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As a teacher, there are only so many things you can do indoors to help your students write. That is why more and more teachers are taking their classrooms outdoors to help get the creative juices flowing. There is something about nature that brings out the best in people; maybe it is the fresh air or the gorgeous scenery. Whatever it is, if you are willing to try some outdoor writing activities with your students, you will be amazed at the results. Here are just a few ideas of outdoor writing activities you can do with your students — or encourage them to do on their own.

Bring on the adjectives

This outdoor writing activity is all about teaching your students how to describe things properly. Take a little walk with your students just outside the classroom. It doesn’t have to be far, but it should be somewhere that has plenty of different items for the students to choose from. Tell each student to pick one item and describe it in detail. Students should describe every curve, every scratch, every color and every texture in the item. Once the descriptions are written, have the students pair up. Then, have the students take turns guessing which object the other student wrote about based solely on the description.

Strength in symbolism

One idea, from the American Camp Association, helps students explore the symbolism that can be found in nature. Once again, begin by taking your students on a short walk. This time, have them search from the beginning of the walk for an item that symbolizes them. Along the way, point out different items that you see that could symbolize you and give them a reason why. This will help them get thinking in the right direction. Once you get back to the classroom, have them write about what symbol they chose for themselves and why. You will be pretty impressed with some of the items the students find.

Free writing

Free writing is a very common practice in any writing class. It is simply when a student is given a time frame in which they must write nonstop. Students can write whatever comes to mind, and they do not have to worry about spelling or grammar. Edutopia believes that taking free writing sessions outdoors will encourage students to dig deeper inside themselves. The sounds and sights of nature seem to bring out the best in people, and this is shown in their writing.

Daily journal entries

This is one of the outdoor writing activities that can be done several times a week. Take the students somewhere outside where there is plenty of room for them each to be on their own. Then, give them ample time to simply write about their thoughts. What is going on in their life? What do they worry about? What are they happy about? Make sure the students know that the journals are for their eyes only and they are free to write down anything that comes to mind. The point of this activity is simply for the students to practice writing down their feelings so they can use this skill in future writing assignments that will be graded. Being able to successfully express feelings is an attribute every great writer should have.

Teaching poetry can be very tricky because the writer needs to have an inspiration for the poem to be about. What better inspiration is there than the outdoors? You can choose a different poem type each week and have the students practice writing about the things they see all around them. Poetry teaches many skills such as descriptive writing, using synonyms appropriately (when trying to rhyme), and developing creativity.

There are many different types of writing, all with different types of rules to follow. Whether it is serious writing, comedy writing, easy writing or tedious writing, one thing that it all has in common is that it can be influenced by the outdoors. With a little creativity as a teacher, you can come up with a wide variety of outdoor writing activities to help your students develop into the best writers they can be.

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Outdoor Writing Ideas

Get students engaged with these outdoor writing ideas.

If you need to switch up your writing time, getting outdoors is a great way to do that! These simple outdoor writing ideas will help boost creativity, give your students a change of scenery, and increase thinking and curiosity.

As I’m writing this, schools across the country are currently participating in distance learning due to Covid-19 closures. These writing ideas can easily be implemented at home or at school. For more at-home learning ideas, click here .

The Benefits of Being Outside

There are a lot of benefits to being outside. Getting our students and children outdoors is important for their well-being. Here are some benefits to getting children outside:

• Getting outside improves sensory skills: When kids get outside, they have a chance to activate their senses in a different way. They get to use and explore these senses in different ways than the way they use their senses indoors. They hear the bee buzzing around them, smell the flowers blooming, see the green grass, and feel the hardness of the pavement.
• Being outside makes you calmer and lessens anxiety: Seratonin levels go up when you’re in the sun ( WebMD). When serotonin levels are up, your mood is more calm and focused. Students are able to focus more on what they are doing, which is why learning outside is a great opportunity!
• Nature is comforting to children: Being outdoors in nature takes away stress and the pressure of school, peer interaction, and family ( National Wildlife Federation ).
• It improves focus: When children play outside regularly, they are more curious and stay on task longer ( Sandford Health ). Even though this is particularly about playing, I think just getting kids outside to learn would spark curiosity as well. Sometimes just “getting fresh air” is really a good way to boost your focus too.
• It boosts creativity: According to WebMD , spending time outside in nature can help creative problem-solving skills.

These five outdoor writing ideas will be a huge benefit to your students in mental health and academically.

Write With Your Senses

Sit outside and have your students close their eyes. What do they smell? Have them look around. What do they see? Have them use their senses to explain the outdoors. Explain to them to be specific. Saying, “I see the sky” is not using senses. However, saying, “I see white fluffy clouds” is using the senses. Have them jot down their senses on a sensory bubble map (included in the free download at the end of this post).

Sidewalk Chalk Adjectives

Sidewalk chalk is one of our favorite ways to write outside! This is a great follow-up activity to the one I previously mentioned. Think of different adjectives that describe outside. Encourage kids to think about the different things to describe: clouds, grass, dirt, houses, trees, rocks, etc. Think of colors, feeling, etc. Depending on your students, they could write what they are describing as well. For example, they might be able to write, “bumpy rock”. You can extend this activity by having them write a sentence (i.e. I will paint the bumpy rock).

Go On A Nature Hunt

Walking around the neighborhood, backyard, or school playground is a fun activity just to get outdoors and moving around. Write different observations you see while you are on your nature hunt. Encourage your students to write different adjectives to describe the different things they see. For example, instead of just writing tree , write “large, green tree.”

Make A Tree Observation

Find a tree! Sit down in front of the tree and just watch it. If you can, go out on a slightly windy day (not too windy! You don’t want to blow away!). Just sitting and watching something that doesn’t provide entertainment might be difficult for your primary students, so definitely watch behaviors and don’t sit too long. While observing, have your students draw what they see and then write about the tree. Teach your students the importance of paying close attention to detail (i.e. this part of the tree is darker than the rest of it… Why do you think that is?). This deep thinking will help them with the way they think about their writing.

Write A How-To Story

Think about all the things you do outside! Write a how-to story for someone who doesn’t know how to do it. Do you swing outside? Write a how-to story for someone who doesn’t know how to swing. Then, see if someone can follow your directions to do it.

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Teaching Resources

Outdoor Writing Activities

Outdoor writing activities needn’t be a huge hassle! Read for more ideas about w r iting outdoors to help students.

I write with my personal children. They never fail to tell me I am “teachering” them, a word that I’m pretty sure means I’ve crossed over from parent to teacher. I just invent little activities that sure, might be teacher-ish. Sometimes, my lives blend together. Can I do that purposefully? Can I move some of the lighter activities from my home life into the classroom? W riting outdoors to help students sounds do-able. 

Today, I’m thinking through blogging, thinking about writing. I have two sides, as many of you do: parent and teacher. What can I use from the classroom with my own children, and what can I use from my children in my classroom? Since I teach my own children outside during the summer, can I use some of these outside at school? As a creative writing teacher, I see opportunities to implement small writing activities everywhere! I feel that when children see writing as achievable, as something they can complete successfully, they gain the confidence to tackle larger projects.

Creative writing calls for experimentation, for mess. Writing outside provides the freedom students often crave.

These writing activities work at home (with a bit of relaxation) and at school (with a bit more structure). I’ve actually used these “lessons” in my classroom and in my front yard. These outdoor writing activities are not for everyone, but hopefully with a few adjustments, you have so new ideas to add to your writing lessons. Head outside, and try these writing activities for a bit of spark.

Use nature to tell a story.

The elements can be inspirational for students. Here are a few ways to ask students to tap into nature to develop their writing:

• Practice personification. Write a few sentences giving a tree feelings: how does the tree feel out in the sun all day? does the tree enjoy seeing different types of birds sitting on its branches? how does the tree feel when it snows?
• Younger kids can trace leaves or assemble pieces of nature together. They are still telling a story, in an age appropriate way. Bring students back into the room with their contents, and write a group story together.
• Assign different poetical devices to groups and see what students develop. (You can download a free poetry brainstorming sheet, too.)
• Build a memorable character . After developing a new character, analyze how that character would react to nature. Would your character rest under a tree, or would the character shun dirt?

You can also take any writing activity outside. The change of scenery can be inspirational for young writers.

Play with sidewalk chalk!

The ideas are endless! With kiddos learning letters, they can trace or practice identification. Older kids can practice spelling.

With my students, we have outlined ideas and reviewed grammar concepts. Brainstorm for a writing prompt with chalk and take pictures of the results. You can also divide the sidewalk and have each division be a portion of a cartoon or comic strip. Then, students would develop the story based on what their neighbor is building.

For some reason, sidewalk chalk makes regular work feel like un-work.

Save the Earth.

If you are writing about Earth Day, you very easily can move your writing lessons outside. In my Earth Day Lesson , students look at pictures of pollution from different states. You can easily use pollution or litter from your own area! Students will write from the perspective of pollution or litter, telling a story of how long it will take to decompose. (Research is included, too.)

After students learn about the devastation of not caring for our planet, they could take action. Arrange for students to clean the school, a local park, or part of the community.

Inspire with big pieces of paper.

Outdoor language arts activities can include big paper fun! I have purchased huge rolls of paper from party stores, and I have also bought larger pads of construction paper. For some reason, the huge pieces of paper inspire lots of writing.

They definitely encourage participation. Each child can write one sentence, and I can add new ideas or ways to transition to a new thought. Another method is to write a prompt on several pieces of paper and lay them down. Students can rotate and add ideas with markers so that you have a group story.

At school, use big pieces of paper for brainstorming or review. Hang the paper in your classroom and take students on a gallery walk.

Learn about each other.

In my spare time, I love to scrapbook. The books tell a story (narratives!), but they also require images. You can practice dialogue rules, verb tenses, and more with a “favorites” narrative . Essentially, students write about their favorite parts of themselves or their favorite hobbies, activities, or sports. You get to know your students, and they

Even if students do not create most of the scrapbook outside, have students sign their narratives (like authors!) in an outdoor setting. You can also have students sit outside and read pieces aloud as a closing activity.

Play telephone. 

This is a bit like writing a story in a circle, only with the telephone element tossed in. You can make this a writing or public speaking lesson.

Ask person #1 (you may need to rotate) to say a silly sentence to person #2. After the message gets to the end of the line, kids should write down the final interpretation of the sentence. Dependent on their ages, ask them to write a few more sentences that elaborate on that first one. Younger kids may find that writing nonsense is fun!

Another option is for you to write the sentence and add their verbal responses. Create the story with their ideas, while modeling writing. For additional practice, implement dialogue rules with the messages.

Of course, you will need to modify these writing activities for ages and goals.

I see relaxed writing activities as such a valuable opportunity for kids to think in unusual, personalized ways. These outdoor writing activities will work at home or in the classroom.

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Are you looking for more creative writing encouragement for secondary writers? In this post, I provide links to ten articles about famous writers’ writing processes .

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Nature Poetry With Kids

Growing up, I found that I hated poetry. It seemed so pretentious (I didn’t know that word at the time, but I knew how I felt about it.) However, nature poetry with kids doesn’t need to be formal or even stick to all the rules. It is a chance to get your students outside, be creative and play with words. As children explore poetry, they explore the boundaries of language and then figure out ways to stretch those boundaries through creative expression. Essentially, poetry is a fun and creative way to allow kids to play with language. Including poetry in your nature study also allows you to meet some of your curriculum outcomes while your students explore outside.

Throughout history, nature has been one of the primary topics for art and poetry. Through poetry, students can spend time outdoors observing and learning about a subject, or many subjects from nature. They are then challenged to take their observations and express them creatively through whatever poetry format they choose. Because poems are short and can be written quickly, students don’t have to worry about getting hung up on some of the formalities of long-form essays or short stories. They can simply follow the form of the poem, do some editing, and feel successful in their creations. 

Why Nature Poetry…​

Nature poetry allows students to connect with nature ​.

Writing nature poetry requires your students to spend time observing their desired subjects in nature. Additionally, students can bring their own understandings to their poetry through brainstorming what they know about a particular topic prior to writing. This time spent in observation and planning allows students to build an understanding of and connection to the topic that they choose to write about. Additionally, the concise form of some poems requires students to be careful and creative in their word choices that they use to describe the quality or character of something from nature. 

