= Partner SiteKindergarten Writing Prompts
Looking for kindergarten writing prompts? Kindergarten is when the magic begins! Young writers are learning to put their thoughts on paper for the very first time. These 80+ kindergarten writing prompts use simple words and familiar topics—family, friends, pets, and play—to help children feel confident as writers. Many prompts invite drawing first, because pictures help kindergartners plan what they want to say.
For Teachers
These kindergarten writing prompts are organized by CCSS writing type (W.K.1, W.K.2, W.K.3) for easy lesson planning. Most prompts work as “draw and write” activities. Perfect for journal time, morning message responses, or writing centers.
For Parents
Let your child draw first! A picture helps them think about what to write. Accept any writing—labels, a few words, or a sentence. Keep it short (5 minutes) and celebrate every effort!
More Kindergarten Resources
Kindergarten Writing Prompt Categories
Jump to any category, or scroll through all 80+ kindergarten writing prompts below.
Narrative Writing Prompts for Kindergarten
These kindergarten narrative prompts help children tell about something that happened. Draw a picture first, then write about it. CCSS W.K.3
Draw a happy day. What happened?
Draw a time you helped someone.
Draw a time you played with a friend.
Draw something fun you did with your family.
Draw a time you were brave.
Draw a time you laughed.
Draw your first day of school.
Draw a time you tried something new.
Draw a time you made something.
Draw a time you got a surprise.
Draw a trip you took. Where did you go?
Draw a time someone was kind to you.
Draw a fun day at the park.
Draw a time you shared with someone.
Draw something silly that happened.
Draw a time you felt proud.
Draw a time you played outside.
Draw a time you met an animal.
Draw a birthday you remember.
Draw a time you learned something new.
Opinion Writing Prompts for Kindergarten
These kindergarten opinion prompts ask children to tell what they like and why. Use “I like” and “because” to share your thinking. CCSS W.K.1
What is your favorite color? Draw it and tell why you like it.
What is your favorite food? Draw it and tell why.
What is the best animal? Draw it and tell why.
What is your favorite toy? Draw it and tell why you like to play with it.
What is the best book? Draw it and tell why you like it.
What is the best game to play? Draw it and tell why it is fun.
What is your favorite thing at school? Tell why.
What is the best pet to have? Draw it and tell why.
What is your favorite snack? Tell why you like it.
What is the best thing to do outside? Tell why.
What is your favorite show or movie? Tell why.
What is the best season? Draw it and tell why.
What is the best place to go? Tell why you like it there.
What is your favorite thing to do with your family? Tell why.
What is the best thing about being in kindergarten? Tell why.
Informative Writing Prompts for Kindergarten
These kindergarten informative prompts help children teach others about something they know. Draw and tell facts. CCSS W.K.2
Draw your family. Tell about each person.
Draw your pet or an animal you know. Tell about it.
Draw your house. Tell about it.
Draw your teacher. Tell about what your teacher does.
Draw your bedroom. Tell what is in it.
Draw an animal. Tell what it looks like and what it does.
Draw your classroom. Tell about it.
Tell how to brush your teeth. Draw the steps.
Tell how to wash your hands. Draw the steps.
Draw your best friend. Tell about them.
Tell how to play your favorite game.
Tell about something you are good at.
Draw what you eat for breakfast. Tell about it.
Tell how to be a good friend.
Tell about your school. Draw a picture of it.
Creative Writing Prompts for Kindergarten
These creative kindergarten writing prompts let children use their imagination! Draw and write about pretend things.
Draw a robot friend. What can it do?
Draw a magic door. Where does it go?
What if you could fly? Draw where you would go.
Make up a new animal. Draw it and tell about it.
What if your toy could talk? What would it say?
Draw a silly dream you had.
What if you had a pet dragon? Draw it.
Draw yourself as a superhero. What can you do?
What if you were very tiny? Draw what you would see.
