200+ Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School (2023)

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Writing prompts for middle school can be a fantastic way to encourage students to explore their creativity, hone their writing skills, and have a lot of fun in the process.

Middle schoolers are at a crucial age where they are figuring out their interests and forming opinions on various subjects. Providing them with a variety of prompts can stimulate their imagination and help them to articulate their thoughts better.

From creative writing prompts to daily journal ideas, this blog post aims to offer something for every type of young writer.

Whether you’re a teacher looking for classroom activities, a parent wanting to support your child’s love for writing, or a middle school student searching for the perfect prompt, there’s something here for everyone.

Before we dive straight into the writing prompts, let’s first understand why writing prompts are important for this age group.

The importance of writing prompts for middle school:

Many students in this age group have the ability to write on complex issues.

However, most students, they will need inspiration on how to start writing. Hence, writing prompts for middle school kids like this can help tap into their imagination.

It is also crucial to build writing skills at this age to reinforce a positive writing habit.

Using prompts like these, middle schoolers might be encouraged to even start journaling.

Journal writing can be a creative outlet for children to express their feelings and needs. The best part of journaling is that is flexible and easy to implement. 

There is plenty of evidence explaining the advantages of journaling, including improving writing and reading skills.

As children start writing they will learn how to put their thoughts into paper and explain ideas through words.

Let’s tap into middle schoolers’ imagination using fun writing prompts to get them to enjoy writing.

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Creative Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. You discover a time machine in your backyard. What happens next?
2. Create a new planet where the best things in life are completely different from Earth.
3. A magical creature has enrolled in your middle school. Describe its first day.
4. Your favorite toy comes to life for 24 hours.
5. Invent a new form of social media tailored for middle school students.
6. You have to spend a day as a famous person. Who would you choose and why?
7. Write a diary entry from the perspective of your future self.
8. Imagine you can swap lives with any family member for a day.
9. Create a society where good manners are valued more than money.
10. You discover a secret door in your school library. Where does it lead?
11. Write about your best friend’s biggest secret.
12. Create a conversation between your favorite book and favorite movie characters.
13. A new law says kids have to go to school at night and sleep during the day.
14. You wake up and find that you’ve become your favorite animal.
15. Write about a camping trip where everything goes wrong.
16. Imagine a world where kids run the grocery stores.
17. You get a mysterious package in the mail that can change your life.
18. What if your favorite video game suddenly became real life?
19. Your cell phone gains the ability to talk.
20. The seasons change every week. Describe how the world adjusts.

Argumentative Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. Is homework necessary for middle school students?
2. Should cell phones be allowed in school?
3. Are video games beneficial or harmful?
4. Should middle school kids be allowed to vote?
5. Is social media a good thing for middle school children?
6. Are school uniforms a good idea?
7. Should middle schoolers be paid for good grades?
8. Is climate change the most significant challenge of our time?
9. Should schools serve only healthy food in cafeterias?
10. Is a college education necessary for success?
11. Should middle school kids have a say in family vacations?
12. Do celebrities have a responsibility to be role models?
13. Should schools focus more on social emotional learning?
14. Should parents monitor their child’s internet usage?
15. Are traditional textbooks better than digital textbooks?
16. Is fake news a real problem?
17. Should schools teach life skills like cooking and budgeting?
18. Are team sports beneficial for young people?
19. Is it better to read a book or watch a movie?
20. Should middle schoolers get less screen time?

Story Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. You discover a parallel universe where middle school kids rule the world.
2. The final exam is to survive a night in a haunted house.
3. Write a story that starts with the first sentence: “I never believed in dragons until now.”
4. Your favorite food starts talking to you one day.
5. You’re stranded on an island with your least favorite person.
6. The Super Bowl is interrupted by aliens.
7. Write a short story where the main character finds a bucket list and decides to complete it.
8. A day where everything you write comes true.
9. Your best friend has gone missing. Where do you find them?
10. Your dog gains the ability to speak for a day.
11. You find a magical notebook where whatever you write happens.
12. Everyone in your school gets one wish, but they have to use it within 24 hours.
13. You find an old journal that predicts the future.
14. Write about a school field trip to a different time period.
15. The story of the last time humans walked on Earth.
16. You’re the youngest detective ever. Solve a mystery.
17. A friendship that survives against all odds.
18. Write about a treasure hunt in your school.
19. The person you always see in your dreams shows up in real life.
20. A mysterious door appears in your room leading to a secret world.

