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50 Creative 3rd Grade Writing Prompts (Free Printable!)

Taking the leap from the primary level to the intermediate grades.

Third grade is a huge transitional year in elementary school. Third grade writers have learned foundational concepts and skills and have had time to practice. Now they are developing more complex skills as they dig deeper, learn to make connections, and analyze the topics they write about. Here are 50 third grade writing prompts to help your students master and refine their writing skills.

If you’d like even more upper elementary writing prompts, we publish new ones twice a week on our kid-friendly site: the Daily Classroom Hub . Make sure to bookmark the link!

(Want this entire set in one easy document? Get your free PowerPoint bundle by submitting your email here, so you’ll always have the prompts available!)

1. Tell about a special event in your life.

2. What are you best at?

3. What do you want to learn more about?

4. I could never live without______.

5. If you could go anyplace in the world, where would you go and why?

6. Interview one of your parents or grandparents and ask them to tell you a story from their childhood. Share their story here.

7. Describe one of your favorite book characters. Tell three things about their personality.

8. Do you think third graders should have to do chores at home? Why or why not?

9. What is something you would change about school if you could?

10. Tell about a time you helped somebody.

11. Tell about a time somebody helped you.

12. Tell about a memorable “first” in your life. For example, the first time you ate a particular kind of food, the first time you met your teacher, etc.

13. Describe step by step how to make a pizza.

14. What does it mean to be a hero?

15. I am afraid of _______ because_______.

16. What is the difference between being polite and rude? Give three examples.

17. What is the most important rule in the classroom?

18. What are the three most important qualities you look for in a friend?

19. Do you think kids should be assigned homework? Why or why not?

20. Nature gives us many beautiful things—plants, animals, water, weather, stars and planets, etc. What is one of your favorite things in nature and why?

21. If I were a spider, I’d _______.

22. Three things that make me happy are ______.

23. What is your favorite holiday and why?

24. Tell about one of your family’s unique traditions.

25. If you could have a pet, what would you choose? How would you take care of it?

26. Write about a dream you recently had.

27. Tell about a person that inspires you and why.

28. Name five things you are thankful for and why you are thankful for them.

29. What are ways you can be a good citizen?

30. When you and a friend disagree, how do you work it out?

31. What do you think the world will be like in one hundred years?

32. What is your favorite type of weather? Why?

33. What superpower do you wish you had? Why?

34. What famous person would you like to meet? Why?

35. In your opinion, which animal makes the best pet? Give three reasons for your answer.

36. If someone gave you $100, how would you spend it?

37. Should third graders have cell phones? Why or why not?

38. If you could be an Olympic athlete, what sport would you participate in?

39. Write about your “getting ready for school” routine.

40. Write about your “getting ready for bed” routine.

41. If you could travel through time like Jack and Annie in the Magic Tree House, where would you go?

42. In your opinion, what does a perfect weekend look like?

43. Write about the last time you felt really angry. What happened and how did it all work out?

44. Pretend there was a special zoo where animals could talk. Which animal would you talk to and what are three questions you would ask?

45. What is your favorite thing with wheels? Why?

46. Tell the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears from the point of view of Baby Bear.

47. What do you think would grow if you planted a magic bean?

48. Which would you rather be able to do—fly or read people’s minds? Why?

49. Tell about an adult in your life that you admire.

50. If you were traveling for a week and could only bring a backpack, what would you pack?

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108 Engaging Creative Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

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Creative writing is the perfect way to get kids interested in writing. Students’ imaginations are bursting with ideas and they’re usually still willing to share them at this age. The more we can get them writing poems, songs, stories, and paragraphs now, the more they’ll start to see themselves as writers with valuable original thoughts worth expressing. For those times when imaginations are running dry and kids need a little inspiration, or when you want them to practice a specific writing skill, these 108 creative writing prompts for 3rd grade are here to spark creativity. Enjoy!

Story Starters and Other Narrative Writing Prompts

Writing stories—fictional or real—gives children a chance to develop several creative writing skills. They practice writing dialogue, developing characters, and fashioning situations that ignite their creativity and send them gallivanting down rabbit trails. 

Although 3rd-grade students are still relatively new writers and most won’t produce complete narratives yet, practicing story writing is the best way to introduce concepts like plot, character, conflict, and setting. 

Choose one of these concepts to focus on for several lessons and select third-grade writing prompts that lend themselves well to highlighting these aspects of writing. For example, you might ask students to spend a day or two focusing on their descriptions of the characters in their stories and another few days trying out different types of conflict. 

Later, they might choose to take the parts they like best from these various assignments and put them together to form a larger narrative. 

These story starters are fun writing prompts designed to push kids out of their comfort zones and put their imaginations to work. 

Instructions for students

• These storytelling prompts are written in a few different styles. Some of them offer you the first line of a story. For these prompts, copy the first line onto your page and continue writing from there. 
• Other prompts give you a specific situation and then ask you to think about what you might do or say in that situation. They could also ask you to take the idea as a starting point and expand it to make it more your own. Don’t feel like you need to answer the questions directly. They are there to give you more ideas to think about as you develop your story idea. You can write your story as answers to the questions if you like, but you can also just use them as inspiration. 
• When you see an ellipsis (three dots) at the end of a writing prompt, that means the sentence is incomplete and your version of the sentence should replace the three dots with your own words. 

24 Story Starters and Creative Writing Prompts for Third Graders

• Imagine you have the ability to become characters in video games. Write a short story that shows how you would use this power.
• Do you have a best friend? If so, write the story of how you met and became friends. (You can write what really happened or make up your own version of events to show how two people might become best friends).
• Write a story about a group of friends who build or discover a time machine. What time period do they travel to? Describe what they see, hear, smell, and eat.
• You and your friends are kayaking on a lake when you discover a hidden island. Describe what it looks like, how you explore it, and what you find there. 
• It’s the hottest day of the year. You turn on your air conditioner and, instead of giving you an icy blast, it transports you to a snow-covered tundra. You see a small cottage with lights on and knock on the door. Who greets you and how do they help you get back home?
• Your doorbell rings. You answer the door, but there’s nobody there. Then you look down and see two lizards talking on cell phones. “We need to talk,” the smaller one says to you. What do they tell you? How do you respond?
• You just learned that your good friend has special powers she’s kept secret forever. All she needs is a cup of sand, three fish scales, and a splash of mud and she can make the most incredible thing happen. Write about what happens when she shows you her secret talent. 
• There’s a big windstorm one night. The lights flicker and the power goes out. A few minutes later, it comes back on and your favorite character from the last book you read is sitting at your table. Who is it, what are they doing, and how do you make them feel welcome?
• Think about a fairy tale you know well, such as The Three Little Pigs or Little Red Riding Hood. Write your own version of the story with a few key details changed. For example, instead of The Three Little Pigs, you could write about The Three Shy Turtles or The Three Little Pigs and Their Big Sister. 
• You go to watch a play at a theater, but when the curtains open, something unexpected happens. What is it and how do you respond?
• Write about a day in which time moves backward from night to morning. 
• Write a story about two characters who don’t seem like they should be friends but somehow are. For example, you could write about a cat and a mouse, or an old woman and a little boy. What brought them together and in what ways does their friendship help them?
• You’re playing hide-and-seek with a friend and you hide in the attic. It takes her a while to find you and, while you are waiting, you start looking through some old boxes up there. You find letters written to a family member a long time ago. Who are they from? What do they say? Imagine you learn about a family secret while reading them. What could it be? 
• Write a story that happens completely in one small space like a closet or a car. Include at least two characters. 
• A young cat finds itself alone in the forest. How did it get there? What does it do? Who does it meet? Does it find its way home or stay there? Tell its story using lots of descriptive words. 
• “It’s not all your fault,” my mom said. “There’s something you don’t know.” 
• One day, everybody brings their favorite stuffie to class. A mix up happens and all the stuffies go home with the wrong kids to the wrong houses. What happens that night? Try to write from more than one perspective. For example, you could write a paragraph or two from the perspective of one of the students and then a paragraph or two from the point of view of a stuffie. You could also have a paragraph that quickly highlights the action at several houses. (“Kimmy’s little sister cried all night. Panda freaked out when he missed his dinner and tried to eat the toilet paper. Leah wanted to call the police but her mom wouldn’t give her the phone.”
• Your aunt shows up at your house with a box of glazed donuts and a canoe strapped to the roof of her car. “Time for a little trip,” she says. 
• Write a story that’s told entirely in letters between two friends. They might write about the last time they saw each other, the upcoming summer break, or some of their favorite book characters. Tell us as much as you can about the characters and their friendship without writing  about  them. Let everything come out through the letters they send. 
• What if you could invent a new planet? What sounds, sights, and smells would it have? Would people live there or some other kind of creatures? After you write down the details of your planet, write a short story that takes place there. You might write about how it was discovered or you could write a scene that shows what life is like there. 
• You’re walking through the park with your family. You come around a curve in the path and spot a fox sitting under a tree writing in a notebook. What do you do? Do you talk to it? Does it speak? What is it writing?
• You’re sitting on the sofa watching a TV show when your sister, who is an artist, comes into the room. She has taken all your favorite toys and used them in her art project. Describe what you see, the conversation you have with her, and the lengths you’ll go to to recover your treasured toys. 
• “It seemed like a good idea at the time,” said Alex. “If the owl hadn’t climbed the treehouse and eaten the fish…”
• The school year ended. You were supposed to be on holidays. Then your parents signed you up for summer school without telling you. It might have been okay if it weren’t for… 

For another take on third-grade writing prompts, check out  70 Picture Prompts for Creative Writing . 

Poetry Writing Prompts for Third-Grade Students

Another great way to introduce 3rd graders to creative writing is to get them writing free verse poetry. …

Students should be encouraged to brainstorm their own topics, as the ones they come up with will likely be the most inspiring for them. However, if they’re stuck for ideas or you want to give them a list of things to write about, have them pick one of the topics below. They may also find it helpful to use a brainstorming sheet to flesh out their ideas. 

