192 Printable 3rd Grade Writing Prompts for the Whole Year

Encourage creativity all year long with this big collection of free 3rd grade writing prompts! With 192 prompts covering every month and season, kids will always have something new to spark their imagination.

From seasonal topics to everyday ideas, these prompts are perfect for classroom assignments, homeschool lessons, or extra writing practice at home.

These prompts are open ended and are meant to meet the child where they are. They can write a sentence, a paragraph,  or more. 

They are made to help your 3rd graders develop creativity, writing skills, imagination, and handwriting. 

 

 

Download the 3rd Grade Writing Prompts Now

There are 192 writing prompts, divided into months and seasonal topics. 

These easy to print writing prompt cards are perfect for a writing center or daily journal activity for your 3rd graders. 

To download, simply click on the image of the prompts you want. 

 

Third Grade Writing Prompts for Winter

These winter prompts include: 

• Describe your favorite snow day activity.
• Write a story about a snowman who comes alive at night.
• How do animals stay warm in winter?
• Imagine you are a snowflake—where do you land?
• What is your favorite winter food or drink?
• Write about a winter holiday your family celebrates.
• Would you rather go sledding or ice skating? Why?
• Describe what winter looks, sounds, and smells like.
• Write a letter to Jack Frost.
• Imagine you find a secret cabin in the snowy woods.
• How does your family spend New Year’s Eve?
• Would you rather live where it’s always snowy or never snowy?

 

January Third Grade Writing Prompts

• Write about your New Year’s resolution and how you will keep it.
• Write a story about a polar bear that comes to school.
• How do you celebrate New Year’s Day with your family?
• Imagine you are a polar bear—what would your day look like?
• Write about a snowball fight with your friends.
• Imagine your sled could fly, where would it take you?
• How do people keep warm in January?
• Write a story about a magical snowstorm.
• What would you do if your school had no heat in winter?
• Imagine Jack Frost gave you the power to control winter— what would you do?
• Imagine it snowed every single day this month— what would happen?
• Write about Martin Luther King Jr. Day and why it is important.

 

February 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

• Write about something you love in February.
• Write a story about Cupid losing all his arrows. 
• Write a story about a groundhog who refuses to come out. 
• What is your favorite Valentine’s candy or treat?
• Write about an act of kindness you could do for someone.
• Describe what winter feels like in February.
• Imagine you are Cupid—what would you do?
• Write about a snowy adventure with friends.
• Why do we celebrate Presidents’ Day?
• Write a letter to your best friend.
• What is something you would give instead of candy on Valentine’s Day?
• Imagine you were president for one day— what rules would you make?

 

Third Grade Writing Prompts for Spring

These spring writing prompts include:

• What’s the first sign of spring you notice?
• Write a story about a magical garden.
• How do plants grow from seeds?
• Describe your favorite rainy day activity.
• What animals do you see in spring?
• Imagine you are a bunny hopping through the fields.
• What is your favorite flower and why?
• Write a poem about rain.
• How do you celebrate Easter or spring holidays?
• Imagine it rained candy instead of water—what happens?
• What do you like most about spring break?
• How do you help take care of nature in spring?

 

March Third Grade Writing Prompts

• What do you look forward to in spring?
• Write a story about a leprechaun who loses his gold. 
• How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
• Imagine you find a pot of gold—what happens next?
• What would you do if you saw a rainbow?
• Describe your favorite spring flower.
• Write about a time when you played in the rain.
• Write a story about a leprechaun who plays tricks.
• What is the best thing to do on a windy day?
• Write about a time you saw or felt the first signs of spring.
• Would you rather have March be all rain or all sunshine?
• Write a story about chasing away the winter.

 

April Third Grade Writing Prompts

• Imagine the rain in April washed away colors—what would the world look like?
• Write a story about an umbrella that talks and takes you on adventures.
• What would happen if every April storm made animals swap places?
• Write about a silly garden that grows shoes, hats, and toys instead of plants.
• Imagine you discover a secret door under a puddle—where does it lead?
• Write a story about clouds that change into animals and come alive.
• What would happen if April showers rained marshmallows instead of water?
• Write about a rabbit who gets lost on Easter morning.
• Imagine you are the Easter Bunny’s helper—what job would you have?
• Write a story about Earth Day where the trees start talking to humans.
• What would happen if every flower bloomed into balloons instead of petals?
• Imagine you are in charge of April Fool’s Day—what prank would you create?

 

May 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

• Write a story about a flower that talks to you every morning.
• Imagine you are a bee—what do you do all day?
• Write about a picnic where the food comes alive.
• What would happen if spring never ended?
• Write a silly story about a class field trip gone wrong.
• Imagine you could shrink small enough to live inside a bird’s nest.
• Write a story about a rainy day where the puddles are magical.
• What do you think summer looks like from a butterfly’s view?
• Create a story about a family of ants who build a giant city.
• Imagine you are a farmer—what happens on your busiest day?
• Write about a silly parade that only uses animals.
• What would happen if every flower in May bloomed candy instead of petals?

 

Third Grade Writing Prompts for Summer

These summer writing prompts include:

• What’s your favorite summer memory?
• Write about a day at the beach.
• Imagine you found buried treasure in the sand.
• How do you stay cool in hot weather?
• Write about a Fourth of July celebration.
• Would you rather go camping or to an amusement park?
• What’s your favorite summer food?
• Write about catching fireflies at night.
• Describe your perfect summer vacation.
• Imagine summer lasted forever—what would happen?
• What is the best thing to do on a hot day?
• Write a story about a summer adventure with friends.