Nature Poetry Helps Students Learn Observation Skills​

Poetry requires students to carefully observe and understand what they are writing about. They then get to express what they have discovered about what they are studying through their poems. This allows students to bring their own flair and understanding of the world to their poetry.  

Nature Poetry Provides Opportunities for Creativity and Expression​

Nature Poetry Provides Opportunities for Creativity and Expression​Poems allow students to be creative and intentional with their word choice. If students are using a specific form of poetry, such as Haiku, the number of syllables required for each line also requires students to be very specific in their wording. Students may have to look for synonyms for words or be creative in how they organize their phrases.  

Poems are Short and Intentional​

For some students, the idea of writing a short story or longer essay can be daunting. Poetry allows students to express an idea in a short period of time. They can summarize their thoughts on the subject and present them in a concise and meaningful way without having to write multiple pages of work. The precise format of some poems, such as biography poems, also helps to alleviate some of the writer’s block that many students experience. 

How to Get Started With Nature Poems…​

Spend time observing and brainstorming​.

Students will need to spend time in nature observing and understanding what they would like to write about. In writing about a subject from nature, students get to know that subject intimately. They can spend time understanding it’s movements, colours, shape, character, or personality. The more time they spend observing, the better their description of their subject will be.

Before writing, students will also need to spend some time brainstorming what they know about their subject. They may want to brainstorm adjectives that describe the subject, facts that they already know about it, or synonyms for the subject. This will help the student in developing more clarity in their description and expression.

Share Examples With Your Students​

Find examples of nature poetry that you find really interesting and meaningful to share with your students. Try to find poems that are at a level that your students will understand and connect with. You can discuss what you like about these poems with your students or have them share their own thoughts on the poems. 

Write Practice Poems​

The concise nature of the poems allows students to create many poems or many different versions of the same poem. It allows students to play with their words and descriptions until they find a final product that they love. Students can write multiple poems in a very short period of time. 

Share Poems and Gather Feedback​

Give students the opportunity to share their poems with their peers and their teachers to gather feedback. Students may share what they like about the poem, what needs work or doesn’t make sense, and suggestions that they have for word choices. If your students are new to peer editing you may need to model how to be kind and positive in giving feedback. 

Publish and Celebrate​

Once students are ready, they can choose the poems or versions of the poems that they want to share with the world. Give students the opportunity to publish their poems on fancy paper or to type them on the computer. Students may also wish to illustrate their poems. 

You may also want to celebrate your students poetry through having a poetry coffee house for another class or your families (bonus points if it is an outdoor coffee house!) You could also “publish” a poem book, or post the works on your digital portfolios or classroom blog/website. We want our students to feel proud about their creative endeavours and share them with the world!

Types of Poetry for Nature Connection…​

There are so many different types of poems that you can choose from to help your students dive into nature connection through poetry. Some forms of poetry allow students to be creative and to be more flexible in their approach. Other forms help students work on parts of speech or work with syllables. However you choose to direct your students, allow them to have fun and spend time outdoors in nature while they do their writing. (I wrote all of the examples included. I do not claim to be a poet so please don’t be overly critical of the poems. I just wanted to be able to include some examples!) 

List Poems and 5 Senses Poems​

List poems are great starter poems for younger students. Their format is very simple and allows the student to simply “list,” the qualities, characteristics, or observations of the subject of their poem. The poem starts with _______ is… and then each consecutive line of the poem is simply a single word or a a phrase that adds to the description.

5 Senses Poems are similar to list poems. In the 5 Senses Poem students list descriptions of their subject based on each each of the 5 senses, rather than just simply creating a list. You can choose to structure the poem to support younger students by providing the start of each line (example: I hear…) or you may choose to allow students to structure the poem as they see fit. 

List Poem Example​

A tree is…, 5 senses poem example​, green and tall, branches crackling in the wind, smelling fresh and clean, needles, sharp and pokey, tasting cold and bitter.

Acrostics and Alphabet Poems​

Acrostic and alphabet poems are another great intro into poetry. These are fun ways to get your students to think creatively and really play with language within the structure of the poem. 

Acrostic poems require students to choose a topic to write about and then write the subject vertically down the left side of the page. The student must then choose a word or a phrase that starts with each letter of the the subject. 

Alphabet poems are similar to Acrostic poems, but require a bit more effort and creativity. In alphabet poems students choose a subject. They must then also think of a word or phrase from each letter of the alphabet to describe the subject. 

Acrostic Poem Example​

T all, stretching to the sky, r eaching the clouds, e very leaf is blowing in the wind, e xcited to greet the sun.

The Haiku poem is a very concise form of poetry. The Haiku is only 3 lines long with each line having a specific number of syllables. Haiku poems challenge students to choose words carefully so that they fit within the syllable parameters of each line.

Haiku Poem Format:

Line 1: 5 syllables, line 2: 7 syllables, line 3: 5 syllables, haiku examples​, fall leaves, dancing in the wind (5 syllables), leaves spinning, falling, swirling (7 syllables), fall leaves softly land (5 syllables), hiding in the trees, moving among the shadows, cautiously watching.

Biography poems​

Traditionally biography poems are written about a person. However, I like to adapt them so that students can write about a topic from nature. These are 11 line poems where each line represents a specific aspect or answers a specific question about the topic. 

Line 1 :  What you are choosing to write about (the subject)

Line 2:  4 words that describe your subject, line 3 : 2 things that you think your subject likes, line 4:  3 things that your subject needs, line 5:  something that your subject gives to us or the earth, line 6:  something that your subject would wish for, line 7:  something that you think your subject fears, line 8:  something you think your subject feels, line 9:  what you admire about your subject, line 10:  where your subject is found, lines 11:  your own idea, biography poem example​, tall, strong, beautiful, green, likes warm sunshine and cool rain, needs space, water, and light, gives us shade and shelter, wishes for summer to never end, fears the lumber company, feels strong and proud, i admire it’s peace and beauty, found in the forest or in your yard, providing habitat for many birds and animals.

Cinquain Poem​

A Cinquain Poem is a 5 line poem that helps students learn about the parts of speech. Similar to the Biography poem, each line of the poem represents a different specific descriptor of the subject. 

Cinquain Poem Form:

Line 1:  noun  (this is the subject of your poem), line 2: two  adjectives  that describe the noun/subject, line 3: 3  verbs  that relate to your subject, line 4: 4 words that tell your feelings about the subject, line 5: a  synonym  for your subject, cinquain poem example​, stalking, hiding, hunting, just out of sight.

Diamante Poem​

Diamante poems are fun and visually appealing. The finished product resembles the shape of a diamond. Each line of the poem represents something specific about the subject of the poem. Similar to the Cinquain, it teaches students about the parts of speech and helps them to organize them in a fun and creative way.  

Diamante Poem Form:

Line 1: 1 word –  noun  (this is the subject of your poem), line 2: 2words-  adjectives  that describe the noun/subject, line 3: 3 words-  verbs  that relate to your subject, line 4: 4 words-  nouns  related to your subject, line 5: 3 words-  verbs  that relate to your subject, line 6: 2 words-  adjectives  that describe your subject, line 7: 1 word-  noun  (synonym for the subject), diamante poem example​, beautiful, majestic, blowing, swaying, waving, leaves, branches, trunk, bark, growing, standing, protecting, strong, tall.

Now Get Outside and Write Some Nature Poetry​

Poetry doesn’t need to be stuffy or formal. It can be fun and creative and a great way for your students to connect with nature. Take some time to get outside with your students and explore nature in and around your school yard. There are so many great poetry subjects to discover. Insects, plants, and animals, dirt, you name it. Challenge your students to find what interests them and have them create some imaginative and creative poems. If you need some inspiration, check out this poetry bundle available on  TeachersPayTeachers.

If you are looking for some help in getting started with outdoor learning, check out our “Get Outside Tool Kit!” In this tool kit you will find tons of helpful teacher tools to help you get outside and learning with your students.

Keep Reading…

• Nature Writing With Primary Students
• Tree Study Activities
• Nature Photography Ideas

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10 Outdoor Literacy Activities

There’s no reason to limit literacy learning to indoor spaces. In fact, there are lots of ways to encourage a love of reading and writing whilst spending time outside and today I am sharing ten outdoor literacy activities that I’ve enjoyed with my own two sons – one of whom is 8 (and an avid reader) and the other who is 5 (and not quite a full-fledged reader yet).

1. Read outside Grab a few books and head outside. Bring along a blanket to sit on, find a tree to lean up against, or cuddle up in an outdoor fort. Read together or allow your child time to read alone– whichever feels appropriate.

2. Play with alphabet rocks Create a set of alphabet rocks by painting letters onto smooth pebbles with acrylic paint pens. Choose a variety of colors or make a set of capital letters in one color and lowercase letters in another. Be sure to try a variety of outdoor reading activities with your alphabet rocks, including those from our list of 9 Alphabet Games to Play with Alphabet Stones that suit your child’s literacy learning stage.

3. Make story stones More drawing on rocks – this time using pictures instead of letters. Create nature-themed images such as birds, animals, flowers, trees, landscape elements, insects and the elements. Then take turns telling stories using the stones as prompts.

4. Create your own Nature ABC Book Go on a nature hunt with your little one – around your neighborhood, backyard, park, garden, local zoo or aquarium. Look for something to represent each letter of the alphabet and take a picture of that item. Print out the photos and place them in a dedicated scrapbook or album to form your very own ABC book. Add letters, words and other facts as desired.

5. Use nature for letter and word making Kids learning to identify the letters of the alphabet, their name or sight words will have fun shaping letters or words using items found in nature such as small pebbles, sticks or flower petals.

6. Go on an outdoor scavenger hunt

Use our free Alphabet Scavenger Hunt Printable and head outdoors on a nature based alphabet hunt. Or try our Five Senses Outdoor Scavenger Hunt with younger children.

7. Keep a nature journal While a traditional nature journal usually focuses on discoveries and sketches, ours include any kind of writing the kids want to include about their outdoor adventures.

For example, this summer I encouraged my sons to keep a summer adventure journal. The 5 year old wrote one sentence and a picture with each entry. (He told me what he wanted to write and I spelled it out for him; he wrote all his own letters). The 8 year old sketched too but also wrote at least a paragraph about each entry.

8. Discover field guides My 5 year old is a self-proclaimed animal rescuer and as such is now consumed with learning about all things animal. In addition to traditional children’s books about animals we’re also reading field guides. Check out our collection of the best field guides for kids – which also includes suggestions for using nature guides to make reading fun.

9. Make your own backyard field guide Once young children are familiar with field guide basics, try making your own. Children can practice drawing, letter writing and more as they create their own backyard field guide. Keep it general or focus on your child’s specific interests, such as a bird watching guide, animal book or flower guide about your garden space or neighborhood.

10. Read about nature indoors too If your child has a specific interest in the great outdoors – like my self-proclaimed animal rescuer – encourage that passion by reading about it whenever you normally read together. Take advantage of your local library to vary up your titles, or stick with a few old favorites. We have a number of themed book suggestion posts for nature lovers, including;

• 21 Inspiring Picture Book Biographies about Nature Scientists
• 25 Fascinating Frog Books for Kids
• 25 Ocean Books for Kids
• 35 Earth Day Picture Books for Kids Who Want to Save the World!

For more outdoor learning ideas, check out these related posts;

Debi Huang is a Los Angeles, CA-based wife, mom and adventure guide for two young boys. She writes about connecting kids and families with nature in the backyard and beyond.

GREAT post, Debi! Love this ideas!!!

Thank you, Amelia! 🙂

I love getting outdoors with my kids. Miss 4 is really interested in the alphabet, so she’s really going love the activity to make letters with nature as well as the others. Thanks!

Comments are closed.

Play of the Wild

Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. -Oscar Wilde

Ideas to Teach Literacy Outdoors – Reading & Writing

Activities to Teach Literacy Outdoors – Teaching Reading and Writing Outside

There has been lots of research to show the benefits of learning outside, so these are some of my favourite ideas for taking literacy lessons outdoors. There are many different ways to take learning outside of the classroom, from forest schools, gardening, school trips and more. They each offer various benefits and learning opportunities for children.

Research continues to provide evidence that learning outside the classroom offers many lifelong benefits to children. A review of the evidence demonstrates that learning outside the classroom enhances critical thinking skills, reinforces academic learning and aids long-term memory (Dillon et al. 2003, Ernst & Monroe 2007; Fabian, H. 2005). It also benefits children’s social skills and behaviours, mental health, self-esteem and improves levels of physical activity and health (Taylor & Kuo, 2006; Bagot, 2007; Malone, 2006; Hoffman et al. 2007; Mygind, 2007).