• Make a list of three things that happened to you this week. Choose one of them and draft a poem that tells what happened and how you felt about it.
• Write a poem about a special tradition from your favorite holiday. 
• Write an ode that celebrates your favorite subject in school. For example, “The Joys of Math” or “Ode to Art Class.”
• Write a poem describing the best pet you can imagine.
• Write a poem from the perspective of an animal.
• Write a poem that tells about an imaginary being. Try to convey details about its size, appearance, feelings, problems, abilities, and lifestyle. 
• Write a haiku about your favorite summer activity.
• Write a poem detailing the first time you tried your favorite food. If you don’t remember that experience, feel free to make it up. How do you imagine it would be tasting that amazing dish for the first time?
• Write about a poem that describes a time when you lost something important. 
• Write a poem about your favorite place without naming the place. Use lots of details that help the reader see this place in their minds. 
• Write a poem about a recent dream you had. Try not to mention that it was a dream. 
• Choose one of the four seasons and write a poem describing what makes it special. 
• Write a poem about something that’s really special to you but that seems ordinary to everyone else such as an old t-shirt or a craft you made out of recycled materials. Try to help your reader understand why it’s so important to you. 
• Write a poem describing a day when everything goes wrong. 
• Write a poem about your favorite person. Include details about why they’re so important to you. Consider giving your poem to them as a gift. 
• Write a poem about a secret place (real or imagined) that only you know about. 
• Write a poem about all the things you love to do outside. 
• Write a poem that introduces your city or town to a visitor who has never been there. 
• Write a poem about a game you love playing such as Hide and Seek, Pictionary, or Charades. 
• Write a poem that includes dialogue. You could write the whole poem as a conversation or sprinkle dialogue throughout. 
• Write a funny poem listing everything you think about when you can’t fall asleep at night. 
• Write a poem that imagines something about your future. It could be a single event such as “When I Finally Go to Disneyland” or it could be a more general description of what you’d like your future life to be like such as “What I’ll Eat When I Grow Up.”
• Write a poem that explains how to do a simple task such as one of your favorite (or least favorite) household chores.
• Write a poem that uses as many sound words as possible such as bang, splash, chirp, and buzz. 

For more poetic inspiration, check out  100 Inspiring Poetry Writing Prompts for Kids . 

Journal Writing Prompts

Kids can also stretch their creative muscles through journal writing. Journaling is a precursor to memoir writing and storytelling is the heart of memoir. While journal entries can sometimes gravitate toward a mundane recitation of chronological events, they’re also an opportunity to challenge kids to become better writers. 

A nice thing about journalling is that you don’t have to invent completely original material from scratch. You are taking events from your life and making an interesting story out of them, playing with language and sentence structure, and experimenting with what to include and exclude until you end up with something enjoyable to read. 

Challenge kids to keep a running list of things that have happened to them in their writing journals so they always have a creative writing topic ready. Remind them that writing topics don’t have to be sensational (the birth of a new sibling, say). Simple events that might otherwise be overlooked—the sighting of the first blue jay to return in the spring, for example—can form the basis of strong pieces of writing when we take the time to reflect on the event and make connections. 

Continuing with the blue jay example, such an experience might lead curious children to think about the changes that come with the season and, perhaps, the seasons of their own young lives thus far. Or they might ponder the bird and wonder what she’s been up to since she last visited the backyard. Maybe they’ll see two birds competing for a choice tree and reflect on an argument they had with a sibling. The more we can get them thinking about, reflecting on, and making connections between their experiences, the more we’ll see these themes emerge in their writing. 

Here are some ideas to get them thinking about what to write in their journals:

• A trip you’ve taken
• Your feelings about a situation (losing an important toy, having to share a bedroom, or passing a swimming test, for example)
• How you spent a recent birthday or holiday
• A new skill you’ve just mastered
• A skill you wish you had but haven’t learned yet
• A food you tried but didn’t like
• A walk you’ve taken in nature
• A change in one of your friendships
• Something that scared you until you worked up the courage to try and then enjoyed doing
• A time when you really wanted something and finally got it
• A time when you really wanted something and didn’t get it
• A time when someone made you feel good
• Something you saw that turned out not to be what you expected it to be
• A time when you did something that scared you
• The way your favorite song makes you feel
• Something you’ve learned about recently that you wish you’d known sooner
• Describe your perfect day
• The toy or special thing you treasure the most and why it’s so special to you
• Your earliest memory
• A gift you received that meant a lot to you
• A time when you laughed until your belly hurt
• A teacher you’ve enjoyed learning from
• A book you’ve read over and over again
• Three things you love about your family

Need journal prompts for older kids? Check out these  60 Creative Journal Prompts for Teens

Songwriting Prompts

Writing songs is another fun way for kids to practice their creative thinking skills while also processing their emotions and experiences. Coming up with the lyrics to a song can provide stress relief for kids and give them an opportunity to express their emotions safely. 

For some kids, coming up with lyrics and a melody to a song may be too challenging. Encourage them to choose a song, jingle, or nursery rhyme they already know and write new lyrics to the same tune. Examples of simple songs they might start with include: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baa-Baa Black Sheep, London Bridge is Falling Down, Rock-A-Bye Baby, and Waltzing Matilda. You can find more kid-friendly songs in this  playlist for kids . 

As an extra challenge, kids may want to initially write their lyrics to fit an existing tune and then come up with a new tune once they have their lyrics down. This would be a good extension activity for kids who finish their lyric writing early. 

• Write a song about your favorite animal.
• Think about three or four possessions (things you own) that are important to you. Write a song that celebrates the special role these items play in your life. 
• Think about the last time you got angry. What made you angry? How did you feel? What did you want to do about it? What did you actually do? Write a song that helps someone else understand how you felt and why. 
• What is your favorite show or movie? Choose a main character from that story and write a song inspired by them. It could be about them or it might be from their point of view. Think about what’s important to them and what they might want people to know. 
• Write a song that describes your dream day. What would you do if you could do anything you wanted? Who would be with you? Make the details as specific as possible. 
• Think about someone in your family who has an annoying habit. For example, your little brother who tells your parents everything you do wrong. Write a song that reimagines that annoying habit as a good thing. (“He must love me to pay so much attention to me…”)
• Write a song that is meant to be sung by a whole class of students. 
• Write a song about someone you look up to. 
• Write a song about something that most people seem to like but that you hate. Try to convince them they’re wrong about the thing and that it’s truly awful. 
• Write a song about someone you don’t see anymore such as an old neighbor or a friend who moved away. What do you miss about the times you had with that person?
• Think about something you loved doing when you were younger but haven’t done in a while. Write a song that shares your memories of that activity. 
• Write a song about something you hope for or would like to see happen. 

Descriptive Writing Prompts

Descriptive writing adds color and texture to many forms of writing including travel writing, poetry, fiction, and memoirs. One of our challenges as teachers is ensuring kids know how to write effective descriptions while also helping them learn how to balance descriptive prose with other written elements such as dialogue and action. A written work too heavy in descriptive writing might help the reader create vivid pictures in their minds without ever telling them anything. 

In third grade, these young writers are generally too young to discern this delicate balance between showing and telling, but it’s still a great time to develop their use of descriptive words. 

Before giving them these writing prompts, introduce them to the importance of using specific nouns and vivid verbs and adjectives in their writing. This is a wonderful time to instill thesaurus skills and show them how to choose the most appropriate words for each situation. 

When assigning prompts from this section, tell students their goal is to paint a picture with their words. If they read their work to a classmate who closes their eyes, can the classmate picture the scene clearly? If not, where do they need to add or change details?

• Write about the most memorable dream you’ve ever had. Describe it in as much detail as possible. Where did it take place? What did you see, hear, and smell? Who was there? What did they look like? What did they do?
• Choose a room in your house and describe its most important features.
• Go outside and find a tree, flower, or other plant that intrigues you. Describe it in detail: what does it look like? How big is it? What does it feel like? If one of your friends took your description and went to the same outdoor area, could they find your plant based on your description?
• If you could decorate your bedroom any way you wanted with no limits, what would it look like?
• Imagine the coziest outfit you can. Describe how it looks and feels. How do you feel when you put it on?
• Describe your mom or another woman you know well. What does she look like? What does her voice sound like? Does she have wear a certain perfume? How do you feel when she gives you a hug or puts her arm around you?
• Describe a regular tradition you have with your family, such as having a large pancake breakfast on Saturdays. Help your reader feel like they’re living the memory with you by painting a detailed picture of the scene. 
• Write about the inside of your family’s car. What does it smell like? How many seats are there? What would you find if you looked between or underneath the seats? Describe the music you listen to in the car and the kinds of conversations you have there. 
• Describe a store you go to frequently. If possible, try to visit the store before you write about it and make notes about the things you notice there using your five senses. Tell about what you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. 
• Describe your writing process, that is, what you do when you write. Do you sharpen pencils and put an eraser nearby? Do you start writing right away or do you make an outline or brainstorm ideas first? Do you write single-spaced or double-spaced? Is your writing neat or messy? How do you feel when you write?
• What is the best thing about being you? Maybe it’s your sense of humor, your Lego-building skills, or the way you ride your bike fearlessly down hills. Maybe you live in a really cool city with lots of fun things to do. Whatever makes your life special, write about that and describe why you love it.
• What’s your favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning? Describe what you do, who does it with you, and how you do it.  

Other Creative Writing Prompts for 3rd-Grade Students

• Write a scene where a famous person from another time period shows up in your classroom. 
• Write a diary entry from the perspective of a Disney character or a character from a book you’ve read. 
• Think about a scene you didn’t love in your favorite movie. Rewrite the scene to make it more enjoyable. 
• Write a letter to your favorite author and tell them what you love about their book(s).
• Invent a new country with its own language, customs, and history. Write about how your country came to be and what makes it special. If you want, you can draw a map to go with your writing.
• Write a scene from the point of view of an object in your house such as a toaster, the dining table, or a video game console. 
• Write a story or poem in which each sentence starts with the next letter in the alphabet. In other words, the first sentence or line starts with A, the second with B, the third with C, and so on. 
• Write about a lost object that was found after many years. 
• Pick a city you’ve visited and make a travel brochure about it. Include a section in which you describe the city and another in which you talk about your experience there.
• Write a comic book* based on your favorite book or story. Try to include both dialogue (in speech bubbles) and descriptions of what’s happening. 
• On a big piece of paper, draw a picture of the inside of a really cool house with loads of interesting rooms. Then write a short story about the people who live there and what life is like inside their amazing house.
• Write an imaginary interview with a character from a book or movie. Pretend you’re asking them questions to publish in a magazine or newspaper and invent their answers.  

Comic book templates are available in our post,  10 Fun Writing Activities for Kids . 

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30 Fun And Creative Writing Prompts For 3rd Grade

Writing prompts can be incredibly beneficial for third-grade students as they not only stimulate their imaginations but also enhance their critical thinking and writing skills. By presenting them with different scenarios, characters, and situations, writing prompts encourage children to delve deep into their creativity and explore various narrative possibilities.

As a teacher, the key to activating third-grade students’ imaginations is to give them fun writing prompts to get them excited about writing. Below you’ll find 30 fun and creative writing prompts for 3rd-grade students that are guaranteed to spark your students’ imaginations and get their creative juices flowing.

Writing Prompts For Third Grade

Tips for using these writing prompts in class.

As a third-grade teacher, you are likely aware that merely providing students with a writing prompt may not yield the most effective outcomes. To help students fully tap into their creative writing abilities, consider these actionable strategies.

Offer Clear Instructions

Create a safe environment.

Encourage creativity and originality. Let your students know that it’s okay to make mistakes and they should not be afraid of expressing their unique ideas.

Provide Examples

Sometimes, students may find it challenging to start. Providing an example or two can help them understand the prompt better and stimulate their own ideas.

Use Prompts as Conversation Starters

Discuss the writing prompts in class before students start writing. This will help stimulate ideas, and hearing their peers’ thoughts can inspire students who may be having difficulty.

