100+ Awesome Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

Today I’m sharing some awesome writing prompts for 3rd grade! These are great to have on hand to help your kids grow a little in their writing skills each day.

I plan on using this list for our laid-back, summer, homeschool schedule. Along with daily summer reading, simple math exercises, a fun writing prompt, and a whole of lot outdoor fun and play, I think we will be set to go.

To organize these 3rd grade writing prompts, I’ve broken them up into the following categories: books, food, nature, travel, feelings, imagination, friends and family, school, holidays, and favorites. (Also, make sure you get the printable checklist version at the end!)

Let’s get started! Here are 100+ awesome writing prompts for 3rd grade:

100+ Awesome Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

Book-Related Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade:

What is your favorite book, and why?
Describe the difference between fiction and non-fiction books.
Who is your favorite fictional character, and why?
Where do you like to read, and why do you enjoy that spot?
What was your favorite book that someone has read to you, and why?
Write about why you are glad you know how to read.
If you were asked to read a book to a class of 3rd graders, what would you choose, and why?
What non-fiction topics interest you, and why?
If you could write a book, what would it be about?
Who is your favorite author, and why?

Food-related writing prompts:

Do you prefer savory or sweet foods, and why?
Describe the taste and texture of chocolate cake.
Whose cooking do you enjoy, and why?
Write about your favorite place to eat.
Describe your favorite meal.
What is your opinion about coffee?
If you made a treat for your neighbor, what do you think their reaction would be?
What are some things you should be careful with in the kitchen?
How do you make scrambled eggs?
Describe the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten.

Nature writing prompts for 3rd graders:

Would you prefer a sunny or snowy day, and why?
How do you climb a tree?
What are your favorite things to do outside?
What kinds of sounds do you hear when you step outside?
Describe the smell and feel of grass.
What is your opinion about snakes?
What is your favorite type of weather, and why?
What would you use to build an outdoor fort?
What is your favorite animal, and why?
Explain how being outside and exploring nature makes you feel.

Imagination writing prompts for 3rd graders:

If you had a time machine, where in history would you go?
How would you spend a million dollars?
How do you think your pets would describe you?
If you made a robot, what would it be able to do?
Write a funny story in four sentences.
What superpower would you like to have, and why?
If trees could talk, what do you think they would say?
If you were stranded on an island, what would you do to survive?
If you were given three wishes, what would they be?
Describe your dream treehouse.

Writing prompts about family and friends for 3rd graders:

Describe your family.
What makes a good friend?
Write about a time when someone was kind and friendly to you.
In what ways do you help your family?
Write about one of your family traditions.
How do you make a new friend?
What are some things you love about your family?
Write about a favorite memory with a friend.
What makes house feel like a home?
Who do you look up to in your family, and why?

Birthday and Holiday Writing Prompts for 3rd graders:

Which do you prefer Christmas or Thanksgiving, and why?
What are some things you like about your birthday month?
Describe your favorite holiday tradition.
What is the best gift you’ve ever received, and why?
Write about your happiest birthday memory.
How do you plan a surprise birthday party for someone?
What is your favorite holiday, and why?
Describe the types of foods you would serve at a holiday party.
Write about a gift you made for someone.
What is your opinion about birthday cake?

Writing Prompts about Feelings for 3rd graders:

What does boredom feel like?
Who makes you feel happy, and why?
Describe a time when you felt shy.
How do you cheer yourself up when you are feeling sad?
Write about something that scares you.
What are some things that make you happy?
Write about something you are hoping will happen.
Write about a time you noticed someone feeling sad.
Describe a time when you felt brave.
Talk about a time you felt confident.

Writing Prompts about School for 3rd graders:

What is your favorite subject, and why?
Talk about something that was difficult for you to learn.
Describe how it feels to know something really well.
What are some things you would use a ruler for?
What would you like to learn more about, and why?
In what ways is learning fun?
How have books helped you to learn?
Write about a time you taught someone how to do something.
Who in history inspires you, and why?
What is your opinion about recess?

Travel Writing Prompts for 3rd graders:

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
Do you prefer visiting the country or the city, and why?
Describe the beach.
What are some challenges that come with traveling?
What is your favorite place in the world?
What is your opinion about long car rides?
How do you entertain yourself while you are traveling?
What country would you like to visit, and why?
Write about a trip you took with your family.
Do you prefer driving or flying, and why?

Writing Prompts for 3rd graders: Favorites

What is your favorite food, and why?
Write about your favorite thing to play with.
What is your favorite book, and why?
What is your favorite place, and why?
Describe your favorite dessert.
Write about your favorite color.
Who is your favorite historical figure, and why?
What country would you like to visit, and why?
Write about a favorite memory with your family.
What is your favorite animal and why?
What is your favorite movie, and why?
Describe your favorite snack.

How to Use the Writing Prompt List for Third Graders

Aim to keep writing simple and fun for your third graders! We want them to experience the joy and satisfaction they can achieve when they combine their skills of writing with communication and imagination.

With that in mind, give your students a writing prompt from the list and ask him or her to write 2-4 sentences. When they are done, look it over together and celebrate their writing accomplishments.

Should you correct your third grader’s writing?

I think it’s a great idea to read over your kids writing each day. First, because it gives you an opportunity to praise them for their hard work and point out things they did really well. Secondly, if gives you a chance to gently correct their mistakes.

With that being said, I usually pick one thing we can correct and work on for next time. Then stick with that one thing until the child is able to incorporate it into his or her writing without being reminded.

Things to look for in you third-grader’s writing:

Capital letters at the beginning of a sentence
Always capitalize the letter I if it stands alone
Punctuation at the end of a sentence
Spelling
a vs. an
Capitalize proper nouns

Free Printable Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

Are you interested in the Free printable Writing Prompts for 3rd grade? This third grade resource includes the 100+ writing prompts from this article in printable, checklist format! For Access to this freebie, Join the Inspire the Mom Community and sign in with Grow for this exclusive content!

Get it Now!

Writing Prompts Q & A

1. What is a third grade writing prompt?

What is a third grade writing prompt? It is a prompt (or idea) composed of a question or issue that gives the student a starting point for writing.

2. What are some cool writing prompts?

If you had a time machine, where in history would you go?
How would you spend a million dollars?
Describe your favorite dessert.
Share your opinion about coffee.

3. Where can I find good writing prompts for kids?

You can find writing prompts for kids here in this post, online, or come up with some your own!

100+ Awesome Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade

100+ Awesome Writing Prompts for 3rd Grade