The following are some ways to take literacy outside the classroom.  I have found these are great for engaging children and making literacy more interesting for everyone.

Outdoor Reading or Story Time 

Having children read outside or taking story time outside is an easy way to begin. If taking your class outdoors seems daunting, this is an easy way to try it out. You may want to read some stories outside, especially ones with content with a link to the outdoors, such as an informational book, or stories that relate to the environment in which you are reading (e.g. garden, playground, forest, etc.).

Outdoor Phonics Games

It can be enjoyable to take phonics lessons outside as a way to get children active. Phonics outside can be especially helpful for younger children, or for those who particularly enjoy physical activity. These are some simple games that you can play outdoors with children to help them practice and reinforce classroom learning.

• Letter Sound Run – First, write out letters around the playground which might include diagraphs or trigraphs. Then call out letter sounds and have children run around to find them. Similarly, children can also run and find tricky words (words that can’t be sounded out and they need to learn by sight).
• Initial Sound Object Hunt – Children can go on a hunt outside to find objects that start with a specified initial sound. Older children might go on a short/long vowel (e.g. trigraphs, diagraphs), hunt, seeking items that have different vowels somewhere in the word.
• Spelling Rocks – Children can use letter rocks or logs to create words, and to practice using the letters they have learned to spell words.
• Writing Large Words – Children can write large words with chalk on the pavement using the trigraph(s) or digraph(s) they are learning or practising.

Outdoor Handwriting Practice

Handwriting practice can be a fun literacy activity to take outdoors. Handwriting can be done in different ways depending on children’s ages and abilities.

• Copying Letters on the Pavement – Children can write over letters or words on the pavement. If the words are already written out in chalk, children can write over them with chalk, or paint over them with water.

• Freehand Practice on the Pavement – Children can practise writing letters or words freehand, either using big chalk or painting with water or chalk paint.
• Upright Writing – It can also be great for children’s physical development to practice largescale upright writing. This activity can be done with paint on a large wall or easel, or with window pens or foam paint on a large window.

Outdoor Story or Poetry Inspiration

For older children, using the outdoors can be an inspiration for poetry or story writing. To get started, teachers can help children come up with a list of words to describe what they see, hear, smell, taste or feel. They can then put it together and come up with a class poem. Alternatively, children can come up with their own poems using the word bank they have created.

Similarly, children can use a garden, forest or other outdoor areas as the setting for their story. They might even create animal characters based on animals that they see.  Older children can write several drafts and develop a final product over a week.

Outdoor Story Map

Story maps are an excellent way to help children get ready to write a story. They involve drawing out pictures (like a comic strip) to help them sequence their story from the beginning to the middle and then the end. This type of literacy activity can be taken outdoors, as well. 

Children can draw 3-6 boxes on the pavement with sidewalk chalk. Then they can draw different pictures depicting the main events of the story. It can also be nice to add in natural objects onto the images to enhance their story maps. They can then practise retelling their story using their story maps to help them remember the order and the details of each part.

Above is a child’s story map of Jack and the Beanstalk. Children can also use natural objects to represent different objects from the story (e.g. feather for the goose that lays the golden egg, leaves for the beanstalk, beans, etc.).

Nature Walk or Field Trip and Recount

It can be an easy and lovely field trip to take children on a quick walk in a park or natural environment around the school.  Have the children look for natural objects that they can collect and observe closely.  As part of this activity, they might make a journey stick or journey bracelet to help them recall the different things they saw or did on their walk. This can serve as an excellent prompt for writing. When the children return from their walk, have them describe the experience including the different plants, animals, etc. that they encountered. Similarly, if children go on a field trip somewhere else, they can also write about their trip (recount), including what they saw, did and learnt.

Class Book on the Local Area

One of my favourite ways to take literacy outside in Key Stage 1 (years 1-2), is to make a class book based on lots of little trips around the local area.  I’ve taken my class to places such as the local church or synagogue, train station, post office, market, library, fire station, park or pond, theatre, or high street. You can take your class to a new place every week or two over a month or two. This is a wonderful way for children to learn about the different features of the local community, what goes on in each place, and what people do for work.  

After each trip, children can write an informational piece about the place they visited. These writings can then be compiled into a class book. Finally, the lovely book can be placed in the book corner and the children can enjoy reading it for the rest of the school year!

Linking Writing to Gardening and Outdoor Projects

Setting up an outdoor project such as a school garden can be a fantastic prompt for writing. Children might journal about things such as, what they’ve done in the garden, how to label plants, and how to plant seeds or seedling, or look after different plants. They could also record data about plants that they are growing and use it as inspiration for scenes for story writing. Younger children are often interested in drawing interesting plants and animals that they discover. They may also label their pictures, write sentences or even create stories based on what they see and find.

Ideas to take Literacy Outdoors – Teaching Reading and Writing Outside

I hope that you find some of these ideas for taking literacy outdoors helpful. Teaching reading and writing outside has many benefits to children and can also make teaching more enjoyable.

If you would like some other ideas for taking your class outside, you may want to see some of my other posts such as  Outdoor Maths Activities KS2 ,  Outdoor Maths Activities KS1  or   Active Maths Ideas .  

Bagot, K, Kuo, F.E, and Allen, F. (2007). ‘School playgrounds: nature and attention’, in Asia Pacific EcoHealth Conference. Deakin University.

Dillon, J, Rickinson, M, Sanders, D, Teamey, K, and Benefield, P. (2003). Improving the Understanding of Food, Farming and Land Management Amongst School-Age Children: A Literature Review. National Foundation for Educational Research, King’s College, Department for Education and Skills, The Countryside Agency.

Ernst, J, and Monroe, M. (2006). ‘The effects of environment-based education on students: critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking.” Environmental Education Research, 12, 429 – 443.

Fabian, H. (2005). Outdoor learning environments: Easing the transition from the foundation stage to key stage one, Education 33(2), 3-13.

Hoffman, A., Knight, L. and Wallach, J. (2007).  Gardening Activities, Education, and Self-Esteem: Learning Outside the Classroom.  Urban Education, 42 (5), 403-411.

Malone, K (2006). Building a Child Friendly Community: Children’s Research Workshops, Pilot Study Report 2006, City of Bendigo, Child and Youth Interdisciplinary Research Centre, University of Wollongong.

Mygind, E. (2007) A comparison between children’s physical activity levels at school and learning in an outdoor environment, Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 7:2, 161-176.

Taylor, A, and Kuo, F.E. (2006). ‘Is Contact with nature important for healthy child development’, in Spencer, C and Blades, M. (Eds) Children and Their Environments: Learning, Using and Designing Spaces. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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Learning Outdoors , learning outside , outdoor learning

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Using The Outdoors To Develop Writing Opportunities

As an Educator, there is a significant emphasis on getting children to write more and then develop/improve their writing through different styles and techniques. Within the classroom setting, we have an abundance of conventional resources and materials at our disposal that will inevitably support young learners and enable them to access the fundamental keys to writing and the creativity and accomplishments that can follow.

It is perfectly fair to suggest that you can do only so many activities indoors to help and support your students along their writing journeys. So, to further develop opportunities, it is essential to look further into unique and additional options. That is why more and more teachers should open their minds away from traditional practice and start thinking out of the box. So much so that more teachers are encouraged to think more freely and expansively, adapting their lessons accordingly to help rekindle and reignite the flame within their student's interests and ideas. As a result, teachers are 'seeing the light' by bringing their classes outdoors to enhance further learning opportunities and enable additional options for more significant levels of creativity. 

Being a teacher and Outdoor Enthusiast, I may be biased when I say this, but I feel there is something unique about nature that brings out the best in people. It calms, soothes, and inspires you differently than working in the constraints of a closed indoor environment. Maybe it is due to the abundance of fresh air or opportunities to indulge yourself in the beautiful scenery and natural surroundings, but it works. 

As a teacher or parent, if you are willing to get outside, encourage inquisitively, feed off the children's enthusiasm, and  try some outdoor writing activities , then I am convinced you will be astonished at the results, especially as the children will be writing more descriptively and creatively. 

In pursuit of trying to influence a different way of looking at things. Below are a few easy ideas and possible solutions for how you may engage with outdoor writing alternatives and encourage your students to start developing these creative ideas over and over again.

Focus on discovering and describing those adjectives

As a teacher, one of my biggest frustrations when observing and guiding the children's writing is the lack of adjectives or how to use adjectives correctly. Naturally, I find ways to develop this and use appropriate tools to promote this side of things. Still, it can sometimes be tricky and tedious without using poor acting and visual stimulus.

Discovering and describing adjectives within an outdoor setting is the perfect way to enhance skills back in the classroom. This simple outdoor writing activity teaches students to focus on their surroundings and then encourages them to describe things clearly and appropriately. 

One such approach could be taking a short walk with your students outside the classroom. It doesn't have to be far, it could be on the school grounds or local vicinity, but it should be somewhere with plenty of different natural entities for the students to observe, touch, describe and discuss. 

Generally, I complete such an activity with a notebook and pencil close by and instruct each student to look, touch, and pick one item and then describe it in detail to a partner. Allow time for your students to tell what they see with each curve, scratch, colour, and texture found in the item having greater significance from one to the other. Once talk time has reached its maximum, there should be opportunities for the children to write notes of descriptions of their observations. You can inform each other clearly and effectively by allowing the students to work in pairs. There are perfect opportunities for one couple to wear a blindfold and then promote a clear description using their voice and listening. These possibilities can then lead to a simple game where the students take turns guessing what the object is and what the other student wrote about based solely on the description.

If clear notes are taken throughout the activity, it can be perfected once you arrive back in the classroom through additional input. This method allows you to elaborate further on what happened outdoors by writing extended sentences. I use  Alan Peat , as I not only find his strategies easy to follow, but they are simple to implement with the students, achieving positive outcomes. 

Using symbolism found in Nature

Symbolism in nature is significant, and something well worth exploring, and helping students analyse the symbolism found in their natural surroundings is hugely inspiring, especially when trying to encourage young writers to develop their critical writing skills. 

Once again, it is crucial to begin by taking your students on a short walk in an outdoor setting. This time, have them search for a natural item that symbolises them from the beginning of the walk. It could be a pine cone, a twig, or a leaf found on the floor. Along the journey and throughout the activity, begin to point out different items you start to see that could symbolise you and begin to give a reason or explanation why? Children can then start to enhance their thinking by thinking of powerful metaphors or even similies that further describe what they visualise. 

A metaphor expresses an idea by describing something that isn't literally true. This commonly involves comparing two things that aren't alike but have something in common. You may have to work a little to find the meaning in a metaphor, but it is fun trying.

One such example and simple reference could include the phrase  Nature is King , whereby when we refer to this type of metaphor, and   we call nature 'king', we don't mean nature itself sits on a throne and wears a beautiful crown. We're implying that it is a dominant force and a powerful, poignant entity within the natural world.

Examples of Nature Metaphors might include: 

Nature is our mother

Nature is home

Nature is an antidote

Nature is therapy

The calm lake was a mirror

The sun is a golden ball

The lightning was fireworks in the sky

The snow was a white blanket over the sleepy village

Of course, such examples don't necessarily need to be developed around the word 'nature', but they provide a proper, meaningful context for these concrete examples. Any natural material found within your surroundings can be perfect for creating a suitable context through developing different ideas.

Once your time is up outdoors, it is crucial to get back to the classroom and make sure all the children begin to write about what symbol they chose for themselves and why they decided upon it. Building upon the excellent outdoor work, it is necessary to get the children to think freely about what they have discovered. It will reveal impressive results if you follow it with other ideas.

Free writing provides powerful inspiration

In my classroom, I actively encourage Free writing opportunities, which frequently occur throughout the week. These are done through an activity called Nibble and Scribble, an excellent way to immerse the children in thought and writing. I generally build writing tasks around snack time, thus allowing the children to eat their snacks while writing. This enables them to write freely and become more engaged due to the distraction of their food. It works well!

It need not be an activity spent over a long period; I tend to use a timer at the front of the class to limit writing time and to see what the children come up with within that time. Usually, it is 10 to 15 minutes max.

