30+ Writing Prompts for 3rd Graders

Third grade pivots around big transitions like increased academic challenges, the onset of peer pressure, developing complex friendships, looking at situations from the perspective of others, and increasing attention span to create prolonged periods of focus.

3rd grade writing prompts offer a healthy and intimate way to connect with your child on a routine basis—helping them navigate their newfound challenges while also building more self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-esteem.

Parents of 3rd Graders can support their children by asking them about their friends, challenges, and accomplishments, while also getting involved in their child’s social activities at school or alternative hobbies.

Being present as a parent during these years—without being overbearing—reminds your child you are there to help support them as they begin to navigate the world on their own.

Third grade writing doesn’t have to be complex, instead invite your child to simply express their experiences, emotions, and challenges around school, the classroom environment, family, and any other people in their life. 

What are writing prompts?

Writing prompts work like a question and answer response. When sitting down to reply to a writing prompt, the writer is invited to ask themselves what they think about the given topic, why they feel this way about it, and what their answer might be. In short, writing prompts inspire introspection and inspire those of all ages to become more aware of their opinions, preferences, desires, hopes, dreams, likes, dislikes, and more. 

Scientific research has even shown that expressive writing can help improve children’s memory, and improve both physical and psychological health!

When using 3rd grade writing prompts, the questions are geared towards how your child is developing between the ages of 8-9 years old. During this age your child will begin to face more challenges at school through academics, they will want to be more independent from their family, they will begin to see how others hold different points of view from their own, and will have an increased attention span for longer periods of focus.

As children of this age may be tempted to sit on cell phones more frequently, writing can become a great alternative that can help foster more introspection, communication, literacy, and expression that might otherwise be lost in a cell phone game or the temptation of social media scrolling.

How can I make my 3rd grader enjoy writing?

During 3rd grade (ages 8-9) most children begin building stronger and more complex relationships with friends, in particular friends of the same sex where they might feel comfortable to experience the pre-puberty tween years together.

Often your child will experience more peer pressure during this age, making 3rd grade writing prompts a fantastic way to build their confidence and develop more self-awareness while stepping out into newfound independence. 

Since your child will also become more aware of their changing body, 3rd grade writing prompts offer a safe and healthy outlet to release any insecurities they might have without feeling judged.

Invite your child to write about their relationships with using food as fuel, family, friends, and the changes they notice in their interests and physicality, and any self-doubts they may be experiencing. Expressing these thoughts and feelings on paper is a surefire way to release emotions so your child doesn’t turn towards harmful coping habits.

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Also Read Related Post: 

75 Journal Prompts for Kids

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At this age your child may be debating what is right and wrong, and trying to decipher what decisions they should make when faced with life’s challenges; this presents a great opportunity to sit down and write together!

Writing about issues as they arrive and thinking about different ways to approach present experiences will help your child build confidence in their decision making skills while reminding them that they have the power to inflict different outcomes (and additionally will enhance their writing skills).

Writing about likes and dislikes can also help your child pinpoint what they enjoy, which can inspire them to join extracurricular activities, start new hobbies, volunteer, or try a new sport.

And if your little one is really reluctant to put a pen to paper, invite them to write about the dream they had the night before (which can also be a deep insight to their subconscious, allowing parents a glimpse into what their child might be holding in), create a list of words that express how they feel in that moment, or write a story about their favorite book character.

Overall, a writing prompt shouldn’t feel the same as chores for your little one, if it does try to find a new angle of exploration so it initiates the element of fun.

30+ 3rd Grade Creative Writing Prompts

Checkout these 30+ 3rd grade writing prompts that are sure to inspire your little one with hours of fun expression! 

