35 Fall Writing Prompts for Kids (and a free printable!)

Looking to include some creative writing in your homeschool this fall? Fall writing prompts are a great way to get the kids writing, and thinking, creatively during the fall season and beyond! Today, I’m sharing some fun fall-themed writing prompts for kids, tips for implementing them, and a fall-themed printable freebie…you’re gonna love it!

Homeschooling During the Fall Season

As we head into another year of homeschooling, I can tell you that homeschooling during the fall season is filled with plenty of opportunities for learning and celebrating all things fall! Coming into the cooler weather of the fall season (we are NOT summer people) encourages us to bring our learning outside more often and allows us to snuggle up with warm mugs of hot cocoa when we do our learning activities in the family room.

When I was a teacher, and even a student, in New Jersey, we would always start school right after Labor Day. While many of the schools in the south tend to start schools in August, it just makes sense for my family to wait to start our homeschool “year” after the summer has ended.

Not only are there plenty of “national day” holidays we can celebrate in the fall months of September, October, and November, but we also love including some Halloween-themed fun into our days. There are so many opportunities for learning in the fall and beyond!

Fall Writing Prompts

Even though our homeschool planner has plenty of outings and celebrations already scheduled during the fall season, there’s always time to include some fun, fall writing prompts into our day!

It’s no surprise I love including writing prompts in our homeschool day. Not only do the give the kids an opportunity to think creatively, but they also give them a chance to work on improving their handwriting and spelling.

Because they tend to be a pretty quick activity (10 minutes give or take), they’re wonderful for waking up sleepy brains and allow us to start our day being creative. My National Days to Celebrate writing prompts are usually our go-to writing prompts, but I will totally include holiday and seasonally-themed writing prompts as we approach our favorite holidays and seasons.

Today, I’m sharing 35 fun Fall writing prompts that you can include in your homeschool days. I have a feeling the kids will really enjoy them! You might also want to grab my free Fall-themed lined paper printables following the writing prompts to make the prompts (and your letter writing station!) even more fun!

These Fall writing prompts were created with upper-elementary & middle school age kids in mind, but, change a word or two…or shorten the prompt…and you can totally use them for younger kids. Two of the following writing prompts do have a Halloween theme! If you want more Halloween fun, definitely check out my list of Spooky Halloween writing prompts!

Here you go:

1. Describe your perfect fall day. What do you see, hear, and smell?
2. If you could design your own fall festival, what activities would you include?
3. Write a story about a leaf that doesn’t want to fall from the tree.
4. Imagine you could talk to animals preparing for winter. What advice would they give you?
5. What is your favorite fall food? Write about how it’s made and why you love it.
6. Describe how the world would look if fall lasted all year long.
7. Write a spooky story set in a haunted forest on a crisp autumn night.
8. If you could create a new holiday to celebrate in the fall, what would it be and how would people celebrate it?
9. Imagine you are a scarecrow that comes to life at night. What adventures would you have?
10. What are three things you love and three things you don’t like about fall?
11. Write a poem about the changing colors of fall leaves.
12. If pumpkins could talk, what story would they tell about Halloween night?
13. Imagine you are going on a fall camping trip. What would you pack and what activities would you do?
14. Write a story where you get lost in a corn maze. How do you find your way out?
15. Describe how your favorite fall smell makes you feel.

16. You wake up one morning to find that it’s snowing leaves instead of snowflakes. How do you react?
17. Write a story about a mysterious scarecrow that only appears in the fall.
18. What do you think the animals in the forest do to celebrate the arrival of fall?
19. Imagine your town is having a fall parade. What float would you design?
20. Describe a fall-themed invention that would make autumn even better.
21. What if Halloween was canceled this year? How would you create your own spooky celebration at home?
22. Write about the first time you carved a pumpkin. What did it look like?
23. Imagine you find a magical leaf that grants one wish. What would you wish for and why?
24. Write a letter to a friend explaining why fall is the best season.
25. If you could change the colors of fall leaves to any colors you want, which ones would you choose?
26. You’re hosting a fall feast. Who are your guests, and what dishes are served?
27. Write about what the world would be like if fall never ended.
28. Describe a time when you were really excited for fall to arrive. What made it special?
29. You discover a secret passage in a pumpkin patch. Where does it lead?
30. What if pumpkins had superpowers? What could they do, and how would they help people?
31. Write a diary entry as if you were a squirrel getting ready for winter.
32. What is your favorite fall tradition? Why is it important to you?
33. Imagine you are designing a new fall-themed amusement park. What are the rides and attractions like?
34. Write a mystery story that takes place at a fall carnival.
35. If you could spend fall anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Making Fall Writing Activities even more Fun!

You’ve got the writing prompts, you’re going to download the fall lined paper in the next section…how else can we make learning during the Fall season fun?

Here are three ways to do just that:

• Bring your Learning Outside: The temperatures are cooling down and gentle breezes come and go throughout the day. Set up a portion of your homeschool day outside to enjoy the cooler weather and to really experience the fall season as the kids are completing their homeschool activities.
• Enjoy a Fall Treat: Apple cider is one our favorite fall treats. My kids would drink apple cider straight out of the container if I let them (milk, too!). When you take a field trip to a local pumpkin patch or go apple picking, consider bringing home a few of the freshly made baked goods or fall treats to enjoy during your homeschool days.
• Be Cozy: It’s time for the hoodies to shine! Break out the sweatpants, put on a hoodie, and find your favorite cozy socks so you and the kids can be comfy cozy during your activities!

Fall Lined Paper Freebie

Make your fall season even more educational and fun with these cute (and free!) printable lined papers! There are two different sets included in the download: one for the older kids and one for the littles. With 20 designs per set, there are plenty to choose from.

To get the lined papers, just fill out the form below. Confirm your request in your inbox and they’ll be sent, via email, with a link to download the files. Super easy!

Let your friends know about this fun freebie by sharing this article with them! I’d also love to hear how you’ve implemented the writing prompts into your homeschool days! Leave a comment below or, better yet, share your experience in That Homeschool Family Hangout.

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy quality time with your family,