writing prompts 5th grade worksheets

Grade 5 Writing Prompts

25 writing prompts for fifth grade.

Here are some of our favorite writing prompts for Grade 5, which have been created to encourage your child to work on text complexity and think more critically about specific events!

Story sentence starters

Adverb story starters, morals and values, general prompts.

• Her eyes opened and once again she had no idea where she was. Where had her powers taken her this time?
• He heard a low growl in the distance as he clung tight to his small bag of possessions…
• She stepped out of the time machine wondering…
• The sun was setting in the distance as…
• “Help!” She awoke from a deep sleep and heard the scream that had woken her more clearly now…
• Quickly, the friends ran across…
• Suddenly, the ground shook under their feet…
• Curiously, she inched forwards and took hold of the door handle…
• Wisely, the boy crouched down so he could not be seen…
• Gracefully, the swan glided over the lake as ten-year-old Florence watched…
• How does the water cycle work?
• Why does the sun rise and set each day?
• What are stars?
• What does the word ‘science’ mean to you?
• Which scientific invention do you think has been the most important to date?

Children can base these on a historical figure or event:

• Write a story where someone shows kindness towards others.
• Write about a courageous person in the face of danger.
• Write a story about someone displaying forgiveness.
• Write a story about generosity.
• Write an inspirational story.
• If you had your own airplane, where would you go?
• What would happen if you had a dinosaur in your back garden?
• If you could go back in time, where would you go and who would you meet?
• Write about something you have learned this year.
• Imagine you could see into the future. How would you use this special power?

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More writing prompts & activities

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5th Grade Writing Prompts

On this page of Tim’s Printables you will find a printable 5th grade writing prompts PDF, ideal for creative writers, language arts teachers and homeschooling parents. The writing prompt worksheet contains 20 creative and original writing topics to inspire you. Some of these questions will encourage students to use their imaginations and place themselves in unique situations. Others are introspective, and was ask students to reflect on their own values and their understanding of the world.

Please click on the worksheet image below to open the PDF in your browser. You can also read online by scrolling down the webpage.

5th Grade Writing Prompts List

• How has the internet changed the world?
• A old wizard dressed in a cloak approaches you. He says he can tell you the day, time and place of your death. Assuming he is telling the truth, would you want to know this information? Why or why not?
• You are a theme park engineer responsible for creating a new and exciting ride. What is your new park attraction called? Describe how it works, and why you think people will like it.
• What will life be like in the year 3000?
• Write a story with an anticlimactic ending.
• What would be the benefits of discovering that you glowed in the dark?
• If some people could walk through walls, how would this affect society?
• Describe a day in the life of a caveman.
• I walked into the saloon, and at the table sat the bandit. “One-eyed Frank, I’m here to collect the $5000 reward on your head.” One-eyed Frank stood up from his chair. Write what happens next.
• Write a ghost story.
• You are a contestant on a show called “Silly Questions.” Write a few of the questions asked by the host of show, along with your answers.
• Write an autobiographical limerick.
• Two siblings are arguing. What are they arguing about? Write down the point of view of each sibling.
• Write a fan-fiction sequel to your favorite movie.
• You are lost in the desert. Without food or water, you collapse on the sand. And only to make matters worse, a scorpion suddenly crawls out from underneath a rock and bites you. How do you survive?
• Write about your adventures climbing Mount Everest.
• Write an adventure about you and your grandfather that took place in the nursing home.
• The city is being attacked giant Plutonian dust mites. They’re crashing through the buildings and devouring cars. How do you stop them?
• A bottle floats to shore. In the bottle is a treasure map…
• What would happen to the world if books were made illegal?

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Creative Writing Prompts

Lots of creative writing worksheets with prompts that spark students' imagination

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Build-a-Story Activity

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Write fun stories to go along with the cartoon pictures.

Worksheets to practice writing dates, writing names, letter-writing, and more.

Write persuasive opinion essays on a variety of topics. Students use details to support their points of view.

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Writing Prompts

Even the most prolific and adept writers may get writer’s block. That empty page can make any writer, young or old, draw a total blank. It’s especially frustrating to young writers who may not have the patience or skills to develop a topic. A writing prompt helps the young writer by offering a topic and asking some probing questions. It’s a way to start the creative juices flowing. Below are writing prompts for all grade levels. You may use them at home or at school for free. They may be viewed or downloaded by clicking the title. Check out all of our writing worksheets !

Informative / Expository Writing Prompts

Printable informative / expository writing prompts for your use at home or in classrooms. You may print copies as needed to distribute to students. Writing prompts are sorted by grade.

Kindergarten Writing Prompts

Narrative / Creative Writing Prompts

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5th Grade Writing Prompts Worksheets

Although writing can be intimidating for children, it will hardly feel so when they are in the company of our printable writing prompts worksheets for grade 5. Provide kids with the knowledge and skills required to meet the writing proficiency standards at this grade level. Watch them employ various transiional words and phrases and write increasingly complex, multiple-paragraph narrative, reports, and essays. Change the style and techniques for different types of writing, such as narrative and expository and practice different writing conventions. Our free 5th grade writing prompt pdf worksheet works great as a starter.

Interestingly, a submarine can travel both above and below the surface of the sea. This part of our printable writing prompt worksheets for grade 5 tasks you with writing about submarines.

What's Your Idea of Vacation?

Whether it's visiting the family, going camping or hiking, or going to amusement parks, people like doing different things for the vacation. Explain how you would like to spend your vacation.

