Writing is a new and exciting skill for first graders, and this the perfect time to introduce them to a variety of writing activities. After spending much of kindergarten learning to read and form letters, first graders are now ready to explore different genres including creative writing, opinion writing, and narrative writing.
Whether your students are writing in a journal or doing a more formal writing project, the first-grade writing prompts below will keep their pencils moving all year long.
Creative and Imaginative Writing Prompts
These first grade writing prompts encourage young minds to explore their imaginations and dream up fun, fictional worlds. They’re perfect for developing storytelling skills and sparking a lifelong love of writing.
- What would happen if your pet could talk?
- Imagine you found a door in a tree. What’s behind it?
- If you could fly for a day, where would you go?
- Create a story about a snowman who comes to life.
- If toys could walk and talk, what would they do at night?
- You wake up in a castle. What happens next?
- If you had a magical backpack, what would be inside?
- Write a story about a dragon and a first grader becoming best friends.
Descriptive Writing Prompts
In writing assignments for first graders, you’ll often find that younger students are literal in their writing. Most kids this age are too young to write with or even understand figurative language.
However, they can learn about descriptive writing. Be sure to tap into the five senses to help them hone their craft.
- Describe your favorite food.
- Tell about a time it rained and how it felt.
- Describe a walk through the forest.
- Imagine a perfect planet. What’s it like there?
- Describe what your dream playground would look like.
- What does it feel like to hold a puppy.
- Describe your bedroom using all five senses.
- Describe your favorite place in the world
Nonfiction Writing Prompts
Non-fiction writing prompts help first graders explore the real world through informative and factual writing. These prompts guide young learners to explain, report, and describe things they know or observe, encouraging curiosity and building foundational research and organization skills.
- What are some of the best ways to stay healthy?
- How should you care for a pet?
- What are the things that make a good friend?
- Why is it important to obey the rules on the playground?
- What do plants need to grow?
- Describe how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
- What do firefighters do to help people?
- How do people stay healthy?
Opinion Writing Prompts
These first grade writing prompts ask children to choose a side or preference on a familiar topic, like favorite foods, chores, or school activities. This builds early persuasive writing skills while boosting confidence in sharing personal opinions.
- What’s one food we should get rid of?
- Why kids should have fewer chores
- Do you like summer or winter better?
- Should kids have to do homework? Why or why not?
- Would you rather play inside or outside?
- Is it better to have one best friend or lots of friends?
- Which is more fun: recess or art class?
- Should kids have longer weekends? Why?
Journal and Personal Writing Prompts
These journal prompts encourage first graders to reflect on their own lives, feelings, and routines. They’re ideal for daily warm-ups or quiet-time writing sessions in class, helping young students build writing fluency while also developing emotional awareness.
- What did you do over the weekend?
- Describe your favorite toy and why it’s special.
- What’s your favorite thing to do after school?
- Write about your family.
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What’s something that makes you laugh?
- What do you do when you feel sad?
- Describe your best day ever.
How-To or Procedural Writing Prompts
These writing prompts guide first graders in explaining step-by-step tasks in a clear and logical way.
Whether it’s brushing teeth, packing a lunch, or building a snowman, these prompts teach children how to organize their thoughts into instructions. They also improve sequencing and vocabulary, of which are key elements of early writing development.
- How do you brush your teeth?
- Write directions for making a sandwich.
- Explain how to get ready for school.
- How do you build a snowman?
- Tell someone how to clean their room.
- How do you pack for a trip?
- Teach someone how to play your favorite game.
- Describe how to plant a seed and help it grow.
Narrative Writing Prompts
Narrative writing is often the easiest type of writing for younger students.
Most kids think that all writing is stories and like using their imaginations. Prompts are helpful because kids’ stories can often go off on tangents. A prompt can help them stay focused on a single topic.
- Rewrite a fairy tale from the villain’s point of view.
- Write a story about the craziest thing that ever happened to you.
- How did you meet your best friend?
- Write about your best family vacation.
- Tell a story about an animal going on an adventure.
- You’re stranded on an island. How do you get off?
Sometimes kids need a chance to be silly. Fun 1st-grade writing prompts help kids to see that writing doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be fun.
Encourage kids to be creative and funny as they answer these prompts.
- You wake up as a shoe. Describe your day.
- What would happen if the whole world was made of ice cream?
- If I were president for a day, I would…
- Describe a silly planet and the aliens who live there.
- If you could have any superpower, which one would you have? Why?
- You meet a genie in a bottle. What are your three wishes?
Seasonal and Holiday Writing Prompts
Seasonal and holiday writing prompts give first grade students timely, relatable topics to write about throughout the year.
From Halloween costumes to summer memories, these prompts connect writing practice to real-life experiences. They’re especially helpful for keeping writing fresh and engaging as the school year progresses.
Fall / Autumn
- What do you love most about fall?
- Describe your perfect Halloween costume.
- What would you do on a hayride?
Winter
- What do snowflakes do when they fall from the sky?
- Write a story about a snow day adventure.
- What do you like most about winter break?
Spring
- What happens in a garden in spring?
- Describe your perfect Easter egg hunt.
- What’s your favorite thing to do on a warm spring day?
Summer
- What would you bring to a beach day?
- Tell about your best summer memory.
- What would you do if you had a lemonade stand?
What First Grade Writing Should Look Like
At the beginning of the year, your expectations can be too high for writing assignments for first grade students. While a few kids may write entire paragraphs, many will only manage a sentence or two.
Kids can get used to writing and build stamina with frequent writing assignments and first-grade journal writing prompts. By the end of the year, they may be writing five-ten sentences per assignment.
Make Writing Fun
If you want your students to enjoy writing time, you must make it enjoyable. Give them special journals to use for their writing. Let them use special pens, stickers, and anything else that makes their writing feel special. You can also create a special spot that kids can only use while writing.
Writing Up a Storm
These first-grade writing prompts are intended as a resource you can use to get your students to write with enthusiasm. The right prompts not only motivate students but also serve as a guide to help them write longer paragraphs.