30 Creative Winter Writing Prompts for Middle School

Winter offers a wonderful opportunity for creative writing activities! While it’s chilly outside, winter writing prompts can help middle schoolers to express themselves while using their imagination…all from the comfort of a cozy chair with a cup of hot chocolate nearby!

There are so many ways to incorporate writing prompts into a homeschool day, but I especially enjoy having them serve as somewhat of a “starter” activity for the day. Since writing prompts are fairly easy to complete, and usually encourage creative thinking, they help to wake up the brains and get us off to a great start of a homeschool day.

Alternatively, writing prompts can also serve as a wonderful way to incorporate some educational activities when mom or dad aren’t feeling well or even during road trips when you don’t want to schlep around a ton of homeschool materials. They’re also great activity for winding down an activity-filled day of learning at home.

No surprise, my kids and I love writing prompts!

While I’ve created many writing prompts, I especially adore the winter writing prompts I’ll be sharing with you today because they’re in a slightly different format than the previous writing prompts I’ve created. That doesn’t make them any better (or worse!) than my other writing prompts, but I especially like these because I made sure to include different types of writing: Descriptive Writing, Persuasive Writing, Narrative Writing, Informational Writing, and Reflective Writing.

All of the writing prompts will be easily accessible to you in this article! I definitely suggest bookmarking this article or pinning it to your Pinterest account so you can refer back to it.

Even better? The writing prompts pair very nicely with the free winter-themed printable papers that are both linked within this article and the Printable Playground!

Let’s go!

Styles of Writing

Ok so, remember when I mentioned especially enjoying the winter writing prompts because I included a variety of different writing styles? Before we get into the thick of it, let’s chat a bit about what each of those styles are and what they can teach the kids:

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive Writing uses detailed language and sensory details to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. When writing descriptively, writers focus on describing people, places, objects, or events in a way that appeals to the five senses.

Learning descripting writing can help kids to improve their ability to communicate both clearly & vividly. It boosts their observation skills and encourages them to think about how to engage their reader emotionally. It can also be super helpful when writing stories, essays, and reports.

Narrative Writing

Narrative Writing tells a story. Whether it be real or imagined, the story includes characters, a setting, a plot, a sequence of events, and often a conflict that is resolved by the end.

Narrative writing can help kids to grow in creativity and imagination! It can help them to understand storytelling structure (they’ll be great at telling bedtime stories to their future kids!) and allows them to explore ideas & experiences while improving their ability to organize their thoughts.

Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is just that…all about persuading an audience! It aims to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint or take a specific action. Writers often use logical arguments, emotional appeals tugging at the heartstrings, and evidence to persuade their audience one way or another.

Why is it important for kids to learn persuasive writing? Well, for starters, it’ll help them to learn how to persuade their parents to do things like…make their bed time later! Oh, I kid, I kid!

Being able to write persuasively is super helpful when it comes to developing critical thinking skills and being able to argue a point effectively. It helps kids learn how to express their opinions, analyze different perspectives, and (my son’s favorite) influence others which particularly comes in handy in debates, essays, and everyday conversations.

Informational Writing

Informational writing is used to convey facts, explain ideas, or provide instructions. Honestly, I find informational writing to be pretty boring, but it’s super helpful when writing essays, reports, and completing research projects.

In addition, learning the informational writing style can help kids in their ability to gather, organize, and communicate facts & other pieces of information.

Reflective Writing

Reflective writing requires the writer to think deeply about a personal experience or topic and then express feelings and insights gained from that reflection. I’d say it’s the one of the more emotional writing styles, for sure!

Learning how to write reflectively can help kids to grow in their self-awareness and emotional intelligence. It can also help kids to process experiences, recognize self-growth, and learn from their actions.

Winter Writing Prompts

Whew! We’ve gone through the various styles of writing, now let’s get to the good stuff – the writing prompts!

Please don’t feel the need to make the kids complete all of these writing prompts in one sitting…or even one month. I totally suggest mixing things up every now and then by including some of the National Days to Celebrate writing prompts. All are available in the Printable Playground, but also within these winter-themed articles:

• National Days to Celebrate in December Kids
• National Days to Celebrate in January with Kids
• National Days to Celebrate in February with Kids

In addition to writing prompts, you’ll also find a number of fun (and educational) National Day-themed activities to do with the kids!

