180 Writing Prompts for Middle School Students to Spark Creativity and Self-Reflection

During my years of teaching, one of the most effective tools I used in the classroom was daily writing journals. At the start of class, I would put a prompt on the board to get my students thinking, reflecting, and most importantly, writing. Writing every single day became an essential routine, and it transformed the way my students engaged with their thoughts and the world around them.

On Fridays, we had a little extra fun with it—using memes or picture prompts to change things up. Throughout the week, though, students would explore a variety of questions, ranging from philosophical to personal, giving them a chance to think deeply about themselves and the world. Some days I would ask “this or that” questions, while other days would feature a reflective prompt on topics like friendship, kindness, or perseverance. I would often use the conversations we had in class, usually off topic, to spark ideas, as well.

The goal was simple: get them writing every single day.

To ensure we stayed focused, I always set a timer. When time was up, we transitioned to sharing time. Sharing was completely optional, but the rule was this: if you want to share, you must read exactly what you wrote. No going off-script, no improvising. This kept the students grounded in their writing. We also had a no-judgment rule: when someone shared, there were no comments or critiques. The space was safe, creative, and all about growth.

I believe this practice not only nurtured their writing but also helped them gain confidence in their own voices. Now, I want to share some of that magic with you. Below are 180 writing prompts for middle school students, designed to get them thinking about themselves, their feelings, and the world they live in. These prompts are adaptable for students of all ages and can be used in classrooms, at home, or in journaling practice.

