5 Fun Summer Writing Prompts for Kids

Summer is the perfect time for kids to unwind—but it’s also a great time to keep those writing muscles active in a fun and stress-free way. Whether you’re a parent trying to sneak in a little learning, a tutor looking for creative warm-ups, or a teacher sending home optional summer activities, these five writing prompts are designed to inspire imagination without feeling like schoolwork.

These prompts are a perfect pick for kids in grades 2–5! Whether they're diving into solo journaling adventures, spinning creative tales, or teaming up with siblings for a storytelling showdown, these ideas will keep the creativity flowing

1. If I Were a Popsicle...

If you were a popsicle on a hot summer day, what flavor would you be? Where would you melt the fastest? What if you could talk? Would you hide from the sun or jump into someone’s cooler? Let kids run wild with sensory details and silly scenarios.

2. My Pet Went on Vacation Without Me

Imagine waking up to find a postcard from your pet—turns out they went on vacation without you! Where did they go? What adventures did they have? Did they miss you... or were they too busy surfing and eating tacos?

No pet? No problem—substitute with a stuffed animal, imaginary creature, or favorite toy!

3. The Day My Sandcastle Came to Life

You’ve built the most amazing sandcastle ever... and then it talks! What does it say? Does it want to explore the beach, throw a party, or battle incoming waves? What adventures await you?

4. Ice Cream Shop Mystery

There’s a sneaky mystery at the local ice cream shop. New flavors keep disappearing before the grand opening. Who—or what—is behind it? Create a short mystery story with a kid detective, a clever pet, or even a talking ice cream sprinkle.

5. A Letter from Camp I’ll Never Forget

Whether real or imagined, camp is full of wild and wonderful possibilities. Write a letter from a camper to someone back home describing the weirdest or funniest day they’ve had so far. Maybe a raccoon stole their lunch, or their counselor turned into a frog—get creative!

Bonus Tip: Make Writing Fun This Summer

Make a game out of these prompts! Have kids pull them from a mystery jar, jazz up their journals with fun decorations, or bring their stories to life with comics and doodles. The only rule? Maximum fun, minimum pressure!

Kickstart Summer Writing Fun!

Want a printable version of these prompts—with writing paper and bonus prompts?
Download my free “Summer Writing Prompts PDF”—a fun, no-prep writing activity you can use at home, in tutoring sessions, or for early finishers in summer programs!

Get your Summer Writing Prompts Freebie here!

P.S. Keep the summer creativity going! If these prompts got your little storytellers buzzing, they’ll love my Summer Break Writing Prompts Pack! Packed with task cards, journal strips, and themed writing paper, it’s the perfect way to keep imaginations soaring—whether at home, in tutoring sessions, or just for fun. Grab it now and let the summer creativity shine!

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