Use Visual Aids

Allow choices, encourage peer reviews.

After students have written their pieces, encourage them to exchange their stories with their classmates for peer review. This can help students learn from each other and also improve their editing and critiquing skills.

Provide Constructive Feedback

Include prompts related to current lessons, schedule regular writing time.

Make writing a regular activity. Consistency can help students get into the habit of writing and improve their skills over time.

More Writing Prompts

Thanks for reading! I hope your students have lots of fun creating awesome stories using these writing prompts. Before you go, check out these related articles for writing prompt ideas: 1st Grade Writing Prompts 4th Grade Writing Prompts Adventure Writing Prompts Fantasy Writing Prompts

Fun Creative Writing Topics and Prompts for Third Grade

Sometimes, creative writing assignments aren’t just confusing for the student. 

What should a 3rd grader write about?

What should your expectations be? How can you help your student succeed?

Today’s post is all about helping you source creative writing topics that are perfectly suited for third grade (or upper elementary).

What Makes Creative Writing Different?

Creative writing can be tricky to explain to a student, especially if you’re working with a child who is used to thinking conventionally. 

In a nutshell, it differs from academic or essay-style writing in that it highlights the writer’s imagination and creative invention. 

The artistic nature of creative writing can make some students nervous. That’s why clear-cut creative writing examples are incredibly helpful. 

get this picture prompt printable for free!

It’s also helpful to let them read or listen to creative short stories to provide ideas of how to begin. Seeing examples illustrates how to write creatively better than trying to explain it in words.

Another important aspect of creative writing is that it doesn’t have to be true – or even based on fact. It can be difficult for a third grader to believe it’s okay to stray from reality. Eggs and ham aren’t green, so why pretend they are?

Discuss potential story writing topics with your child so you can help him or her break down those restrictions. 

Sharing examples will help them see the liberty (and fun!) that creative writing offers. 

Creative Writing Tips and Techniques for Grade 3

For elementary students, good topics for creative writing are broad enough for the student to use his imagination but not so broad that he has no idea where to begin. 

Instead of just handing him a topic such as “outer space,” try a narrower topic, such as “tell me a story about boy in the future who travels to the moon with his class for a science field trip.”

Here are a few more tips to help while you’re working on creative writing with your own third grader:

• Story writing ideas or topics can range from telling a made-up story about what happened at dinner last night to creating an amazing adventure or imaginary world.
• When you teach writing to 3rd graders , it’s helpful to give them several creative writing ideas to unleash their imaginations.
• Try recording your students as they tell a story. More than likely, just talking about the story they want to write will help them gather their thoughts.
• If you’re not sure how to start an introduction paragraph for a third grader , have her look at examples of her favorite books to see how the authors pique her interest immediately.
• Discuss the elements of the story beforehand to help it feel more real to your student. Ask him questions about the setting—when it’s happening and where—as well as the plot. Talk to him about the main characters, guiding him with questions that help him see through the characters’ eyes and better envision what they might do.
• If your student really can’t get started, set a timer and just have him write whatever comes to mind. There’s nothing uncorks writer’s block faster than just sitting down and writing—even if it starts out as nonsense.
• Encourage your student to use literary devices such as similes and metaphors, even if she doesn’t know those terms. Explain how a teddy bear’s fur can be “like a cloud” or that a hard worker can be a “busy bee.”

Above all, to encourage successful creative writing, encourage your students to write about topics they enjoy. Their pleasure will reflect in their stories.

12 Creative Writing Topics for Third Grade That Inspire Imaginative Stories

Speaking of enjoyable topics, here are some examples of creative writing topics paired with question prompts to get your student started:

1. Imagine you step outside, and all the grass has turned blue. What do you do? 

The key to a good creative writing topic is, well, creativity! Whimsical topics inspire students to unleash their imagination and enjoy writing. 

If your third grader has been reluctant to write lately, it might be time to pull out a fantastical scene like this one and “let them loose” so to speak. 

Encourage your student to brainstorm a bit before writing. 

These prompts can help:

• What made the grass turn blue?
• Is it a good thing? Does it cause problems?
• Can you fix it? Will the grass ever be green again?

2. What if you woke up and realized you had switched bodies with someone else in your family? 

A topic like this is a great exercise for the mind. It may even help him gain a little empathy as he writes and realizes how different a parent’s day is from a child’s.

Some prompts to help him get going:

• Which family member do you think would be most interesting to trade bodies with for a day? 
• Would it be exciting or scary to wake up as that person? 
• Would your characters keep it a secret?

3. What if your pet could talk but only to you? 

Some of the more appealing creative writing topics for kids are those where students can easily form ideas (which builds confidence). 

Most children already talk to their pets, so it’s not a huge leap to imagine them talking back. Use that headstart to build a story.

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

Finding a treasure map can inspire many tales. The plots are endless! 

A few questions to get your child started:

• Where was it found? 
• Was it put there by pirates, a king, or your great grandmother? 
• Is it in code? 
• How do you figure out where the treasure is?

5. What if there was a sweet, lovable, non-scary monster who lived under your bed?

This creative writing topic takes the monster-under-the-bed and transforms him into a friend. 

• What if every night, after Mom and Dad tuck you in, you get to spend some time with an interesting creature known only to you?

6. What if your closet door is really a door to another world?

This Narnia -style prompt inspires students to describe a secret fantasy world. Help them get into the groove by discussing the many characters they encounter. 

• Are they magical creatures or copies of everyday people he knows now? 
• What kind of world lies on the other side of his closet? 
• What’s happening there? 
• Is it similar to our world or vastly different?

7. Create an imaginary friend and take him on some adventures with you.

This type of freewriting prompt for 3rd grade students allows for more exploration. It’s a broader topic for the child who already thinks creatively and won’t be overwhelmed by its broadness. 

If your student likes this topic but still needs some inspiration, here are some questions to ask:

• How old is your friend? 
• Is it a boy or a girl? 
• What type of creature is he – human, animal, bug, robot, or something else? 
• What’s something you’d love to do with a friend if you could do anything you want to do?

8. Rewrite a fairy tale so that it takes place today in your own town.

This writing topic alleviates some uncertainty a third grader may have in getting started. Once your student chooses a fairy tale, then it’s just a matter of re-forming the characters and setting. 

It’s a wonderful topic for students who need more structure than the average creative writing assignment provides.

9. Explore and describe the dusty old attic of a dilapidated mansion.

This topic is one of the more descriptive writing topics for grade 3 . It’s compelling to think about, but it doesn’t have to be too bizarre.

(Check out this post for examples of descriptive writing .) 

Your student can be as creative and imaginative as he or she desires. 

Your third grader can create descriptions of realistic objects found in an old attic, or he can dive deep and paint images of ancient or other-worldly artifacts.

10. Imagine your parents won a million dollars. How would your life change?

Let his imagination soar, describing the planes he plans to pilot around the world or the mansion in which he’ll entertain world leaders.

Perhaps he’ll purchase a private island and find hidden treasure or build an orphanage in a third-world country. 

11. What if your dolls have their own secret lives when you’re not around?

This creative writing topic has, of course, been explored by many published authors, which just proves it’s a captivating one. 

Questions to get started:

• What do your dolls do when they “wake up”?
• Do they go anywhere?
• Do they have jobs?

12. Imagine your older cousin is getting married and asks you to be a bridesmaid (or groomsman). Tell me all about the wedding and your part in it.

Creative writing prompts for grade 3 can also be about a realistic but fictional situation, like participating in a wedding. 

Third grade girls, especially, may enjoy planning a fantasy wedding. She may even wish to pen her own wedding!

Have her describe the dresses, the flowers, the decorations, the ceremony, and anything else she’s interested in. 

If your child chooses this topic, be sure to tuck her written work away for later—what a fun story to share at her own “real life” wedding!

bring excitement into your student’s writing – no prep required!

About the author.

Jordan Mitchell

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101 Engaging Creative Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

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Are you ready to spark your third grader’s imagination and creativity? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of 101 engaging creative writing prompts specifically tailored for 3rd graders. Whether your child loves to write about magical adventures, funny mishaps, or exciting discoveries, these prompts are sure to inspire them to express themselves through the power of storytelling. From whimsical prompts to thought-provoking scenarios, this comprehensive list is designed to encourage young writers to explore their creativity and develop their writing skills. Get ready to embark on a journey of imagination and storytelling with these 101 captivating creative writing prompts for 3rd grade!

Whether you are a parent looking for a fun activity to do with your third grader or you’re a teacher looking for a list of writing prompts for the year, you are in the right place! I love working with third graders as their imaginations are expanding and their ability to write out their thoughts is gaining experience. Use these fun and free note booking pages to to draw a picture and write a few sentences for each of the following prompts!

Journal Creative Writing Prompts

Journal writing prompts are important in 3rd grade for several reasons. First, they help students develop their writing skills by providing them with a structured starting point for their creative expression. By responding to prompts, students can practice organizing their thoughts, using proper grammar and punctuation, and expanding their vocabulary.

Secondly, journal writing prompts encourage students to reflect on their experiences, thoughts, and emotions, fostering self-awareness and self-expression. This can be particularly beneficial for 3rd graders as they navigate through a period of significant cognitive and emotional development.

Additionally, journal writing prompts can serve as a tool for teachers to assess students’ writing abilities and monitor their progress over time. By reviewing students’ responses to prompts, teachers can identify areas for improvement and tailor their instruction to meet individual needs.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
• If you could create a new magical land, what would it look like? What kind of creatures would you find there?
• If you could meet a famous person, who would it be and what would you do together?
• If you could invent a new holiday, what would it be and how would people celebrate it?
• Describe a day in the life of your favorite book or movie character.
• What is your favorite thing to do with your family and why?
• If you could be any animal for a day, which animal would you choose and why?
• Write a story about a talking animal who goes on an adventure.
• What is something that makes you laugh really hard?
• If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?
• Describe a time when you had to be really brave and how you handled the situation.

Funny Creative Writing Prompts

By using humor as a catalyst for writing, students are more likely to feel motivated and enthusiastic about the writing process. This can help alleviate any potential anxiety or reluctance towards writing, making it a more enjoyable and rewarding experience for 3rd graders.

Also, funny writing prompts can inspire students to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas, leading to more imaginative and entertaining compositions. This can help nurture a sense of playfulness and originality in young writers, fostering a positive attitude towards writing and self-expression.

• Write a story about a day in the life of a silly superhero with unusual powers.
• Imagine if animals could talk – what would your pet say to you?
• Create a recipe for a birthday cake for your favorite pet.
• Write a dialogue between two talking vegetables in a grocery store.
• Describe a day in the life of a mischievous mouse causing chaos in a classroom.
• Invent a new holiday where everyone has to wear silly hats and tell jokes all day.
• Write a story about a talking animal who tries to learn how to dance.
• Describe a world where everything is made of candy – what would happen?
• If you could have a pet dinosaur, what funny things do you think it would do?
• Create a comic strip about a group of wacky aliens visiting Earth for the first time.

