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.
Writing worksheet · Creative writing prompts
The Mermaid’s Treasure Map
An adventure prompt: kids draw the mermaid’s treasure map, decide what the treasure is and write the hunt.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–3
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Creative writing, Generating ideas, Story structure, Writing with voice
What kids do
“The mermaid found an old map in a bottle. Draw where it leads, plan, then write the adventure.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Draw the treasure map. Mark the X!
- What is the treasure?
- Who comes along?
- What gets in the way?
- The mermaid unrolled the old map and saw
Teacher tip
Have kids add three landmarks to the map and use them in order as the hunt’s beginning, middle and end.
How to use it
- Read the prompt aloud with lots of drama, then give two minutes of quiet thinking.
- Let kids talk the story to a partner before they write a word.
- Keep a word wall or a word bank in reach so spelling does not stop the ideas.
Watch for
Stories that never get past the beginning. Ask what happens next and what the problem is.
Talk about it
- What was the funniest idea you had?
- Which sentence on your sheet are you proudest of? Why?
Take it further
Hold an author’s chair where volunteers read their stories aloud.
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 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.
Grades K–1
The Penguin Who Wanted to Fly
A picture starter for the youngest writers: draw how the penguin finally flies, then finish one sentence.
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