Good Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. If you could make the world a better place, what’s the first thing you would do?
2. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
3. Describe your favorite season.
4. What’s the most challenging thing you’ve ever done?
5. Write about a special tradition in your family.
6. What’s on your ultimate bucket list?
7. Describe the best day of your life.
8. Write about your favorite place in the whole world.
9. What would a perfect day look like for you?
10. The moment when you felt truly happy for the first time.
11. Describe the first time you fell in love.
12. Your first day at a new school.
13. The last time you cried and why.
14. Write about the first time you realized your parents were right.
15. The most extraordinary person you’ve ever met.
16. Your most embarrassing moment.
17. Write a letter to your future self in 10 years time.
18. The day you faced your biggest fear.
19. Your best memory from last summer.
20. What’s the hardest thing about being your age?

Narrative Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. Write a personal narrative about your first camping trip.
2. Your family wins a trip to a different country.
3. Write a narrative about an epic battle between good and evil.
4. Your first time riding a roller coaster.
5. A day when everything went right.
6. Write a narrative set in your favorite video game world.
7. A family member shares a deep secret with you.
8. A journal entry about the best thing that happened this school year.
9. Write a narrative about meeting your favorite famous person.
10. The time you stood up for something you believed in.
11. A moment that changed your view on life.
12. Write a narrative set in your favorite TV show.
13. A day without adults.
14. The day you learned something important from a younger sibling.
15. A narrative about a long-lost friend coming back into your life.
16. Write about your favorite animal taking you on an adventure.
17. Your favorite book characters meet in a parallel universe.
18. A narrative about the first time you did something on your own.
19. The most incredible coincidence you’ve ever experienced.
20. Write about a day when everything went wrong but turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Journal Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. What are your goals for this school year?
2. Describe your dream job.
3. Write a journal entry about what you would do if you had a day all to yourself.
4. What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
5. If you could live in any era of history, when would it be?
6. How do you feel about the social issues happening right now?
7. Write a journal entry to your future self.
8. What are the best things in life, according to you?
9. What’s your biggest fear?
10. Describe the feeling of falling in love.
11. Write about a person who has influenced your life.
12. What’s your favorite hobby and why?
13. Write a journal entry about a time you felt misunderstood.
14. What would you do with a million dollars?
15. Write about a day you wish you could relive.
16. What does friendship mean to you?
17. Write about a time you faced a dilemma and how you solved it.
18. Describe the first time you felt like a grown-up.
19. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
20. Write about a moment that made you proud.

Free Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. Write about your first day of elementary school.
2. If you could interview any historical figure, who would it be?
3. What would a world look like without any rules?
4. If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
5. How would you spend your time if there were no electronic devices?
6. Write about a favorite family holiday.
7. What do you miss most about grade school?
8. Write about your favorite teacher.
9. Describe a time you were really angry and how you dealt with it.
10. Imagine you’ve won a contest to become a character in your favorite book.
11. What is the best way to make a new friend?
12. If you had to move to a different country, where would you go?
13. Write about a sport you wish you could master.
14. Imagine a world where the roles of adults and kids are switched.
15. Create a list of questions to ask an older person about their life.
16. What would you change about the world if you could?
17. Write about the weirdest dream you’ve ever had.
18. Describe your favorite movie in a way that would make someone want to watch it.
19. If you could invent something that would make life easier, what would it be?
20. Write about a moment when you felt really brave.