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Narrative essay writing prompts.

Narrative essay writing prompts provide young students with an opportunity to develop their storytelling skills by crafting narratives based on their own experiences and imaginations. This process allows 3rd graders to practice organizing their thoughts, using descriptive language, and creating engaging storylines, which are essential elements of narrative writing.

• If your shoes could talk, what would they say?
• Describe a special day when you discovered a hidden treasure in your backyard.
• Tell a story about a time when you had to solve a mystery or a puzzle.
• If you were given 100 oranges what would you do with them?
• Describe a memorable family vacation and the exciting things you did.
• Tell a story about a time when you overcame a fear and felt really brave.
• Write about a day when you found a secret passage to a mysterious place.
• Describe a time when you had a funny mishap or a silly misunderstanding.
• Tell a story about a time when you made a new friend and had a great adventure together.
• If one day you woke up and could fly, where would you go? What would you do?

Fiction Writing Prompts

By engaging with fiction writing prompts, students can explore a wide range of imaginative scenarios, characters, and settings, allowing them to expand their creative thinking and storytelling abilities. Also, fiction writing prompts provide an opportunity for 3rd graders to develop their language skills, vocabulary, and descriptive abilities as they bring fictional worlds and characters to life through their writing.

• What story does a camera want to tell the world?
• A princess is trapped in a castle that is guarded by a beast. Instead of waiting for her prince charming to save her, she uses the resources and tools from inside the castle to build her escape plan. What all would she use and how? Write her escape story.
• ‘There was a knock on the door. I opened it and saw a cat sitting there and,….’. Finish the story.
• You had a chance to take over your father’s job for a day. Write a story narrating all your day’s events.
• ‘On a vacation to paradise, something unexpected happens.’ Continue with the story.
• There was a butterfly in Ohio who needed to earn the colors for herself. She could only earn five colors for herself. What would she do to earn colors, and how?
• One day, you woke up and realize that you have a magic pen next to you. Narrate the events that followed it.
• Imagine you get to choose how you would want to live your next 50 years. What would you choose? Who will be the people with you?
• Your balloon just blew away! Write the story from the balloon’s perspective.
• You ate a brownie, and now you are 20 feet tall. What do you do next?

Poetry Writing Prompts

Poetry writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage creativity, self-expression, and language exploration. By engaging with poetry writing prompts, students have the opportunity to experiment with language, rhythm, and imagery, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and power of words.

• Write a poem about your favorite season and all the things you love about it.
• Create a poem about a magical creature you imagine living in a hidden forest.
• Write a poem about your best friend and all the fun adventures you have together.
• Describe a day at the beach through a poem, capturing the sounds, sights, and feelings.
• Imagine a world made of candy and write a sweet poem about it with a maximum of 30 words.
• Write a poem about the colors of the rainbow and what each color makes you think of.
• Create a poem about a funny dream you had that made you laugh.
• Describe a rainy day in a poem and how it makes you feel.
• Write a poem about your favorite animal and why you love it.
• “Dear Friend…” write a poem to a friend about what you like about them.

Informative Essay Writing Prompts

Informative essay writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage critical thinking, research skills, and the development of clear and organized writing. By engaging with informative essay prompts, students have the opportunity to explore and present factual information on a given topic, fostering their ability to conduct research and communicate knowledge effectively.

• Explain how plants grow and what they need to thrive.
• Describe the life cycle of a butterfly and the stages it goes through.
• Write about the importance of recycling and how it helps the environment.
• Explain the different types of weather and how they affect our daily lives.
• Describe what daily habits you do to take care of yourself each day.
• Explain the concept of telling time and how to read a clock.
• Write about the different habitats where animals live and how they adapt to their surroundings.
• Describe the water cycle and how it helps sustain life on Earth.
• Explain the importance of good manners and how they make a positive impact on others.
• Write about the different types of community helpers and the roles they play in our society.

Opinion Creative Writing Prompts

Opinion creative writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage critical thinking, persuasive communication, and the development of individual perspectives. By engaging with opinion writing prompts, students have the opportunity to express their thoughts, beliefs, and preferences on various topics, fostering their ability to articulate and defend their opinions in a structured and convincing manner.

• Do you think students should have homework? Why or why not?
• Should kids be allowed to have a pet? Why or why not?
• Do you think it’s important to eat healthy food? Why or why not?
• Should kids be allowed to have a cell phone? Why or why not?
• Do you think it’s better to be the oldest, middle, or youngest child in a family? Why?
• Should students have to wear school uniforms? Why or why not?
• Do you think it’s important to be kind to others? Why or why not?
• Should kids be allowed to watch TV all day? Why or why not?
• Do you think it’s important to protect the environment? Why or why not?
• Should kids be allowed to have a later bedtime? Why or why not?

Animal Creative Writing Prompts

Animal creative writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage imagination, empathy, and language exploration. By engaging with animal creative writing prompts, students have the opportunity to explore the natural world, develop characters, and create stories that incorporate animals as central figures, fostering their creativity and storytelling abilities. Also, animal creative writing prompts provide a platform for 3rd graders to develop empathy and understanding for animals as they imagine themselves in the roles of different creatures. This process can help students develop a greater appreciation for the diversity of life on Earth and the importance of empathy towards other living beings.

• Write a story from the perspective of a mischievous monkey swinging through the jungle.
• Imagine you are a dolphin exploring the ocean – describe your underwater adventures.
• Create a tale about a brave lion leading a group of animals on a daring rescue mission.
• Write a story about a curious cat who discovers a magical secret in the neighborhood.
• Imagine you are a bird flying high in the sky – describe the sights and sounds you encounter.
• Create a story about a friendly bear who helps lost animals find their way home in the forest.
• Write a tale about a clever fox outsmarting other animals in the woods.
• Imagine you are a playful puppy at a pet show – describe the fun and excitement of the event.
• Create a story about a group of animals working together to solve a problem in the wild.
• Write a tale about a baby elephant’s first adventure away from the herd.

Descriptive Creative Writing Prompts

Descriptive creative writing prompts are valuable for 3rd graders as they encourage the development of vivid language, sensory details, and observational skills. By engaging with descriptive writing prompts, students have the opportunity to practice using descriptive language to paint rich and detailed pictures with words, fostering their ability to create engaging and immersive narratives.

Additionally, descriptive writing prompts provide a platform for 3rd graders to develop their powers of observation and attention to detail as they describe scenes, objects, or experiences. This process helps students learn to notice and appreciate the nuances of the world around them, contributing to their overall awareness and mindfulness.

• Describe your favorite place in the world and why it’s so special to you.
• Write a detailed description of a magical garden filled with colorful flowers and friendly animals.
• Describe a day at the beach, capturing the sounds, smells, and feelings of the seaside.
• Imagine a world made of candy and describe what it looks, smells, and tastes like.
• Write a detailed description of a mysterious cave and the adventures that await inside.
• Describe a rainy day, capturing the sights and sounds of the rain and how it makes you feel.
• Imagine a day in a bustling city and describe the sights, sounds, and energy of urban life.
• Write a detailed description of a magical forest and the creatures that live within it.
• Describe a delicious feast fit for a king, including all the mouthwatering dishes and desserts.
• Imagine a day in a winter wonderland and describe the beauty of the snowy landscape and the fun activities you would do.

Emotional Creative Writing Prompts

Emotional creative writing prompts can help 3rd graders develop their language skills and vocabulary as they seek to convey a wide range of emotions through their writing. This can contribute to their ability to express themselves with depth and nuance, enhancing their overall language proficiency and literacy development. This also can foster a sense of self awareness and emotional intelligence in a creative space.

• Write a story about a time when you felt really proud of yourself and what you accomplished.
• Imagine a day when you felt very happy and write about all the things that made you smile.
• Create a story about a time when you felt scared but found the courage to overcome your fear.
• Write about a time when you felt really sad and how you found comfort and support.
• Imagine a day when you felt very excited and write about the thrilling adventures that followed.
• Create a story about a time when you felt very angry and how you managed to calm down and find a solution.
• When I make a mistake I… (Finish the story)
• Imagine a day when you felt very surprised and write about the unexpected events that unfolded.
• Create a story about a time when you felt very curious and eager to learn something new.
• Write about a time when you felt very loved and describe the heartwarming moments that made you feel special.

Overall I feel that these 101 creative writing prompts for 3rd graders is a great place to start allowing you minds speak for themselves as they are developing an awareness to the world around them and their contribution to it.

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100 Fun Third-Grade Writing Prompts for Kids: Journal Prompts

• Journal Writing Prompts
• Funny Writing Prompts
• Narrative Essay Writing Prompts
• Fiction Writing Prompts
• Poetry Writing Prompts 
• Informative Essay Writing Prompts
• Opinion Writing Prompts
• Animal Writing Prompts
• Descriptive Writing Prompts
• Emotion Writing Prompts

The power of stories is immense. It not only unlocks the imagination but also improves creativity and vocabulary. For kids as young as third graders , writing prompts can be beneficial to kick-start their writing spree. It is a great way to build various genres of writing skills in kids- from narrative and informative to poetic and funny.

Stick to this blog to track down century options of 3rd grade writing prompts for kids .

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Here are more educational resources to get your third grader learning!

6 Reasons To Give Your 3rd Graders a Writing Prompt?

When it comes to keeping your students busy with something beneficial, writing prompts are a wonderful tool. Here are a few major ways in which 3rd grade journal prompts can help children.

• Allows children to think around creatively
• Enhances a sense of expression
• Eliminates the dread of writing
• Improves story-telling
• Boosts self-confidence in children
• Refines grammar, spelling, and handwriting with practice

While they get busy writing the best out of their imagination, you can enjoy a sip of hot coffee (a bonus, you know!).

100 Fun Third-Grade Writing Prompts for Kids

10 journal writing prompts.

The habit of journaling must be inculcated in kids from a young age. Wondering why? Well, it goes a long way in developing the ‘writer-like’ mindset in them. Moreover, journaling is known to be a stress reliever in teens and adults alike. Whether they make it a daily or alternate habit later, here are ten examples of 3rd grade journal topics that can be perfect for giving them a needed push.

1. What has been your favorite memory of 2nd grade ?

2. On a rainy day, would you rather be inside or outside? Why?

3. How did you meet your best friend?

4. What flavor of chips do you like the most and why?

5. Who is the favorite cousin in the family?

6. When was the last time you had your favorite dinner outside?

7. Do you have someone who makes you feel special? Who and How?

8. Which school period do you like the most and why?

9. What are you most thankful for in life and why?

10. What is your favorite cartoon character?

10 Funny Writing Prompts

This is every child’s favorite! Funny Writing prompts can help develop an expression of humor sense in young children. Moreover, it will allow the classroom to have a light moment together when each of them will read their chucklesome experiences aloud. We can already hear the giggles!

Check out these fun writing prompts for 3rd grade kids.

