a hidden clue in your house. Write a detective story where the culprit is unexpected.
• Personal narratives: Describe your most embarrassing moment (turned into a triumph!). Write a letter to your future self.

Descriptive & Explanatory:

• Sensory details: Describe a place using all five senses. Write a poem about a specific emotion.
• Process writing: Explain how to build a fort, cook your favorite dish, or train your pet.
• Informative writing: Research and write about a fascinating animal, historical figure, or invention.

Reflective & Analytical:

• Character analysis: Create a diary entry from the perspective of a literary character.
• Compare and contrast: Compare two historical events or fictional characters.
• Persuasive writing: Convince your parents to get a pet or let you stay up later.

READ ALSO: Best Fantasy Writing Prompts in 2024: 200+ Ideas to Create Magic

Collaborative & Interactive:

• Chain stories: Start a story and pass it around the class for each student to add a sentence.
• Comic strip creation: Work in pairs to write and draw a funny comic strip.
• Debate prompts: Take a side on a current event or fictional conflict and argue your case.

Benefits Of Using 5th Grade Writing Prompts

Here are a few benefits of using writing prompts in 5th grade:

Prompts unlock imaginative worlds, letting students experiment with storytelling and voices. Analyzing prompts and crafting responses strengthens their ability to think logically and solve problems.

Many writing prompts require students to think critically and solve problems. They may be asked to imagine themselves in a challenging situation or analyze a complex issue. By engaging in these types of writing exercises, students develop their analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in various academic and real-life situations.

SEE ALSO: 50 Exclusive 3rd Grade Writing Prompts that are Printable for Free

Writing prompts offer an opportunity for students to practice and refine their writing skills. Through regular writing exercises, students can improve their grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and vocabulary. They can experiment with different writing styles, such as descriptive, persuasive, or narrative writing, and develop a deeper understanding of the mechanics of writing.

Writing prompts offer an opportunity for 5th graders the opportunity to practice and refine their writing skills. Through regular writing exercises, students can improve their grammar, punctuation, sentence structure , and vocabulary. They can experiment with different writing styles, such as descriptive, persuasive, or narrative writing , and develop a deeper understanding of the mechanics of writing.

Writing prompts encourage free writing without self-edits. Sometimes that inner editor squashes the best ideas, metaphors, plot twists, and creativity. Regular free writing teaches us how to bind the inner editor, if for only a moment, and it permits our imaginations to fly. The resulting creativity is the very thing agents and editors are looking for in fresh manuscripts .

50 Exclusive 5th Grade Writing Prompts

• You discover a hidden portal in your attic that leads to another world. Describe what you find there.
• Your favorite toy comes to life for one day. What kind of adventure do you have together?
• Invent a board game so unique and fun, that everyone begs to play it. Explain the rules and why it’s awesome.
• If you could design your own school mascot, what would it be and what special powers would it have?
• Write a song from the perspective of a raindrop, a leaf, or a grain of sand.
• Imagine you shrink to the size of an ant. Describe your journey through your house and the dangers you face.
• Create a new holiday and explain its traditions, celebrations, and why it’s important.
• Your class gets superpowers based on your personality. What’s yours, and how do you use it to help others?
• Design a crazy contraption that solves a common problem in a wacky way. Draw a picture and explain how it works.
• Write a poem about what makes you unique and special, using metaphors and similes to paint a vivid picture.

READ ALSO: 50 Creative Narrative Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Imagination

• You find a dusty journal in the attic with clues to a hidden treasure. Follow the clues and write the exciting adventure you go on.
• Create a time capsule containing objects that represent your life right now. Write a letter to someone who finds it in the future.
• Your dog runs away on a stormy night. Write the suspenseful story of your search and the emotional reunion.
• Imagine you travel back in time to meet your great-grandparents. What do you learn about their lives and how might it change your understanding of your family history?
• Write a ghost story set in your school, incorporating details that make it creepy and believable.
• You wake up to find the world frozen in time, everyone except you. Describe your journey through this silent, motionless world.
• Create a fable with talking animals that teaches a valuable lesson about friendship, kindness, or perseverance.
• Write a diary entry from the perspective of a historical figure experiencing a pivotal moment in their life.
• Your dream pet arrives, but it’s not what you expected. Describe the hilarious chaos and challenges you face together.
• Turn a boring everyday event into a thrilling adventure story by adding unexpected twists and turns.

READ ALSO: 50 Exclusive First Grade Writing Prompts that are Printable for Free

• Close your eyes and imagine you’re standing on a beach. Use vivid sensory details to describe what you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste.
• Write a step-by-step guide on how to create the perfect sandwich, complete with your secret ingredients and why it’s the best ever.
• Choose an emotion (joy, fear, anger, etc.) and write a poem using figurative language to capture its essence.
• Imagine you’re a scientist explaining a recent discovery to a group of children. Make it clear, and engaging, and use analogies they can understand.
• Research a fascinating invention and write a report explaining how it works, its impact on society, and its possible future developments.
• Take a walk in nature and observe the details of the plants, animals, and landscape. Write a descriptive essay sharing your experience and reflections.
• Interview a family member or community member about their life and experiences. Write a profile capturing their personality and insights.
• Compare and contrast two different cultures, highlighting their unique customs, traditions, and perspectives.
• Choose an object you cherish and write a descriptive essay explaining its significance and the memories it holds.
• Create a “how-to” guide on a skill you’ve mastered, like skateboarding, playing an instrument, or drawing realistic animals.
• Choose a character from a book or movie you admire or dislike. Analyze their motivations, actions, and choices, explaining why you see them the way you do.
• Imagine you’re a news reporter covering a fictional event. Write a news article presenting the event from different perspectives and analyzing its potential impact.
• Read two poems about the same theme (e.g., nature, friendship, loss) and compare their styles, language choices, and how they convey the theme differently.
• Observe a social issue in your community (e.g., bullying, environmental concerns) and write a persuasive essay urging others to take action.
• Reflect on a challenging experience you faced. Analyze what you learned from it, how it changed you, and how you can overcome similar challenges in the future.
• Imagine you’re a scientist analyzing a fictional creature’s unique abilities. Explain its anatomy, behavior, and how it adapts to its environment.
• Choose a historical event and analyze its causes, key figures, and long-term consequences. Debate the different perspectives and interpretations of the event.
• Read a speech by a famous historical figure and analyze its rhetorical devices, persuasive techniques, and its impact on the audience.
• Imagine you’re a detective analyzing clues from a fictional crime scene. Deduce the culprit’s motive, opportunity, and methods, piecing together the evidence to solve the mystery.
• Reflect on a personal goal you’re working towards. Analyze the challenges you face, the strategies you’re using, and how you can measure your progress and stay motivated.
• Chain Story Relay: Start a story with a sentence and pass it around the class, each student adding a sentence to continue the plot. See where the story leads you!
• Comic Strip Creation: Partner up and write a funny comic strip together, dividing the writing and drawing tasks. Share your finished stories with the class.
• Debate Time: Choose a current event or fictional conflict (e.g., robots vs. humans in the future). Divide the class into opposing teams and have a lively debate, researching and presenting arguments to defend your side.
• World Building Workshop: Work in small groups to create a fantasy world together. Decide on the setting, inhabitants, magic system, and unique features. Share your world with other groups and combine elements to build a larger shared universe.
• Mystery Box Challenge: Each group receives a box containing mysterious objects (toys, props, photos). Use your creativity and collaboration to write a short story that incorporates all the objects in a suspenseful narrative.
• Mad Libs Story: Create a silly story template with blank spaces for different parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives). Take turns filling in the blanks, leading to unexpected and hilarious results.
• Collaborative Poem: Start a poem together, each student adding a line based on the previous one. Focus on a specific theme or image and see where the collective creativity takes you.
• Interactive Play Script: Write a short play script together, assigning roles and deciding on the plot, dialogue, and stage directions. Perform your play for other students or teachers.
• News Flash! Collaborative News Report: Imagine a breaking news event has happened at your school. Divide into newsgroups and write a collaborative news report with interviews, eyewitness accounts, and different perspectives.
• Story Map Challenge: Work together to create a visual map of a story you’re writing. Include locations, characters, plot points, and connections between them. Use your map to guide your writing and revise your story collaboratively.

How To Use 5th Grade Writing Prompts In The Classroom

Utilizing writing prompts in educational settings can enhance students’ writing abilities, foster creative thinking, and stimulate project ideas. This versatile tool proves effective for both individual and group assignments, enabling students to delve into diverse subjects and refine various writing styles.

Furthermore, prompts serve as catalysts for discussions on significant subjects, enabling students to grasp the material better and refine their communication aptitude. Integrating writing prompts into classroom activities empowers educators to craft compelling and lasting learning opportunities, contributing to students’ long-term development.

Here are some ideas on ways teachers and students can use writing prompts in the classroom:

Related Post: 107+ Creative Writing Prompts For Middle School Students

Before Using Prompts:

• Gather a toolbox of prompts: Compile a diverse set of prompts catering to different themes, difficulty levels, and writing skills. Choose prompts that ignite student interests and align with learning objectives.
• Plan engaging pre-writing activities: Design brainstorming exercises, mind maps, or visualization prompts to prepare students for writing.
• Set clear expectations and rubrics: Define what you expect from the writing tasks, outlining length, structure, and assessment criteria. Communicate these expectations clearly to students.
• Model the writing process: Demonstrate your own approach to prompts, share strategies for tackling challenges, and showcase good writing examples.
• Prepare differentiation strategies: Tailor the prompts or provide varying levels of support to cater to different learning needs and abilities.

