The freedom of summer is finally here! But this doesn’t mean your student has to take a hiatus from writing. Setting aside just 10 minutes each day to encourage your child to write will keep their skills sharp and foster creative thinking. Need some ideas to get them started? Here are 17 summer writing prompts that your kid will actually enjoy!

Vacation Writing Prompts

1. Game On!

Think of a game you could play with your siblings in an airplane or in your family car. List the rules for this competition.

2. Room With a View

Would you rather spend your vacation in a tent, a motorhome, or a hotel? Explain your answer.

3. Hakuna Matata

You just found out your family is going on an African safari! Write about four things you will do at your exciting destination.

4. Remember When…

The perfect souvenir can remind us of a wonderful vacation for years to come. Use your five senses to describe the best souvenir you ever bought or received.

5. How I Spent My Summer Vacation

What if your restful summer vacation turned into an unexpected adventure? Write a story about this crazy experience using at least five words from this list: roof, jewels, thief, trap door, popcorn stand, tourist, speedboat, bookstore, escape, camera.

6. Where in the World?

If you could travel anywhere in the world for a two-week vacation, where would you go? Write a letter convincing your parents to take you there.

7. Horsin’ Around

Your aunt and uncle have just invited you to spend a week at a dude ranch in Colorado. Make a list of 10 things you’ll want to pack in your suitcase.

Beach Writing Prompts

8. The House that Herb Built

Herb the Hermit Crab has outgrown his shell. In his search for a new place to live, he comes across a plastic cup, a tin can, and a large, empty snail shell. Which one will he choose for his new home? Explain your answer.

9. On the Morning Tide

On a morning beach stroll, you stumble upon an unusual item that has washed ashore. Write a paragraph telling what it is, where it came from, and whether you will keep it or throw it back into the ocean.

10. Ocean Overtures

Describe the ocean using all five senses. What color is the water? How does it move? What sounds do you hear? How does ocean spray feel and taste? If you have never been to the ocean, use your imagination! Or, with a parent, you can watch some ocean video clips online.

11. Digging Deeper

Write a short story beginning with this line: My jaw dropped when a tiny voice at the edge of my shovel said, “Don’t hurt me!”

12. I’ll Have a Sand-wich

You are a restaurant owner who has been hired to cater a doll’s tea party. Create a beach-themed summer menu for the party guests using only items you might find at the seashore. Give each dish a descriptive name, such as “Mixed Seaweed Salad in Clam Shells.” Include each of the following on your menu: Appetizer, Soup, Salad, Main Course, Dessert, and Beverage.

Camping Writing Prompts

13. Overcoming Obstacles

You’ve been hired to design an obstacle course for a mountain summer camp. Draw out your course, then write step-by-step instructions for campers explaining how to navigate it.

Challenge: In place of weak verbs such as go, walk, or climb, use stronger verbs such as leap, race, or scramble.

14. Would You Rather…?

Would you rather tent camp at the beach, backpack in the mountains, or take a road trip in a motorhome? Why? Write about three things you might see or do on your adventure, making sure to include some descriptive details.

15. Adventure in the Forest

Write a story about a camping adventure in the forest. Use at least six of these words in your story: tent, campfire, shadow, noise, tree, sleeping bag, cereal, backpack, trash, bear, owl, flashlight, camera, wooden spoon. Your story can be real or imaginary.

16. Scavenger Hunt

Several families have joined together for a weekend camping trip, and you’re in charge of the scavenger hunt! Make a list of 20 things everyone will be asked to collect. Include both items from nature (such as a moss-covered twig or a seashell with scalloped edges) and things people might leave around (such as a bottle cap or a plastic bag). Keep in mind the area folks will be scavenging so the list is realistic.

While you’re at it, think of a perfect prize for the winning team!

17. Camp-crostics

Write an acrostic poem for the word “CAMPING.” Here is one example:

Crackling logs on the fire
Awaking to the smell of bacon
Morning hike to the lake
Paddling our canoe
Ice chest filled with cold drinks
Nature all around
Getting dirty is half the fun!

We hope that these summer writing prompts will fuel your student’s excitement for year-round learning and provide a fun way to continue their writing exploration this season!

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