1. If your pencil boxes could talk to each other, what would they be?

2. What if you were an Easter egg?

3. Imagine if cows gave ‘Skittles’ instead of milk. What would the world be like?

4. What makes you laugh?

5. What was the best joke that your best friend cracked recently? How can you make it funnier?

6. What would happen if it did rain cats and dogs?

7. Imagine there’s a kangaroo in the classroom. How did it reach there, and what would the scenario be like?

8. Would you rather wear a swimming suit in a snowstorm or wear a snowsuit to the beach? Which kind of silly will you be and why?

9. Write a review of the animated movie for kids that you have seen recently.

10. Imagine you and your best friend switch families for a day. What would the day be like?

10 Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Narrative essay prompts can sow seeds for a future author of an American best-seller. One of the most favored writing prompts by teachers, 3rd grade narrative writing prompts expect students to tell a story based on their imagination or actual incidents. They could either build their story on dialogues or use descriptive writing. Let’s head to the list.

1. If your shoe could speak, what story would it tell?

2. One fine morning, you woke up with wings. Narrate the day.

3. If you are allowed to make classroom rules , which new rule would you make and why?

4. Make a story about where thunder comes from.

5. Imagine a boy who only eats oranges to survive. Narrate the story of his life.

6. Describe your last vacation. Where did you go, and what did you do?

7. What is the most interesting story that your family member has told you about?

8. You are given $200 to spread kindness around your city. How will you spend it?

9. If you could fly wherever you would want to, what places would you go and why?

10. What is one thing you do very well? Describe it in detail.

10 Fiction Writing Prompts

Here’s another set of 3rd grade writing prompts that will make the creative juices flow in the students. Fiction writing prompts are a great stimulus for young minds to develop their characters, work on a plot line and narrate a story. 

They not only allow expand their imagination in children but gives them an opportunity to enjoy the writing process. Have a look at writing ideas for 3rd grade students:

1. What story does a camera want to tell the world?

2. A princess is trapped in a castle that is guarded by a beast. Instead of waiting for her prince charming to save her, she uses the resources and tools from inside the castle to build her escape plan. What all would she use and how? Write her escape story.

3. ‘There was a knock on the door. I opened it and saw a cat sitting there and,….’. Finish the story.

4. You had a chance to take over your father’s job for a day. Write a story narrating all your day’s events.

5. ‘On a vacation to paradise, something unexpected happens.’ Continue with the story.

6. There was a butterfly in Ohio who needed to earn the colors for herself. She could only earn five colors for herself. What would she do to earn colors, and how?

7. One day, you woke up and realize that you have a magic pen next to you. Narrate the events that followed it.

8. Imagine you get to choose how you would want to live your next 50 years. What would you choose? Who will be the people with you?

9. Your balloon just blew away! Write the story from the balloon’s perspective.

10. You ate a brownie, and now you are 20 feet tall. What do you do next?

10 Poetry Writing Prompts 

With Tik Toks and Reels throwing rubbish in the name of poems for kids , now is the time to introduce young minds to the real essence of poetry. They must be taught the power of syllables, rhymes, apostrophes, punctuation, and word choice to recognize the poetry. 

Poetry Writing Prompts can give good practice to 3rd graders to improve their phrasing ideas and, ultimately, the poetry sense! Whether it’s a limerick or haiku, here’s the suggestion list that you shouldn’t miss.

1. ‘Whenever I sing a silly song,

Whenever I daydream for too long..’ Continue the poem.

2. ‘Within the wrapping paper brown,

the smallest gift I’ve found. Write a poem to talk about the gift.

3. ‘Dear Friend,’. Write a short poem for your best friend.

4. Challenge yourself to write a poem that is no longer than 25 words.

5. Imagine you came from another planet, lost on Earth, and longing for home. Write short poetry to express yourself.

6. ‘Look at the stars and name them all….’ Continue an interesting poem.

7. ‘Through the trees, I go…’ Write a few lines of a Haiku poem.

8. Write a poem about your grandparents.

9. ‘It was quite a big day for me.’ Write a limerick using this line.

10. ‘I met a funny little woman,

As I walked along one day…’ Write a silly poem using this starter.

10 Informative Essay Writing Prompts

A highly beneficial writing exercise for all ages, informative writing prompts are about informing the reader without persuading or making an opinion to it. For 3rd graders, these essays could be a powerful tool to enable them to write from what they already know. It advances their memorization, learning, and reflective ability in them.

Check out the ideas that can be used as writing topics for 3rd graders.

1. Write a process to build a birdhouse in your backyard.

2. If you could meet any famous person in the world, who would it be and what conversion would you have with them?

3. Why is it important to preserve the environment around us? How can you help with it?

4. Do you have a pet? If yes, how do you take care of it?

5. Describe what all do you see on your way to school.

6. How do you prepare for a test? Share some tips with your friends.

7. Write the importance of a healthy diet in our lives. How can we make our diet healthier?

8. Describe life in the coldest cities of the world. Would you live in such places?

9. Doctors, Firefighters, Policemen, Delivery boys, etc., are all heroes. Write about their selfless contribution to our lives.

10. Why do leaves change color during autumn?

10 Opinion Writing Prompts

We all have opinions, and so do the little ones! Teaching young kids to form an opinion can be rewarding for their future goals and personality development. 

It is important to familiarize them with understanding their mind and heart and strike a balance between the two. Opinion writing prompts for 3rd graders can be instrumental in getting them moving in that direction.

To ease the writing process, you can teach the kids about the OREO framework.

O – Opinions

E – Examples

O – Opinion (restated in a concluding note)

Let’s dive into some interesting topics for 3rd grade writing prompts.

1. Do you think teachers should give homework to students?

2. What are some important rules that must be followed in life?

3. How to become a kind human being?

4. What do you do when you are angry? Write some ways to calm yourself down.

5. How to make yourself happy when you are sad? Write from your experience.

6. What is the best restaurant in your city, and why?

7. Should 10-year-olds have their mobile phone? Why or why not?

8. Why should children not eat chocolates very frequently? How should they practice control?

9. Should everyone wear school uniforms in school? Why or why not?

10. If there could only be one season throughout the year, which one would you choose and why?

10 Animal Writing Prompts

If animals bring so much joy to us just by existing, how joyful it’d be to write about them? There are so many reasons to ask children to write about animals. It can be a wonderful way to enhance their creativity, fascination, attention to detail, and of course, writing skills. 

Here’s a list of animal writing prompts for 3rd graders.

1. Which animal would you like to meet and why?

2. Would you rather have a rabbit or a penguin as a pet? Why?

3. If you had a chance to become one farm animal, which one would it be and why?

4. If I were a turtle, I would…

5. Imagine waking up in the morning and seeing your favorite animal getting ready for school. What would the scenario be like?

6. Write how the world would be if humans could talk to animals.

7. You can choose either an animal or a human as your best friend. Which one would you pick and why?

8. If you could choose a different name for ‘Cow,’ what would it be? Why?

9. What I know about chickens is that….

10. A fish took a solo trip to London. Narrate the story.

10 Descriptive Writing Prompts

What do you do when you want your students to go into the tiniest details while writing? Try Descriptive writing prompts for 3rd graders. Whether they write a story or a personal experience, ignite the spark of description with these writing prompts.

1. What is your favorite math game ? Why do you like it? Also, write the steps to play.

2. Imagine you are traveling on a ship in the ocean. What does your ship look like? And, why would you like the best about your ship? Describe your journey.

3. Describe your favorite activity in the mall.

4. Which is better, winter or summer? Support your take with reasons.

5. Share a memorable experience at the park. What made it so memorable? Would you like to relive it?

6. Describe a beautiful scene from nature.

7. Alice gets to visit Wonderland in the movie ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ Describe all that you can think about Wonderland- the location, the environment, the colors, the people, etc.

8. What is a perfect day for you? Include the weather, your clothes, your friends, what you eat, and your activities.

9. Write a description of a trip to the zoo.

10. Who is your favorite teacher, and why? Describe him/her.

10 Emotion Writing Prompts

School is not limited to books and assignments. It’s also about preparing students to reflect on their feelings and being able to jot them down. Guess what? Emotion prompts can be the right choice here as well! They inspire creativity in kids and aid them in connecting with their feelings and emotions. Few third-grade emotion prompts that you shouldn’t miss.

1. My biggest dream is…

2. My favorite thing about myself…

3. What do you do when you make a mistake? How do you feel?

4. When was the last time you helped someone? What was it about?

5. Write about the happiest day of your life.

6. If you could have any special talent, what would it be and why?

7. What five things do you love about your family?

8. I feel sad when…

9. Imagine your friend is feeling scared. What would you do to calm him/her down?

10. Write a list of 10 things you are grateful for.

Now that you know 100 writing prompts for 3rd grade, there’s nothing that can stop your students shape into brilliant writers. However, a little something that we would like you to know- make writing as much fun as possible for these young minds. Look at a few tips which will help you chart out easy ways to teach writing to 3rd graders.

5 Steps To Help 3rd Graders With Writing

Step 1: sentence-formation.

If students struggle with understanding and forming sentences, they must be taught sentences as a single complete thought. Reading sentences aloud with necessary pauses will bring more clarity to them about the nature of a sentence. Let the children practice in small groups to make the instructions more effective.

 Step 2: Paragraph Writing

The next step will be to familiarize the children with writing small paragraphs. Don’t go throwing the list of 3rd grade writing prompts in one go. Instead, focus on strengthening the core concepts of writing. Introduce children to the parts of a paragraph-head, body, and conclusion.

Step 3: The ‘Sandwich’ Rule

It is a great way to simplify the writing process for third-graders. Teach the children that writing a paragraph is similar to making a sandwich. 

It begins with a piece of bread, i.e., the topic sentence, followed by adding some ingredients in the middle, i.e., the transition sentences, and finally, fishing it with another piece of bread, i.e., the concluding sentences. 

The rule can also be practiced in small groups to enjoy the maximum benefits.

Step 4: Additional Cues

Besides creative writing prompts for 3rd graders, emphasis must be made on using words like ‘because,’ ‘since,’ ‘for example,’ ‘another,’ ‘also,’ etc., to make meaningful connections while writing. Set 30 minutes initially for most pieces. Once they have had enough practice, you can reduce the time accordingly.

Step 5: Technical Cues

In the age of digitization, you cannot fathom eliminating the aid of digital tools to help children write. Teachers must pick something fun and let the students research about them on the internet. Noting down the point will help them build a story or idea smoothly.

Get, Set, Writing!

Writing prompts are not the end but the beginning of a brilliant writing spree for your students. Nonetheless, encouragement and support from your side are imperative to build their confidence. We hope the class will enjoy these 3rd grade writing prompts as much as we enjoyed curating them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How should i motivate my child to write at home.

Before introducing them to prompts, the most important way you can help your child with writing is to give them a journal, a storybook, a pencil, and an eraser. Keep a separate basket for their stationary supplies so that they can instantly grab them whenever they are in the mood to write.

