100 Fun and engaging writing prompts for year 6 students

Why writing prompts work for Year 6 students

Putting pen to paper isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Anyone who’s ever had to write an essay, short story, or other assignment has likely encountered the dreaded writer’s block. It even happens to me when I’m writing these blogs!

To spare your Year 6 students this existential exhaustion, you should consider giving them some creative writing ideas when the time to practise their writing comes around. Writing prompts act as a jumping off point for the writing process and serve to spark creativity.

Below are some fun and inspirational Year 6 writing activities you can use in your classroom.

Narrative writing prompts

Narrative writing is a format where the author tells a story. These stories can be fact or fiction, about themselves or about someone else – but the point is to get writing! 

Here are a mix of practical and creative writing prompts for kids focused on narrative writing: 

1. Write about a time when you had to make a hard decision. What decision did you make and what led you to it?

2. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? What would you use it for?

3. If you could travel back in time, when and where would you go? Who would you want to meet? 

4. Imagine your pet could talk. What would they sound like? What would they say?

5. If you had to eat one food every day for the rest of your life, what would you pick and why?

6. What is your favourite subject in school? Why?

7. What is your least favourite subject in school? Why? 

8. If you could be the principal for the day at your school what changes would you make and why?

9. If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island what three people would you want with you and why?

10. If you could plan your perfect day, what would you do? Where would you go? Who would you see and why?

11. If you were the teacher- what would the day look like in your class?

12. What would you do if you won the lottery? How would you spend your winnings? 

13. Imagine you are stuck on a remote island with no internet access. What three things would you want to have with you and why?

14. What do you want to be when you grow up? Do you have a dream job? Write about your ideal day as a working adult. 

15. If you could only shop at one store for the rest of your life, what store would you choose and why? What would you buy there?

16. If you were an object, what object would you be and why? What is your purpose? Who uses you? 

17. Imagine you wake up tomorrow in an animal’s body. What type of animal are you? What do you do?

18. What is the best thing you’ve ever smelled? Describe the smell, where you were when you smelled it, and how it made you feel. 

19. Imagine you were magically shrunk to the size of an ant. Write about the positives and negatives of being so small.

20. If you were elected as the Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?

21. Write a funny story involving pirates going on an adventure.

22. Tell a story where you use the words “pink” and “fluffy”.

23. Write a short story about a character who is very grumpy. Why are they grumpy and how do they act because of it?

24. Write a story titled “The Best Day of My Life”.

25. Imagine a genie granted you three wishes. The catch is that you can’t use them on yourself. What would you wish for and why?

Opinion and persuasive writing prompts

Opinion writing is a style where the author shares their personal point of view on a subject. 

Persuasive writing takes it a step further, where the author makes an argument and attempts to get the reader to agree with them. 

Here are some writing prompts for year 6 students that include a mix of opinion and persuasive writing prompts: 

26. Write about your favourite sport and explain why it’s the best sport there is. 

27. Write about your favourite movie star. What was their best role and why?

28. Write a short summary of your favourite book and explain why others should read it too. 

29. What is the best season of the year and why?

30. Are online classes or in-person classes better? Why?

31. What is the best type of music? What makes it the best?

32. Do cats or dogs make better pets? Why?

33. Is it ever okay to tell a lie? Why or why not?

34. What is the best holiday of the year? What makes it great?

35. Who is your favourite artist? What do they create and what do you like about it?

36. Should schools require students to wear uniforms? Why or why not?

37. At what age should someone be considered an adult? What qualities does an adult have?

38. The school day should be longer/shorter because… 

39. Children should receive a weekly allowance because… 

40. At what age should a child be allowed to have a mobile phone? Why?

41. Are fiction or non-fiction books better to read? Why?

42. What is the best type of weather and why? 

43. Should video games be considered a sport? Why or why not?

44. Would it be better to be really, really big, or really, really small? Which would you choose and why?

45. Should fidget toys and other stress-relief objects be allowed in classrooms? Why or why not?

46. Should scientists use cloning to bring extinct species back? 

47. Should primary school students be required to learn cursive writing?

48. Should teachers have to wear school uniforms?

49. Is graffiti in public spaces art or vandalism?

50. Should students be able to choose where they sit in the classroom? 

Informational writing prompts

Informational writing is purely nonfiction writing. Its primary purpose is to communicate facts to the reader. This is a more academic form of writing that can reinforce what your students are learning in other subjects.