To further help inspire and support the children's inquisitive nature, ideas, and intentions, I often use a visual stimulus to keep the whole process. This visual stimulus can be a picture, an object found in nature or a short video depicting a scene, all of which help.

I find it a gratifying activity to teach, as the limitations are free, and the opportunity for children to develop their ideas is pretty limitless. So much so that when students are given a time frame in which they must write nonstop, they come up with some exciting outcomes. Students can write whatever comes to mind, and they do not have to worry about their spelling, punctuation, or grammar.

Research shows that taking free writing outdoors and immersing all participants in the sights and sounds around them will encourage students to dig deeper inside themselves and find varied and exciting solutions. There is no doubt that the sounds and sights of nature seem to bring out the best in people, and this is then quickly transferred and shown in their writing. In addition, and to make the whole task come to life, you can easily incorporate many opportunities to develop drama and speaking and listening skills that allow the children to share ideas through verbal presentations.

Write in a daily Nature journal 

In one of my previous blog posts, I talked about the key benefits of getting outside and compiling your thoughts and observations using Nature Journaling techniques. Now, I am certainly not an expert at pictorial and written documentation, but I fully understand the significant benefits for curious young minds keen to better themselves, discover more and learn something new.

Nature journalling is one of many creative outdoor writing activities that can be delivered several times a week in the school playground or nearby the school grounds. It is essential to take the students somewhere outside where there is plenty of room to be on their own. 

Then, give the students ample time to write about their thoughts and observations. I tend to find that note form is perfect as it keeps their ideas clear and concise. You could further develop the thought process by highlighting and categorising criteria through the following prompts. 

What is going on in your life?

What do you worry about?

What are you happy about?

What are your hopes and dreams?

It is effortless to link these questions and more to what they hear, see and touch, with nature providing the perfect backdrop for this form of exploratory learning.

I would make it clear to the students by letting them know that the journals are for their eyes only, and they are free to write down anything that comes to mind. The main point of this activity is simply for the students to practice writing down their feelings so they can use this critical skill in future writing assignments that might be longer or more challenging the older they get. The ability to successfully express your thoughts and feelings is an attribute every great writer should have.

Develop a zest for Poetry

Teaching poetry has always been part of the curriculum, and it can be tricky, as generally, the teacher is not a poet, and the writer needs to obtain inspiration for the poem. That said, although I am not an expert, some outcomes are best achieved by students and the chance to free up their minds.

So what better inspiration is there than using the outdoors?

You can choose a different type of poem each week and connect it to the seasons, the weather, feelings etc. Once again, use the principles of observations and allow your students to practice writing about the things they focus on within their natural surroundings. Poetry is an art form and teaches us many skills, such as the skills of descriptive writing and using synonyms appropriately, especially when using rhyme. It fundamentally allows the students to develop creativity.

Within language skills, many writing forms have different rules to follow. Whether it is formal writing, comedy writing, easy writing, or tedious writing, one thing it all has in common is that the use of the outdoors can influence everything.

Thinking out of the box and utilising your creative thinking as a teacher is refreshing. It is effortless for you to devise various outdoor writing activities that will seamlessly help your students develop and enhance their ideas to become the best writers they can be.

Let’s Get Writing Outside

Aug 12, 2015 | Early Years Outdoors , Literacy Outdoors | 8 comments

Writing outside is becoming increasingly popular in many primary and secondary schools as a method of engaging children and providing activities and stimuli which cannot be found indoors. The multi-sensory nature of much outdoor learning helps children to retain ideas and feelings that can be communicated through writing. The changing events, seasons and incidents adds richness to the experience. Furthermore there are lots of places to write and mediums to use. Variety is the spice of life!

The possibilities for extending writing outside are limitless. To get your creative juices flowing, it can help to brainstorm ideas with children and colleagues.

Authors and poets often write outside. There is documented evidence of William Wordsworth walking the Lakeland fells with his sister, Dorothy, at his side scribbling down his ideas and thoughts. More recently, Ian Hamilton Findlay created  Little Sparta , his greatest work of art, where poetry and sculpture are fused with the natural landscape. Here many ideas can be explored which can enrich features of school grounds for literary purposes.

Writing activities outdoors can have several aims:

• To learn or reinforce specific skills, knowledge and understanding
• As a context for activities where the surroundings act as a stimulus
• To build vocabulary and knowledge about the world
• As a springboard to indoor work

Advice about writing outside

When it comes to resources for writing outside, very little is required.

1. Use pencils at all ages and stages

Unlike pens, pencils will write on paper and card that is damp or wet. Take lots of spare pencils outside as the tips do break and they can get mislaid. You don’t want to waste time searching for pencils or waiting for children to take turns to sharpen their pencils. Don’t bother with erasers.

2. Think about the size of clipboards

Children enjoy using a variety of clipboard sizes. A5 clipboards are great for small work such as secret messages and poems written by individual children. A3 clipboards allow for a bigger writing experience. Children who have motor difficulties often find these bigger clipboards easier as elbows can be used to balance and steady the writing surface.

3. Use scrap pieces of card and paper

On windy days, using scrap pieces of card is easier because there is less flutter. The card or paper can also be stuck onto clipboards with masking tape too. Alternatively, cut A4 paper which has already been used on one side into quarters. Put into stacks of 10 sheets and staple in one corner. These little notebooks are more portable and useful outside than big A4 sheets.

4. Think about using the outdoor environment as a writing surface

A beach is one giant interactive writing board. Sand can be used for making 3-D letters as well as writing into the sand itself. Grit and mud also work well. Use sticks or fingers to scratch words into soil, mud, grit or forest floor litter.  Look at opportunities for having different surfaces that can be used for writing.  Why bother with pencils, card and clipboards when you don’t have to!

5. Use other portable writing surfaces

Whiteboard markers can be used outside with portable old whiteboards (new ones will get scratched more quickly outside). In addition to these, mirrors, unwanted CDs and varnished wooden slabs all make great writing surfaces for non-permanent marker pens.

6. Make the most of your tablets, iPads and other digital devices

If your establishment has tablets or iPads or other mobile devices that children can use, then there are many apps that can be downloaded and used for writing outside. Use digital cameras to record transient work which can be left for others to enjoy.

7. Have portable mats

To be comfortable outside, portable mats make a noticeable difference. Any surface can be sat upon in all weathers and the insulation provides extra warmth. Ones which can be folded up and carried in a backpack are particularly handy.  For lots of ideas and advice about portable seats, have a look at these blog posts .

8. Vary your activities at different times of the year

Writing works well all year round. Some of the best poetry I have seen has come from children creating poems outside on a cold day with temperatures below zero.  The trick is to remember to keep children moving about. Trails and word hunts work well in colder weather.

9. Re-tell or read aloud children’s writing outside

Poetry is meant to be spoken aloud. Stories and other forms of writing shared outside foster a collaborative sense of achievement.

Making your outdoor area writing-friendly

If your school or setting is considering improving its grounds, then here’s some ideas for encouraging children to write outside through the use of specific features.

1. Do not confine writing activities to one part of the grounds

Traditional seating and tables make a lovely place to write, but this sends the message that we only write at a table when sitting on a chair. Yet the reality is that people write in different ways in many different places. Use the portable seats and writing material listed above and work where it most suits the lesson you are undertaking.

2. Provide places on walls where children can write and draw

On the walls, have places where children can write and draw. These can be black boards or white boards. Noticeboards are useful too where children can post their own messages and announcements. Mirrors also make good drawing and writing surfaces outside, as does Perspex.  Generally the bigger the writing space, the more flexibly it can be used.

3. Performance spaces or decking are useful for writing

As adults we will text, use phones or tablets whilst having a picnic in a park, or take notes as we lie around. Such spaces are useful gathering places. Often a whole class can fit on a decked area. It is a cheaper solution than buying lots of outdoor seating. Below is an example of a decked area surrounding a tree that was created by a local joiner.

4. Consult children about etching words and phrases into fixed structures

For example, a friendship bench may have words of friendship in different languages painted on or chiselled into the wood. Etchings can be used for taking rubbings using waxed crayons and paper.

5. Put in features which are open-ended and have multiple uses

In the photo below, the wooden stumps and border of the sandpit can be used for mark making. Children can chalk or paint directly onto these surfaces. Alternatively children can seat on these features to write. Or, by sitting on the ground, the stumps and border can be used as mini tables.

6. Make outdoor displays really attractive

Whatever work is displayed outside, ensure it is fit for purpose and relevant to the area where it has been put. Have an agreement amongst staff that any class which puts up a display outside has a responsibility to maintain it too. After all, you wouldn’t put up a nice display in your own classroom or nearby corridor and then let it get worn and wonder who will get round to changing it!

If you have to laminate material to go outside, put duct tape in the corners as reinforcements for hole punches. Soft anodized wire works well for attaching to fences. Types of display may include:

• Information displays, e.g. about your wildlife garden.
• Signs and advice written by children
• Just like indoors, the displays can be children’s stories, poems or other forms of writing
• Cross-curricular project work
• Three dimensional displays such as sculpture or artwork which include language.

7. Think about shelter

Shelters can be handy during inclement weather. I’ve blogged about temporary shelters and permanent ones  If your school is in a windy place, then have walls or fences as part of the structure to reduce airflow. Try to avoid a dark shelter where it is difficult to see and where views are limited. A Perspex roof and windows can help. Erecting a shelter where parents who are collecting their children can gather makes the space even more versatile.

8. Nooks, crannies and scattered seats

Some children like writing in small groups. Look at creating secluded areas where children have space to be alone to write. By careful pruning, it is still possible to maintain a degree of visibility for supervising staff.

9. Develop different habitats

These can be used for comparative work. The greater the variety of trees, shrubs, flowers and surfaces, etc., the greater the opportunity for developing knowledge and understanding. For example, having long and short grass growing works well for exploring the different senses, plants and minibeasts that will live in each place. These habitats are springboards for writing.

Finally, consider how features that enable writing outdoors impact on the ethos of your school or setting. For example, if your school aims include maximising learning opportunities for children, have a think about how this works outdoors. Often entrances to schools can be improved through the creative use of text. Have a look at this beautiful wishing wall as an example.

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One of my favorite places in the world to write is outside. Thanks for all the useful tips & suggestions for making it comfortable for kids.

Thanks for all the good ideas!

Great ideas. Like you, we also love to be outside to do our writing. We generally have nice weather that makes it possible for us to get outside mush of the time. Love the gazebo / covered chair thing you have in the one photo, too. very nice…wish we had one of those here. Have a happy week, Colleen:)

Hi, I did notice that some of the pics were taken in Sweden, do you happen to have for sharing info on specific schools in Sweden? Especially, if those are near Stockholm city. Thanks!

Thanks for dropping by – Yes 2 photos are from Sweden – if you get in touch via email which is at the bottom of every page in my website, I’ll forward details to you. https://www.creativestarlearning.co.uk

Thank you so much for all your inspiration. I loved the Cowgate under 5’s link. I wondered if it is possible to find out where they sourced a number of their resources e.g the drums?

Thank you for your inspiration! I wondered if you knew where Cowgate Under 5’s sourced some of their resources? E.g. the drums outdoors?

I think most of the instruments came from RM http://www.rm.com/shops/rmshop/Product.aspx?cref=PD1605967

Hope this helps Juliet

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• National Poetry Day – 10 Ideas for Creating Poems Outside — Creative STAR Learning | I'm a teacher, get me OUTSIDE here! - […] Make it comfortable. This blog post has suggestions about the practicalities of writing […]
• Creating a writing-friendly outdoor environment — Creative STAR Learning | I'm a teacher, get me OUTSIDE here! - […] a previous post, Let’s Get Writing Outside, I discussed resources and ideas for writing outside. These suggestions work well…
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Writing Activities for Kids: Outdoor Writing Center

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We are back for Fine Motor Fridays! This week we did some fun writing activities for kids on our super easy outdoor writing center! ( This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.)

The other night LalyDad and I were talking about how Miss Three (almost four!) has been showing interest in reading and writing more lately. I wanted to come up with some fun ways to work on that with her this summer and I remembered something I saw in the book Ready for Kindergarten by Deborah Stewart ( Teach Preschool ). She talked about setting up a writing center to encourage your child to explore different aspects of writing and reading.

We don't have a designated space for this inside yet because Mister One likes to eat writing tools right now. We use crayons and markers, paint and chalk a lot but I don't have it all sitting out for use at any time.