What can be the first set of prompts that I should begin with?

Children are most closely knit to their parents. Giving them writing prompts to recount a happy family vacation or their favorite family members can be an ideal beginning. Moreover, in the classroom, teachers can use prompts related to their best friend, learning environment, and favorite school activity.

How many writing prompts can I use in one go?

Depends on the length of the class period. However, it is recommended to use one prompt in each class to preserve the class’s interest. Otherwise, children often feel burnout and pressure from having too many topics to write on in a single class.

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60 Fun and Engaging 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on August 26, 2022

Categories Education , Creativity , Writing

As a teacher, it is important to keep your students engaged and interested in the material you are teaching. One way to do this is by using fun, and engaging writing prompts. This blog post will list 60 writing prompts perfect for 3rd grade students. These prompts will help your students practice their creative writing skills while having fun simultaneously!

60 3rd Grade Creative Writing Prompts

• Write a story about a time when you were very brave.
• Write a story about a time when you were very creative.
• Write a story about a time when you were very determined.
• Write a story about a time when you were very helpful.
• Write a story about a time when you were very honest.
• Write a story about a time when you were very funny.
• Write a story about a time when you were very successful.
• Write a story about a time when you were very kind to someone.
• Write a story about a time when you were very lucky.
• Write a story about a time when you were very proud of yourself.
• Write a story about a time when you were very grateful for something.
• Write a story about a time when you were very excited.
• Write about your favorite animal.
• Write about your favorite holiday and why it’s your favorite.
• Write about your favorite food and why you love it.
• Write a story about a time when you were really scared.
• Write about a time when you were really happy.
• Write about a time when you were really sad.
• Write about a time when you did something you weren’t supposed to do and got away with it.
• Write about a time when you didn’t get away with something you did wrong.
• Write about your favorite TV show.
• Write about your favorite movie.
• Write about your favorite book.
• Write about your favorite video game.
• Write about your best friend.
• Write a story about a time when you were very disappointed.
• Write a story in which you are the main character and in which something exciting happens to you.
• Write a letter to your best friend telling them everything you love about them.
• Write a letter to yourself from the future, telling yourself all the things you have accomplished since writing this letter
• Write instructions on how to make your favorite food.
• Write instructions on how to make your favorite toy
• Write a story about a time when you were extremely adventurous.
• Write a story about a time when you were extremely friendly.
• Write a story about a time when you were extremely generous.
• Write a story about what you did to celebrate your favorite holiday.
• Write about your favorite family tradition and what it means to you.
• What is your favorite thing to do on weekends?
• What is your favorite thing to do for fun?
• If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be?
• Why is that place special to you?
• What would you do if you had the opportunity to visit that place?
• What are some things that interest you?
• What are some things that scare you?
• Write about a time you were really happy.
• Write about a time you helped someone else.
• Write about your favorite place to go.
• Write about a time your family laughed together.
• Write about a time your family argued together.
• Write about the best day of your life.
• Write about the worst day of your life.
• Write a letter to Santa Claus.
• Draw a picture of your family and write a paragraph describing them.
• Write a poem about winter.
• Write a poem about summer.
• Write a story explaining why it is important to be kind to others.
• Write a story explaining why it is important to be truthful to others.
• Write a story explaining why it is important to be yourself.
• What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
• If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? Why?
• What do you think is the most important rule for being happy? Explain why.

Some Types of 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

• Journal prompts
• Opinion writing prompts
• Narrative writing prompts
• Informational writing
• Short story
• Personal Narrative
• Creative writing

Ask What Is Their Favorite Book Character and Why

A great way to stimulate third grade writing is to ask your students what their favorite book character is and why. This will encourage them to think critically about the characters in the books they are reading and articulate their thoughts in writing. Not only will this prompt help each student improve their writing skills and assist their reading comprehension, but it will also get them thinking deeply about the books they are reading.

How 3rd Grade Writing Prompts Fit Within Age Range Skills

By the time a child arrives in third grade, their vocabulary will have expanded through reading. They will be starting to assimilate various grammatical forms, such as pronouns and plurals, and will start to comprehend and consider the language they use. Alongside more complex word choices, 3rd grade children will understand jokes, riddles, metaphors, and puns more easily. A greater ability to master syllable stress patterns means that third graders can more easily differentiate slight variations in words. They also start to appreciate better how to communicate using various media and settings.

What is 3rd Grade?

Third grade (grade three) is a year in primary education in which most students are 8-9 years old.

What should a 3rd grader be able to write?

Third grade students should be able to write simple, clear sentences using proper grammar and spelling. They should also be able to write about personal experiences, describe objects or events, and tell stories.

What level should a 3rd grader be reading at?

A 3rd grader should be reading books that are at a level appropriate for their reading skills. This means that they should be reading interesting and engaging books while also providing them with practice in reading skills.

How do you teach a third grader to write a paragraph?

Teaching third graders how to write a paragraph can be difficult, as they are still learning the basics of writing. However, there are a few things you can do to help them get started.

• One way to help your students is to model how to write a paragraph. Show them how to break down a topic into several sentences and use proper grammar and spelling. You can also have them practice writing paragraphs independently, using a topic that interests them.
• Another way to help your students write paragraphs is by giving them specific instructions on what to include in their paragraphs. For example, you could ask them to write about their favorite animal or describe a recent trip. This will help them focus on the structure of a paragraph and ensure that they include all the necessary information.
• Finally, be sure to give your students feedback on their writing. Help them revise and edit their paragraphs so that they can improve their writing skills.

How can you make writing for 3rd graders fun?

One way to make writing for 3rd graders fun is using fun, and engaging writing prompts! Try to make each writing prompt as creative as possible. You can also give your students journal writing prompts to do in their own time.

How long should a 3rd grader read each day?

Most students should read for at least 30 minutes each day. This will help them practice their reading skills and improve their comprehension. Additionally, students need to read a variety of genres and texts so that they can expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

How many sentences are in a paragraph for 3rd grade?

A paragraph is typically made up of five to seven sentences. This number can vary depending on the assignment or the purpose of the paragraph. Generally, shorter paragraphs are used for shorter writing pieces, while longer paragraphs are common in longer assignments.

As a teacher, it is important to keep your students engaged and interested in the material you are teaching. One way to do this is by using fun, and engaging writing prompts. This blog post has provided you with a list of writing prompts that are perfect for 3rd grade students. These prompts will help your students practice their writing skills while having fun simultaneously!

100+ Awesome Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

Today I’m sharing some awesome writing prompts for 3rd grade! These are great to have on hand to help your kids grow a little in their writing skills each day.

I plan on using this list for our laid-back, summer, homeschool schedule. Along with daily summer reading , simple math exercises, a fun writing prompt, and a whole of lot outdoor fun and play, I think we will be set to go.

To organize these 3rd grade writing prompts, I’ve broken them up into the following categories: books, food, nature, travel, feelings, imagination, friends and family, school, holidays, and favorites. (Also, make sure you get the printable checklist version at the end!)

Let’s get started! Here are 100+ awesome writing prompts for 3rd grade:

Book-Related Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade:

• What is your favorite book, and why?
• Describe the difference between fiction and non-fiction books.
• Who is your favorite fictional character, and why?
• Where do you like to read, and why do you enjoy that spot?
• What was your favorite book that someone has read to you, and why?
• Write about why you are glad you know how to read.
• If you were asked to read a book to a class of 3rd graders, what would you choose, and why?
• What non-fiction topics interest you, and why?
• If you could write a book, what would it be about?
• Who is your favorite author, and why?

Food-related writing prompts:

• Do you prefer savory or sweet foods, and why?
• Describe the taste and texture of chocolate cake.
• Whose cooking do you enjoy, and why?
• Write about your favorite place to eat.
• Describe your favorite meal.
• What is your opinion about coffee?
• If you made a treat for your neighbor, what do you think their reaction would be?
• What are some things you should be careful with in the kitchen?
• How do you make scrambled eggs?
• Describe the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten.

Nature writing prompts for 3rd graders:

• Would you prefer a sunny or snowy day, and why?
• How do you climb a tree?
• What are your favorite things to do outside?
• What kinds of sounds do you hear when you step outside?
• Describe the smell and feel of grass.
• What is your opinion about snakes?
• What is your favorite type of weather, and why?
• What would you use to build an outdoor fort?
• What is your favorite animal, and why?
• Explain how being outside and exploring nature makes you feel.

Imagination writing prompts for 3rd graders:

• If you had a time machine, where in history would you go?
• How would you spend a million dollars?
• How do you think your pets would describe you?
• If you made a robot, what would it be able to do?
• Write a funny story in four sentences.
• What superpower would you like to have, and why?
• If trees could talk, what do you think they would say?
• If you were stranded on an island, what would you do to survive?
• If you were given three wishes, what would they be?
• Describe your dream treehouse.

Writing prompts about family and friends for 3rd graders:

• Describe your family.
• What makes a good friend?
• Write about a time when someone was kind and friendly to you.
• In what ways do you help your family?
• Write about one of your family traditions.
• How do you make a new friend?
• What are some things you love about your family?
• Write about a favorite memory with a friend.
• What makes house feel like a home?
• Who do you look up to in your family, and why?

Birthday and Holiday Writing Prompts for 3rd graders:

• Which do you prefer Christmas or Thanksgiving, and why?
• What are some things you like about your birthday month?
• Describe your favorite holiday tradition.
• What is the best gift you’ve ever received, and why?
• Write about your happiest birthday memory.
• How do you plan a surprise birthday party for someone?
• What is your favorite holiday, and why?
• Describe the types of foods you would serve at a holiday party.
• Write about a gift you made for someone.
• What is your opinion about birthday cake?

Writing Prompts about Feelings for 3rd graders:

• What does boredom feel like?
• Who makes you feel happy, and why?
• Describe a time when you felt shy.
• How do you cheer yourself up when you are feeling sad?
• Write about something that scares you.
• What are some things that make you happy?
• Write about something you are hoping will happen.
• Write about a time you noticed someone feeling sad.
• Describe a time when you felt brave.
• Talk about a time you felt confident.

Writing Prompts about School for 3rd graders:

• What is your favorite subject, and why?
• Talk about something that was difficult for you to learn.
• Describe how it feels to know something really well.
• What are some things you would use a ruler for?
• What would you like to learn more about, and why?
• In what ways is learning fun?
• How have books helped you to learn?
• Write about a time you taught someone how to do something.
• Who in history inspires you, and why?
• What is your opinion about recess?

Travel Writing Prompts for 3rd graders:

• If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
• Do you prefer visiting the country or the city, and why?
• Describe the beach.
• What are some challenges that come with traveling?
• What is your favorite place in the world?
• What is your opinion about long car rides?
• How do you entertain yourself while you are traveling?
• What country would you like to visit, and why?
• Write about a trip you took with your family.
• Do you prefer driving or flying, and why?