Daydreaming

Scientific studies say that daydreaming is not as bad as many think it is. Write about a recent time when you traveled on the wings of fantasy. Put your narrative skills to use and write a story!

Snowboarding

Snowboarding is not only a thrilling activity, it's also a great workout. In this 5th grade writing prompt worksheet pdf, write step-by-step instructions for someone who's keen to learn snowboarding.

Book Report 5

Good readers don't just read a book; they share how they liked the book, too. Write about a recent reading experience. Include a summary. Explain the setting and your most loved character.

Story Prompt 1

This grade 5 writing prompt worksheet is a science fiction set in space, and there are extraterrestrials adding gravitas to the plot. You might need to use facts and embellish them with fantasy.

There are few blessings as wonderful as having siblings. This can sometimes be annoying, though. In this exercise, write what the pros and cons of having siblings are.

Are you a stupendous sandcastle master? In how many steps do you build an impressive sandcastle that stands out from the rest? Write to expose in this printable 5th grade writing prompt worksheet pdf.

A strong and dangerous wind, a tornado can be devastating beyond our imagination. In this printable grade 5 writing worksheet, prepare a research report on tornadoes. Write the resources you used.

Mode of Transport

How do you like to get around where you live? Do you often use a car, do you ride a bike, or do you simply walk? Write to describe it in this highly relevant worksheet. Use of transitional words and phrases.

Story Prompt 2

Theme parks will never cease to fascinate children! In this part of our 5th grade writing prompts pdf worksheets, write a story inspired by the rides, games, and food at your favorite or ideal park!

Ocean or Space?

Although it would cost an arm and a leg to explore space, it's important to do so. The oceans are worth experiencing, too. If you had a chance, where would you explore: space or oceans?

Grasshopper

Perhaps the most fun thing about a grasshopper is that it's an important source of protein. In this printable, gather more such information about grasshoppers and put it into a research report.

Trading Places

Because it allows you an opportunity to be in someone else's position, trading places with people can be a hoot. In this writing practice, grade 5 kids tell who they want to trade places with.

Story Prompt 3

Have you had a chance to parasail? Chances are you have or you're soon going on a parasailing trip with your siblings or friends. Write a story where parasailing action takes center stage.

Slumber Party

As well as being a fun tradition, slumber parties are a rite of passage of growing up. How do you host a slumber party? What are the important tips? Explain in this 5th grade writing prompt pdf worksheet.

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» 3rd Grade Writing Prompts

» 6th Grade Writing Prompts

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50 Writing Prompts for Kids

These writing prompts will stimulate your kids’ imagination and help them overcome their writer’s block. These writing prompts for different writing styles and topics will help students expand their writing.

“If you could” writing prompts

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

If you could talk to any animal, what animal would that be and what would you talk about?

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do?

If you could travel through time, would you go to the past or the future? What would you be doing in that past or future?

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

If you could change a mistake you have made, how would you fix it?

If you could change places with someone, who would it be and why?

If you could only eat only one food for a week, what would you eat?

If you could meet a famous person, who would it be and what would you ask him/her?

If you could live in a spaceship, where would you explore?

Fun writing prompts

You are the host of a game show. Write about what happens in tonight’s episode.

You receive a parcel with your name on it. You open it and can’t believe what’s inside…

You are the lucky winner of four tickets to Disneyland. Who will you choose to bring along? Write about your trip.

You are transported into the last book your read. Who are you and where are you?

The dinosaurs are back and they’re walking down your street. What happened next?

You work at the zoo and the penguins have broken lose. What happens next?

You are trapped on a deserted island with only the items in your schoolbag. What do you do?

Your pet is in charge of you for the day. What happens?

Write an alternative ending for your favorite book or movie.

You discover a door that leads to an attic you had no idea existed in your house. What do you find?

About me writing prompts

Write about one thing you are really good at.

Write about your favorite holiday or holiday tradition.

Write about the best day of your life.

What is your favorite food? Why is it your favorite food? Describe the food in detail.

Write about your bedroom. What do you like in it and what would you like to change?

Describe a tree house you would build and what you would do in the tree house.

Write about your biggest dream for your future.

Write about what makes you happy.

What is your earliest memory? Write about it.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen?

“What if” writing prompts

What if you were give $1,000? What would you do with the money?

What if you could choose a superpower? What would it be and how would you use it?

What if you woke up as the principal one morning? How would you run the school?

What if you were born in the 19th century? How would your life be different from the life you lead today?

What if you were locked inside your favorite store overnight? What kind of night would you have?

What if the electricity stopped working? What would you do?

What if you were a tree? What stories could you tell?

What if you had to move to a different city? How would you feel about that?

What if you used robots in school? What robots would the be and what would they do?

What if you could change one rule? What rule would it be and how would you change it?

“Would you rather” writing prompts

Would you rather live on Mars or on Earth?

Would you rather be the ruler of a kingdom or the President of a country?

Would you rather be a movie star or an astronaut?

Would you rather have a dog or a cat as a pet?

Would you rather be a squirrel or a bird?

Would you rather be able to hear things clearly from miles away or be able to see things clearly from miles away?

Would you rather be able to talk to dolphins or be able to swim like a dolphin?

Would you rather go without video games or dessert for a month?

Would you rather drive a race car or pilot a plane?

Would you rather wake up to find you are five years older or five years younger?

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