Funny Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. You wake up to find that you’ve turned into a walking, talking slice of pizza.
2. Your pet suddenly gains the ability to speak, and its first sentence is, “We need to talk.”
3. Your teacher announces that for the final exam, you must tell the funniest joke you know.
4. You find out that your favorite food has been elected as the President of the United States.
5. Imagine a world where the currency is laughter.
6. Write a news story about a town where everything is upside down.
7. You discover that your cell phone is actually a secret agent.
8. Write about a day where everyone must speak in rhyme.
9. Your best friend gets abducted by aliens and then returns with a hilarious story to tell.
10. You find a genie, but he can only grant ridiculous wishes.
11. You are a detective solving the mysterious case of the missing left socks.
12. You discover a planet where the inhabitants communicate only through interpretive dance.
13. A diary entry from the perspective of your dog/cat detailing its “difficult” life.
14. You win a lifetime supply of your least favorite food.
15. Write a short story about the adventures of an incredibly lazy superhero.
16. Your town hosts the first-ever “Running of the Snails” event.
17. Imagine you’re a stand-up comedian for animals. What’s your routine like?
18. Your mom accidentally signs you up for “Clown School” instead of “Town School.”
19. Write a TV show script about a family of undercover spies who are terrible at keeping secrets.
20. You go to a magical school where all the subjects are things like “How to Annoy Your Siblings 101.”

Fun writing prompts for middle school:

1.If you found a treasure on the beach, what would you most likely discover?

2. Imagine you wake up tomorrow in a different country with a new family.What happens next?

3. What would it be if you could create your own game? Are they any rules for the game?

4. If you can have one wish to turn older, how old would you want to be? Why

5. Imagine being invisible for one day. What did you do that day?

6. If you could go anywhere, where would you? Who would you travel with?

7. If you could end one problem in the world, what would you end?

8. Imagine if all humans turned into robots. What do you think the world would look like?

9. Write about your dream holiday

10. What do you think independence means?

11. If you could be a character in a storybook, who would you be? How will you rewrite that character?

12. If you could appear as a guest on TV, which show would you appear at? Why?

13. Imagine if you can create your TV show. What would it be about?

14. Write three words your best friend will use to describe you.

15. If you could change something about your community or neighborhood, what would it be?

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16. If you had to choose just one person you can talk to for the rest of your life, who would it be? Why?

17. Write a poem about your family

18. Imagine you woke up one day inside a video game. What happens?

19. If you have the option to know one thing about your future, what would you like to know about?

20. Write a note to your future self. What would you say to him/her?

21. If you could change the one-holiday tradition, which would it be? Why?

22. If you can live on Mars and just take two other people with you, who would you take? Why?

23. Imagine you are the leader of your country. How will you change things? What new laws will you impose?

24. How would the world look like 50 years from now?

Related: You can check out other fun writing prompts for kids

Technology writing prompts for middle school children:

1. What is the one thing you want to change about the internet?

2. Imagine a world without Google. What would it look like?

3. What would it look like if you could create your own social media platform?

4. What is society’s biggest problem, giving out too much personal information or fake news?

5. How will you make the internet a safer place for everyone?

6. If you could be Tim Cook, how would you change the iPhone?

7. How do you think cyberbullies should be punished?

8. What does a safe internet look like to you?

9. If you can become a social media influencer, what kind of influencer would you like to become? What would you post about?

Check out these writing prompts – Quarantine Edition

Daily writing prompts for middle school:

1. Was someone kind to you today?

2. How did you help someone today? How did it make you feel?

3. The one thing you are proud of today?

4. What made you feel happy today?

5. Someone you are happy to see today?

6. What is your biggest accomplishment this year?

7. What new skill would you like to learn this month? Why?

8. How did you help your parents at home today? Did you do any house chores?

9. The one thing you would like to change about today?

10. If you could spend the weekend building something, what would you build? Take a piece of paper and draw it.

11. What is the first thing you think about when you wake up?

12. Describe your dream house in detail.

13. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

14.What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned this week?

15. Write a letter to your favorite author.

16. What is the most challenging subject in school for you and why?

17.Create a list of the top 10 best ways to relax after a hard day.

18. What would your perfect school look like?

19. If you could change one rule in your household, what would it be?

20. Describe your ideal family vacation.

21. What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?

22. Write about an unforgettable moment from last year.

23. Imagine you could teleport anywhere in the world. Where would you go first?

24. Describe your favorite meal in mouth-watering detail.

25. What do you want to be remembered for?

26. Write about an experience that made you feel brave.

27. Imagine you’re creating a time capsule. What items would you put in it?

28. Describe your favorite place without revealing its name. Let someone guess what it is.

29. What are your thoughts on climate change?

30. If you could be any character from any book, who would you be?

31. Write a review of the last movie you watched.

32. Describe what you would do if you were principal for a day.

33. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from a friend?