Writing Prompts for 3rd graders: Favorites

• What is your favorite food, and why?
• Write about your favorite thing to play with.
• What is your favorite place, and why?
• Describe your favorite dessert.
• Write about your favorite color.
• Who is your favorite historical figure, and why?
• Write about a favorite memory with your family.
• What is your favorite animal and why?
• What is your favorite movie, and why?
• Describe your favorite snack.

How to Use the Writing Prompt List for Third Graders

Aim to keep writing simple and fun for your third graders! We want them to experience the joy and satisfaction they can achieve when they combine their skills of writing with communication and imagination.

With that in mind, give your students a writing prompt from the list and ask him or her to write 2-4 sentences. When they are done, look it over together and celebrate their writing accomplishments.

Should you correct your third grader’s writing?

I think it’s a great idea to read over your kids writing each day. First, because it gives you an opportunity to praise them for their hard work and point out things they did really well. Secondly, if gives you a chance to gently correct their mistakes.

With that being said, I usually pick one thing we can correct and work on for next time. Then stick with that one thing until the child is able to incorporate it into his or her writing without being reminded.

Things to look for in you third-grader’s writing:

• Capital letters at the beginning of a sentence
• Always capitalize the letter I if it stands alone
• Punctuation at the end of a sentence
• Capitalize proper nouns

Free Printable Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

Are you interested in the Free printable Writing Prompts for 3rd grade? This third grade resource includes the 100+ writing prompts from this article in printable, checklist format!   For Access to this freebie, Join the Inspire the Mom Community and sign in with Grow for this exclusive content!

Get it Now!

Free Printable:

Download the Free Printable Writing Prompt list for third graders!

Writing Prompts Q & A

1. what is a third grade writing prompt.

What is a third grade writing prompt? It is a prompt (or idea) composed of a question or issue that gives the student a starting point for writing.

2. What are some cool writing prompts?

• Share your opinion about coffee.

3. Where can I find good writing prompts for kids?

You can find writing prompts for kids here in this post, online, or come up with some your own!

More Writing Resources for Kids

• An Introduction to Letter Writing for Kids
• 100 Awesome Writing Prompts for First Grade
• Understanding the Benefits of Copywork
• A-Z Words for Kids

What is your favorite writing prompts for third graders?

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10 Writing prompts for third graders

In this guide

• Narrative writing prompts
• Opinion writing prompts
• Creative writing prompts
• Fun writing prompts
• Finish the story writing prompts
• Descriptive writing prompts
• Informative writing prompts
• Emotive writing prompts
• Thankful writing prompts
• Holiday writing prompts

In third grade, students begin to write to express themselves rather than just learning the mechanics of writing. Writing prompts are an excellent way to give students an entry point into creative expression.

Often writing can feel as if it is overwhelming to young writers, but prompts can alleviate that feeling.

The purposes of a writing prompt are to encourage the student’s interest in a topic and encourage them to write about it in a thoughtful and creative way. Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, University of Connecticut

The wide range of topics included in this article allows for differentiation for student needs, as well as variety in writing genres. 

Prompts can be used by students to demonstrate understanding of a specific genre of writing, such as narrative or informative. They can also be used as quick write prompts or journal topics. 

As all teachers know, not every student in a classroom is on the same level. Students have differing needs and skills. 

There are two ways to address the array of students in a classroom. 

The first is through the prompts themselves. Scaffolding writing assignments for specific students is pivotal to their success. Prompts can be modified to accommodate student skill levels. Students who are gifted, for instance, will typically require more challenging writing prompts. 

The second way comes when a teacher is evaluating, or grading, a writing assignment. At this time, the teacher can take into account each student and what is appropriate for them. 

For example, a student that is at the beginning levels of English language development may need to write in the present tense because the ability to write in the past tense develops later. 

Differentiation can take whatever form is best for student success. 

1) Narrative writing prompts

Narrative texts are a great place to start teaching the writing process. Telling a story is a way for students to build a personal connection to their writing.

Making a personal connection to text is an excellent way to “hook” students into writing. Stories help students build confidence in their writing abilities.  

• Describe the most meaningful event in your life. 
• Write a story about what you would do if you were the teacher for a day.  
• Write about your favorite memory. 
• Write about a moment when you were proud of yourself.
• Tell a story about a time when you were sad. 
• Create a story about a porcupine and a skunk going on an adventure. 
• Have you ever been hurt? Describe what happened. 

Take a look at available videos and resources on ClickView’s Parts of a Story Topic .

2) Opinion writing prompts

Elementary students love to give their opinions! 

Learning to construct reasonable arguments with evidence is a pivotal writing skill. Evidence to support opinions gives student writing authenticity. 

Teach students to provide reasons for their opinions. Giving reasons for their opinions will be beneficial as student writing develops to higher levels and deeper subjects. 

“Would you rather” questions and topics that are centered on familiar subjects provide a quick and easy way for students to give opinions and evidence. 

Starting writing activities with students verbally sharing their opinions with each other can result in a richer writing experience. This will help students to formulate their ideas before they put pen to paper. This strategy also supports students who are learning English or who struggle with writing tasks.  

• Which makes a better pet, cats or dogs? 
• What is the best candy? What makes it the best?
• Would you rather visit the beach or the mountains?
• Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
• What is the best sport to play?
• What is the best sport to watch someone else play?
• Choose an animal, why is it the coolest animal?
• Would you rather have a longer winter break or longer summer break?

All students have attended school, therefore school related topics eliminate the concern of limited background knowledge. 

These prompts provide an easy access point for students to give opinions with evidence that is familiar to them. 

• We should/should not have to go to school on Mondays. Give reasons to support your opinion. 
• Teachers should not give homework, explain your opinion. 
• Summer vacation should be longer. Explain why or why not?
• Which is more important – math or reading? Explain why.
• Should students have to wear uniforms in school? Why or why not?
• Should we have year round school? Explain reasons why we should or shouldn’t.

Alternatively, use video prompts like Spot and Stripe to get students thinking, and discussing before they start writing.

3) Creative writing prompts

Topics for creative writing give students an outlet to express their individuality and imagination. 

Creative writing prompts are great for journal entries and quick writes. 

Maybe you need a quick activity to fill a few minutes before the next activity. 

Maybe your students need something to help them refocus after a high energy activity. 

Whatever the purpose, creative writing prompts provide a quick resource for fun. 

• If you could create a new animal, what would it be? 
• Write a journal entry as an explorer discovering a new world. 
• If you were granted one wish, what would it be?
• Write a story about meeting a famous person.
• If you could build your dream house, what kind of rooms would be in it?
• What would you do if you were an adult for a day.

4) Fun writing prompts

These sort of writing prompts go hand-in-hand with creative writing prompts. They serve a similar purpose and provide the same creative outlet for student expression. 

• If you had a superpower, what would it be? What would you do with your superpower?
• What superhero would you like to meet? 
• Describe your perfect day.
• Imagine being trapped in a store overnight, what would you do?
• Describe the perfect ice cream sundae. 
• What is your dream job?

5) Finish the story writing prompts

Students often struggle with where to start when writing. While creativity may come easily for some, it does not for everyone. 

Use these prompts as a starting place. 

“Finish the story prompts” make excellent resources for journal entries. 

• She walked into the room and everyone stopped talking and stared. 
• The screen went blank and a message appeared…Do Not Trust Anyone.
• I was walking on the beach and tripped over something half buried in the sand.
• The astronaut stepped out of the ship and was surrounded by aliens. 
• He looked down the long, dark hallway, took a deep breath, and began walking. 
• The mashed potatoes flew across the school cafeteria and landed on my face. 
• She walked through the hidden door and into the enchanted forest.
• He opened the journal and found a note from his grandmother. 

6) Descriptive writing prompts

Site, touch, smell, taste, and hearing are good catalysts for descriptive writing for young writers.  

• You walk into an enchanted forest, describe what you see, hear, touch, and smell. 
• Using all of your senses, describe your favorite food. 
• Describe your favorite place.
• Describe what it is like on a really hot day.
• Describe what it is like on a really cold day. 
• Your pet has gone missing. Create a missing pet poster describing your pet. 
• What is something you would like to invent?
• Describe an important place in your city.

Descriptive writing can be aided with the use of pictures. Visuals allow all students to access the information regardless of experience.

Conducting a classroom discussion about the image before writing can increase the writing level of the students as well. 

There are places, other than Google Images, that have photos and images of various people, places, and things to spark creativity. 

• Nasa’s Astronomy Picture of the Day
• National Geographic – Best Photo of the Day
• The Guardian – Photos of the Day
• Voice of America News

*A note about images: It is up to the educator’s discretion when choosing appropriate images for students. 

Prompts to accompany images:

• Describe the image: What does it sound like?; What does it feel like?; What does it smell like?; What does it taste like?
• How does the image make you feel?
• Tell a story about what is happening in the picture. 
• Imagine you are in the picture, use all of your senses to describe what is happening. 
• Where is this picture taking place?
• What happened before this picture?
• What will happen next?

To extend an activity such as this, ask students to include figurative language devices such as simile and metaphors , alliteration, onomatopoeia and even personification .

7) Informative writing prompts

One type of informative writing is the “how to”. This writing allows students to be very descriptive and to demonstrate their knowledge of how to do a task.

Explaining how to do something has a two-fold benefit for students. 

First, they are able to gain confidence in writing because they are familiar with the topic.

Second, writers can practice the informative genre in a focused way. 

• Describe how to make your favorite sandwich. (Other appropriate food items can be substituted.)
• Choose a math problem and explain how to solve it. 
• Explain to a younger student how to play your favorite game. 
• Describe how to make a cake.
• Explain three ways that someone can help the Earth. 
• Compare and contrast summer and winter. 

Another form informative writing takes is research. 

In this type of writing, a student learns information about a topic and then shares that information in a formal writing assignment. 

This provides an opportunity for students to learn about age appropriate research strategies.

• Write about an influential person. Include specific details about this person’s life. 
• Research and write about a state (or country). Include important information such as language spoken, type of government, landmarks, and types of businesses.  
• Write about an example of extreme weather – tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, floods, etc. 
• Choose a scientist or inventor. What did they do? Why is what they did helpful to us?

Informational writing videos & resources

Discover informational writing with videos and teaching resources for your students.

8) Emotive writing prompts

Young children often have big emotions. Expressing feelings and emotions in writing can be beneficial to students’ social-emotional learning and development. 

SEL enhances young people’s coping skills, resiliency, and emotion identification, which can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in the short term. Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

The emotional development of children is so important, especially in their formative years. 

Giving students an outlet for expressing their happiness, anger, fear, and all other emotions is a gift teachers can give to their students. 

• What makes you feel safe?
• What moment in your life is your happiest?
• What would you tell a friend who is feeling scared?
• Create a list of things that help you when you feel sad or overwhelmed.
• What makes a good friend?
• Describe what makes you unique?
• What do you like about yourself?
• How do you feel when faced with a challenge?
• Write about a mistake you have made. What did you learn from your mistake?
• What is something you accomplished today?