While Using Prompts:

• Create a supportive and encouraging environment: Reassure students that experimentation and exploration are valued and that mistakes are opportunities to learn.
• Facilitate mini-lessons: Teach specific writing skills relevant to the prompts, like using vivid language, building characters, or crafting strong plots.
• Guide peer review sessions: Encourage constructive feedback and discussions that help students revise and improve their work.
• Offer technology integration: Incorporate digital tools like writing platforms, presentations, or research websites to enhance the writing experience.
• Connect to real-world contexts: Let students choose prompts related to their interests, current events, or community projects for meaningful engagement.

After Using Prompts:

• Conduct class discussions: Share student work and facilitate discussions about diverse approaches, ideas, and writing techniques used.
• Celebrate individual achievements: Recognize and reward students’ effort, creativity, and progress in improving their writing skills.
• Build on existing work: Use completed pieces as stepping stones for further learning activities, projects, or cross-curricular connections.

Before Writing:

• Read the prompt carefully: Understand what the prompt asks you to do. Identify keywords and visualize scenarios or ideas they suggest.
• Brainstorm and gather ideas: Use mind maps, lists, or freewriting to explore different possibilities and generate unique content.
• Plan your writing: Organize your thoughts by outlining key points, characters, or events you want to include.
• Ask questions if you’re unsure: Seek clarification from your teacher if any part of the prompt is unclear.

While Writing:

• Draft freely: Don’t worry about perfection initially. Focus on getting your ideas and stories down on paper.
• Show, don’t tell: Use vivid language, descriptions, and sensory details to make your writing come alive.
• Develop your characters: Create believable personalities with unique voices, thoughts, and actions.
• Craft a strong plot: Structure your story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, engaging the reader throughout.
• Read and revise: Take the time to proofread your work, edit for clarity, and improve your writing.

After Writing:

• Share your work: Read your writing to classmates, participate in peer review sessions, and learn from others’ feedback.
• Ask for help if needed: Seek guidance from your teacher if you encounter challenges or have questions about your writing.
• Celebrate your achievement: Acknowledge your progress in writing and be proud of your completed work.

5th-grade writing prompts are creative and thought-provoking topics or questions designed to inspire and encourage fifth-grade students to express themselves through writing.

Writing prompts are essential for 5th graders as they stimulate imagination, enhance writing skills, and provide a structured way for students to explore different genres and styles of writing.

Teachers can incorporate these prompts into daily writing exercises, use them for journal entries, or integrate them into specific lessons to engage students in various writing activities.

Using writing prompts is an excellent method to inspire students to express creativity and produce significant content. These prompts offer the necessary framework for students to concentrate on organizing their thoughts and ideas while preserving the freedom to explore their imaginative side. When employed effectively, writing prompts can contribute to the meaningful development of students’ writing abilities and enhance their learning experience. By employing a suitable approach and presenting captivating topics, educators can effortlessly leverage writing prompts to instill enthusiasm for writing and learning among their students.

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100 New 5th Grade Writing Prompts

• DESCRIPTION 100 New 5th Grade Writing Prompts With Worksheets
• PERMISSION FatCamera / E+ / Getty Images

Fifth graders are constantly challenged to use all their writing knowledge from elementary school in writing assignments for every subject. Creative fifth grade writing prompts aligned with Common Core Standards can help any student show off their best writing as they explore different creative writing exercises .

5th Grade Opinion Writing Prompts

Tests like the Florida Standards Assessment for fourth and fifth graders require students to write an opinion essay based on a writing prompt. You can practice writing argumentative essays and persuasive essays using opinion writing prompts to help prepare for a test.

• Should children be allowed to vote?
• Should fifth grade be part of elementary school or middle school?
• Do you think it's appropriate or inappropriate that some cartoon characters don't wear pants?
• Would videogames be better if they were created by kids or by adults?
• Do children need cell phones?
• Should students be allowed to choose their teacher or should the teachers choose their students?
• Do fifth-graders need recess?
• Should students be allowed to opt out of state tests without their parents' permission?
• Does celebrating kindness week make people kinder?
• Which channel has better shows: Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network?
• Should students be allowed excused mental health days?
• Persuade your elementary school to eliminate grade levels.
• Persuade your teacher to use flexible seating instead of chairs.

5th Grade Informational Writing Prompts

Informational writing prompts for fifth grade use comparisons, cause and effect, how-to instructions, and research to get a point across. What's something you want to tell others about?

• Compare and contrast your best friend and your worst enemy.
• Choose any major national problem and describe how you would solve it.
• Write a news story about your day so far.
• Who really discovered America?
• What is the greatest invention since sliced bread?
• Write a how-to essay about keeping kids engaged at school.
• Which language is most important for you to learn after your native language?
• Many towns set age limits for trick-or-treating. How could this affect kids?
• Write a how-to guide for making friends in 5th grade.
• Compare and contrast the food you get at school and the food you get at home.
• Choose any current politician and explain what could make them a better leader.

5th Grade Narrative Writing Prompts

Narrative essays and narrative poems tell your story from your point of view. This type of writing typically involves sharing a personal story that sends a specific message to readers. Think about a great moment from your life that you could share.

• When I am bored, I like to…
• We were doing a boring science experiment when I discovered…
• My grandparents' house is creepy because…
• I secretly love school because…
• I thought my dog was ordinary until he…
• The first day I remember of my whole life was…
• I remember the day I discovered…
• The last phone call I made...
• Share a quote someone once said to you that really made an impact on your life.
• Describe your perfect dinner including who's there and what's served.
• Describe the first time you ever felt sadness.
• If your brain were like the one in the movie Inside Out, which emotion would be the leader?

Reflective Journal Writing Prompts for 5th Grade

Journal writing exercises for fifth graders often include reflective journal writing as kids begin to explore who they are and who they want to be.

• Would you rather have a cell phone and no other electronics or a videogame system and no other electronics?
• How do you contribute to the health of your family?
• What is one thing that makes you unique?
• Discuss a TV show, movie, or character that you found terrifying when you were younger.
• If someone wrote a book about your life, would you be the hero, the villain, or the sidekick?
• Who is one other child who inspires you? How do they inspire you?
• Describe what you will become in the afterlife.
• If you could move backwards or forwards to any grade in school, what grade would you choose?
• Ask your parents what other names they considered naming you before you were born. Are you happy with their choice?
• How do you connect with your ancestors?

5th Grade Science Writing Prompts

A fifth grade science curriculum usually includes topics like Earth and space, life cycles, and the human body. Expand your mind and your view of science through thought-provoking writing prompts.

• Which planet would you live on if you couldn't live on Earth?
• If you could rename Earth's moon, what would you call it and why?
• Which part of the human body do you think is useless and why?
• What is one sound an animal or piece of technology makes that you wish people could make?
• If you could be a magnet that attracted any one material, what material would you want to attract?
• What do you think will be the next great space discovery?
• Do you think people will ever live on another planet in outer space?
• Which is more important for human life: plants or animals?
• If you could give humans the gift of one new form of movement they can't currently perform, what would it be?
• Besides water and the sun, where do you think people could harness energy to power their homes?

5th Grade Social Studies Writing Prompts

Students in fifth grade are typically learning about history, colonization, geography, current events, and civic responsibility. Write about what you've learned or imagine how the world would be different if things didn't go as you have learned.

• What makes you a good neighbor?
• Will there ever be a woman president?
• If you could rename the United States of America, what would you name it?
• Compare any historical villain to any fictional villain.
• Imagine how the New World would have unfolded if the Native Amercicans had banded together against colonists.
• Write some rap lyrics that describe any one country.
• Turn your favorite song into the national anthem for a fictional country.
• Who made the first map and how did they make it?

Imaginative 5th Grade Writing Prompts

Open your imagination to see what kind of nonsense your mind can create. The crazier the ideas, the better.

• Invent a legend about your favorite book character.
• Combine any two fictional creatures into one new creature.
• Write a conversation between your socks and your shoes.
• Choose any animal and imagine what the world would look like if they were the dominant species.
• Rewrite any classic fairytale so the villain actually becomes the hero.
• Choose your favorite emoji and write a backstory about its life.
• If your teacher had a Magic School Bus, where would you go on a field trip?
• Write the script for your very own science show on Netflix.
• Would you rather be a zombie or a robot?
• Would you rather wear only what your teacher chooses for you or only what your mom chooses for you?

Mad Lib Style Writing Prompts for 5th Grade

Look at the provided categories for each prompt and choose your words before reading the rest of the prompt. Insert your category words into the prompt to create a funny writing prompt that resembles a Mad Lib.

• Noun. Superpower. Prompt: You are a (noun) who can (superpower).
• Family member. Adjective. Noun. Prompt: Your (family member) is a (adjective) (noun).
• Verb. Exclamation. Prompt: Your teacher can (verb) so well, it makes you say "(exclamation)!"
• Noun. Food item. Person. Prompt: Your (noun) cooks (food item) for their favorite (person).
• Holiday. Person. Verb. Prompt: It was (holiday) and (person) had to (verb).
• Piece of clothing. Adjective. No one is allowed to wear a (piece of clothing) to the (adjective) awards show.