34. Write about a habit you want to break.

35. If you could change one law, what would it be and why?

36. Imagine meeting your hero. What would you say to them?

37. What does “happiness” mean to you?

38. What’s the first thing you’d do if you were invisible for a day?

39. Describe an experience when you felt out of place and how you dealt with it.

40. Imagine you have a pet dragon. What adventures would you go on?

These daily writing prompts are designed to get middle schoolers thinking and writing every day. Whether it’s journal writing, class time activities, or homework assignments, these prompts are versatile and fun.

Use them as a creative outlet, a way to improve your writing skills, or simply to put your thoughts into words. Happy writing!

Fun middle school writing prompts

1. If you could travel back in time, what’s the one thing you would change?

2. If you had superpowers, what would they be and why?

3. Who is your favorite superhero? What do you like about them?

4. Would you like to travel to the past or the future? Why?

5. If you could visit any of the planets, which would it be and why?

6. What is your favorite dinosaur? Why?

7. If you were an adult for a day, how would you spend your time?

8. If you could be transported into a comic book or a cartoon, which would you pick and why?

9. What’s your favorite video game? What do you like about it?

10. What is your favorite show? What do you like about it?

11. What fantasy creature would you want to have as a pet and why?

12. Would you rather be a vampire or a vampire hunter?

13. Do you like to travel by car, plane, or train? Why?

14. What could you talk about for hours without any preparation?

15. Would you like to live in the arctic or in the desert? Why?

16. Do you think aliens exist? Why?

17. Which do you think is scarier, outer space or the deep blue sea?

18. If animals could speak, what do you think they would tell us?

19. Do you and your band of friends think you can stop the robot uprising?

20. What is your favorite movie, and why do you love it?

21. If aliens arrived, do you think they would be friendly or hostile and why?

22. What is a world record you think you can break if you put your mind to it? 

23. Have you ever had an imaginary friend? What are they like? 

24. What would you create if you had unlimited help and resources?

25. What ideal gift would you get for each of your friends?

26. If you could design your own video game, what would it be like?
27. Imagine you discover a new planet. What would you name it, and what creatures live there?
28. Create a menu for a restaurant where the main ingredient in every dish is your favorite food.
29. You find a time machine but can only visit one time period for 30 minutes. Where and when would you go?
30. Write a script for a short skit involving a magical creature and a famous person.
31. What would your life be like if you were a cat or a dog?
32. Write an acrostic poem using your favorite season.
33. Imagine you wake up and you’re the main character in your favorite movie. What happens next?
34. You’ve been invited to perform in the Super Bowl halftime show. What does your performance look like?
35. What if the floor really was lava? Write a short story describing your day.
36. Describe your perfect day, from the moment you wake up to when you go to bed.
37. Write about the weirdest family tradition you can imagine.
38. Imagine you could switch lives with any family member for a day. Who would it be and why?
39. Create a bucket list of the top 10 places you want to visit.
40. You are a reporter for a day. What’s the headline and lead story?
41. You discover you are a wizard/witch. Write your first diary entry at wizard school.
42. Imagine you can talk to animals. What interesting conversations do you have?
43. Create your own country. What are its rules, holidays, and national anthem?
44. You’re stranded on a desert island with three items. What are they, and how do you use them?
45. Write a list of the top 10 best things in life, according to you.
46. If you could invent a new school subject, what would it be?
47. You are a contestant on a game show. Describe the show and how you win.
48. Write a letter to your future self 10 years from now.
49. If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?
50. You discover an underground world beneath your school. What’s it like?