I must mention that the following prompts were created with middle-school age kids in mind just because they require a bit of extra time and effort to complete. If you think your elementary-age child could complete the prompts, though, go for it!

Ok, let’s get to it!

Winter Writing Prompts: Descriptive Writing

1. Describe the sights, sounds, and smells of a winter day in your neighborhood.
2. Imagine you’re walking through a snow-covered forest. Describe everything you see and feel.
3. Write about your ideal snow day, including the weather, activities, and food.
4. Describe what it feels like to come inside after spending hours out in the cold.
5. Choose a winter holiday and describe how it looks, sounds, and smells at your home.
6. Describe a snowflake close-up, focusing on its unique shape and delicate structure.

Winter Writing Prompts: Narrative Writing

1. Write a story about a group of kids who get trapped inside a snow fort they built. How do they get out?
2. Imagine you discover a magical snow globe that can change the weather. Write a story about what happens when you shake it.
3. Write a story about an animal’s journey through the winter forest. What challenges do they face?
4. Create a story where a snowstorm causes a series of unexpected events in your town.
5. Imagine you’re an explorer trekking through a frozen landscape. What do you discover, and how do you survive the cold?
6. Write a story where winter decorations suddenly come to life and cause chaos in your house.

Winter Writing Prompts: Persuasive Writing

1. Persuade your parents to let you have a winter break longer than two weeks. Use convincing arguments!
2. Write a letter convincing a friend to try an outdoor winter sport like skiing or snowboarding.
3. Should homeschool lessons still happen on snow days, or should kids get a day off to play in the snow? Write a persuasive essay on your opinion.
4. Argue for or against the idea that winter is the best season of the year.
5. Write a persuasive piece convincing someone to drink hot chocolate over any other winter drink.
6. Convince your local town council to have an annual winter festival. What should it include, and why?

Winter Writing Prompts: Informational Writing

1. Research how snowflakes are formed and write an informational piece explaining the process.
2. Write an article about how people in different parts of the world celebrate winter holidays.
3. Explain how animals survive the winter through hibernation, migration, or adaptation.
4. Write a report on the history of winter sports, like ice skating or skiing.
5. Research and explain how the Northern Lights occur and why they are often seen in winter.
6. Write an informational guide about how to stay safe and warm during winter storms.

Winter Writing Prompts: Reflective Writing

1. Reflect on your favorite winter memory. What made it special, and how does it make you feel now?
2. Write about how the winter season affects your mood. Do you feel differently in winter than in other seasons? Why or why not?
3. Reflect on a time you helped someone during winter, like shoveling snow or making them warm food. How did it make you feel?
4. Think about a winter holiday tradition your family celebrates. How has it changed over the years, and what does it mean to you?
5. Reflect on the end of the year as winter begins. How do you feel about closing one year and starting another?
6. Write about what winter teaches you about patience and preparation. How do these lessons apply to your everyday life?

Printable Winter-Themed Lined Paper

Now, this isn’t necessarily required, but I just feel like using themed lined paper helps to make writing activities that much more enjoyable and memorable. When I first started making printable lined paper with various themes (there are a bunch in the Printable Playground!), I was creating them to go along with homeschool letter-writing stations. Really, though – they can be used for so much more!

The set of winter-themed lined paper includes 2 separate files: one file with standard lined paper, and one file with primary lined paper (for the littles). Both sets include the same decorative, winter-themed borders, it’s just the lines that differ. After filling out the form below, you’ll get access to both, so use them however you see fit!

Enjoy the Writing Prompts!

Like with all of my resources, I really hope these writing prompts help to bring some fun & learning into the otherwise dreary & chilly winter days. I’d love to hear how you’ll be incorporating them into your days, how the kids enjoy the lined paper…all the good stuff!

As for my kids and I, I’m thinking we’ll take this opportunity get in the kitchen for a little bit first.

What?? We’re talking about writing prompts here, Elizabeth…not food!

I mean, we’re going to get in the kitchen first to help prepare some delicious treats to enjoy during our writing prompt time. I’m thinking some homemade hot chocolate (do you call it “hot chocolate” or “hot cocoa”?) and maybe whip up a batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookies? They recipe comes straight from Walt Disney World, so you know they have to be delish, right?!

Mmmm….I can’t wait!

I digress. Anyways, enjoy the resources on the blog and beyond! I’ll see you over in That Homeschool Family Hangout soon!