Summer is a season of fun, family, exploring, and long sunny days at the beach or sitting by the pool.  For many of us, our summer plans are a little different this year. Whether your plans include summer camp, beach vacations, hiking or a lot of extra time at home, summer fun and adventures can be found anywhere! 

One thing is for sure, we love encouraging kids to keep writing all summer long!

Summer journaling

These writing prompts inspire kids to reflect on all things summer – from nature to swimming, summer camp, and stories about fireflies, bears and campfires – these summer journal prompts for kids encourage creative thinking, storytelling and self-reflection.  

Journal prompts are questions or statements that inspire your kids to write about their thoughts related to that question or statement.  If your kids struggle to write, or are too young to write, you can also encourage them to draw a picture, which still engages their creative thinking skills.

A summer journal creates an awesome keepsake of summer adventures.  Even if they don’t realize it now, they will be so glad they kept a journal when they get older.  It also gives them the opportunity to look back at their growth as a writer each year.

Summer Writing Prompts for Kids

A free printable PDF of this list is available at the end of this post.

1. What would you do if summer lasted all year long?
2. What is your favorite thing to do outside during the summer?
3. What are your favorite rainy day activities?
4. Who is your favorite person? Tell me about them
5. What are three summer activities you want to do this summer?
6. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
7. Write a poem about summer
8. Write a letter to someone special.
9. Write a short story about fireflies
10. Describe your perfect summer meal
11. What do you think of roller coasters?
12. Describe your favorite ice cream flavor or summer treat
13. Have you ever been camping? If so, tell me about it. If not, would you like to go camping? Why or why not?
14. Write a nature poem
15. Where would you love to go on a summer vacation?
16. Have you been to summer camp? Tell me about it. If not, tell me about a summer camp you would like to go to.
17. Tell me about a book you have read this summer
18. Do you have any special summer traditions?
19. What do you think of water slides?
20. Would you rather be inside or outside in the summer?
21. Do you like to swim? Why or why not?
22. Write a short story about caterpillars and butterflies
23. Sit outside and be quiet.  Write down what you hear, see, and smell.
24. Create an adventure about sailing on a boat in the ocean
25. What do you like to do when it’s really hot outside?
26. What is your favorite song?  How do you feel when you listen to it?
27. What is something you have learned to do this summer?  Tell us how to do it.
28. Find something in nature.  Draw a picture and write about it.
29. How do you feel about bugs?
30. Who do you like to spend time with during the summer?  Tell me about them
31. Write about the best thing to eat on a hot summer day
32. Do you like fireworks?  Why or why not?
33. Tell me about a summer thunderstorm?  How do you feel?
34. What three things would you bring with you if you were stranded on a tropical island?
35. Write about a playdate with a friend
36. You are going on a picnic.  What’s in your basket?  Where would you have your picnic?
37. Have you ever watched a movie outside?  If so, tell me about it.  If not, what would you like to watch outside?  
38. Do you have any favorite summer festivals that you go to?  Tell me about them
39. Write a story about a campfire and a bear
40. Is there something you really wish you could do this summer that you can’t?  Tell me about it
41. Tell me about a day at the beach.  What do you see, smell, and hear?  What beach are you at?
42. Do you miss school? Why or why not?
43. What do you love most about where you live?
44. Do you get to stay up late in the summer?  What do you do with the extra time?  If not, would you like to?  Why?
45. Do you believe in fairies?  Why or why not?
46. What is your favorite character from a book you’ve read this summer?  Why?
47. If you could invite one friend over to play for the day who would it be?  Why?
48. What is the most exciting part of your summer so far?
49. Write a story about an owl.
50. If you could plan an entire day what would you do?  Who would it include?
51. How does this summer compare to other summers?
52. Write about a hiking adventure in the forest.
53. What parts of summer are you most grateful for?
54. Write a poem about the ocean
55. Is there anything you haven’t done yet this summer that you still want to do?
56. Are you looking forward to going back to school? Why or why not?
57. What part of going back to school are you most excited about?
58. How do you feel on the first day of school?
59. What do you like to do on the last day of summer?
60. My favorite part of my summer was

Summer Writing Journal – Daily Summer Writing Prompts

If you love these writing prompts be sure to grab our newest journal, My Summer at Home, which includes all 60 daily writing prompts, in addition to daily journal pages to record their favorite parts of the day, gratitude, weather, feelings and more!