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January Writing Prompts

We’ve provided a great list of January writing prompts below. The month of January brings much inspiration to writers of all ages and backgrounds. Use these creative writing category prompts, designed specifically for the month of January, to generate original responses about resolutions, winter wonderland experiences, arctic adventures, holidays, sports, and much more. Responses to these prompts can vary in genre. Writers are encouraged to use rich detail and language, as well as all steps of the writing process (brainstorming, drafting, revising, and polishing), as best suited for their goals as a writer. Keep in mind that some prompts may demand contextualization depending on the learner’s age and needs. Check out our free, lined paper printable PDFs too – grab a few winter designs for your students!

January Writing Prompts

Category 1: New Year’s Resolutions

During the month of January, many people set goals that they hope to stick to for the rest of the year. Let these creative writing prompts help you explore a variety of resolution-based prompts. This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to write personal narratives, persuasive pieces, and plan for the year ahead!

Grades K-2:

  1. Write about one thing you want to learn or improve on in the coming year and why it’s important to you.
  2. Draw a picture of yourself achieving a goal you set for the new year and write a sentence about it.
  3. Write a story about a character who sets a resolution and faces challenges while trying to achieve it.

Grades 3+:

  1. Reflect on a past New Year’s resolution that you didn’t achieve and explain what you learned from the experience.
  2. Write a persuasive essay convincing others to adopt a New Year’s resolution that you believe is important.
  3. Create a vision board with images and words that represent your goals and aspirations for the new year, and write a reflection on why you chose each piece for the board.

Category 2: Winter Wonderland

During the month of January, snow falls, icicles drip, and snowmen come alive. Let these creative writing prompts help you explore snowy days filled with magic and memory. This set of January writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to craft stories, poems, and letters.

Grades K-2:

  1. Write a story about a holiday lawn decoration that comes to life and goes on an adventure.
  2. Describe your favorite winter activity and why you love it.
  3. Write a poem about the sound of crunching snow under your boots or the taste of snowflakes on your tongue.

Grades 3+:

  1. Write a story about a group of friends who get snowed in at a cabin and have to find ways to stay entertained with limited supplies and resources.
  2. Design a modern snow globe. What would it look like and what would you include on the inside and why?
  3. Write a letter to a person from a warmer climate, explaining what it’s like to experience winter.

Category 3: Arctic Adventure

During the month of January, certain places in the world are extra icy and they stay that way for the whole year. Let these creative writing prompts help you explore arctic animals, adventures, climate, and a brand new species frozen in a giant glacier. This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to craft stories, poems, diary entries, infographics, and research reports.

Grades K-2:

  1. Write a story about a polar bear who goes on a journey to find a new home because he’s tired of the cold weather.
  2. Draw a picture of an arctic animal and explain how the animal is able to keep warm in its habitat.
  3. Write a poem about the beauty and challenges of the Arctic landscape.

Grades 3+:

  1. Imagine you are a scientist studying the effects of climate change in the Arctic.
  2. Write a research report detailing your findings and recommendations for action.
  3. Write a diary entry from the perspective of an Arctic explorer who finds a new species of animal frozen (and well-preserved) inside of a glacier.
  4. Design an infographic that helps people understand how they can combat climate change and protect Arctic ecosystems.

Category 4: Winter Sports

During the month of January, it’s often cold, but it’s also a season for many fun and exciting sports. Let these creative writing prompts help you explore snowy days filled with heart-pumping adventures about traditional and invented sports. This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to craft stories, directions/ explanations, and persuasive letters.

Grades K-2:

  1. Write a story about a child who tries a new winter sport for the first time and discovers they are very good at it.
  2. Draw a picture of your favorite winter sport and write a sentence explaining why you enjoy it.
  3. Create a list of 3 silly winter sports your friends can enjoy when they are home during a snow day. You can invent new sports by using typical winter sports as inspiration. Don’t forget to name your invented sports!

Grades 3+:

  1. Write a narrative essay describing the experience of competing in a winter sports competition and the emotions that come with it.
  2. Write an informational article explaining the rules and techniques of a specific winter sport of your choice. You’re encouraged to research a sport you’re not familiar with.
  3. Write a persuasive letter to your school principal advocating for the addition of a new winter sport to the sports program. Include your plans for how you’ll help turn your vision into a reality.

Category 5: Winter Holidays

During the month of January, many people have time to reflect on recent holiday gatherings. Let these creative writing prompts help you explore global festivities and celebrations. This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to craft stories, directions/ explanations, and persuasive letters.

Grades K-2:

  1. Draw a picture or find a photograph of your favorite holiday tradition and write about why it’s special to you.
  2. Write a story about a magical holiday adventure with your favorite character from a holiday movie, show, or storybook.
  3. Write a poem about the joy and excitement of the holiday season.

Grades 3+:

  1. Write a reflective essay on the meaning of a specific winter holiday and how it is celebrated around the world.
  2. Write a short article about a pair of friends who host a lesser-known wintertime celebration at their school in order to educate the student body.
  3. Create an advertisement for a multicultural holiday celebration at your town’s local library. Be sure to encourage people to bring festive foods!

Category 6: January History and Events

In history, the month of January has brought many important changes to our world. Let these creative writing prompts help you explore events in history and days of awareness. This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to craft stories, write articles, and empathize with the experiences of people who lived before them.

Grades K-2:

  1. On January 3rd, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state of the United States. Imagine you are a reporter covering the historic event. Write an article for your local newspaper describing the excitement of Alaska becoming a state.
  2. January 20th is Penguin Awareness Day! Penguins are fascinating birds that live in cold places like Antarctica. Imagine you are a penguin living in Antarctica and you want to tell the world what it’s like to live there. Write a short speech.
  3. On January 23rd, 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. Write a list of questions for Elizabeth Blackwell. What might you ask her about her experience in medical school?

Grades 3+:

  1. On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved people be set free. Imagine you lived during that time and write a letter to President Lincoln expressing your hopes for the future.
  2. On January 20th, 1961, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States. Imagine you were present at the inauguration ceremony.
  3. Write an article for your school newspaper describing the day.
  4. January 27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust during World War II. Reflect on the significance of this tragic event in human history and design a new Holocaust memorial for your town. Explain the design of your memorial.

We hope you liked our January Writing Prompts!