Grades 1–3
The Mermaid’s Treasure Map
An adventure prompt: kids draw the mermaid’s treasure map, decide what the treasure is and write the hunt.
Writing worksheet · Creative writing prompts
My Monster Comes to School
A picture starter for the youngest writers: pick a spot in the school, draw the monster there and write one sentence.
- Grade level
- Grades K–1
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Creative writing, Generating ideas, Story structure, Writing with voice
What kids do
“Your pet monster came to school with you! Check where it went. Draw it there, then finish the sentence.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Where did your monster go?
- Draw your monster there
- My monster went to the
Words on this sheet
the lunchroomthe gymthe art roomthe librarythe playgroundthe office
Teacher tip
Ask kids where in the school the monster would cause the most trouble. The funniest spot makes the best sentence.
How to use it
- Have kids draw a quick sketch to plan before they write.
- Share a short example story you wrote from the same prompt.
- Model the first answer on the board, thinking out loud as you write.
Watch for
Kids copying a friend’s idea. Brainstorm three ideas together so everyone has options.
Talk about it
- What made your main character interesting?
- What did you change when you reread your work?
Take it further
Have kids turn their story into a four-panel comic.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More creative writing prompts
Grades 2–4
Shrunk to the Size of an Ant
A tiny-world prompt: a giant thing to climb, a bug to meet and a way to get big again, then the story.
Grades 3–5
Interview a T. Rex
An interview prompt: kids answer questions in a T. rex’s voice, add their own question, then write the visit.
Grades 4–5
Trapped Inside a Video Game
A level-by-level story plan: two challenges and a final boss, then the escape story.
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