9) Thankful writing prompts

It does not have to be Thanksgiving for students to be thankful. Expressing gratitude is part of the social emotional development of children. 

• Why is it important to be thankful?
• What are you most thankful for?
• Is it always easy to be thankful? Why or why not?
• Think of a person who makes you feel loved and thankful? Why do they make you feel that way?
• Write a thank you letter to someone important in your life. 
• What does gratitude mean to you?

World Kindness Day videos & resources

Celebrate World Kindness Day with videos and teaching resources for your students.

10) Holidays and celebrations writing prompts

Holiday prompts can be a contentious subject. Not all students celebrate all holidays. Knowing your students is the key to successfully writing about holiday celebrations.

The following prompts are useful for a wide range of students and holidays:

• Describe a holiday tradition or celebration in your family.
• If you could invent a holiday, what would it be?
• What is your favorite way to celebrate?
• Write about your favorite season and what activities you do during that time.
• What makes a great gift?
• My favorite holiday is … because …
• Compare and contrast your Christmas traditions with another person’s. 
• What is your favorite Christmas present that you have received?
• Write a letter to Santa.
• Write a letter to the Grinch. 
• Write an adventure story told from the point of view of a reindeer. 
• Write a Christmas poem.
• Tell a story about being a Christmas elf in Santa’s workshop. 

Thanksgiving

• What are your family’s Thanksgiving traditions?
• Which Thanksgiving food is the best? Why?
• We can only eat turkey on Thanksgiving, why or why not?
• Write a story about a turkey that escapes a Thanksgiving dinner.
• Describe the best Thanksgiving you have ever had.
• We celebrate Thanksgiving because … 

Other holidays

• Write a Valentine’s Day poem.
• Describe the fireworks on July 4th (or another holiday you celebrate).
• Write a story about the groundhog on Groundhog Day.
• My New Year’s resolution is…
• Who would you give something to and why?
• My favorite Halloween memory is …
• I want to be ___________ for Halloween because … 
• Write about your day as the Easter bunny. 
• Write a story about a magical Easter egg. 
• Describe your dream birthday party. 
• Developing Writing Prompts – Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning – University of Connecticut 
• Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Mattie Farrer

AVID Site Coordinator / Content Curator

Mattie Farrer has been an educator in various grade levels and capacities during her career. She has a passion for supporting English learners and their language development. She also loves helping teachers reach all students.

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Creative writing prompts.

Use these worksheets to get your kid's pen moving! Looking down at a blank piece of paper can freeze up young authors, but these fun writing prompts give them a head start!

Click on a worksheet in the set below to see more info or download the PDF.

Creative Writing Prompt: Music Band

Creative writing: living underwater, creative writing: electricity, descriptive writing prompt, science fiction writing prompt, creative writing: hidden door, descriptive writing: video game, creative writing: travel the world, sci fi writing prompt: end of the world, creative writing prompt: restaurant, halloween writing prompt, creative writing prompt: pet dinosaur, santa writing prompt, christmas writing prompt, christmas descriptive writing, christmas dragons, elf snowball fight, skiing on the moon, want to download this whole set as a single pdf, unlock worksheet sets.

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Third Grade Creative Writing Worksheets

• The Parts of a Letter
• Write Your Own Mad Libs ®
• Writing a Descriptive Paragraph (Gr. 3)
• Fill-in Story: The Halloween Party
• Fill-in Halloween Story: A Scary Night
• Fill-in Story: Halloween Carnival
• Writing a Personal Narrative (Gr. 3)
• My Friend Writing Printable
• Student Proofreading Checklist
• Creative Writing with Photo Inspiration
• Same Name Word Puzzle
• Life in the Sea
• Bio Poem Handout
• Writing a Research Report (Gr. 3)
• Favorite Foods
• Script Writing Handout
• Make Your Own Holiday
• A Note About Witches: Fill-in-the-Blanks
• Antonyms and Synonyms
• Immigration Picture Prompts
• Post Card Template
• My New Year's Resolutions (3-6)
• Discovering Pronouns 10
• Discovering Punctuation 2
• Discovering Capitalization 4
• Discovering Punctuation 9
• If I Were the Teacher
• Writing Activity: Describe the Rain Scene
• Change the Dialog in a Comic Strip
• Discovering Conjunctions
• More Creative Writing Printables, 3rd Grade

Featured 3th Grade Resources

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Free Printable Creative Writing Worksheets for 3rd Grade

Creative Writing: Discover a world of imagination with our free printable Reading & Writing worksheets for Grade 3 students. Enhance their skills and inspire young minds to express themselves through words.

Explore Creative Writing Worksheets by Grades

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Explore Other Subject Worksheets for grade 3

• Social studies
• Social emotional
• Foreign language
• Reading & Writing

Explore printable Creative Writing worksheets for 3rd Grade

Creative Writing worksheets for Grade 3 are an essential tool for teachers looking to inspire and develop the imaginative skills of their students. These worksheets provide a variety of engaging activities and prompts that encourage young minds to explore the realms of fiction writing, while also honing their reading and writing abilities. By incorporating these resources into their lesson plans, educators can help their Grade 3 students build a strong foundation in storytelling and narrative techniques. Additionally, these worksheets can be easily adapted to suit the needs of individual learners, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to excel in their creative pursuits. In summary, Creative Writing worksheets for Grade 3 are a valuable asset for teachers who want to foster a love of literature and writing in their students.

Quizizz is an innovative platform that offers a wide range of educational resources, including Creative Writing worksheets for Grade 3, to support teachers in their mission to cultivate a passion for reading and writing in their students. This interactive tool allows educators to create engaging quizzes and games that can be used alongside traditional worksheets to reinforce key concepts and assess student progress. By incorporating Quizizz into their teaching strategies, teachers can provide a more dynamic and enjoyable learning experience for their Grade 3 students, helping them to develop a deeper understanding of fiction writing and other related skills. Furthermore, Quizizz offers valuable analytics and insights to help educators track their students' performance and identify areas for improvement. Overall, Quizizz is an excellent resource for teachers seeking to enhance their Grade 3 students' creative writing abilities through a combination of worksheets and interactive activities.

Reading & Math for K-5

• Kindergarten
• Learning numbers
• Comparing numbers
• Place Value
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• Fact vs. fiction
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• Dolch sight words
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Narrative Writing for Grade 3

Telling stories.

These worksheets and writing prompts help students develop their narrative writing abilities. 

Writing Hooks : Write sentences to grab a reader's attention.

Setting : Brainstorm details for the place and time of a story

Character development: Outline a character's traits.

Writing dialogue : Create conversations with speech bubbles.

Show, don't tell! : Use descriptive details to show the reader what is happening.

Writing personal narratives : Write personal narratives starting with a prompt and organizer.

Narrative writing practice :  Write stories from a prompt, checklist & organizer.

Narrative writing prompts :  Write stories from these prompts.

Grade 3 Narrative Writing Worksheet

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Grade 3 Writing

Discover grade 3 writing standards.

By third grade, your child should be accustomed to the learning pace at elementary school level, and will now be expected to spend longer periods of time writing independently. Young writers should rely on language arts skills they built in Grade 1 and Grade 2 as the foundation they need in order to tackle more challenging writing activities .

Third grade writing requires children to demonstrate:

• Effective communication of ideas through written texts
• Structured writing pieces, including a short introduction , main body and conclusion
• Paragraph-writing skills
• Using correct spelling and grammar in their writing (such as tenses and capitalization )
• Longer and more complex sentence forms
• Research and identify facts using reading comprehension skills
• Factual knowledge in informative reports
• Successfully writing about past experiences
• Writing improvement through revision
• Writing based on a given prompt
• Using technology to compose different writing pieces
• Applying literary devices for the purpose of developing details
• Writing for different audiences and purposes

Your child can keep these aims in mind when thinking about the writing process for the following text styles:

Informative Writing

Opinion writing, narrative writing.

Informative writing in Grade 3 calls for a focus on a specific topic and putting together factual details with the aim to inform the reader.

Here are our top tips for creating a high-quality informative writing piece at third grade level:

• Introduce the topic
• Group all related information clearly, to form the text
• Include facts, definitions, details and, if necessary, analogies to support the text
• UIse illustrations or diagrams (when or if necessary) to further the reader’s understanding
• Use linking words to connect points of information
• Include a concluding sentence, stating findings clearly

Some informative writing text styles in Grade 3 are:

• Explanations

Practice Tip

Your third grader can work on their informative writing skills with Night Zookeeper’s Explanation Writing Activity Pack . This pack introduces examples of linking words and phrases that can help connect ideas in informational writing!

Opinion writing at third grade level requires more attention to detail, a stronger argument, and consistency throughout the text.

In third grade, your child is expected to demonstrate their point of view on a chosen topic and provide valid reasons for their perspective. Your child’s writing in third grade should also include linking words and phrases to piece together a compelling argument. Grade 3 learners should be working on writing to persuade or influence an audience.

How to write an opinion piece at third-grade level

• Start with a short introduction, stating a clear opinion on the topic
• Give a reason for this opinion, followed by a convincing example that validates the point
• Always refer back to the original statement, to ensure that the argument is consistent and coherent
• Finish with a summary of the argument, stating the original opinion once again, to leave the reader thinking about the perspective shared

You can encourage your child to develop opinions on specific topics by engaging in topical discussions! Choose a theme and start a conversation about it - you’ll be surprised by the opinions your child has already formed!

Stories at Grade 3 level should rely on descriptive writing techniques to create a cohesive plot of events, which provide the reader with as much information on the characters , settings and actions as possible!

As it’s not the first time your child will be asked to write a narrative text, they’ll already be familiar with the standard rules of story writing . As the complexity of their work increases however, here are a few tips on how the narrative writing process should happen in third grade:

• Plan and develop a well-structured plot
• Establish characters, settings and actions according to the theme of the story (be as descriptive as possible)
• Use figurative language and literary devices to enhance the plot
• Include an introduction, paragraphs which allow the story to progress chronologically and finish with a great narrative ending

Why not get your child to draw the characters and settings of their story before writing the piece? Not only will this encourage them to think about more details which can be described in the story (such as the clothes worn by the characters or the type of setting), but it will also improve their ability to think creatively about the chosen topic or theme!

How Night Zookeeper can help

Night Zookeeper is a language arts program that has been created to make language arts fantastically fun for elementary school students!

The extensive collections of lesson series on our program are especially relevant for Grade 3 students, such as The Persuasive Professor , Building Story Tension with the General , and Story Endings with the Guardians . Along with pre-defined lesson plans that your child can access at any time, Night Zookeeper also offers thousands of third grade writing activities, including games on spelling and grammar, creative writing prompts, printable resources, and much more!

All writing resources are determined by grade level, to ensure that your third grader has access to everything they need to become a budding young writer.

Sign up to our program today to get a free 7-day trial!

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• Elementary Writing
• Grade 3 Writing Prompts
• Grade 3 Reading
• Grade 3 Spelling
• Grade 3 Grammar
• Grade 3 Punctuation

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