 

June Third Grade Writing Prompts

• Write a story about the very first day of summer break.
• Imagine you can talk to fish—what do they tell you?
• Create a story about a summer carnival where rides float in the air.
• What would happen if the sun never set in June?
• Write about a silly adventure with your best friend at the park.
• Imagine you could live in an ice cream cone house.
• Write a story about a firefly that refuses to glow.
• What if every day in June rained lemonade instead of water?
• Imagine you could surf on clouds—where would you go?
• Write a story about a lizard who always wants to wear sunglasses.
• What would happen if you planted a seed and it grew into a playground?
• Imagine you are a lifeguard and one day you save a mermaid.

 

July 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

• Write a story about fireworks that come to life.
• Imagine your family’s July 4th picnic is interrupted by aliens.
• What would happen if the swimming pool turned into Jell-O?
• Write a story about a watermelon that talks.
• Imagine you could fly like a kite—where would you go?
• Write about a baseball game where the bats really fly.
• What would happen if every ice cream cone melted into a rainbow?
• Imagine you are a seagull flying over the beach.
• Write a story about a giant sandcastle that becomes a hotel.
• What would happen if sparklers could talk?
• Imagine a parade where the floats are alive.
• Write about a camping trip where the stars tell you stories.

 

August Third Grade Writing Prompts

• Write about the first day of school for a dragon.
• Imagine your backpack suddenly talks to you—what does it say?
• What would happen if your pencils started running away?
• Write about a silly bus ride where the bus takes you somewhere unexpected.
• Imagine you are the teacher for a day—what would happen?
• Write a story about a library where the books whisper secrets.
• What would happen if the playground slides never ended?
• Write about a storm that only rains bubbles.
• Imagine you could freeze time on the last day of summer.
• Write a story about a lunchbox that eats your food before you do.
• What would happen if your shoes started dancing in class?
• Imagine your school was built inside a tree.

 

3rd Grade Writing Prompts for Fall

 These fall writing prompts include:

• What’s your favorite thing to do in autumn?
• Describe jumping into a pile of leaves.
• Write a story about a talking pumpkin.
• How do you celebrate Halloween?
• What’s your favorite Halloween costume ever?
• Write about a Thanksgiving tradition.
• What food are you most thankful for?
• Describe what fall looks and feels like.
• What would happen if it snowed on Halloween?
• Imagine you designed a fall festival.
• Would you rather eat apple pie or pumpkin pie?
• What would happen if fall lasted forever?

 

September Third Grade Writing Prompts

• Imagine your backpack has magical powers—what does it do?
• Write a story about a classroom pet that escapes during the first week of school.
• What would happen if your teacher turned into a robot?
• Write about a field trip where the school bus flies instead of drives.
• Imagine your desk has a secret button—what happens when you press it?
• Write a story about a lunchbox that packs itself.
• What is your favorite thing about starting a new school year?
• Imagine your pencil could draw things that come alive.
• Write a story about meeting a ghost on the playground.
• What would happen if your school turned into a giant maze?
• Describe your favorite part of the school day.
• What do you look forward to most in the fall?

 

October 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

• What is your favorite Halloween costume you’ve ever worn?
• Imagine your jack-o’-lantern could walk around—where would it go?
• Describe how your neighborhood looks on Halloween night.
• Write a story about a skeleton who wants to learn how to dance.
• What is your favorite Halloween candy and why?
• Imagine bats invite you to their Halloween party—what happens there?
• Write about a spooky (but not too scary) adventure.
• Write a story about a pumpkin that doesn’t want to be carved.
• What if your house turned into a haunted castle overnight?
• Write a story about a witch who loses her broom.
• What is your family’s favorite fall tradition?
• Imagine your trick-or-treat bag started talking to you—what would it say?

 

November Third Grade Writing Prompts

• What are you most thankful for this year?
• Imagine you are a turkey—how would you escape Thanksgiving?
• Describe your favorite Thanksgiving food and why you love it.
• Write a story about a squirrel who invites you to a forest feast.
• What would it be like if leaves could whisper secrets?
• Imagine Thanksgiving dinner grew bigger than your house—what would happen?
• What is your favorite thing about fall weather?
• Write a story about a football game where the ball runs away.
• Describe how your family celebrates Thanksgiving.
• What if pies could talk—what would they say?
• Write about a family of turkeys who celebrate their own holiday.
• Write about a new holiday you would create in November.

 

December 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

• What is your favorite holiday tradition in December?
• Imagine your snowman came alive—what would it do?
• Describe what the world looks like in winter.
• Write a story about a reindeer who wants to be famous.
• What is your favorite holiday food?
• Imagine stepping inside a snow globe—what would you see?
• Write about the best gift you’ve ever given someone.
• What would happen if Christmas trees could walk around town?
• Write a story about a gingerbread cookie that runs away.
• Write a story about Santa taking a vacation.
• Imagine you are one of Santa’s elves—what is your job?
• What is your favorite memory from winter break?

 

Remember these printables are for personal use only. They cannot be used in any commercial fashion without purchasing a commercial license.

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