written by homeschooler, writer, and mother, Patricia Zaballos Writing Idea for Kids: Ultimate Guides Ultimate guides are well-loved around here. Currently Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Ultimate Guide has been found sprawled in various settings around the house, attesting to its popularity–with my ten-year-old son, Theo, anyway. An ultimate guide is simply a rather cockily titled … [Read more...]
Summer Writing Ideas for Kids
If you've downloaded my free Summer Brain Camp printables, you'll see the page of choices for summer writing ideas. Today I want to make sure you have the links for these fun summer writing activities. Hopefully, these ideas will motivate your kids to write this summer --or anytime. For me, writing has been a gift. It's a way to express my feelings, and more importantly, it's a way for me to … [Read more...]
Writing Inspiration: How to Get Ideas for a Story
The picture book, Any Questions by Marie-Louise Gay, is the author's answer to children about the writer's journey -- how to get ideas for a story. It's an interactive experience because you get to write part of a story, too and is beautifully illustrated with water color and ink. Gay writes that children often ask her where does a story start. That's a good question, she says. How Do You … [Read more...]
Writing Prompts for Kids
Normally I dislike writing prompts for kids because I don't like prompts myself. However, I do think many kids want and even need ideas and inspiration for writing. So, I've found some fantastic online story and character idea generators that I think will motivate your kids to write. These are writing prompts about which I can feel enthusiastic! Story Ideas for Kids The Story Starter, … [Read more...]
Storytelling Activities for Kids
Storytelling activities allows children to stretch their thinking and imaginations. Here are more storytelling activities and ideas to inspire word play, storytelling, and writing. Storytelling Play Activities for Kids 1. Haikubes Haikubes are meant to inspire haiku but we use them to make silly sentences and start stories. They make a great centerpiece for the dinner table. Then you can … [Read more...]
Storytelling Games That Will Get Your Kids Thinking Out of the Box
Here are three delightfully engaging storytelling games to try with your kids: The Storymatic Kids!, Rory's Story Cubes, and StoryPlay Cards. When I teach kids how to write stories, we generally start out loud. In other words, we think, plan, and share orally before writing silently. Of course, not all kids are oral processers but sharing out loud helps organize our thoughts and gives us … [Read more...]
Will Wreck This Journal Everywhere Get Your Kids Writing?
I'm always trying to motivate my kids to write. I've introduced Keri Smith's Wreck This Journal Everywhere (affiliate link), a take-with-you compact book of writing prompts and activities. It's a fun little book that sparks creative thinking and wonderment. Do you think your kids need extra urging to write, too? Wreck This Journal . . . Everywhere They might just enjoy Wreck This Journal … [Read more...]
Warning: Harry Potter Fanfiction Gets Kids Writing (A Lot)
It's time to introduce your kids who are fans of Harry Potter to writing fanfiction. Why? Because it gets them writing and stretching their imaginations. Both very good things. Oh, and did I mention it's tons of fun? Especially if you write with your friends. What is fanfiction, or fanfic? Fanfiction is fiction written by fans of the original works that takes parts of the … [Read more...]
Write a Gingerbread Story with Cookie Cutters
Write a gingerbread story using your gingerbread men cookie cutters. (Today's writing prompt idea for kids is brought to you by gingerbread people who don't want to be eaten!) Write a Gingerbread Story After you make gingerbread cookies for the holidays, I have two more gingerbread ideas for you. First, read gingerbread stories. Second, write your own gingerbread stories. Read Best … [Read more...]
Finishing Summer Writing Homework (GROAN)
My fifth grader is supposed to be keeping a journal over the summer --that will be 1) graded and 2) used as an assessment. (Groan.) Summer Writing Intervention AJ does not want to write and it shows in her work. I can barely get a paragraph out of her. (But, at least she writes with lots of voice*!) *voice = when the writer's personality comes through his or her writing What can a … [Read more...]
Art and Writing Project: When Mom or Dad Has Cancer
Art helps kids express feelings. For many children, it's easier to draw an emotion than label it and talk about it. Certainly this is true for young children who may not know the feelings words yet. In fact, art therapy is used for grief, loss, learning disabilities, emotional issues, mental disorders, abuse, cancer, and divorce, among other ways. I'm not an art therapist but when my … [Read more...]
Fairy Tales: Picture Books, Chapter Books, and Writing Ideas
Yesterday I explained why we must read fairy tales to our children, responding to the thinking that fairy tales are too scary, too politically incorrect, too stereotypical. Today we'll look at the best fairy tales for children of all ages -- from picture books to chapter books. Plus, ideas for writing fairy tales. “In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance … [Read more...]