 Here are some informational prompts to use for year 6 writing activities:

51. Write a short biography of someone who inspires you. This can be someone you already know, or someone you’d like to meet some day. 

52. Write about a historical event that fascinates you. When was it? Who was involved? Why was it important?

53. Write about an animal of your choice. Where does it live in the wild? What does it eat? Include as many facts about the animal as you can.

54. Why is it important to exercise and take care of our bodies? 

55. Write about a current event. Where did you learn about it? Why do you think it’s important?

56. Write about an issue facing our community. What is it and why is it a concern?

57. Write about a country you’d like to visit. What landmarks would you see? What are some aspects of the culture you would experience?

58. Write about the importance of technology in our lives. How does it help us live better?

59. How is climate change affecting our world? Choose one effect and elaborate on it.

60. What is the importance of the phrase “reuse, renew, recycle”? 

61. Describe an important invention from history. Explain how it works, why it is important, and how it has changed our world. 

62. Reflect on the last book you read and summarise the plot. What themes were present and how did they help you engage with the story?

63. Write down the recipe for your favourite food. Be sure to include ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions. Why is this such an important dish for you?

64. Choose a Prime Minister or leader and write about their most important accomplishments. 

65. Explain the life cycle of a plant. How does it begin and end? What does a plant need to grow and survive?

66. What are the planets in our solar system? Write them in order from closest to farthest from the Sun. How do we know so much about our universe?

67. What were the causes of the World War II?

68. What causes earthquakes? Write down some of the primary causes and effects of earthquakes.

69. What are some ways we can stay healthy and strong? Describe some habits essential for healthy living. 

70.  Where do rainbows come from? You could write about both the reality and the myths surrounding this phenomenon. 

71. Describe the life cycle of a butterfly. What are the different stages and what do they look like?

72. Why do the leaves change colours in autumn? This can be expanded by including information about different types of trees and how we experience autumn. 

73. Write a letter to a student in year 5 What can they expect next year? What advice do you have for them?

74. Explain the importance of brushing your teeth.

75. What do your parents do for work? Describe their job(s) and responsibilities. 

Seasonal themed writing prompts

These are just for fun! 

Here are some creative writing ideas of all genres for your students to use as the seasons change and different holidays come along:

76. What gift are you hoping to get for your birthday? Why do you want that?

77. Write about your favourite tradition. Who do you share that tradition with, if anyone?

78. Write about your earliest memory involving a celebration. 

79. What will you dress up as for Halloween this year? What will your costume look like?

80. Write a funny story about an April Fool’s prank gone wrong.

81. Make up your own celebration! What is it about and how do you celebrate it?

82. Write about the best present you’ve ever gotten.

83. Write about the best present you’ve ever given.

84. Write about the worst present you’ve ever received. 

85. Describe your birthday. What do you eat? Who are you with? How do you celebrate? 

86. Imagine you are snowed in and stuck inside for 24 hours. What would you do?

87. What are your New Year’s resolutions? How will you stick to them?

88. Who will you spend your next big celebration with? Describe your relationship(s) with them.

89. Describe how to carve the perfect pumpkin. 

90. If you could only get one type of candy this Halloween, what would you want it to be and why?

91. Do you like scary movies? Why or why not?

92. Describe some of the ways people celebrate Hannakuh. 

93. Is it better to use real or artificial trees for Christmas? 

94. Write a funny story about the Easter Bunny.

95. Write a heartwarming story about an elf.

96. What holiday has the best treats? What are they?

97. Write a poem about family to honour Mothers’ or Fathers’ Day..

98. Write a haiku about nature in honour of Ramadan.

99. Write a silly story including the words menorah, purple, and wrinkly.

100. Explain the steps for wrapping the perfect gift.

Any of these writing prompts for kids can be adjusted to better suit your students’ learning levels and the content you’re covering in your classroom. I hope that some of these writing prompts for year 6 students will spark creativity, encourage self-expression, and help to build writing fluency across different genres for your students!