1. What is your favorite thing to do after school and why?
2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
3. Write about a time when you were really proud of yourself.
4. Imagine you woke up one day and everything was made of candy. What would you do?
5. Describe a place you would love to visit and why.
6. If you could paint the world one color, what would it be and why?
7. What is your favorite book and why do you like it?
8. Write a story about a talking animal.
9. If you could have any pet, what would it be and why?
10. Describe your perfect day.
11. Write a letter to your future self.
12. What are your favorite type of books?
13. What is your favorite food and why do you like it?
14. Imagine you could time travel. Where would you go and what would you do?
15. Write a story about a magical adventure with a dragon.
16. What is your favorite thing to do with your family?
17. If you could invent anything, what would it be and how would it work?
18. Describe a time when you helped someone.
19. What is your favorite holiday and why do you like it?
20. Write a story about a robot.
21. Imagine you had a million dollars. What would you do with it?
22. Describe a time when you were scared.
23. What is your favorite game and why do you like it?
24. Write a story about a lost treasure.
25. Imagine you are a famous writer, what would you be known for and what would the title of your bestseller be?
26. If you could be any character in a book, who would you be and why?
27. What is your favorite thing to do outside?
28. Imagine you could have any job in the world. What would it be and why?
29. Describe a time when you felt really happy.
30. Write a story about a superhero.
31. What is your favorite thing to do at school and why?
32. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
33. Describe a place you would not want to visit and why.
34. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?
35. Imagine you could meet any famous person. Who would it be and why?
36. Write a story about a haunted house.
37. What is your favorite thing to do with your friends?
38. If you could have any job for a day, what would it be and why?
39. Describe a time when you were surprised.
40. What is your favorite movie and why do you like it?
41. Write a story about a time machine.
42. Imagine you could have any superpower for a day. What would it be and how would you use it?
43. Describe a place you have never been but would like to go to.
44. What is your favorite thing to do in the winter?
45. If you could have any magical power, what would it be and why?
46. Write a story about a talking tree.
47. What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?
48. Imagine you could fly. Where would you go and what would you see?
49. Describe a time when you felt really proud of someone else.
50. What is your favorite thing to do in the fall?
51. Write a story about a space adventure.
52. If you could have any job when you grow up, what would it be and why?
53. Describe a time when you were really excited.
54. What is your favorite sport and why do you like it?
55. Imagine you could live anywhere in the world. Where would you live and why?
56. Write a story about a magical creature.
57. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
58. If you could have any talent, what would it be and why?
59. Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision.
60. What is your favorite thing to do when it rains?
61. Imagine you could talk to animals. What would you say to them?
62. Write a story about a time when you went on an adventure with your friends.
63. What is your favorite subject in school and why?
64. If you could have any vehicle, what would it be and why?
65. Describe a time when you had to be brave.
66. What is your favorite thing to do with your siblings?
67. Imagine you could have any magical object. What would it be and how would you use it?
68. Write a story about a time when you solved a problem.
69. What is your favorite outdoor activity and why?
70. If you could have any costume, what would it be and why?
71. Describe a time when you had to be patient.
72. What is your favorite thing to do in the morning?
73. Imagine you could have any animal as a pet. What would it be and why?
74. Write a story about a time when you learned something new.
75. What is your favorite thing to do in the evening?
76. If you could have any food for dinner, what would it be and why?
77. Describe a time when you had to apologize.
78. What is your favorite thing to do at the park?
79. Imagine you could live in any time period. When and where would you live and why?
80. Write a story about a time when you helped someone in need.
81. What is your favorite thing to do during recess?
82. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
83. Describe a time when you were really happy for someone else.
84. What is your favorite thing to do during art class?
85. Imagine you could have any superpower for a week. What would it be and how would you use it?
86. Write a story about a time when you had to work hard for something.
87. What is your favorite thing to do at a birthday party?
88. If you could have any animal as a best friend, what would it be and why?
89. Describe a time when you had to be creative.
90. What is your favorite thing to do during music class?
91. Imagine you could have any job for a week. What would it be and why?
92. Write a story about a time when you overcame a challenge.
93. What is your favorite thing to do during gym class?
94. If you could have any toy, what would it be and why?
95. Describe a time when you had to be a good listener.
96. What is your favorite thing to do during science class?
97. Imagine you could have any pet for a week. What would it be and why?
98. Write a story about a time when you had to be responsible.
99. What is your favorite thing to do during social studies class?
100. If you could have any object, what would it be and why?
101. Describe a time when you had to be persistent.
102. What is your favorite thing to do during library time?
103. Imagine you could have any job for a month. What would it be and why?

Overall, 3rd grade writing prompts can be used to encourage creative writing or enact problem solving abilities for the challenges most 8-9 year olds face. Using 3rd grade writing prompts on a regular basis can encourage your little one to become more self-aware, confident in their opinions and perspectives, embrace their creativity, and express their needs or wants. Why wait? Get started together, today!