Instead I thought it would be fun to make an outdoor writing center for the kids since Mister One is only out in the back yard when I am there to watch him anyhow!

Easy Outdoor Writing Center

Here are some basic materials to put together to make your own outdoor writing center:

We have a basic, inexpensice double sided Ikea easel, so that is what we used but I bet this super cool Inflatable Crayola Easel would really get the kids' attention! Another nice option is this foldable Step 2 Easel for Two , which has a magnetic surface and a white board as well as foam letters included!

Writing Tools

Chalk is the first thing that probably comes to mind but you can mix up the chalk sizes and shapes so your child has a variety of options. Alex has a fun set of multicolored sidewalk chalk , these fun egg shaped chalk shapes give a whole different writing experience. Or try your hand at making your own sidewalk chalk! These heart shaped sidewalk chalks are sooo pretty! Reading Confetti has lots of ways to make Ice Chalk , how cool!

Chalk isn't the only thing to use though, set out a cup of water and paintbrushes. Also if your easel has a white board, dry erase markers would be great too.

Fun Accessories

In her book, Deborah talked about adding stickers and other fun things to add variety. I didn't want to use actual stickers on our chalk board but I found that just like in the bath tub, we could use our foam bath letters, numbers and learning cards pack to stick on the chalkboard! These make perfect accessories for your outdoor writing center!

Squirt guns, water pump squirters or even a firefighter water pack pack might be a fun addition to play letter or site word squirt games!

Outdoor Writing Activities for Kids

Once your writing center is set up, obviously your child can explore, write, color and draw freely. If you'd like some ideas for writing activities and site words activities, try these:

-Writing letters and words with chalk

-Using a wet paintbrush to draw letters and words on the chalkboard

-Using a wet paintbrush to trace and erase letters that you have written on the chalkboard

-Write words on the chalkboard in chalk and have your child match them with the foam letters

-Stick a foam flash card to the chalkboard and invite your child to copy the word using chalk, wet paintbrush or foam letters

-Ask your child to make up a story using the foam flash cards

-Stick foam letters on the chalk board (alone or in words) and have your child blast them off using a squirt gun, water pump squirter or the firefighter back pack!

I'd love to hear your ideas! What would you add?

Fine Motor Fridays

We are back together with our regular Friday Crew to bring you playful Fine Motor Skills Activities. Click through to see what the other bloggers have been up to this week! And be sure to follow along on our Fine Motor Fridays Board!

Puffy Paint Cake Decorating from Still Playing School

Creative Construction: Styrofoam and Pipe Cleaners from Craftulate

Simple Weaving Felt Page from Powerful Mothering

Lego Sensory Bin For Math And Fine Motor Skills from Little Bins For Little Hands

Fine Motor Name Game from House of Burke

Fine Motor Light Table Play from And Next Comes L

GOT PRESCHOOLERS?! If you enjoy trying simple, playful activities with your preschooler, I invite you to check out a lovely collaborative eBook that I contributed to. Three to Five: Playful Preschool is chock full of approachable activities, step-by-step tutorials and inspiring photographs from some of the top kids bloggers from around the world! There is an subject-based index that helps you select the perfect activity based and many of the activities are perfect for multiple siblings of different ages to do together! Learn more here !

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17 Comments

I want to take every activity outside now that the weather is nice! Great ideas!

This is awesome!! You’ve inspired me to put together a writing center!

Jealous that yours is magnetic! Little Sis was water painting her letters on chalk earlier this week to make them disappear! She loved such a simple activity!

Love the idea of having this outside – and great that she loves learning to write so much!

I love the idea of sticking the foam to the chalkboard – and just by bringing it outside it adds a fun novelty factor!

This is so much fun! my loves doodling, writing on the pavement and I have this same easel! Will try this when the rain would stop. Thanks #OutdoorPlay

This is such a lovely way to take literacy outdoors and I love the way it gives kids the freedom to explore writing in their own ways. Thanks so much for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party 🙂

I am featuring this post on the Sunday Showcase!

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I have always loved the idea of taking writing activities outdoors for a new perspective. Here is a video of taking handwriting practice outdoors http://yourtherapysource.com/videohwoutdoors.html .

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55 Creative Writing Activities and Exercises

Have you ever heard these questions or statements from your students?

• I don’t know where to begin.
• How can I make my story interesting?
• I’m just not creative.
• What should my story be about?

If so, you won’t want to miss these creative writing activities. 

What Are Creative Writing Activities?

Activities that teach creative writing serve as drills to exercise your student’s writing muscle. When used effectively, they help reluctant writers get past that intimidating blank paper and encourage the words to flow. 

When I think of creative writing exercises , writing prompts immediately come to mind. And, yes, writing from a prompt is certainly an example of a creative writing activity (a highly effective one). 

However, writing prompts are only one way to teach creative writing. Other types of activities include games, collaboration with others, sensory activities, and comic strip creation to name a few.

Unlike writing assignments, creative writing activities aren’t necessarily meant to create a perfectly polished finished project. 

Instead, they serve as more of a warmup and imagination boost.

Picture-based writing exercises are especially fun. You can download one for free below!

get this picture prompt printable for free!

How to use creative writing exercises effectively.

When teaching creative writing , the most effective exercises inspire and engage the student. 

Remember that worn-out prompt your teacher probably hauled out every year? 

“What I Did This Summer…” 

Cue the groaning. 

Instead of presenting your student with lackluster topics like that one, let’s talk about ways to engage and excite them. 

For Kids or Beginners

Early writers tend to possess misconceptions about writing. Many picture sitting down for hours straight, polishing a story from beginning to end. 

Even for experienced writers, this is next-to-impossible to do. It’s preconceived ideas like these that overwhelm and discourage students before they’ve even started. 

Instead of assigning an essay to complete, start with simple, short writing exercises for elementary students such as:

• Creating comic strips using a template
• Talking out loud about a recent dream
• Writing a poem using rhyming words you provide
• Creating an acrostic from a special word

Creative writing exercises don’t have to end in a finished piece of work. If the exercise encouraged creative thinking and helped the student put pen to paper, it’s done its job. 

For Middle School

Creative writing activities for middle school can be a little more inventive. They now have the fundamental reading and writing skills to wield their words properly. 

Here are some ideas for middle school writing exercises you can try at home:

• Creating Mad Lib-style stories by changing out nouns, verbs, and adjectives in their favorite tales
• Storyboarding a short film
• Writing a family newsletter
• Creating crossword puzzles

For High School 

Your high school student may be starting to prepare for college essays and other important creative writing assignments. 

It’s more critical than ever for her to exercise her writing skills on a regular basis. 

One great way to keep your high schooler’s mind thinking creatively is to have her make “listicles” of tips or facts about something she’s interested in already. 

Another fun and effective creative writing exercise for high school is to have your student retell classic stories with a twist. 

List of 55 Creative Writing Activities for Students of All Ages

No matter what age range your students may be, I think you’ll find something that suits their personality and interests in this list of creative writing ideas. Enjoy! 

• Using only the sense of hearing, describe your surroundings. 
• Write a paragraph from your shoes’ point of view. How do they view the world? What does a “day in the life of a shoe” look like?
• Imagine what the world will be like in 200 years. Describe it. 
• Write a letter to someone you know who moved away. What has he or she missed? Should he or she move back? Why? 
• Make up an imaginary friend. What does he or she look like? What does he or she like to do?
• Create a story about a person you know. Use as many details as possible.
• Write a poem that describes a place you have been.
• Soak up the season you’re in with seasonal creative writing prompts. Here are some ideas for fall and winter .
• Write a song where each line starts with the next letter in the alphabet. 
• Create a list of words related to something you love.
• Write a short story based on a true event in your life.
• Rewrite a chapter of your favorite book from the antagonist’s point of view. 
• Write a letter to your future self. What do you want to make sure you remember?
• Go on a five-senses scavenger hunt. Find three items for each sense. Create a story using the items you found. 
• Create a story around an interesting picture ( try these fun picture writing prompts! )
• Find an ad in a magazine or elsewhere and rewrite the description to convince people NOT to buy the advertised item.
• Write a story using the last word of each sentence as the first word of the next.
• Describe everything you’re sensing right now, using all five senses.
• Write a list of animals A to Z with a one-sentence description of each one. Feel free to include imaginary animals.
• Design your dream room in detail.
• Write a script of yourself interviewing a famous person. Include his or her answers.
• Describe what high school would be like if you lived on the moon. What would you be learning about? How would you be learning it?
• Describe a day in the life of a famous person in history. Include both mundane and exciting details of things they may have experienced on a normal day.
• Pick up something on a bookshelf or end table nearby. Now write a commercial script for it to convince your audience that they absolutely must own this thing.
• Plan a birthday party for your best friend. Describe the decorations, food, and everything else.
• Write a very short story about three siblings fighting over a toy. Now rewrite it twice, each time from a different character’s perspective.
• Tell a story from the point of view of a pigeon on a city street.
• Create a menu for a deli you’ll be opening soon. Name each sandwich after something or someone in real life and list the fillings and type of bread.
• Pretend you just became famous for something. Write 3 exciting newspaper headlines about the topic or reason behind your newfound fame.
• Keep a one-line-a-day journal. Every day, write down one thought or sentence about something that happened that day or how you felt about the day.
• Have you ever had a nightmare? Write what happened but with a new ending where everything turns out okay (perhaps the monster was your dad in a costume, preparing to surprise you at your birthday party).
• Write a “tweet” about something that happened to you recently, using only 140 characters. 
• Take an important event in your life or the life of someone in your family. Write one sentence answering each of the 6 journalistic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
• Set a timer for 5 minutes and write nonstop, starting with the words “I remember.” If you get stuck, write “I remember” again until you get unstuck.
• Pick something you use often (a toothbrush, your desk, etc). Then tell the story of how it was invented. If you don’t know, make something up.
• Choose a princess or hero and write a one-paragraph story about him or her traveling to a distant land.
• Pretend you are a tour guide for a local attraction. It can be a library, a park, or a museum, but it could also be a place that wouldn’t normally hold tours (such as an arcade). Write a speech about what you tell your tour group as you walk around the attraction.
• Create a marketing brochure for your favorite activity or fun place to go.
• Make a list of 10 future story settings. Write one sentence describing each. For example, “ in the dark, musty cellar of my grandmother’s house, surrounded by dried-up jars of canned peaches… ”
• Make a list of foods included in a dinner party catered by the world’s worst cook, describing how each course looks, smells, and tastes. Include your reactions while eating it.
• Write out your own version of instructions for playing your favorite game.
• Pretend you’ve lost your sight for one night. Describe going out to eat at a restaurant, using smells, textures, and sounds to tell your story.
• Write a script for an interesting phone conversation in which the reader can only hear one side. 
• Tell the story of an object someone threw away from the perspective of the person who tossed it out. Then tell the story of that same object from the perspective of a person who finds it and deems it a treasure.
• List your 3 least favorite chores. Pick one and write a one paragraph detailing why you can’t possibly complete that chore ever again.
• Write an excerpt from your dog’s diary (pretend he keeps one).
• Write the script for a movie trailer—real or imagined.
• Create an acrostic for a holiday of your choice. 
• Pretend you’re the master of a role-playing game, describing a sticky situation in which the other players now find themselves. Describe the scenario in writing.
• Compose a funny or dramatic caption for a photo.
• Parents, place a textured object in a box without letting your student see it. Have him or her reach in, touch the object, and then describe how it feels.
• Write lyrics for a parody of a song.
• Make a list of 10-20 songs that would be played if a movie was made about your life.
• Describe the sounds, smells, sights, and textures you’d experience if you went to the beach for the day.
• Write an election speech with ludicrous and impossible campaign promises.

One of the best ways to encourage students to write regularly is by providing fun creative writing activities . 

They serve to encourage both the habit and mindset of writing with imagination. If you need extra help with that, check out Creative Freewriting Adventure :

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

About the author.

Jordan Mitchell

Lux Writing Center

Personal writing instruction for all ages, outdoor writing activities, writing in nature.

On a clear day last month, I took a group of young writers outside . With paper and pen in hand, we spread out to write—one went into a small wooded area, a few sat in the grass, another climbed up a large oak, and a couple of them sat at tables under trees. They were tasked to simply describe something they saw. Later, we reconvened to share descriptions of ants, trees, Spanish moss, and cold air. These descriptions later evolved into wonderful creative writings.