Use the Adobe printables guide to download and print the funky fill-in-the-blanks creative writing worksheet provided here.

Short Story Starters for 5th Grade

Take classic children's rhymes and common fifth grade reading list books and turn them into fun short story starters by changing up the main characters, settings, or titles.

• There was an old man who lived in a can…
• Boldilocks and the Three Scares.
• Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Joe…
• Fairy had a little clam…
• Where the Tame Things are…
• Alex's Adventures in Hungerland…
• Write a short story version of The Hobbit set in a future world.
• Write a short story version of My Side of the Mountain where the main character runs away to a city.
• Reimagine James and the Giant Peach with a smaller fruit and larger animals.
• Write an ending chapter for The Neverending Story that is decisive.
• Reimagine Wonder so the main character is "normal" when everyone else has facial deformities.

Poem Starters for 5th Grade

Poems come in many forms from free verse to epic. Try your hand at writing different types of poems using fun poem starter writing prompts.

• If you could change your first name what would you change it to? Write an acrostic poem using that name.
• Use the name of a famous person to write an acrostic poem about how you are similar to them.
• Write a long poem about a dream you remember.
• Write a haiku about your desk.
• Invent a holiday and write a haiku about it.
• Choose your favorite snack food and write an ode to it.
• Write a simile poem comparing your teacher to any creature.
• Write a short poem about your favorite hobby.
• Use free verse poetry to share a goal you recently achieved.

Explore three different types of poems based on poem starter writing prompts using a fifth grade writing worksheet PDF.

Write Your Way Through 5th Grade

Creative writing prompts for middle school and upper elementary grades make writing fun and dynamic. Challenge advanced students with 6th grade writing prompts or help struggling writers gain confidence by assigning 4th grade writing prompts . What will you write about next?

Writing Prompts for 5th Grade

PhotoAlto / Sigrid Olsson / Getty Images

By fifth grade, students are developing basic fluency as writers. In order to hone their skills, fifth graders should practice supporting claims with factual information, conveying information clearly, and writing narratives in a logical order. The following fifth-grade writing prompts encourage students to develop their skills through topics that are meaningful to them.

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Narrative essays tell a story based on a student’s personal experience. They encourage students to use descriptive writing to reflect on their experiences, explain them in a logical manner, and draw conclusions from them.

• New Beginnings . This is your last year of elementary school. What are you most excited or most nervous about when you think of starting middle school ?
• Betwixt . Students in 5th grade are often referred to as “tweens,” meaning that they are between the young child and the teen years. What is the hardest thing about being a tween in today’s society?
• Besties . What is the best book you’ve ever read? What made it so special?
• Reflections . Do you remember your first-ever day of school ? Describe one vivid memory from that day.
• Bullies . Have you ever witnessed someone bullying another student? What happened and how did it make you feel?
• Man’s Best Friend . Do you share a bond with your dog or other pet? Describe your pet, and explain what makes your relationship unique.
• Families . A family isn’t always a mom, a dad, and their children. Write about the ways your family is the same as and different from other types of families and what makes your bonds so strong.
• Holiday Memories . Think about one of your favorite holiday-related memories. Write an essay describing it and tell why it is so unforgettable.
• Guilty . Think about a time you did something that made you feel guilty. Describe what happened.
• The Ultimate Field Trip . If you could choose anywhere in the world to go on a field trip , where would you choose and why?
• Family Game Night . Do you enjoy playing games with your family? Describe your favorite family game or activity.
• Tasty Treats . What is your favorite food? Describe it as if you were introducing it to someone who has never seen or tasted it.
• Someday . Have you thought about what you want to be when you grow up? Write an essay explaining why you think you’d like that career.

Persuasive Essay Writing Prompts

Persuasive essays are those written to convince another person to agree with the writer or take action. These persuasive essay prompts inspire 5th graders to share their passions with an audience.

• Pets Day . You’ve just gone to work with your parent for “bring your child to work day.” Write an essay convincing your school to have a “bring your pet to school” day.
• Yuck . What is your least-favorite cafeteria food? Give three compelling reasons why your school should quit serving it.
• Let’s Trade . Your friend’s lunches from home always look better than yours. Write an essay convincing your buddy that you should start swapping meals every day. Be sure to highlight the benefits of the food you bring!
• Home Alone . Write an essay convincing your parents that you are old enough and responsible enough to stay at home alone.
• Sunny Day . The weather outside is beautiful for the first time in weeks. Persuade your teacher not to assign any homework so that you’ll have time to go out to play.
• The Sequel . The long-awaited sequel to your favorite book or video game is now available. Convince your brother or sister to do your chores this week so that you have plenty of time for reading or gaming.
• Seating Chart . Because of your teacher’s seating chart, you’re not going to be able to sit next to your friend all year! Persuade your teacher to let students choose their seats.
• Birth Order . Are you an only child, the oldest sibling, the youngest, or the middle? What makes your birth order the best?
• The Ultimate Game . What is the best video game on the planet? Explain why it’s better than similar games.
• Life Lessons . What are the three most important lessons parents should teach their children and why?
• Test Time . Do you think standardized tests  are helpful or harmful? Explain your answer.
• Tunes . Some studies have shown that listening to music can help students concentrate. Should students be allowed to listen to music using headphones during independent work times at school? Persuade the reader of your answer.
• Catch-22 . You’re not a big fan of writing. Write an essay  convincing your teacher that you shouldn’t have to write any more essays this year.

Expository Essay Writing Prompts

Expository essays are often called how-to essays. They usually teach the reader something or provide facts about a particular topic.

• Let’s Play . Your family frequently attends community theater productions, but your friend has never seen one. Write an essay describing what he or she can expect during the evening.
• Band . You're graduating elementary school, and a younger student is taking your spot in the school band. Explain to him or her how to clean and care for your  musical instrument .
• Lessons Learned . Write an essay to a younger sibling explaining two or three key strategies for having a positive 5th-grade experience.
• Class Pet . You’ve cared for your class pet this week, but now it’s another classmate’s turn. Explain how to feed and care for the pet properly.
• Upgrade Ahead . You have an idea to improve your school. Explain it.
• Safety Zone . Explain three of the best steps kids can take to be safe online.
• Family Traditions . Does your family have any customs or traditions that might be unfamiliar to a classmate? Describe them.
• Pen Pal . Describe for your pen pal who lives in another state an animal native to your area, including its physical characteristics, behaviors, and any sounds that it makes.
• Creepy Crawlies . Compare and contrast two insects or animals that are similar, but have different characteristics such as a bumblebee and a yellow jacket or a horse and a mule. How are they alike and how are they different?
• Clean Up . Your class is going to spend a day cleaning up at a local park. You’ve done this with another group before, but some of your classmates haven’t. Explain the process.
• Action . Your favorite book was made into a movie. Compare and contrast the film and book versions.
• Team Players . Explain how contributing responsibly helps or how it hurts a group when someone doesn’t do his part.
• Tell and Show . Your class is having a “tell and show” day. You have to describe your item in as much detail as possible without naming it. Only when the class guesses or gives up can you show your item. Write out the description of your item.

Creative Writing Essay Prompts

Creative writing allows students to engage their imaginations and story-telling skills while also practicing vital writing skills such as sequence and description.

• Magic Lamp . You’ve just found a magic lamp. What happens when you rub it?
• Say Cheese . You are given an exceptional camera. Everything you take a picture of becomes yours, but you can only take three pictures. Tell a story about the photos you take.
• Invisible Man . One morning, you glance in the mirror and realize that you don’t have a reflection. You’ve become invisible! Write a story about your day.
• Gone to the Dogs . Write a story from your pet’s point of view.
• All Hail the King . Imagine that you discover an uncharted land that you claim as a new country. And, you’re the ruler! Describe your country, its people, and your newfound position of power.
• Part of the Story . One night, you doze off after reading the latest book in your favorite series. When you wake, you discover that you’re in the story! Write about your adventures.
• Before or After . Imagine that you live either 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future. What is your life like?
• Dr. Doolittle . You’re walking through a pet store when you discover that you can talk to the animals. What happens next?
• Meet and Greet . Imagine that you can meet anyone you’re studying in school right now from famous scientists to historical figures to the characters in the class read-aloud . Write a story about your meeting with that person.
• Switcheroo . If you could switch lives with anyone in your school, who would it be? Write about your day in the life of that person.
• Holiday Loop . Imagine you get to relive your favorite holiday every day. What’s that like?
• Tall Tales . Tall tales are possibly true stories that contain highly exaggerated actions or events. Create a tall tale about something that happened in your family.
• Teacher's Pet . Imagine that your teacher is actually your parent. Describe a day in class.
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40 Engaging 5th Grade Writing Prompts

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: September 13, 2024

In today’s post, I am focusing on 5th graders addressing their writing skill. I am shaeing a collection of carefully curated writing prompts to use with your 5th graders to hone in their writing skills and improve their creative thinking. The purpose is to challenge young minds to stretch their creative muscles without overwhelming them.