Reflective middle school writing prompts

1. When were you happiest?

2. What was your favorite Christmas gift? What did you like about it?

3. What was your favorite Halloween costume? How did you put it together?

4. How did you and your best friend meet?

5. What has been your favorite summer to date?

6. Was there a time you messed up bad? How did it go?

7. What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your grandparents?

8. Last time you were stressed, what did you do to relax?

9. The last time you had a conflict with a friend, how did you resolve it?

10. What happened in school that made you stand up for yourself?

11. Have you ever forgotten your homework? What happened?

12. Has your school ever made a time capsule? What were the contents?

13. Do you have friends from other schools in other countries that you write to often? What do you talk about?

14. Write about the best day you’ve ever had in school. 

15. What would your school look like if students were responsible for decorating the whole place?

16. In what ways do you think society has gotten better in the past five years?

17. What is your favorite thing you have done in school? How did you put it together?

18. What is the weirdest place in your school and why?

19. What is the best spot in your school and why? 

20. Have you ever helped someone with their homework? How did they do?

21. Have you ever missed out on a field trip? How did you handle it? What did you do instead?

22. When are you most bored in school?

23. When are you most excited or stimulated in school?

24. Has a famous person ever visited your school? What did they talk about?

25. What piece of advice have you held on to the longest?

5 minutes writing prompts

1. Write about your pet and why you love them. 

2. Write about your favorite color and why you like it. 

3. Do you prefer sneakers or sandals? Why?

4. What is your favorite theme park ride?

5. What is your favorite snack and why?

6. Do you love camping? Why?

7. In no more than five lines, tell us about yourself. 

8. Do you prefer to go to the beach or the mall? Why?

9. Tell us about your hidden talent. 

10. Do you have any siblings? Write a bit about them. 

11. Who encourages you the most in life?

12. Who is your favorite author, and why?

13. What do you like about your favorite book? 

14. What is your favorite joke?

15. If you were stranded on an island, what would you have to have with you?

16. What is your dream vacation destination? 

17. What is your favorite discovery you’ve made in a library?

18. What is your favorite animal to visit at the zoo and why? 

19. What would it be and why if you could learn another language instantly?

20. Who would you pick if you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead?

21. Do you prefer eBooks or paper books?

22. What is your favorite chore to help out with and why?

23. What is your least favorite chore to help out with and why?

24. What is the number one thing that needs to happen for everyone to be nicer?

25. Tell us about a time you went out of your way to do the right thing. 

Persuasive writing prompts for middle schoolers.

1. What’s the number one way you use your leisure time?

2. What are your hobbies? Why do you like them?

3. What happened the last time you were out of your comfort zone?

4. Do you like to organize your time, or do you want to go with the flow?

5. Where did you grow up? How did it shape you?

6. What is your favorite place you like to be alone?

7. Write a letter to someone who has inspired you without being aware. 

8. What is your biggest ever regret? How did you move on?

9. What is your biggest fear?

10. Does your current age meet your expectations of what you thought it would be?

11. What snack do you fantasize about most often?

12. What do you consider an essential life skill everyone must learn?

13. How do you react when things don’t go your way?

14. What are you dying to say that you haven’t been asked before?

15. What birthday are you looking forward to the most and why?

16. If you could pick, would you live in the city or the countryside?

17. What profession do you respect the most and why?

18. What do you like most about your favorite season?

19. What is your number one guilty pleasure?

20. If your parents asked you for advice, what would you tell them?

21. If you could be any animal for a day, what would you pick and why?

22. What would you tell yourself from three years ago?

23. What would you tell a 15-year-old you?

24. What does the perfect day for you look like?

25. Would you rather travel around the world or straight through it?

Grade school writing prompts

1. Write about your favorite field trip

2. What do you like the most about your favorite teacher?

3. What type of homework do you hate doing? Why?

4. What type of homework do you love doing? Why?

5. What was your favorite school science project?

6. What do you love about your favorite school subject?

7. What workout do you like the most in gym class?

8. What musical instrument do you love the most and why?

9. What excites you about moving on to the next grade?

10. What changes would you make if you became class president?

11. What is the most unfair change that has been made so far?

12. What are your academic goals for the next term?

13. Who is the best teacher you have ever had? Why do you like them?

14. How does your last school compare to the present one?

15. What was your favorite summer school experience?

16. Where would you ideally like to go to college?

17. What do you want to be when you grow up and why?

18. What would you add to your school cafeteria menu if you had the chance?

19. Do you think you have what it takes to tutor kids beneath your grade? Why?

20. If you could give more money to any department in the school, which would you pick and why?

21. If you could give your teacher homework, what would you pick and why?

22. Do you think students should be allowed to have smartphones and other electronic devices in school?

23. If you could wear a costume to school for one day, what would it be? 

24. If you could pick one movie to show at school, what would it be?

25. Has your school nurse ever helped you out? What happened?

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