Connecting our lives to the natural world around us is not a new concept. It is for good reason that we plant trees in street medians, spend Saturday afternoons at parks, stare out at the vastness of the ocean, and can’t help but be overwhelmed when we look up at a clear starry night.

It’s an ancient connection that gets to our core of being. I see this connection in the readings I teach—creation stories, the Psalms, Indian animal fables, Jesus’ parables, and poetry from all over the world.

Thomas Merton, a writer and monk who lived in a hermitage in the woods of Kentucky, believed that creation must be experienced and observed. He began many of his journal entries by writing what he was observing in the forest around him. He wrote descriptions like this one:

Mists of damp heat rise up out of the fields around the sleeping abbey.  The whole valley is flooded with moonlight and I count the southern hills, and almost number the trees of the forest to the north.  Now the huge chorus of living beings rise up out of the world beneath my feet: life singing in the watercourses, throbbing in the creeks and the fields and the trees, choirs of millions of jumping and flying and creeping things.  And far above me the cool sky opens upon the frozen distance of the stars.

He did this as if he had to—as if these things had such an influence on his contemplative life and writing that he had to acknowledge them first.

Nature is a good place for a writer—young or experienced—to begin.  To get you started on your outdoor writing adventure, here are some ideas:

• Keep a nature journal.
• Sit outside away from people and do nothing. Write anything that comes to mind.

• While on a hike, imagine a story that might take place in that setting.
• Personify an aspect of nature that you see.
• Spend 15 minutes outside observing the world around you. Write about what you notice most.
• Go out on a very cold or very hot day. You might be uncomfortable. Try to find the good in what you feel and experience.
• When you are outside, which of your senses are you most thankful to have?
• If you don’t like to be outside, write while you are outside and tell what you don’t like about it.
• Write about the element of nature that speaks to you most.
• Write a story or poem about a leaf falling.
• Describe what a bird might see.
• Read outside. Remember, the key to being good writer is to read.
• While inside, read about nature and look at pictures of nature. Let these images and readings inspire your writing. For example, browse through the bird images of Alexander Wilson, American Ornithologist . Tell what you see. Describe how the birds might feel if you touched them. Think of any movement the pictures might suggest.

The options are plentiful and nature is ready for you to experience it—so get outside and write !

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12 Best Writing Activities for Kids: The “Write” Way to Fun

1. Online Writing Games

2. feelings journal, 3. personal time capsule letters, 4. use creative writing prompts, 5. picture storytelling, 6. diy comic strips, 7. outdoor observation, 8. letter to a hero, 9. recipe writing, 10. story cubes.

Did you know that many kids today find writing a bit challenging? In fact, studies show that lots of children struggle with putting their thoughts into words. But guess what? We have some super fun and exciting ways to help them become amazing writers!

SplashLearn: Most Comprehensive Learning Program for PreK-5

SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.

We’ll show you how writing activities will make your kids love writing, just like they love their favorite games and toys .

But why is this important? Well, teaching kids to write is not just about school—it’s about expressing yourself, telling stories , and sharing ideas. Plus, it’s a skill that will help them in so many areas of life. Let’s dive right in and discover fun writing activities for kids that will light up their imaginations and help them become confident writers!

12 Fun and Creative Writing Activities for Kids

Writing can be as exciting as a treasure hunt or a fantastic adventure, and it doesn’t have to feel like homework. Here are some ways on how to practice writing:

In today’s digital age, engaging children in learning can be both fun and educational. Online writing games are an excellent way to foster creativity and enhance writing skills in kids. One such platform that excels in this regard is SplashLearn .

SplashLearn offers a wide array of interactive games and worksheets designed to enhance kids’ writing skills. From letter tracing activities that help strengthen fine motor skills to engaging sight word games that boost reading and writing proficiency, SplashLearn transforms writing practice into an engaging and rewarding experience.

A journal is like a secret friend where kids can pour out their thoughts and feelings. This writing activity is a safe space for self-expression and emotional growth.

Ideas for journaling:

• Ask them to write about their favorite day.
• Let them draw or stick pictures to make it even more personal.

Keeping a journal is like having a personal therapist on paper. It aids in emotional development by encouraging self-reflection and expression of feelings. Additionally, it hones writing skills, vocabulary, and the ability to organize thoughts coherently.

The idea of a time capsule is to capture the present moment for the future. In this activity, kids write letters to their future selves, detailing their current lives, hopes, dreams, and questions they might have for their older selves.

How it works:

• Provide kids with paper, envelopes, and writing tools.
• Ask them to imagine they’re writing to themselves 5 or 10 years in the future.
• They can describe their current life, friends, hobbies, and dreams.
• Once done, seal the letters in envelopes with the date to be opened in the future.
• Store them in a safe place or create a decorative time capsule box.

Writing to one’s future self is a reflective activity that encourages introspection. It helps children articulate their current feelings, aspirations, and uncertainties. As they ponder what the future might hold, they also develop a sense of hope and anticipation. When they eventually open these letters years later, they can see how much they’ve grown, which can be a profound and emotional experience.

Imagine starting with a simple sentence and turning it into an amazing story! That’s what creative writing prompts do—they make writing an adventure.

Examples of prompts:

“If I could go anywhere in the world, I would visit…”

“Once, I found a magical key that opened…”

Creative writing prompts spark imagination and creativity. They prompt children to think outside the box and develop their unique voice. Additionally, it improves their storytelling abilities and vocabulary.

Pictures can speak a thousand words, and when kids write about them, they learn to describe things in detail.

Picture-based prompts:

Show them a picture and ask, “What do you see? Write a story about it.”

Describing pictures in detail improves observational skills and the ability to convey ideas clearly. It encourages children to think critically about visual cues and translate them into written narratives.

Creating comics is like being a superhero! Kids get to draw, write, and think about how stories flow.

Step-by-step guide:

• Draw a series of boxes to make panels.
• In each panel, tell a part of the story with words and pictures.

Creating comic strips nurtures artistic and storytelling talents simultaneously. It teaches visual storytelling, enhances writing skills in a concise format, and encourages the creative interplay between words and images.

Prompt: “What’s a funny incident that happened to you recently? Try turning it into a 3-panel comic strip!

Writing about nature connects kids with the world around them. It’s like taking a walk in the park with a pen.

Outdoor observation prompts:

• “Create an alphabet list using things you see in nature. For each letter, write the word of something you found, and describe it in one sentence.”
• “Draw your favorite tree and write about it.”
• Pick up a fallen leaf and make up a story about where it came from, the tree it belonged to, and its adventures on the ground.
• Look up at the sky and observe a unique shape in the clouds. Write a short story (2-3 sentences) about what this cloud shape resembles and a whimsical tale that could involve this cloud character.

This activity connects children with the natural world. It cultivates an appreciation for the environment, promotes keen observation skills, and sharpens descriptive writing abilities.

Writing a letter to a hero or role model is a way to say thank you and share admiration. It’s all about showing gratitude.

What to write:

• Tell your hero why you admire them.
• Say how they inspire you.

Writing letters to heroes promotes gratitude , empathy, and the articulation of admiration. It helps children develop persuasive writing skills and the ability to express their feelings respectfully.

Writing recipes is like creating magic potions! It’s also a fun way to learn about measurements and following instructions.

Write down a simple recipe, like making a peanut butter or jelly sandwich.

Crafting recipes enhances attention to detail and understanding of the order of operations. It teaches the importance of clear, concise instructions and reinforces basic math and measurement skills.

Story cubes are like dice with pictures. Roll them, and see where your imagination takes you!

How to make and use them:

• Draw pictures on cube-shaped paper or use stickers.
• Roll the cubes and create a story based on the pictures that come up.

Story cubes stimulate the imagination and encourage spontaneous storytelling. They help children think on their feet, connect disparate ideas, and weave them into a coherent narrative. This activity also promotes vocabulary expansion as kids search for the right words to describe the images they see.

11. Newspaper Reporter

Kids can be little reporters and learn about news writing. It’s a sneak peek into how newspapers work!

Activity: Brainstorm: Think of an event like “Aliens Visit Local School” or “Lost City Found in Backyard”.

Details: Answer: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?

Headline: Create a catchy title to grab attention.

Draft: Write the story, adding ‘quotes’ from ‘witnesses’ or ‘experts’.

Illustrate: Sketch a related image or scene.

This activity merges news writing with creative storytelling. Kids learn the structure of news while enhancing both their factual and creative writing skills.

12. Book Reviews

Reading is fantastic, but talking about what you’ve read is even better. It helps kids think critically and share their thoughts.

How to do it:

• Pick a book you love and tell others what you liked and didn’t like about it.
• These writing activities are like hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Pick one, or try them all, and watch your child’s writing skills grow while having a blast!

Writing book reviews enhances critical thinking and analytical skills. It encourages children to form opinions, express them clearly, and engage in thoughtful discussions about literature. It also promotes reading comprehension.

6 Benefit of Writing Activities for Students

Did you know that these fun writing activities can do wonders for your child’s growth? Let’s explore how:

1. Improves Literacy Skills

Engaging in creative writing activities fosters a deeper understanding of language and literacy. This enhanced literacy proficiency not only aids them academically but also equips them with a crucial life skill for effective expression and comprehension.

2. Improves Communication Skills

Through storytelling, journaling, and letter writing, kids learn to articulate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas coherently. They become more adept at conveying their messages, whether in written assignments at school or in everyday conversations. 

3. Boosts Creativity

Creative writing activities are like playgrounds for the imagination. When children engage in storytelling, compose poems , or craft imaginative narratives, they exercise their creative muscles. 

4. Enhances Critical Thinking

Many of these activities encourage children to think critically about the content they create. When they write book reviews, they must analyze the plot, characters, and themes, developing the capacity to assess literature thoughtfully. Storytelling and creative prompts compel them to structure narratives logically, considering cause and effect. These experiences foster analytical thinking, enabling kids to approach complex issues with a more discerning eye.

5. Improves Emotional Well-being

Journaling, in particular, serves as a therapeutic outlet for children to express their emotions, fears, and aspirations. It allows them to process their feelings and gain a better understanding of themselves, helping children manage stress and anxiety more effectively. 

6. Cultivation of a Lifelong Skill

This can lead to a lifelong passion for literature, creative expression, and effective communication—an invaluable skill that serves them well in education, careers, and personal relationships.

In other words, the benefits of these creative writing activities extend far beyond the classroom to nurture well-rounded individuals with enhanced literacy skills, effective communication abilities, heightened creativity, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Encouraging children to embrace these activities is an investment in their personal and intellectual growth, providing them with tools that will benefit them throughout their lives.

To wrap it up, these writing exercises for kids make learning fun and beneficial. These activities to improve writing skills help kids become great writers, improve their reading , and boost their creativity. By enjoying these activities, children can express themselves better and learn to tell amazing stories. So, let’s encourage our little ones to dive into this exciting world of writing. It’s not just homework; it’s a lifelong adventure where imagination and self-expression reign.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the 5 minute writing exercise for kids.

The 5-minute writing exercise for kids is a quick and creative activity where they write about anything that comes to mind for just 5 minutes, no rules, just free writing.

What is a fun writing game for kids?

A fun writing game for kids can be “Story Dice” where they roll dice with pictures and create a story using those images, sparking imagination.

How do you make a writing lesson fun?

To make a writing lesson fun, incorporate games, writing worksheets for kids, storytelling, or interactive prompts to engage students and make learning enjoyable.

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72+ Summer Writing Prompts + Activities

The summer holidays are approaching or maybe already here for some of you! And what better way to spend your summer holidays than perfecting your writing skills with our amazing summer writing challenge ! We have over 72 summer writing prompts to keep you writing for a good whole two months and more!

Get out your notebook and pencil and put your brain into creative mode, as each day you will be completing a creative writing exercise. By the end of the summer holidays, you will have a nifty little collection of summer stories to tell your friends or keep as inspiration for future masterpieces! You can download our 31-Day summer writing challenge printable here or see the list below of over 72 summer writing prompts. Oh and that’s not all – We even included 10 bonus summer writing activities for you to try out.