5th Grade Writing Prompts

Below are some examples of 5th grade writing prompts that your students can use to help improve their writing skills. I drew on various sources including AI chatbots to crowdsource these prompts. From imagining alternate worlds and magical adventures to reflecting on personal experiences and sharing opinions, these prompts cover a wide range of topics and genres. 

1. Write a descriptive paragraph about your favorite place in the world. 2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? 3. Write a story about a time when you had to overcome a fear. 4. Imagine you could talk to animals. What kind of animal would you talk to first and what would you say? 5. Write a letter to your future self, telling yourself what you hope to accomplish in the next five years. 6. If you could be any character from a book, who would you be and why? 7. Write a story about a magical adventure with your best friend. 8. What is your favorite hobby and why do you enjoy it? 9. If you could invent any new game, what would it be and how would you play it? 10. Imagine you are a superhero. What would your superhero name be and what would your powers be?

11. If you could travel back in time to any era, where and when would you go? Why did you choose that time period and what would you do there? 12. Write a story about a day in the life of a superhero’s sidekick. 13. What do you think is the most important invention of all time? Explain your answer. 14. Imagine you could create your own planet. What would it be like? What kind of creatures or plants would live there? What would the environment be like? 15. If you could be any character from a fairy tale, who would you be and why? What challenges would you face and how would you overcome them?

Related: Adjectives to Describe a Place

16. Write a descriptive paragraph about your favorite season. What makes it your favorite and what activities do you enjoy doing during that time of year?

17. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why? What questions would you ask them?

18. Write a story about a time when you had to work together with someone to overcome a challenge.

19. Imagine you could create your own robot. What would it look like and what would it be able to do? What would you use it for?

20. Write a poem about your favorite animal. What do you admire about it and why do you think it’s special?

21. If you could be any character from a movie or TV show, who would you be and why?

22. Write a story about a mysterious object that is found in your backyard. What is it and how does it impact your life?

23. Imagine you could have any job in the world. What would you choose and why?

24. Write a letter to your favorite fictional character. What would you say to them and why do you admire them?

25. If you could live in any country in the world, where would you choose and why? What would you want to learn about the culture and the people there? 26. Write a story about a group of friends who go on a camping trip and discover a hidden treasure. 27. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why? 28. Imagine you could visit any planet in the solar system. Which one would you choose and what do you think it would be like? 29. Imagine you could design your dream house. What would it look like and what special features would it have? Where would it be located and why did you choose that location? 30. If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be and why? What special abilities or characteristics would make it a good companion?

Related: 80 Adjectives to Describe Feelings

31. Write a story about a group of kids who start a detective agency to solve mysteries in their neighborhood. 32. If you could have any job for a day, what would you choose and why? What would you want to learn or experience during that day? 33. Imagine you are stranded on a deserted island. What three things would you bring with you and why? What would you do to survive and try to escape? 34. Write a descriptive paragraph about a place you have never been to, but would like to visit. What do you imagine it would be like and why are you drawn to that place? 35. If you could have a conversation with any person in history, who would it be and why? What questions would you ask them and what would you hope to learn from them? 36. Write a story about a group of friends who discover a magical portal to another world.

37. If you could have any talent or skill, what would it be and why? How would you use it to benefit others?

38. Write a poem about your favorite sport or activity. What do you love about it and why is it special to you? 39. If you could make one wish, what would it be and why? How do you think your life would change if that wish came true? 40. Imagine you are the main character in a book. What kind of adventure would you go on and what challenges would you face? How would you overcome them?

Related: Words and Adjectives to Describe a Person

Final thoughts

I hope you’ve found this post on 5th grade writing prompts to be a treasure trove of inspiration for young writers. The journey from the creative corners of their minds to the paper in front of them is a critical path in developing not just their writing skills but also their ability to think critically and empathetically. From crafting poems about their favorite sports or activities to imagining the endless possibilities of a single wish coming true, each prompt is designed to spark imagination, encourage introspection, and cultivate a love for storytelling.

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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< Writing Prompts

5th grade writing prompts.

Fifth grade brings more opportunity for learning and growing. For some, fifth grade brings a first foray into middle school and more challenging academic work across many subjects. These scholars are ready for both school-based and personal growth. It’s important to ignite a love of writing through a variety of writing opportunities and topics. Use the categories of “Fantasy,” “Science Fiction,” “Changing Friendships,” “Responsibility,” “Collaboration” and “Technology” to embrace the magic of writing. Writers are encouraged to plan and review their work. Keep in mind that some prompts may demand contextualization depending on the learner’s background and needs. Check out our collection of free printable lined paper too – more than 100 different themes!

5 th Grade Writing Prompts

Category 1: Fantasy

Whether it’s a magical journey, mythical creature, hidden world, or magic power, let these creative writing prompts take you further into worlds unlike ours. Writers can use these prompts to imagine encounters with mythological creatures, magical relics, wizarding worlds, and special powers.

• Write a comic book style story about a character who discovers they have magical powers.
• Design or depict yourself in a work of art as a fantasy character. Add animal-like and magical elements.
• Write a story about a group of friends who discover a secret portal to a magical world in their school’s auditorium.
• Research characters from mythology, such as a kraken, griffin, manticore, etc. Choose one and write a fantasy-based story.
• Write a story about a character who goes on a quest to find a magical relic (artifact) that can aid in solving one of the world’s challenges.
• Create an advertisement for a fictional school for witches and wizards.

Category 2: Science Fiction Writing Prompts

Science-fiction stories help us imagine how our world can evolve or change based on the magic and mystery of science. Writers can use these 5th grade writing prompts to imagine field trips to outer space, a wild scientist, and an underground community.

• Write a story about a character who organizes a school field trip to a local planet.
• Imagine that you discover a time machine that takes you to a war-torn planet. Write an article about what you observe.
• Write a poem about a crazy scientist who creates strange concoctions.
• Imagine that you are preparing to travel deep underground to a community of people that never come to the surface…ever. Document the journey and experience in several journal entries.
• Write a story about a duo of characters who create a new technology that changes the world.
• Imagine that you are part of a team that discovers an alien, brings it to a safe laboratory space, and observes its behaviors. What does the alien do and communicate? Why? Write your ideas as a scientific report.

Category 3: Changing Friendships

As we grow older, it’s true that change happens, and this is very natural– everyone experiences change. Let these creative writing prompts inspire reflections on changing relationships. Writers can use these prompts to reflect on challenging points in relationships, the task of making friends, and finding ways to reconnect after spending time apart.

• Create a character who is struggling to make friends. What advice would you give them to help them make friends?
• Create an infographic about ways that friends can reconnect.
• Imagine that you suddenly had to switch schools and leave all your friends behind. How would you make new friends at your new school?
• Reflect on how relationships change over time.
• Write a story about a time when you and your best friend had a big argument. How did you resolve it?
• Write a story about friends who are very different, but ultimately have a strong friendship.

Category 4: Responsibility

As we grow older we are trusted with more and more responsibility– this is one of the joys of growing up. Your independence can flourish as you learn to do more and more. Let these creative writing prompts inspire reflection on the value of responsibility and accountability. Writers can use these prompts to consider responsible behavior and decision-making.

• Write a short story about a character who has trouble taking responsibility for their actions. Why do they struggle and what are their consequences?
• Write about a time when you had to take care of a pet or plant for a period of time. What did you learn about responsibility?
• Write about a time when you had to take responsibility for a mistake you made. How did you handle the situation? How did you apologize?
• Write about one household chore or responsibility you contribute to at home. If you are not responsible for a chore, identify one chore you feel you could complete with success and consistently (regularly).
• Write a speech advocating for something that is important to you. For instance, perhaps you see that there is not enough of a certain resource available, and you want to communicate a need for this thing.
• Write a story about a character who learns the importance of being responsible after losing a valuable object.

Category 5: Collaboration

As we grow older, we also collaborate with others more frequently. While your sense of independence can flourish, it is also important to maintain productive partnerships. Let these creative 5th grade writing prompts inspire reflection on the value of teamwork. Writers can use these prompts to consider elements of successful collaboration.

• Create a comic book strip about a character who is at first very hesitant to work with others, but comes to see that working together can be really beneficial.
• Create an infographic for people who prefer to work alone, but must find ways to contribute to group projects. What would you recommend to help them along? Be solutions-oriented!
• Write about a time when you had to work together with someone who had different ideas than you did. How did you show respect and compromise with the other person?
• Write a news report about a group that is able to survive a terrible storm by working together and thinking about each other.
• Write an opinion-based essay on whether or not working on group projects is fun and meaningful.
• Write a story about a group of friends who work together to build a treehouse or fort.

Category 6: Technology

Technology is an important part of our lives. As time goes on, we tend to have more access to different types of technology, some of which can help make our world more inclusive and accessible for all. Let these creative writing prompts inspire reflections about technology. Writers can use these prompts to consider adaptive technology and create helpful tools for technology users.

• Research and write about a technology that helps people who live with mobility challenges or require the use of mobility tools. Be thoughtful in your exploration and reporting!
• Research and write about a technology that helps people who live with speech challenges or require the use of speech accessibility tools. Be thoughtful in your exploration and reporting!
• Research and write about a technology that helps people who live with auditory (hearing) challenges or require the use of auditory tools. Be thoughtful in your exploration and reporting!
• Create an infographic with five important tips for cell phone users.
• Create an infographic with five important tips for creating presentations for school.
• Write a persuasive essay about why schools should or should not provide every student with a laptop or tablet computer.