Make up a new toy. Draw it and tell what it does.
What if you could talk to animals? Draw it.
Draw a magic paintbrush. What would you paint?
Seasonal Writing Prompts for Kindergarten
These kindergarten seasonal prompts help children write about holidays and seasons all year long.
Draw your favorite holiday. Tell about it.
Draw a summer day. What do you do?
Draw a snowy day. What do you see?
Draw something your family does together on a holiday.
Draw a fall day. What colors do you see?
Draw spring flowers. Tell about them.
Draw a pumpkin. Tell about it.
Draw something you are thankful for.
Draw a special gift you gave or got.
Draw what you do at the beach or pool.
Bonus: Journal Prompts for Kindergartners
These kindergarten journal prompts help children write about themselves—their feelings, wishes, and what makes them special.
Draw yourself. Tell about you.
Draw what makes you happy.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Draw it.
Draw the people you love.
Draw all the things you love. Tell why.
What is one wish you have? Draw it.
What do you want to learn? Draw it.
Draw what you do when you feel sad.
What makes you a good friend? Draw it.
Draw your favorite thing about yourself.
Tips for Using Kindergarten Writing Prompts
A picture helps kindergartners plan their ideas. Let them draw first, then add words, labels, or a sentence about their picture.
Kindergartners have short attention spans. Five focused minutes of drawing and writing builds confidence without frustration. Celebrate any effort!
A single letter, a label, invented spelling, or a full sentence—it all counts! At this age, the goal is getting ideas on paper, not perfect spelling.
Ask “Tell me about your picture!” before writing begins. When children say their ideas out loud, they know what to write.
Praise specific things: “I love how you wrote CAT!” Young writers need lots of encouragement to feel like real writers.
Let children pick from 2-3 prompts. Having a choice gives them ownership and makes writing feel like play instead of work.
Kindergarten Writing Prompts: Frequently Asked Questions
What should kindergarten writing look like?
Kindergarten writing looks different for every child and changes throughout the year. Early in the year, you might see pictures with scribbles or random letters. By mid-year, many kindergartners write labels or a few words. By year’s end, some write simple sentences. All of these are normal for kindergarten writing! The key is that children are making marks on paper to share their ideas.
What types of kindergarten writing prompts should children practice?
Common Core standards include three types of kindergarten writing prompts: narrative writing (W.K.3) where children tell about events using drawing and writing, opinion writing (W.K.1) where children tell what they like and give a reason, and informative writing (W.K.2) where children share information about a topic. At this age, all three types should use familiar topics like family, friends, pets, and school.
How do I help a kindergartner who won’t write?
Start with drawing! Many children who resist writing love to draw. Let them draw first, then ask questions about their picture. Write down what they say (you can be their “secretary”). Gradually encourage them to add just one letter or one word. Using kindergarten writing prompts about things they love—pets, toys, favorite foods—helps too. Keep sessions very short and always celebrate any effort.
Should I correct spelling in kindergarten writing?
No! Kindergartners should use “invented spelling” (writing words the way they sound). A child who writes “KT” for “cat” or “LV” for “love” is showing they understand that letters make sounds—that’s huge! Correcting spelling at this age can make children afraid to try. Save corrections for later grades. The goal of kindergarten writing prompts is building confidence and getting ideas on paper.
How often should kindergartners practice writing prompts?
Daily writing practice is ideal, but keep it very short—just 5 minutes. Regular, brief sessions with kindergarten writing prompts build more confidence than longer, occasional ones. Perfect times include morning message, after snack, or before rest time. Even labeling a picture counts as writing practice!
Why do so many kindergarten writing prompts start with “Draw”?
Drawing is how kindergartners plan their writing! A picture helps children know what they want to say before they try to write words. Drawing also builds fine motor skills needed for handwriting. When you use kindergarten writing prompts that start with “Draw,” you’re meeting children where they are developmentally. The picture becomes a scaffold for the writing that follows.