72+ Summer Writing Prompts

Here is our list of over 72 summer writing prompts:

• Make a bucket list of things you want to do this summer.
• Write about your last day at school before the summer break.
• Write an acrostic poem using the word ‘summer’
• Write a day in the life story about being a shark .
• Write a haiku about sandcastles.
• Write a journal entry about finding treasure.
• Continue the following story starter : A young girl was swimming at the beach. She was alone and just wanted to enjoy the sea. But suddenly she heard a sound. It was a sound she could not understand. A sound that made her feel frightened. She felt as if a wave was coming toward her. She turned and ran to the shore.
• Write a film review.
• Write about your dream holiday.
• Story Starter: My kingdom of sand where I spend my days…
• Write about life in ice cream land – A place where everything is made out of ice cream.
• You find a strange creature on the beach – describe it.
• If you could travel to any place in the world, where would it be and why?
• Use this story starter to write a short story: I went to the pool one day and saw…
• Write a short story about the sun.
• Can you write a six-word story about flamingos?
• Imagine that you owned your very own island. What rules would you set on this island? Who would be allowed to stay on this island? What about the creatures and animals on this island? You might enjoy this fun island name generator.
• Write a news article about flooding in a nearby city.
• Write a book review.
• What would it be like to live underwater?
• Would you rather go surfing with sharks, or on a picnic in a meadow of flowers and fairies? Explain your choice.
• Write a poem which starts with the following line: On one Summer’s night…
• Write a short biography of your life in the past 2 years
• Write an acrostic poem using the word: Vacation.
• What is your favourite summer activity?
• Write a how-to guide on planning the best picnic ever!
• Complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: I love summer because…
• Go for walk and write down everything you see.
• Write a poem about the summer holidays.
• Write a limerick about a sad mermaid.
• Write a scene in a story that includes the following words: monkey, coconut and umbrella.
• Use the following story starter to write a short story: The beach was covered with huge seashells. One by one, the beach walkers picked up the shells and put them in a big pile.
• You are going to the seaside. Make a list of ten things you need to pack into your suitcase and explain why you need each item.
• Write a travel guide about living in your area.
• Write an acrostic poem using the word: Lemonade.
• Write a journal entry about swimming with the sharks.
• Pick one of the following popular summer destinations, and research at least five fun facts about this destination: Costa Rica, Spain, Greece, Bali or Portugal.
• Write a letter to your best friend in another country.
• Write a short description of your dream world.
• Write instructions for making your favourite recipe.
• Write a short story about coconuts, monkeys and hermit crabs.
• Continue this summer limerick: There once was a boy named Mark. He dreamed of owning a pet shark…
• Story starter: One day, I ate a watermelon seed and…
• Write about the worst summer holiday ever!
• Use the following story starter to write a short story: My parents used to take me to the beach, to the amusement park, and to the lake when I was younger. But as I grew older, I wanted to do things that I would not have done if I were still a kid.
• Write a summer story about a person who is free and happy in the summer. You could write about a day off work, an opportunity to explore a place you’ve always wanted to visit, a new hobby or a day out with friends.
• Can you complete the following sentence in at least three different ways: I remember last summer…
• Pick one of the following sun-loving animals, and research at least five fun facts about them: Alligator, Sea Lion, Meerkat, Painted turtle, or Hippopotamus.
• Use this story starter to write a short story: When I was little, I went to a beach in the south of France. It was a warm, sunny day. I was running on the beach with my friends. I was barefoot. We were running in the middle of the beach when I slipped. I felt the sand on my foot. I didn’t feel any pain, I just felt the sand. That was the moment when things started changing for me.
• Make a top three list of your favourite ice cream flavours. Describe each flavour in detail.
• Would you rather have a three-month summer break at home or a one-week holiday at your dream destination? Explain your choice.
• Write a battle scene between a shark and a huge ice-cream monster. You can use this story starter as inspiration: Sharks are fast and powerful. If they see an ice cream cone, they’ll try to bite it. Ice cream is soft and sweet. The shark wants to eat it. It is easy to see how the ice cream would win. The ice cream has soft, slippery skin. The shark has sharp teeth and strong jaws.
• Write an acrostic poem using the word: Ocean.
• Make an A-Z list of summer-related words. Can you include a sentence for each?
• Write down at least five tips for helping someone relax during the summer holidays.
• Write a how-to guide on how to plan the perfect backyard BBQ party.
• Use this story starter to write a short story: A girl walks into a diner, and the first thing she notices is the smell of wet sand. She orders a drink, and the waitress asks her what she wants. “Watermelon,” the girl replies. “You’re a crab,” screams the waitress.
• Imagine that you find a magic pair of sunglasses. When you put these sunglasses on something really cool happens…
• Continue the following story starter: There once was a girl who was walking along the beach with her mother. She was looking for something in the sand and her mother was looking for something in the sea. Suddenly a sea anemone appeared.
• Would you rather have a pool in your backyard or a home theatre room? Explain your choice.
• Write a conversation between the sun and a huge cloud on a beautiful summer’s day. The sun could start the conversation by saying, “Hey Cloudy! Stay out of the way!”
• Write a limerick about an old sea turtle.
• Write a scene in a story that includes the following words: flip-flops, donkey, and bucket.
• Write down a recipe for making your own lemonade at home.
• Write some song lyrics about summer. The title of the song could be: Summer is forever.
• Make a list of at least five things you love about summer and five things you hate about summer. Write a sentence to describe each item in your list.
• Describe the most memorable summer vacation. What did you do? Why is it so memorable?
• Use the following story starter to write a short story: The weather is perfect, the sun is shining, the lake is reflecting the sky, and there is no need to wear a sweater. A great time to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
• Write some song lyrics about ice cream. The title of the song could be, Ice Cream, My Dream.
• Would you rather lead an army of crabs on a beach or lead an army of hares in the snowy mountains? Explain your choice.
• Write a haiku about two crabs at a beach.
• Write a scene in a story that includes the following words: ice cream, shark and flip-flops.
• Continue the following story starter: I was sitting at my parents’ house in the town I grew up in. My parents had just gone to the store and I was alone in their house. I’m not sure how long I had been sitting there, but it was time to head home. I was thinking about the last day of summer. I think a lot about the last day of summer. It’s the last day I see my parents for the summer, so I’m always sad to think about it.
• The summer holidays are nearly over. What was your favourite memory or moment from the holidays this year, and why?

Bonus: 10 Summer Writing Activities:

Completed our summer writing prompts? Well…we got some more cool summer writing activities for your to try out! Take a look at these summer activities:

• Story Maps: Story maps are an excellent way of telling stories in a way that kids will enjoy. Similar to treasure maps, the idea of a story map is to re-tell a story and collect items relating to that story along the way. You can even add unusual items to give the story a little twist! You can find a brilliant tutorial on creating story maps here  and some free printable story maps .

• Act out a poem, song or story: Acting out a story or a song is a great way for children to connect feelings with written words. This helps children to develop empathy towards their favourite characters in the stories they read, putting them on the path toward a lifelong love of reading. Ask your child to read out a sentence or a paragraph from a story. Encourage them to use facial expressions and actions when reading this out. Have everyone join in to keep things fun and light.
• Nature Walk: Visit your local park and talk about the things you see, hear, smell and feel. Bring a camera along and take pictures of the environment, such as flowers, rocks, trees and so on. When you get home, ask your child to label each photo with a sentence or two to describe the photo. You can even try writing a poem about each photo or try writing a story linking all the photos together.
• Sight Word Island Hopping: This is an amazing activity which I found over at education.com . It is great for teaching kids new words over the summer break. All you need is some chalk and pavement for this fun outdoor game. It can be played with one child or a group of children. The purpose of the game is for the child to hop from one island to another, spelling out a word they are struggling with. If they spell the word wrong they have to start again from the starting island. Read the full instructions on how to play here .
• Sight Word Water Game: In this fun summer game, you again need some chalk, pavement and some water balloons or wet sponges. Using the chalk write out some words that your child is struggling with. Then ask your child to throw the balloons/ wet sponges at the words one by one, until they fade away. Once the whole word has faded away, ask your child if they remember how to spell the word. If they don’t remember begin the whole process again.
• Nature Journal: The summer is the perfect time to see different animal species out and about. This can provide an excellent outdoor adventure for all those budding, young adventurers. First, do a bit of research to see what wildlife is available in your area to spot. Then choose around two species that are not rare that your child can analyse. In a notebook, your child can then write notes, draw pictures, and add photographs of that species daily to learn about that species. Your child can even create an observation chart, observing the location the species was spotted at, timing, weather conditions etc.
• Treasure Hunt: Make a map of the “treasure hunt” area and pick a place to hide the treasure (ensure that it is not an obvious place). At each location on the map, there should be a clue that will bring the child one step closer to finding the treasure. The clues can be in the form of rhymes, riddles or simply “take 10 steps from the playhouse”. The treasure itself can be anything from chocolates to toy jewels. A treasure hunt is always a great success with kids, the kids can even dress up as pirates for added drama!

More Summer Writing Prompts for Kids:

Did you enjoy these summer writing prompts and activities? Then don’t stop here, join our online writing community for writers to publish their stories for free online and test their writing skills!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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18 Creative writing exercises

A selection of fun creative writing exercises that can be completed solo, or with a group. The exercises are designed to inspire you to come up with story ideas and learn specific writing techniques.

Writing Retreat in South France

I run a  Creative Writing Meetup  for adults and teens in Montpellier or online every week. We start with a 5 to 20 minute exercise, followed by an hour and a half of silent writing, during which each participant focuses on their own project. Every exercise listed below has been run with the group and had any kinks ironed out.  Where the exercises specify a number of people, if you have a larger group, simply split everyone up into smaller groups as appropriate.

The solo exercises are ideal to help stimulate your mind before working on a larger project, to overcome writer’s block, or as stand-alone prompts in their own right. If a solo exercise inspires you and you wish to use it with a larger group, give every member ten minutes to complete the exercise, then ask anyone who wishes to share their work to do so in groups of 3 or 4 afterwards.

Looking for something more to fire your imagination? Check out these writing games and  creative writing prompts for adults

A note on running exercises remotely

While you can enjoy the exercises solo, they are also designed for online writing groups using Zoom, WhatsApp, or Discord.

If you're running a group and follow a ' Shut Up and Write ' structure, I recommend connecting on WhatsApp (for example) first, doing the exercise together, sharing writing samples as needed. Next, write in silence for an hour and a half on your own projects, before reconnecting for a brief informal chat at the end. This works great with small remote groups and is a way to learn new techniques, gain online support, and have a productive session.

If you have a larger online group, it's worth looking into Zoom, as this has a feature called  Breakout Rooms . Breakout Rooms let you split different writers into separate rooms, which is great for group activities. The free version of Zoom has a 40 minute limit, which can be restrictive, but Zoom Pro is well worth it if you're going to use it on a regular basis. In my experience, Zoom has a better connection than Facebook chat or WhatsApp.

Focus on faces

Solo exercise.

One challenge writers face is describing a character. A common mistake is to focus too much on the physical features, e.g. "She had brown eyes, curly brown hair and was five foot six inches tall."

The problem with this is it doesn't reveal anything about the character's personality, or the relationship between your protagonist and the character. Your reader is therefore likely to quickly forget what someone looks like.  When describing characters, it's therefore best to:

Here are three examples of character descriptions that leave no doubt how the protagonist feels.

“If girls could spit venom, it'd be through their eyes.” S.D. Lawendowski,  Snapped

"And Ronan was everything that was left: molten eyes and a smile made for war." Maggie Stiefvater,  The Dream Thieves

"His mouth was such a post office of a mouth that he had a mechanical appearance of smiling." Charles Dickens

Spend 5 minutes writing a character introduction that is animated, uses metaphors or similes and involves your protagonist.

If working with a group, then form small groups of 3 or 4 and share your description with the rest of the group.

• Animate them - it's rare that someone's sitting for a portrait when your protagonist first meets them and whether they're talking or walking, it's likely that they're moving in some way.
• Use metaphors or similes  - comparing physical features to emotionally charged items conjures both an image and a sense of who someone is.
• Involve your protagonist  - if your protagonist is interacting with a character, make it personal.  How does your protagonist view this person?  Incorporate the description as part of the description.
• Only give information your protagonist knows  - they may know if someone is an adult, or a teenager, but they won't know that someone is 37 years old, for example.

Onomatopeai, rhyme and alliteration

Today's session is all about sound.