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5th Grade Writing Prompts: Experiences, Imagination, Fantasy, Opinions, Reflections, And School Topics

November 13, 2023 //  by  Sean Kivi

Fifth grade is a monumental year for your students! They’re in their last year of elementary school and preparing to move on to middle school and our prompts are here to encourage them to share their experiences and personal opinions about topics of interest. Once you’ve caught their attention with these 105 fantastic prompts, it’ll be easy to take them through the all-important writing process that follows. Comb through this list and let them pick out a few prompts to share with them and get them reflecting on all they’ve already been through!

Covid-19 Experiences

1. Tell me about a time that Covid-19 disrupted your school day. What did you do, and how was everything different?

2. Do you think wearing a mask is a good idea? Why or why not?

3. How did social distancing make you feel? Why?

4. What did you like most about homeschooling during the lockdown and why?

Imagination and Fantasy

5. If you were a Minecraft character, who would you be, and what would you do?

6. If you fart in space, the smell stays with you. What would you do if that happened on Earth?

7. You need to stop a rocket from flying into the sun. What do you do?

8. If you could transform into any liquid or a gas, what would you choose and why?

9. How can I build a home on Mars?

10. If you could clone yourself, would you? Why?

11. Do you want to have a robot that does everything for you? Why or why not?

12. If you could travel in time, would you go into the future or the past? Why?

13. Would you rather see the creation of the universe or the end of the universe? Why?

14. What do you think will happen if you go into a black hole?

15. Would you like to go to another planet? Which one and why? If not, why not?

16. Imagine you went to the moon. What’s there?

17. We launch trash into space. Should we continue to do that?

18. What would you do if you woke up as a video game character?

19. Fleas jump as high as 60 times their body length. Would you like to be able to jump this high?

20. Emperor penguins can stay underwater for 27 minutes without breathing. What would you do underwater for that long?

21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

22. What would you do if you woke up and zombies were outside of your house?

23. Convince me a dinosaur is a good pet.

24. What would you do if you found a treasure map?

25. If you were President for a day, what would you do?

26. What would you do if you were stranded on a deserted island?

27. If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be and why?

28. If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

29. If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

30. What would you do if you could fly?

31. If you could have any pet in the world, what would it be and why?

32. Would you rather be able to speak any language or be able to talk to animals?

33. What would you do if you could time travel to the past for a day?

34. If you could be any historical figure for a day, who would you be and why?

35. What do you think the world will be like in 2060?

Personal Preferences and Opinions

36. Is it okay to have a monkey as a pet? Why or why not?

37. Do you prefer drawing or writing? Why?

38. Are Takis or Cheetos better? Why?

39. Are you a cat or dog person? Why?

40. Is it okay to keep money that you find on the street?

41. Would you eat a spider, as people do in Cambodia?

42. Would the USA be better if there was only one time zone?

43. How can we slow down climate change?

44. What is the best way to eat toast?

45. Do you prefer Christmas or your birthday?

46. What is the most boring holiday and why?

47. Do you think aliens are real? Why or why not?

48. Would you rather live in a big city or the country? Why?

49. What can we do about the plastic pollution problem?

50. Would you rather have a snow day or a sunny day?

51. Do you like roller coasters? Why or why not?

52. Would you rather go without TV or without snacks for a week?

53. How do you feel about chores?

54. Would you rather go without TV or without snacks for a week?

55. What is your favorite game and why?

56. How do you feel about the importance of recycling?

57. Do you prefer swimming in a pool or the ocean? Why?

58. Are video games good for your brain?

59. How would you spend your time if there were no electronics?

60. Are iPads making kids lazier?

Self-Reflection and Personal Experiences

61. What would you do if a bully were picking on your best friend?

62. What are you the best at and why?

63. Convince me to buy an iPhone.

64. Should parents be allowed to give kids chores?

65. What is your dream job, and why?

66. How would you feel if you were a fish? Why?

67. What is your favorite season and why?

68. What is your favorite family tradition?

69. Describe your perfect day.

70. What would you do if you won a million dollars?

71. How would you feel if you had to move to a new city?

72. How do you feel when you help someone else?

73. Would you rather be a famous athlete or a famous scientist? Why?

74. What are the most important qualities of a friend?

75. What do you want to be when you grow up and why?

76. What is your least favorite chore and why?

77. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

78. Describe your favorite book and why it’s so special to you.

79. Do you think it’s important to have good manners? Why?

80. How do you show kindness to others?

81. What does courage mean to you?

82. What is your favorite family vacation memory?

83. What is your favorite animal and why?

84. What makes you feel proud?

85. What is the most fun thing you’ve ever done?

86. What is your favorite sport and why?

87. Do you think it’s better to be a kid or an adult? Why?

88. How do you feel when you’re angry, and how do you cope with this emotion?

89. What is your favorite hobby and what do you like about it?

90. Tell me about a time you had a fear of missing out.

91. What is your favorite type of music and why?

92. What is your favorite thing about yourself?

School Specific 

93. What are your goals for this school year?

94. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in school so far?

95. How can I be a cool fifth grader?

96. What is the hardest thing about being a 5th grader?

97.  If you could change one rule at school, what would it be and why?

98. If you were a teacher, what subject would you teach and why?

99. Should we make the school day shorter?

100. How do you feel about homework?

101. What do you like to do during recess?

102. How would you handle being the new kid in school?

103. What would you do if you were principal for a day?

104. What is your favorite subject in school and why?

105. How do you feel about starting middle school next year?

Elementary Assessments

41 Fun Writing Prompts for 5th Grade Students

Mix learning and excitement using these fun writing prompts for 5th grade students.

If you’ve got reluctant writers, you need to incorporate fun writing prompts that will spark their engagement.

Here you will find a collection of fun fifth grade writing prompts that do just that.

Not only do these prompts reduce writer’s block, but they also encourage creativity, motivate students to confidently express their thoughts, sharpen writing skills plus instill a love for writing.

So consider including a handful of these fun writing prompts for 5th grade students into your writer’s workshop lessons this week.

Fun Writing Prompts for 5th Grade Students

• What color do you feel like today? Why?
• How would your life change if you were twice your height?
• Would you rather eat ketchup on ice cream or mustard on a chocolate bar? Explain.
• Write about what your life would be like if you changed into a tree.
• A spaceship just landed on the playground. Write what happens next.
• Your backpack is magical. Write about it.
• Compose a poem that includes similes and metaphors.
• You dig the world’s deepest hole. What do you find within?
• Write a story that doesn’t use the letter “m”.
• Draft a tongue-twister where the words start with “S”.
• What are some exciting ways to sharpen writing skills besides responding to fun writing prompts for 5th grade?
• Write a humorous letter explaining to younger students what to expect in 5th grade.
• Create a story from the perspective of a balloon floating away.
• If you ruled the world…
• Describe your most prized possession.
• You wake up one morning to find an octopus in your bathtub. Write about what happens next.
• What would you do if you had a porcupine as a pet?
• What’s your favorite place in the world and why?
• Pretend that you’re the captain of a ship. Write a diary entry about your day.
• Imagine that you and your parents switch places for one day! What will you do?
• Write about your favorite day of the week. Why is this day your favorite?
• If you could do any one thing for the entire week, what would you choose and why?
• Write about someone playing the perfect April Fool’s joke on a family member.
• Share a fun memory that took place at an amusement park or fair.
• Write about a typical day from the perspective of a remote control.
• Tell about the best birthday celebration you have ever had.
• What kinds of thoughts do you think animals have about humans?
• You are in charge of a new radio show for fifth graders. What topics will you cover and why?
• As you’re brushing your hair, the brush begins yelling. Write what happens next.
• You’re an alligator’s personal assistant for the day. Tell about your day.
• Write a story about a pencil that transforms into a school bus after school.
• Draft a story about what it would be like to wake up with a third eye.
• Imagine that you won a lifetime supply of lemons. What are you going to do with all those lemons?
• Your tongue must have a funny story to tell. What is it?
• Write a story about a student who is so bored that he does something unexpected.
• You have grown wings and can now fly. Where will you go?
• As you’re walking down the street, it starts raining feathers. Write what happens next.
• Write a fun story about a musical instrument that comes to life.
• Your new restaurant, 100, is open for business. Describe your new restaurant.
• For 24 hours, you are 2 feet tall. Write about your day.
• All of a sudden, you realize that the teacher no longer has ears! Finish the story.
• Create a new holiday focused on fun. Describe it.

Final Thoughts

Now you have a quality collection of fun writing prompts for 5th grade students to use during writer’s workshop.

For those who need support, teach students how to respond well to these prompts.

225 Fun & Free Creative Writing Prompts for Kids in All Grade Levels

Written by Maria Kampen

• Teacher Resources
• Prodigy English

• Elementary school writing prompts
• Middle school writing prompts
• High school writing prompts
• Social emotional learning jounal prompts
• Math writing prompts

Writing prompts are meant to unlock creativity. They’re story starters designed to inspire creative thinking. They can take you to places you’ve been or recall an important time in your life. 

