Write Now Read Later: Summer Writing Prompts for Kids

Are you sliding into your summer routine? Have you hit the point of boredom yet or are you still enjoying the lazy days of summer? Let’s talk, write and read about your summer.

I’d love to post what you’ve written! If you want to share, please email me an image of your wonderful story and I’ll post it right on this post at the bottom. My email is pragmaticmomblog (at) gmail (dot) com.

Summer Writing Prompts for Kids

Are you have the best summer ever? Why or why not? Write about a perfect summer day for you, real or imagined.

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee

My son and I think this is the funniest picture book ever! Marla Frazee’s dry wit will be appreciated by parents reading this book over and over. James and Eamon visit Eamon’s grandparents’ house to attend a week of Nature Camp which doesn’t enthrall them. They learn new vocabulary words from his grandfather’s driving. In their free time, they resist going outside and stay in instead of eating waffles and playing video games. They finally make it outside to the delight of the grandparents but even though their week wasn’t according to plan, it’s still the best week ever! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

How’s your summer weather? Is it hot? Has it rained? Are you wishing for different weather? Why? What would you do? Write about the weather you are experiencing or wish you were experiencing. It could be anywhere in the world!

Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Jon J Muth

It’s a hot, hot day in the city. It’s been three weeks since the last rain and everything is wilting, especially Tessie and her mama. Tessie’s friend Jackie-Joyce comes over in her bathing suit in anticipation of rain and Tessie gets into hers as well. When the rain finally hits, it’s a celebration for all the kids in the neighborhood (and the adults as well!). [picture book, ages 4 and up]

What is your favorite summer food? What’s your favorite frozen treat? Ice cream, popsicle, frozen yogurt? Write about the last time you had your favorite summer treat.

Hot Day on Abbott Avenue by Karen English

Is there a song that’s playing over and over again that you’re hearing this summer or in summer’s past? Which song reminds you of summer? Why is that?

Summertime from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin, illustrated by Mike Wimmer

The song Summertime from the opera Porgy and Bess is turned into an equally lyrical picture book with lush illustrations from Mike Winner.

Ella Fitzgerald sings Summertime. It morphed into a jazz version with greats like Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong doing covers.

When it’s hot, it’s time for a drink to cool off. What is your favorite thing to drink when you’re hot? How do you get it? Do you make it, or buy it at the store? Is it a special treat? How would you describe the way it tastes on a hot summer day?

A Cool Drink of Water by Barbara Kerley

National Geographic takes us around the world to show how everyone, everywhere needs water and how they acquire it. To learn more about photos taken in the different countries and their water supply, be sure and read the back pages and check out the map.

Are you having any adventures outside this summer? Do you notice any creatures in your backyard or playground? What have you seen? Are there any creatures you want to see? Are there any creatures you are afraid of?

Quiet in the Garden by Aliki

A young boy observes the creatures in his garden sipping and eating: a butterfly, a robin, a snail, a worm, a squirrel, a spider, a lizard, a frog, a fish, and his rabbit. This inspires him to harvest his garden to make a feast for all his new animal friends. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

p.s. Here is a fun notebook novel set in the summer.

Mom Made Us Write This in the Summer by Ali Maier

Fraternal ten-year-old twins Maggie and Max are forced to keep a joint diary of their summer. They have pretty different takes on what they are doing (and it’s noted in the margins as they write on each other’s entries). [notebook novel, ages 8 and up]

p.p.s. Here are a few more posts of books set during the summer:

Summer Reading List of Books Set in the Summer

Top 10: Best Summer Coming-of-Age Books for Girls (grades 4-8)

p.p.p.s. Here are a few more writing prompts:

Write First Read Later Alien Writing Prompts

Writing Revision Tips for Kids from Author Karen Day

Writing Tips for Kids from Author N. S. Blackman

Writing for Reluctant Readers from Author Ty Drago

Getting Kids Writing With a Progressive Story

Getting Kids Published from This Kid Reviews Books

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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.

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