Several authors recommend reading your writing out loud after you've written it to be sure it sounds natural.   Philip Pullman  even goes as far as to say:

"When I’m writing, I’m more conscious of the sound, actually, than the meaning. I know what the rhythm of the sentence is going to be before I know what the words are going to be in it."

For today's exercise, choose the name of a song and write for 10 minutes as if that's the title for a short story. Focus on how your writing sounds and aim to include at least one onomatopoeia, rhyme or alliteration.  At the end of the 10 minutes, read it out loud to yourself, or to the group.

Alliterations

An alliteration example from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”

The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, The furrow followed free; We were the first that ever burst Into that silent sea.

Onomatopoeias

Buzz, woof, quack, baa, crash, purr, beep, belch,...

A question or two

Small or large groups

The standard format in our group is a short writing exercise followed by an hour and a half of silent writing on our projects.

At one point I felt like we'd done a lot of small group exercises, and wanted to gain an insight into what everyone was working on, so we did the following exercise instead:

Go round the table and ask everyone to briefly talk about their writing.  Each person then asks one or two yes/no questions.

Everyone responds either by raising their hand for 'yes' or shaking their heads for 'no'. You can also leap up and down to indicate a very strong 'yes'.

Questions can be about anything, and you can use them either to help guide your writing or to help find other people in the group who have similar interests.

Here are some random examples you might ask:

This works best when you give participants some advance notice, so they have time to think of a question.

• I want to write a romance novel and am considering setting it in Paris, a traditional romantic setting, or Liverpool which is a less obvious setting. Who thinks Liverpool would be best?
• I need to know more about the life of a farmer. Has anyone got farming experience who I can interview in exchange for a drink?
• My character gets fired and that night goes back to his office and steals 35 computers. Does that sound realistic as the premise of a story?

How to hint at romantic feelings

Write a scene with two people in a group, where you hint that one is romantically interested in the other, but the feelings aren’t reciprocated.

The goal of this exercise is to practice subtlety. Imagine you are setting a scene for the future where the characters feelings will become more important. Choose a situation like a work conference, meeting with a group of friends, etc. How do you indicate how the characters feel without them saying it in words?

Some tips for hinting at romantic feelings:

• Make the characters nervous and shy.
• Your protagonist leans forward.
• Asks deeper questions and listens intently.
• Finds ways to be close together.
• Mirrors their gestures.
• Gives lots of compliments.
• Makes eye contact, then looks away.
• Other people seem invisible to your protagonist.

A novel idea

Take it in turns to tell everyone else about a current project you’re working on (a book, screenplay, short story, etc.)

The other writers then brainstorm ideas for related stories you could write, or directions your project could take.  There are no right or wrong suggestions and the intention is to focus on big concepts, not little details.

This whole exercise takes around 15 minutes.

Creative writing prompts

Exercise for groups of 3-5

If you're in larger group, split up into groups of 3 or 4 people.

Everyone writes the first line of a story in the Zoom chat, or on paper. Other people can then choose this line as a writing prompt.

For this exercise:

Once everyone's written a prompt, each author chooses a prompt (preferably someone eles's, but it can be your own if you feel really inspired by it.)  Then write for 10 minutes using this prompt. See if you can reveal who the protagonist is, what their motivation is (it can be a small motivation for a particular scene, it doesn't have to be a huge life goal), and introduce at least one new character.

Take turns reading out your stories to each other.

• Say who the protagonist is.
• Reveal their motivation.
• Introduce any other characters
• Write in the first person.
• Have the protagonist interacting with an object or something in nature.
• The challenge is to create intrigue that makes the reader want to know more with just a single line.

Alternative Christmas Story

Every Christmas adults tell kids stories about Santa Claus. In this exercise you write a Christmas story from an alternative dimension.

What if every Christmas Santa didn't fly around the world delivering presents on his sleigh pulled by reindeer? What if gnomes or aliens delivered the presents? Or perhaps it was the gnomes who are trying to emulate the humans? Or some other Christmas tradition entirely that we humans have never heard of!

Group writing exercise

If you're working with a group, give everyone a couple of minutes to write two possible themes for the new Christmas story. Each theme should be 5 words or less.

Shuffle the paper and distribute them at random. If you're working online, everyone types the themes into the Zoom or group chat. Each writer then spends 10 minutes writing a short story for children based on one of the two themes, or their own theme if they really want to.

If working alone, choose your own theme and spend 15 minutes writing a short story on it. See if you can create the magic of Christmas from another world!

Murder Mystery Mind Map

In a murder mystery story or courtroom drama, there's often conflicting information and lots of links between characters. A mind map is an ideal way to illustrate how everything ties together.

Split into groups of 3 or 4 people each and place a blank piece of A3 paper (double the size of A4) in the middle of each group. Discuss between you who the victim is and write their name in the middle of the piece of paper. Then brainstorm information about the murder, for example:

Feel free to expand out from any of these, e.g. to include more information on the different characters involved.

The idea is that  everyone writes at the same time!   Obviously, you can discuss ideas, but anyone can dive in and write their ideas on the mind map.

• Who was the victim? (job, appearance, hobbies, etc.)
• Who did the victim know?
• What were their possible motivations?
• What was the murder weapon?
• What locations are significant to the plot?

New Year’s resolutions for a fictional character

If you’re writing a piece of fiction, ask yourself how your protagonist would react to an everyday situation. This can help you to gain a deeper insight into who they are.

One way to do this is to imagine what their New Year’s resolutions would be.

If completing this exercise with a group, limit it to 3 to 5 resolutions per person. If some participants are historical fiction or non-fiction writers, they instead pick a celebrity and either write what their resolutions  will  be, or what their resolutions  should  be, their choice.

Verb Noun Fiction Exercise (Inspired by Stephen King)

Stephen King said, "I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs, and I will shout it from the rooftops."

He also said, "Take any noun, put it with any verb, and you have a sentence. It never fails. Rocks explode. Jane transmits. Mountains float. These are all perfect sentences. Many such thoughts make little rational sense, but even the stranger ones (Plums deify!) have a kind of poetic weight that’s nice."

In this fiction writing exercise, start by brainstorming (either individually or collectively) seven verbs on seven different pieces of paper. Put those aside for later. Now brainstorm seven nouns. Randomly match the nouns and verbs so you have seven pairs. Choose a pair and write a piece of fiction for ten minutes. Avoid using any adverbs.

It’s the end of the world

It’s the end of the world!  For 5 minutes either:

If working as a team, then after the 5 minutes is up each writer reads their description out to the other participants.

• Describe how the world’s going to end, creating evocative images using similes or metaphors as you wish and tell the story from a global perspective, or
• Describe how you spend your final day before the world is destroyed.  Combine emotion and action to engage the reader.

7 Editing Exercises

For use after your first draft

I’ve listened to a lot of masterclasses on writing by successful authors and they all say variants of your first draft won’t be good and that’s fine. Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman summarise it the best:

“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”  

Terry Pratchett

“For me, it’s always been a process of trying to convince myself that what I’m doing in a first draft isn’t important. One way you get through the wall is by convincing yourself that it doesn’t matter. No one is ever going to see your first draft. Nobody cares about your first draft. And that’s the thing that you may be agonising over, but honestly, whatever you’re doing can be fixed… For now, just get the words out. Get the story down however you can get it down, then fix it.”

Neil Gaiman

Once you’ve written your first draft, it will need editing to develop the plot, enhance the characters, and improve each scene in a myriad of ways – small and large. These seven creative editing exercises are designed to help with this stage of the process.

The First Sentence

Read the first paragraph of the novel, in particular the first sentence. Does it launch the reader straight into the action? According to  On Writing and Worldbuilding  by Timothy Hickson,  “The most persuasive opening lines are succinct, and not superfluous. To do this, it is often effective to limit it to a single central idea… This does not need to be the most important element, but it should be a central element that is interesting.” Ask yourself what element your opening sentence encapsulates and whether it’s the best one to capture your readers’ attention.

Consistency

Consistency is crucial in creative writing, whether it’s in relation to location, objects, or people.

It’s also crucial for personality, emotions and motivation.

Look at scenes where your protagonist makes an important decision. Are their motivations clear? Do any scenes force them to choose between two conflicting morals? If so, do you explore this? Do their emotions fit with what’s happened in previous scenes?

As you edit your manuscript, keep the characters’ personality, emotions and motivation in mind. If their behaviour is inconsistent, either edit it for consistency, or have someone comment on their strange behaviour or be surprised by it. Inconsistent behaviour can reveal that a character is keeping a secret, or is under stress, so characters don’t always need to be consistent. But when they’re not, there has to be a reason.  

Show Don’t Tell One

This exercise is the first in  The Emotional Craft of Fiction  by Donald Maass. It’s a writing guide with a plethora of editing exercises designed to help you reenergize your writing by thinking of what your character is feeling, and giving you the tools to make your reader feel something.  

• Select a moment in your story when your protagonist is moved, unsettled, or disturbed… Write down all the emotions inherent in this moment, both obvious and hidden.
• Next, considering what he is feeling, write down how your protagonist can act out. What is the biggest thing your protagonist can do? What would be explosive, out of bounds, or offensive? What would be symbolic? … Go sideways, underneath, or ahead. How can your protagonist show us a feeling we don’t expect to see?
• Finally, go back and delete all the emotions you wrote down at the beginning of this exercise. Let actions and spoken words do the work. Do they feel too big, dangerous, or over-the-top? Use them anyway. Others will tell you if you’ve gone too far, but more likely, you haven’t gone far enough.

Show Don’t Tell Two

Search for the following words in your book:

Whenever these words occur, ask yourself if you can demonstrate how your characters feel, rather than simply stating it. For each occasion, can you use physiological descriptors (a racing heart), actions (taking a step backwards) or dialogue to express what’s just happened instead? Will this enhance the scene and engage the reader more?

After The Action

Find a scene where your characters disagree – in particular a scene where your protagonist argues with friends or allies. What happens next?

It can be tempting to wrap up the action with a quick resolution. But what if a resentment lingers and mistrust builds? This creates a more interesting story arc and means a resolution can occur later, giving the character development a real dynamic.

Review how you resolve the action and see if you can stretch out the emotions for a more satisfying read.

Eliminating the Fluff

Ensure that the words used don’t detract from the enormity of the events your character is going through. Can you delete words like, “Quite”, “Little”, or “Rather”? 

Of “Very” Florence King once wrote: “ 'Very' is the most useless word in the English language and can always come out. More than useless, it is treacherous because it invariably weakens what it is intended to strengthen .” Delete it, or replace the word after it with a stronger word, which makes “Very” redundant.

“That,” is another common word used in creative writing which can often be deleted. Read a sentence as is, then reread it as if you deleted, “That”. If the meaning is the same, delete it.

Chapter Endings

When talking about chapter endings, James Patterson said,  “At the end, something has to propel you into the next chapter.”

Read how each of your chapters finish and ask yourself does it either:

• End on a cliff hanger? (R.L. Stine likes to finish every chapter in this method).
• End on a natural pause (for example, you’re changing point of view or location).

Review how you wrap up each of your chapters. Do you end at the best point in your story? Can you add anticipation to cliff hangers? Will you leave your readers wanting more?

How to run the writing exercises

The editing exercises are designed to be completed individually.

With the others, I've always run them as part of a creative writing group, where there's no teacher and we're all equal participants, therefore I keep any 'teaching' aspect to a minimum, preferring them to be prompts to generate ideas before everyone settles down to do the silent writing. We've recently gone online and if you run a group yourself, whether online or in person, you're welcome to use these exercises for free!

The times given are suggestions only and I normally get a feel for how everyone's doing when time's up and if it's obvious that everyone's still in the middle of a discussion, then I give them longer.  Where one group's in the middle of a discussion, but everyone else has finished, I sometimes have a 'soft start' to the silent writing, and say, "We're about to start the hour and a half of silent writing now, but if you're in the middle of a discussion, feel free to finish it first".

This way everyone gets to complete the discussion, but no-one's waiting for ages.  It's also important to emphasise that there's no wrong answers when being creative.

Still looking for more? Check out our:

Writing games for adults

Creative writing prompts  and our dedicated

Sci-Fi and Fantasy creative writing prompts

If you've enjoyed these creative writing exercises, please share them on social media, or link to them from your blog.

Creative writing games

Writing prompts for adults

Fantasy and sci-fi prompts

Create a murder mystery game

Murder mystery riddles

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