But mostly, they’re useful tools for teachers to inspire writing growth in students from grade school to high school.

“Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…”

It’s amazing how one simple sentence can send you on a journey to places you’ve never been, filled with untold possibilities. 

Reading is great, but you know what’s even better? Giving your students the power to write stories for themselves. 

Writing prompts for kids help students:

• Express themselves and their creativity
• Grasp lifelong literacy skills and concepts
• Tell their own stories and build self-confidence
• Develop a growth mindset when it comes to their writing skills

Writing is like a muscle — it takes practice to build up skills. Luckily, we put together a list of over 200 writing prompts to help your students get started. We’ve also organized them by middle school, high school and elementary school to help teachers decide whether these prompts are age-appropriate for their students.

Grade school writing prompts

Grade schoolers can definitely begin to address complex ideas when it comes to story writing — but you should seek to keep the prompts simple and straightforward. 

Reluctant writers might be intimidated by complicated writing ideas — and this is an age where we should be encouraging creativity.

Creative writing prompts for elementary schoolers

Whether it’s exploring the furthest reaches of outer space, traveling across the Sahara desert or sticking a little closer to home, these creative writing prompts will have students imagining endless possibilities for their writing.

• Write about what your life would be like if you turned into a squirrel. What would you do every day?
• A strange spaceship just crashed and landed in your backyard. What happens next?
• Make up a story about where thunder comes from.
• You find an old notebook hidden in an attic. What does it say? Who did it belong to?
• You have a magic garden. What magical plants do you grow? How do you take care of them?
• Write a story about running away with the circus when it comes to town.
• Rewrite “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” from the perspective of one of the dwarfs (Happy, Sleepy, Dopey, Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy and Bashful).
• There once was a little boy who ate nothing but oranges. What happened to him?
• Write a story about a magical hat. Where is it from? What does it do? What does it look like?
• You’re exploring the rainforest and come across a flower that no one’s ever seen before. Describe it!
• Tell me a story about a dinosaur living a long, long time ago.
• Tell me a story about an astronaut visiting another planet. Where are they going? How do they get there? What do they take with them?
• You discover a magic portal in the park. Where does it lead to?
• Pick a partner and write a story together! Start by writing the first sentence, then pass it to your partner to write the second sentence.
• You find buried treasure in the park, hidden in a big wooden chest. What kind of treasure is it? Who left it there?
• Write a story about a family that can travel in time. 
• Write a story without using the letter “E”.
• Write the funniest story you can think of. 
• There’s a kangaroo in your classroom. How did it get there? What happens when you find it?
• Write a story about an explorer who keeps getting lost. Where are they trying to go? What do they find along the way?
• Write a story about a wooden door, a can of soda and a blue shoe.
• If there was a magical portal in the back of your closet, where would it lead to? 
• Finish this story: There was a knock on the door. I opened it to find a dog sitting there, and…
• You come home and find that everything in your house is upside down. What happened?
• Describe the color “red” without using the word “red”.
• There’s an old, abandoned house at the end of your street that’s been empty for years. One day, someone moves in.
• Rewrite the story of Cinderella from the perspective of the stepsisters.  
• Write a backstory for Ed, the orange Prodigy mascot. 
• You wake up one morning and find a mermaid in your bathtub. How did they get there? What do you do?
• Write a story about a monster looking for some friends. 
• Oh no — your balloon blew away! Write about what happens from the balloon’s perspective. 
• You and your friends are out for a walk when, out of nowhere, your friends start disappearing! What’s going on?
• Once upon a time, an old inventor built a weather machine. It sat undiscovered for years — until you found it. What happens next?
• You just ate a cookie that turned you 15 feet tall. What do you do next?

Fun writing prompts for grade schoolers

Everyday life is full of great inspiration for writing! Get students thinking with these easy and fun writing prompts.Write about something you are good at. 

• If you could write a book about anything, what would you write about?
• If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be and why?
• Do you have a favorite animal? Tell me all about it! Why do you like it?
• What would you do if you woke up one morning and everything was pink — including you?
• What food can you not live without? Why?
• If you could add any class to your school schedule, what would it be?
• Invent a new day of the week. What is it called? When is it? What do people usually do on that day of the week?
• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? 
• If you could spend a Saturday doing anything you wanted, what adventures would you get up to?
• If you could have any wild animal as a pet, what would you choose? Why?
• What's your favorite, wacky food?
• Where is your favorite place to read? Why?
• What was the coolest day of school for you? What made it exciting?
• Which of your toys do you wish could talk? What would they say?
• If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it look like?
• Invent a machine to do a chore for you. What does the machine do? What does it look like?
• What's your favorite season? What makes it the best?
• What is your favorite math game and why?
• Describe your real-life superpower.
• Finish the story: When I'm older I want to be an expert in…
• If pets could talk to each other, what would they say?
• If you were the captain of a ship, what would you call your ship? What would it look like? Where would you go?
• If your pet could talk to you, what do you think it would say?
• If you were the only person on earth for one day, what would you do?
• Plan the perfect birthday party for yourself. 
• What is your favorite thing to do over summer break?
• Describe your ideal birthday cake. 
• If you could add any type of room to your house, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite movie and why?

Persuasive writing prompts for elementary school

Are your students’ opinions up for debate? Ask them to flex their critical thinking skills with these persuasive writing prompts. Once they’re done, get class discussion flowing with a spirited debate!

• Write a letter convincing your parents to let you get a pet dog. What arguments do you use to persuade them?
• Convince your teacher that you should be allowed an extra 15 minutes of recess.
• Convince your best friend to read your favorite book.
• How would you convince someone to do your chores for you?
• Write a commercial for your favorite breakfast food. What would convince someone else to try it?
• What flavor of chips is the best? Why?
• What would make a better pet — a monkey or a peacock?
• Do you think children should be allowed to stay up as late as they want?
• What’s your favorite holiday and why should it be everyone’s favorite? 
• Convince us that your favorite food should be a staple in everyone’s diet.

As students enter middle school, they’re starting to feel like bigger, older kids. They can start writing original short stories and abstract persuasive essays. 

It’s best to inspire creativity at this age and encourage them to explore their own voice and different writing styles. These prompts will definitely go a long way in inspiring that.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

• Invent a new type of transportation for the future. Who uses it? Where does it go?
• If you had a time machine, where would you visit first — the past or the future? Why?
• You get on the bus and find a four-piece jazz band giving a concert. What do you do?
• Design and name your own Prodigy pet . What element are they? What’s their special power?
• Finish this story: “Something just touched my foot,” they shouted, swimming frantically towards the shore. 
• Write a silly or scary story to tell around a campfire. 
• Finish this story: Everything was going so well today — until I tripped and fell, right in front of…
• Throughout your adventures as a pirate on the high seas, you’ve seen lots of strange and magical creatures. Which one was the most interesting?
• Deep in the heart of a dark and mysterious cave, there lies a magic stone. Write about your quest to find it. 
• Write an acrostic poem using the word “strawberry.”
• There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She knit and she baked, but what else did she do?
• Finish this story: “One thing I’ll never do again,” she said, “Is go on vacation with an alpaca.”
• Make up a new planet and describe it. 
• Write a story about a family of penguins living on an iceberg.
• Write a story about a girl who can walk through walls. 
• You’ve been invited to a ball at the Queen’s palace! What is it like?
• Imagine you’re exploring the Amazon jungle. Write a diary entry about your day.
• If you could invent a TV show, what would it be about?
• You discovered an underwater kingdom! What is it like there?
• A lonely trumpet player makes friends with the dancer who lives next door. What happens next?
• You go to the park to fly a kite, but get carried away by the wind! What happens next?
• Write a story about a volcano that’s about to erupt.
• Write a story about visiting an old lady who lives deep in the woods.
• Boom, you’re a superhero! Give yourself an origin story, describe your superpowers and plan what you’ll do to make the world a better place. 
• Write a story using these six words: calendar, headphones, lipstick, mug, bear.
• You wake up to find you’re invisible. How did it happen? What do you do?
• There’s been a robbery at the bank, and you’re in charge of finding the culprit. How do you solve the case?
• Finish the story: Once upon a time, there was a dragon...
• You just joined a super-secret spy organization. What’s your first mission?
• Write a story about being cold without using the word “cold.”
• You’re a scientist and you’ve just discovered a new type of bug. Describe what it looks like, where it’s from and what you’re going to call it. 
• Imagine a world where all the birds can talk. What would they say?
• Write about what happens after the end of your favorite book or movie.
• Finish the story: She sprinted down the driveway to the mailbox. The package was here!
• You’re on a hike and a bird starts talking to you. What do you do? What does it say?
• Write a story using these five words: bubblegum, stapler, spoon, lightbulb, strawberry.
• You ate a magical carrot and your skin turned orange! What happens next?
• Write about what it would be like if you had an elephant for a pet.

