Need a few writing prompts for first grade? If so, I’ve got a huge list of 100 writing prompt ideas to get your little ones excited about writing.
Not only have I compiling this list for you, but for me as well. My first grader is doing a little writing practice everyday and I was struggling to keep up with new writing prompts on the fly.
Because of this, I’ve made a list that I can easily access everyday. And of course, I have to share it with you, in hopes that it will help another fellow mama out as well!
Before we dive into the list, let me remind you to stick around to the end and get your free printable writing prompts for first grade.
To organize the 1st grade writing prompts I’ve broken them up into the following categories:
Writing prompt categories for first graders:
- Foods
- Animals
- Events/Places
- Feelings
- Imagination
- Favorites
- Family
- Friends
- Learning
- Holidays
Let’s get started!
100 Awesome Writing Prompts for First Grade
Food-related writing prompts:
- What did you have for dinner last night?
- If you could make a meal, what would it be?
- Would you rather have carrots or candy? Why?
- Describe the taste and feel of ice cream.
- What do you like about mealtimes at your house?
- What is your opinion about coffee?
- What did you have for breakfast this morning?
- How do you peel a banana?
- What is one thing you need to be careful with in the kitchen?
- Write about the weirdest food that you have ever eaten.
Animal writing prompts for first graders:
- Describe a dog.
- Would you rather have a dog or a cat? Why?
- If you could have any pet, what would it be? And why?
- Write about a scary animal.
- What is your opinion about snakes?
- What animals have you seen this week?
- How do you give a dog a bath?
- What is one way you can help take care of your pet?
- What do you love about animals?
- What do you love about your pet?
Writing prompts about places and events:
- Share a fun memory about a trip to the zoo.
- Would you rather go to a birthday party or go to the movies? Why?
- Describe the best place in your town.
- Tell about the best vacation you’ve ever been on.
- What is your opinion about museums?
- Write about something that happened this week.
- What do you like about the library?
- What is an event that you are looking forward to?
- Write about your favorite place in the world.
- How do you feel about traveling?
Writing prompts about feelings for first graders:
- What things make you happy?
- Tell about a time when you felt scared.
- I feel upset when…
- Tell about a time that you felt loved.
- What is your opinion about crying?
- What does it mean to forgive someone?
- How does kindness make you feel?
- What does it feel like to be bored?
- Tell about a time when you had to be brave.
- Where do you feel safest? and why?
Writing prompts about imagination:
- What would you do with a million dollars?
- Describe an imaginary land far way.
- What superpower would you like to have? And why?
- What would you do if you could fly?
- If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?
- What would you do if your pets started talking?
- What is the first thing you would do if you became queen/king?
- Describe your imaginary friend.
- If a genie gave you three wishes, what would they be?
- How do you like to use your imagination?
Writing prompts about favorites:
- What are your favorite foods?
- What is your favorite color? And why?
- Describe your favorite toy.
- Tell about your favorite book.
- What is your mom’s favorite thing to do?
- What is your favorite song? And why?
- What is your favorite holiday? And why?
- Write about your favorite thing to do.
- What is your favorite place? And why?
- Describe your favorite dessert.
Writing prompts about family:
- What do you enjoy about your siblings?
- In what ways do your parents take care of you?
- What is something that makes your whole family laugh?
- Describe your family.
- What do you like about your family?
- In what ways do you help your family?
- Tell about your favorite family memory.
- How do you show love to your family?
- Tell about one of your family traditions.
- What does you family like to do on the weekends?
First grade writing prompts about friends:
- Who is your best friend and why?
- What do you like to do with your friends?
- What makes a good friend?
- Describe a fun day with your friend.
- How do you make a new friend?
- Share a time when you felt like you didn’t have any friends.
- Tell about a time you were friendly so someone new.
- How do you show kindness to your friends?
- Write about a favorite memory with a friend?
- What should you do if you and your friend have a disagreement?
Writing prompts about learning:
- Write about something you can do really well.
- Write about something new you would like to learn about.
- How do you learn something new?
- Describe a time that you felt frustrated while learning something new.
- In what ways is learning fun?
- If you could read a book about anything, what would it be?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What is your favorite subject? And why?
- What is the hardest thing you’ve had to learn?
- If you could write a book, what would it be about?
Writing prompts about holidays for first graders:
- What is your favorite holiday? And why?
- What does your family do for Christmas?
- Describe your birthday month.
- What do you like to do on your birthday?
- What was your favorite gift that you ever received?
- What are your thoughts on gift-giving?
- In what ways do you like to celebrate holidays?
- If you could invent a holiday, what would it be?
- Share your favorite birthday memory.
- What makes holidays special?
How to Use the Writing Prompt List for First Graders
I want it keep writing simple and fun for my first grader. I want her to experience the joy and satisfaction she can achieve when she combines her skills of writing with communication and imagination.
With that in mind, I give her a prompt from our list and ask her to write 2-3 sentences. When she’s done, we look it over together and celebrate her writing.
Should you correct your first grader’s writing?
There are differing opinions about this, but I think that a little (gentle and kind) instruction along with a healthy helping of praise for their effort and hard work, after each time, can go along way.
With that being said, I usually pick one thing we can correct and work on for next time and then stick with that one thing until she is able to incorporate it into her writing without being reminded.
Some writing tips you can focus on might be:
- Capital letters at the beginning of a sentence
- Always capitalize the letter I if it stands alone
- Punctuation at the end of a sentence
- Spelling
- a vs. an
- Capitalize proper nouns
Free Printable Writing Prompts for First Graders
Interested in the Free printable Writing Prompt List for first graders? This first grade resource includes the 100 writing prompts from this article in printable, checklist format! For Access to this freebie, Join the Inspire the Mom Community and sign in with Grow for this exclusive content!
Get it Now!
Writing Prompts Q & A
1. What is a writing prompt?
What is a writing prompt? It is a prompt (or idea) composed of a question or issue that gives the student a starting point for writing.
2. What age should you start creative writing?
First grade is usually a great age to start creative writing because they have the basic skills need to write sentences.
3. Where can I find writing prompts for kids?
You can find writing prompts for kids here in this post, online, or come up with some your own.
More Writing Resources for Kids
- An Introduction to Letter Writing for Kids
- Understanding the Benefits of Copywork
- A-Z Words for Kids