Fun Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

• If you were in charge of the classroom for a day, what would your class do?
• Tell me about the last dream you had.
• You’re trapped on a desert island. What three things did you bring with you and why?
• What mythical creature would you like to have as a pet? Why?
• Invent a new type of pasta. What does it look like? What does it taste like?
• If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? Make a plan and tell the story of your dream vacation.
• Plan the perfect picnic. Where would it be? What food would you have?
• If you could decorate your bedroom any way you wanted, what would it look like?
• Write a story that sounds loud, using onomatopoeia (words that sound like their meaning, like crash, snort, bang and boom.)
• Invent a new type of cookie. What does it taste like?
• Invent a new sport. What is it called? What are the rules?
• How would you disguise yourself to blend in with a forest?
• You just won a special award from the president. What did you do to earn that award?
• Do you collect anything? What is it and why? If not, what would you like to collect?
• You just found a genie in a bottle. What three things would you wish for? (Remember, no wishing for extra wishes!
• Explain how to play your favorite sport or do your favorite hobby. Make it as exciting as possible!
• Describe the most beautiful sunrise or sunset you’ve ever seen.
• If you could live in any book or movie, which one would you choose and why?
• Imagine that you’re going on a camping trip. What do you pack to make sure the trip is fun?
• If you could invent a robot to do any chore, what chore would it be? How would the robot do it?
• Would you rather it was always raining, or always snowing?
• Imagine you’re a toy inventor. What will you create?
• Would you rather climb to the top of a mountain or go scuba diving?
• Interview a family member about their childhood, then write it as a story.
• What was your favorite toy growing up — why was it so special to you?

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School

• If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be and why?
• Is it better to read the book before you watch the movie, or watch the movie before you read the book?
• Persuade someone to try out your favorite hobby or sport.
• What’s the best way to try and persuade a friend to do what you want to do?
• When is peer pressure good? When is peer pressure bad?
• Is it better to have lots of friends, or just a few really good friends?
• Should students be in charge of what they learn in school?

High school students can either be tasked with more complex writing prompts or breathe nuance into simple story ideas. Students can drive these prompts in a million different ways.

So while not necessarily more complicated than middle school, these prompts can be tweaked, either by the student or teacher, to encourage thought-provoking output.

Creative Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

• Write a story about someone your age who lives on the other side of the world. 
• Pick up the nearest book and turn to page 7. Close your eyes and point to a random word on the page, then write a story about that word.
• Write a story in ten words or less.
• You fell asleep for 100 years. What does the world look like when you wake up?
• Finish the story: “This isn’t what I hoped would happen,” she said….
• You’re walking down the street when you see someone who looks exactly like you.
• Write a story where the main character learns something new about themselves.
• Write a story that takes place in the desert. 
• Write a story about a day where everything seems to go wrong. 
• Write a poem about the color blue.
• How would your life be different if you didn’t have access to a computer, video games or your phone?

Fun writing prompts for high schoolers

• You win a million dollars, but there’s a catch — you have to spend it all in 24 hours, or you lose all the money. What do you do?
• Write about something you or your family does from the perspective of someone from another country.
• If you could make up a new holiday, when would it be and what would it celebrate?
• Go out on a nature walk and find a tree. Write the story of that tree, from the time it was a seed until now.
• What’s the most boring superpower you can think of? How would it be useful?
• If you could pass any law, what would it be?
• You meet yourself in the future, as a grown-up at age 35 — what do you talk about? 
• If you had to show aliens the most important/best things in the world, what would you show them?
• Who is your hero and why?
• Write about the best surprise you ever got. 
• What are three good things you can do for the environment? How can you encourage the people around you to do good things for the environment?
• What is your earliest memory? Write down as many details as you can remember.
• If you could take two people – real or fictional – on a cross-country road trip, who would you take? Where would you go?
• If you could have any job in the world tomorrow, what would you do?
• What is the best thing about living in your city or neighbourhood?
• Write a letter to your 30-year-old self. What do you think you’ll accomplish by then?
• Teach me how to make your favorite recipe.
• Describe the sound of your favorite song using descriptive words.

Persuasive writing prompts for high school

• Should kids be allowed to use social media unsupervised? Why or why not?
• Persuade someone to start a healthy habit, or get rid of a bad one.
• Should all single-use plastics be outlawed? Why or why not?
• Should our school have a dress code? Why or why not?
• Is it more important to be right or to not hurt someone else’s feelings?
• What important historical figure do you think belongs on the ten-dollar bill?
• Do you think you’re born with your personality traits, or do you gain them as you grow up?
• Should mobile apps be responsible for protecting your privacy — why or why not?

Social emotional learning journal prompts

School is about more than just books and quizzes — it’s about preparing students for the rest of their lives. Social emotional learning teaches them how to build good relationships with peers, understand and control their emotions and make healthy life decisions.

Journaling is a great way for students to reflect on their feelings in a safe, private space. Use these journaling prompts as thought starters for more social emotional learning!

Check out our list of the 25 best social emotional learning activities for students here. 

• Tell me about a tradition you have with your family or friends. 
• What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
• Have you ever found something that you lost? How did you feel when you found it?
• What is something you haven’t learned this school year that you’re still wondering about?
• What do you do when you’re angry? Write about three ways you calm yourself down.
• Where do you feel the safest? Why do you feel safe there?
• Write a poem to make a friend happy.
• When was the last time you were kind to someone? How can you be kind to someone today?
• How are you feeling today? Are you happy, sad, excited or anxious?
• If you could give your best friend a present, what would it be?
• What are the qualities you look for in a friend? Why is it important to be a good friend?
• What does responsibility mean to you?
• Who do you talk to when you’re worried about something? How do they make you feel better?
• If you could make a card for anyone in your life, who would it be for and what would it say?
• What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
• Write about a time you had to make a hard decision. How did you make your decision?
• What do you do to make yourself happy when you’re sad?
• Write about a time you were disappointed. 
• What are three things that make your best friend awesome?
• What do you think empathy means? Why is it important?
• How can you cheer up a friend who is sad?
• What makes you a good friend? How can you be a better friend?
• What’s the best piece of advice a friend, parent or teacher has ever given you?
• Write three goals for the rest of the school year. How are you going to accomplish them?
• What does responsibility mean to you? What are you responsible for at school and at home?
• What person in your life makes you feel confident?
• What scares you? How can you overcome your fears?
• Tell me about a time when you tried something new. How did it feel? Did you do it again?

Math writing prompts for kids

Whether it’s tackling word problems or explaining a new concept, writing is a surprisingly good tool for the math classroom. 

A math journal can help you understand what students already know, while giving them space to work through tricky concepts on their own. Use these writing prompts to promote literacy in every subject — and help students avoid math anxiety .

• Tell me everything you know about ________.
• Explain, in words, how to solve this problem.
• What is and isn’t true about this situation?
• What is _______?
• Explain two different ways to solve this problem. Which one is better?
• What did you get correct in this problem?
• What mistakes did you make while solving this problem?
• What do you not understand about _____?
• Write a word problem using the concept we’re learning about. 
• What did you learn today?
• How do you use math in your everyday life?
• What is the easiest/hardest part of math class?
• What discoveries did you make in math class today?

Final thoughts on writing prompts for kids

Writing prompts aren’t the end of the story — they’re just the beginning. Encourage your students to build a regular writing practice, and soon you’ll see the benefits in every class. 

Where will your students’ imaginations take them?

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Reading & Math for K-5

• Kindergarten
• Learning numbers
• Comparing numbers
• Place Value
• Roman numerals
• Subtraction
• Multiplication
• Order of operations
• Drills & practice
• Measurement
• Factoring & prime factors
• Proportions
• Shape & geometry
• Data & graphing
• Word problems
• Children's stories
• Leveled Stories
• Sentences & passages
• Context clues
• Cause & effect
• Compare & contrast
• Fact vs. fiction
• Fact vs. opinion
• Main idea & details
• Story elements
• Conclusions & inferences
• Sounds & phonics
• Words & vocabulary
• Reading comprehension
• Early writing
• Numbers & counting
• Simple math
• Social skills
• Other activities
• Dolch sight words
• Fry sight words
• Multiple meaning words
• Prefixes & suffixes
• Vocabulary cards
• Other parts of speech
• Punctuation
• Capitalization
• Narrative writing
• Opinion writing
• Informative writing
• Cursive alphabet
• Cursive letters
• Cursive letter joins
• Cursive words
• Cursive sentences
• Cursive passages
• Grammar & Writing

Breadcrumbs

50 Writing Prompts for Kids

These writing prompts will stimulate your kids’ imagination and help them overcome their writer’s block. These writing prompts for different writing styles and topics will help students expand their writing.

“If you could” writing prompts

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

If you could talk to any animal, what animal would that be and what would you talk about?

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

If you could travel through time, would you go to the past or the future? What would you be doing in that past or future?

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

If you could change a mistake you have made, how would you fix it?

If you could change places with someone, who would it be and why?

If you could only eat only one food for a week, what would you eat?

If you could meet a famous person, who would it be and what would you ask him/her?

If you could live in a spaceship, where would you explore?

Fun writing prompts

You are the host of a game show. Write about what happens in tonight’s episode.

You receive a parcel with your name on it. You open it and can’t believe what’s inside…

You are the lucky winner of four tickets to Disneyland. Who will you choose to bring along? Write about your trip.

You are transported into the last book your read. Who are you and where are you?

The dinosaurs are back and they’re walking down your street. What happened next?

You work at the zoo and the penguins have broken lose. What happens next?

You are trapped on a deserted island with only the items in your schoolbag. What do you do?

Your pet is in charge of you for the day. What happens?

Write an alternative ending for your favorite book or movie.

You discover a door that leads to an attic you had no idea existed in your house. What do you find?

About me writing prompts

Write about one thing you are really good at.

Write about your favorite holiday or holiday tradition.

Write about the best day of your life.

What is your favorite food? Why is it your favorite food? Describe the food in detail.

Write about your bedroom. What do you like in it and what would you like to change?

Describe a tree house you would build and what you would do in the tree house.

Write about your biggest dream for your future.

Write about what makes you happy.

What is your earliest memory? Write about it.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen?

“What if” writing prompts

What if you were give $1,000? What would you do with the money?

What if you could choose a superpower? What would it be and how would you use it?

What if you woke up as the principal one morning? How would you run the school?

What if you were born in the 19th century? How would your life be different from the life you lead today?

What if you were locked inside your favorite store overnight? What kind of night would you have?

What if the electricity stopped working? What would you do?

What if you were a tree? What stories could you tell?

What if you had to move to a different city? How would you feel about that?

What if you used robots in school? What robots would the be and what would they do?

What if you could change one rule? What rule would it be and how would you change it?

“Would you rather” writing prompts

Would you rather live on Mars or on Earth?

Would you rather be the ruler of a kingdom or the President of a country?

Would you rather be a movie star or an astronaut?

Would you rather have a dog or a cat as a pet?

Would you rather be a squirrel or a bird?

Would you rather be able to hear things clearly from miles away or be able to see things clearly from miles away?

Would you rather be able to talk to dolphins or be able to swim like a dolphin?

Would you rather go without video games or dessert for a month?

Would you rather drive a race car or pilot a plane?

Would you rather wake up to find you are five years older or five years younger?

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Featured Grade 5 Prompts Lists

The Journal Buddies 5th grade writing prompts collection offers you thousands of FREE writing prompts to use with your student writers.

Please share them with your kids, students, colleagues, friend, family… and on social media. I appreciate it!

Sincerely, Journal Buddies Jill 💜

See and Explore MORE Prompts Lists for 5th Graders

See and Explore MORE Prompts Lists for Middle School

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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

Grade 5 Writing Activities

8 fun grade 5 writing activities.

By Grade 5, children are expected to be able to write creatively and independently. Help them to achieve this with these fun writing activities!

1. The Story Relay

A wonderful place to start writing with your fifth-grade child is within the story genre. They are sure to have the most reference in this area as they will have read lots of narratives and seen a great many movies. A fun way to begin with stories is by telling them verbally before then moving into the physical act of writing. A story relay is a great activity that works both verbally and in writing. Here’s how to play:

• Step 1: Generate a selection of story starters. Single sentences work well.
• Step 2: Gather a group of children to play the game and give each child a position in the story (first, second, third etc…). This will give them an idea of when it will be their turn to contribute.
• Step 3: Select one child to pick out the opening sentence from your selection of story starters. Read aloud the opening and then it is time for the children to contribute.
• Step 4: Move around the group in the assigned order, asking each child to continue the story on from what they have just heard.

*You can record the audio of your story so that you can listen back to it later.

This format works exactly the same in written format as the children pass around the story until it is complete, when it is then read aloud for the whole group to enjoy at the end.

2. A Day in the Future

This is a great activity to do with your child as it can kick start their thought process about what career they might like to pursue in the future. Explain that they have been transported 20 years into the future and they need to write a diary entry about what happened to them that day. You can allow children the freedom to write in their own format, or you could provide them with these key questions:

• What did you do in the morning, afternoon and evening?
• Where did you spend your time and why?
• Who did you spend your day with?
• How did you feel throughout the day?

3. Collaborative Playwriting

Arranging your children into teams and challenging them to write together can be a wonderful way to freshen up the writing process. This idea can be very fun for children as they get to write their own parts for a play they then go onto perform.

Begin the activity by arranging children into groups of no more than 4 (more than this and they can find the activity difficult to manage). Then provide each team with a real-world scenario that they can write about. It is best to start with something familiar to the children, such as something that may happen at school or at home. It is important to assign a narrator role so that one child has the job of setting the scene and writing stage directions, whilst the other three children write the lines that they will deliver.

4. The Ultimate Robot

By asking your child to produce their own artwork or design drawings can lead to a wonderful written piece as a follow-up activity. One such example of this format is to challenge children to design their own ultimate robot. You can supply children with the written brief below and then ask them to begin their own design process.

Design a robot to help you complete your daily tasks. This new robot should help you optimize your daily routine and save you time in the process. Think carefully about the features it will need to help achieve this brief.

Once the design is complete, your children can write the instruction manual for the robot, explaining all of their most interesting and useful features.

5. ‘What If’ Writing

What if… humans had wings and could fly? What if… penguins could talk? What if…an alien landed in your back garden? What if… babies could program computers?

Writing prompts beginning with ‘what if’ can spark the wonderful imaginations that children have. These prompts can inspire excellent creative writing and you might be surprised by what they come up with and how good their writing is whilst they are drafting their ideas. Give it a try and see for yourself!

6. Speed Writing

This is a very simple idea and one that encourages your child to get creative, and not worry too much about grammar and spelling accuracy. It is all about having fun with writing and getting some of their most interesting ideas down on paper or screen.

Simply set up an alarm or timer to go off in 15 minutes. Then display a writing prompt for the whole group to see (here are some text prompts and some picture prompts ). Now challenge your child to write as much as possible on the topic before the time runs out. Remind your child that for this activity, it is about them displaying their creativity rather than their accuracy!

7. A Day In the Life

Writing from the point of view of someone else can prove a challenging exercise for children. However, it is one that is useful to practice and it can often prove one of the most enjoyable writing experiences for young authors.

To begin with, you’ll need to compile a list of popular job titles (e.g. President, Doctor, Teacher, Police Officer, Fire Fighter etc.). Then challenge your child to select one of the professions and put themselves in the shoes of someone employed in that area. They must then try to write a short diary about a day in the life of that person. They should try to imagine the main tasks that they complete during the day.

8. Night Zookeeper

Night Zookeeper makes writing fantastically fun for children aged six to twelve.

Our writing program for kids turns learning into a game , to keep your child engaged and entertained while they develop skills such as spelling , grammar , and punctuation .

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More writing activities & prompts

• Grade 5 Picture Writing Prompts
• Grade 5 Writing Prompts
• Elementary Writing Prompts
• Elementary Writing Activities

Related content

• Elementary Writing Curriculum
• Elementary Language Arts
• Language Arts Resources

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• Award-winning reading & writing program for kids
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• Over 1,000 different learning games and activities

• Image Prompts

85+ Picture Writing Prompts For Kids (+ Free Printable)

A picture is worth a thousand words. So how many words can you write for these 85 picture writing prompts for kids and grow-ups alike! Pictures, whether something as simple as an apple or as complex as an action scene can spark the imagination in more ways than one.

Of course, when looking at pictures you can take the literal route, and describe whatever you see in front of you. Or you can explore your imagination, and think about the ‘What Ifs..’ of a picture. What if that person is actually upset? What if this picture is of a broken family? What if the world looked like this years ago? A picture can have so many hidden meanings and can hide so many secrets. The slightest detail could mean everything. Just imagine you’re a detective solving a crime from one picture alone. Examine every detail, write it down and think why? Only then can you fully understand a picture.

For more inspiration take part in our daily picture writing prompt challenge . Each day you will be given a new picture prompt to write about.

Picture Prompt Generator

In this post, we have included a mix of simple pictures, story picture prompts, photographs, fantasy images and even some action-packed images.

You can find the complete list of our picture writing prompts below. We’ve also created a smaller PDF version that includes 30 random picture prompts. Download the printable PDF here .

You might also be interested in the following posts:

• 30 Christmas Pictures To Get You Writing ‘Tis Jolly Season
• 25+ Halloween Image Prompts For Mastering Horror Stories
• How to Use Image prompts To Inspire You

150 Picture Prompts To Inspire

Over 85 picture prompts for creative writing, story-telling and descriptive writing assignments:

How to Use these Prompts

Picture prompts are the perfect writing stimulus especially when you hit writer’s block . Here are a number of ways you can use these picture writing prompts to spark your imagination:

• Descriptive Writing: Directly describe everything you see in extreme detail. You could even go beyond the physical appearance of things, and explore your other senses, such as smell, hear, feel and taste.
• Story-Telling: Pick just one image, and tell a whole story based on this one image.
• Story Starter: Similarly you can pick one image, and use it as the starting place of your story.
• Collaborative Story-Telling: In a group of 5 – 7 students, each student can have a random picture. The first student uses their picture as the story starter, and then the next student continues the story based on their own image. Keep going until the final student ends the story.
• Idea Generation: Pick one image and try to think of at least 3 story ideas related to that one image. 
• Daily Writing Challenge: Give your students 7 images, and tell them to write a description for each image every day. 

These are just some ways to use images as writing prompts. You can also check our post on 8 fun story-telling games using image prompts for more ideas.  Did you find our picture writing prompts useful? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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5th Grade Creative Writing Resources

In this summer writing prompt worksheet, children will imagine and describe a day spent in nature.