180 Writing Prompts for Middle School Students

1. Write about a time you felt proud of yourself.
2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
3. What is one thing you wish you could change about the world?
4. Write about your favorite memory from elementary school.
5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
6. What is something you’re really good at? How did you get so good at it?
7. Would you rather be famous for a day or invisible for a day? Explain your choice.
8. What is one thing you can do to be kinder to others?
9. Imagine you woke up and everything was made of candy. Describe your day.
10. What is a hobby you’ve always wanted to try, and why?
11. Write about a time you helped someone.
12. What does it mean to be brave?
13. If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?
14. What’s one thing that always makes you laugh?
15. Describe a perfect weekend for you.
16. Would you rather live in the city or the country? Why?
17. What is one goal you have for this school year?
18. Write a letter to your future self.
19. If you could switch places with someone for a day, who would it be and why?
20. Describe your favorite family tradition.
21. What would you do if you had a million dollars?
22. What is your favorite subject in school? Why?
23. If you could change one school rule, what would it be?
24. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
25. What does kindness mean to you?
26. What’s something new you’d like to learn?
27. If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be?
28. Describe a time when you stood up for something you believed in.
29. Write about your favorite book and why you love it.
30. What is one thing that makes you unique?
31. What does friendship mean to you?
32. What is your earliest memory?
33. What’s something that scares you, and why?
34. If you could live in any time period, which would you choose and why?
35. What is something you think adults don’t understand about kids today?
36. Write about a time when you made a mistake. What did you learn from it?
37. Describe a day in your life ten years from now.
38. What’s the best thing about being your age right now?
39. What’s your least favorite chore and why?
40. If you were in charge of the world for a day, what would you do?
41. What’s something you’ve never done but would like to try?
42. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
43. If you could have a conversation with your pet, what would you talk about?
44. What is your favorite way to spend time with your family?
45. Describe a time when you felt misunderstood.
46. Write about a time you felt like giving up but didn’t.
47. What is one thing you wish you could change about yourself?
48. If you could be any animal for a day, which one would you choose and why?
49. Write a story about discovering a hidden talent.
50. What’s something that always puts you in a good mood?
51. If you could live in any fictional world (from a book or movie), which one would it be and why?
52. Describe a time when you were really surprised.
53. What is something you’re really passionate about?
54. Write about the best meal you’ve ever eaten.
55. If you could be famous for anything, what would it be and why?
56. What’s the weirdest dream you’ve ever had?
57. Write about a time when you had to overcome a fear.
58. If you could invent something, what would it be?
59. Describe your ideal birthday celebration.
60. Write about a time when you stood up for a friend.
61. What is your favorite season and why?
62. If you had to live without one of your five senses, which one would you choose and why?
63. Write about a place where you feel most at peace.
64. What’s something that makes you feel proud of yourself?
65. If you could visit any planet in the solar system, which one would it be and why?
66. What’s your favorite way to relax after a long day?
67. If you could switch lives with someone for a week, who would it be and why?
68. Write about a time you felt really angry. How did you handle it?
69. What is one thing you’re looking forward to?
70. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
71. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
72. Describe a time when you felt really lucky.
73. Write about a time you got lost. What happened?
74. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
75. If you could travel back in time, what period would you visit and why?
76. What’s something that always makes you feel better when you’re sad?
77. Write about a time you helped someone in need.
78. If you could have any job for a day, what would it be and why?
79. Describe a time when you learned something new about yourself.
80. If you could create a new holiday, what would it be and how would you celebrate it?
81. What’s something you’re really grateful for right now?
82. Write about your dream house.
83. If you could spend a day with any famous person, who would it be and what would you do?
84. What’s your favorite outdoor activity and why?
85. Describe a time you felt really brave.
86. What’s something you would like to improve about yourself?
87. If you could have any talent that you don’t currently have, what would it be?
88. Write about a time when you felt really embarrassed. What happened?
89. What’s your favorite way to spend time with friends?
90. If you could be any character from a book or movie, who would you be and why?
91. What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
92. Write about a time when you faced a difficult challenge. How did you overcome it?
93. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
94. If you could be an expert in any subject, what would it be and why?
95. Write about a time when you got into trouble. What happened?
96. What’s your favorite holiday and why?
97. If you could make one new rule at school, what would it be and why?
98. What’s something you’re really looking forward to in the future?
99. Write about a time you made someone laugh.
100. If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be and why?
101. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far?
102. Describe a time when you felt really frustrated. How did you handle it?
103. What’s your favorite part of the day and why?
104. If you could have a conversation with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
105. Write about a time when you felt really scared. What happened?
106. What’s your favorite place to go when you need to think?
107. If you could switch places with a character in your favorite book, who would it be and why?
108. What’s one thing you can do to make the world a better place?
109. Write about a time when you felt really happy.
110. What’s something you’ve done recently that made you proud?
111. If you could visit any country, which one would it be and why?
112. What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
113. Write about a time when you had to make a tough decision. What did you choose?
114. What’s your favorite way to celebrate a special occasion?
115. If you could live in any TV show for a day, which one would you choose and why?
116. Write about a time you stood up for yourself.
117. What’s something you would like to learn more about?
118. If you could design your own school, what would it be like?
119. What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you?
120. Write about a time you felt really lucky.
121. If you could change one thing about your community, what would it be and why?
122. What’s something you’ve done that you never thought you would do?
123. Write about a time when you felt really confused. How did you figure things out?
124. What’s your favorite family tradition?
125. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
126. Write about a time you learned something new.
127. What’s your favorite thing about school and why?
128. If you could spend a day doing anything you want, what would it be and why?
129. Write about a time when you felt really proud of someone else.
130. What’s your favorite way to relax and unwind?
131. If you could be any age for a day, what age would you be and why?
132. Write about a time you felt really grateful.
133. If you could live in any fictional world, which one would it be and why?
134. What’s something you’re really excited about right now?
135. Write about a time when you felt really determined to accomplish something.
136. If you could invent something that would make life easier, what would it be?
137. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
138. Write about a time when you felt really surprised. What happened?
139. What’s your favorite thing about the weekend?
140. If you could only keep one possession, what would it be and why?
141. Write about a time when you felt really proud of yourself.
142. What’s something you’re looking forward to doing this year?
143. If you could have a conversation with your future self, what would you ask?
144. What’s the most important quality in a friend?
145. Write about a time when you felt really nervous. What happened?
146. What’s something you would like to improve about yourself?
147. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
148. Write about a time when you faced a difficult decision. How did you handle it?
149. What’s your favorite part of the school day?
150. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
151. Write about a time when you felt really scared. What happened?
152. What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
153. If you could meet any famous person, who would it be and why?
154. Write about a time when you felt really brave.
155. What’s something you’re really passionate about?
156. If you could be any character from a movie or book, who would you be and why?
157. Write about a time when you felt really frustrated. What did you do to feel better?
158. What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family?
159. If you could invent something that would make the world a better place, what would it be?
160. Write about a time when you learned something new.
161. What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
162. If you could live in any time period, which one would you choose and why?
163. Write about a time when you felt really surprised. What happened?
164. What’s something you’re really grateful for right now?
165. If you could be any age for a day, what age would you be and why?
166. Write about a time when you felt really proud of someone else.
167. What’s your favorite holiday and why?
168. If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
169. Write about a time when you helped someone. How did it make you feel?
170. What’s something you’re really passionate about?
171. If you could live in any fictional world, which one would it be and why?
172. Write about a time when you felt really determined to accomplish something.
173. What’s your favorite thing to do when you have free time?
174. If you could switch lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
175. Write about a time when you faced a tough decision. How did you handle it?
176. What’s your favorite way to relax and unwind?
177. If you could invent something that would change the world, what would it be?
178. Write about a time when you learned something new about yourself.
179. What’s your favorite way to spend time with friends?
180. If you could be famous for a day, what would you do?

These prompts are just a sample, but I hope they inspire a sense of curiosity and self-reflection in students. They were always a hit in my classroom, and I loved watching my students grow as writers and thinkers throughout the school year. Whether you’re a teacher looking for new ways to engage your students or a parent hoping to encourage creativity at home, these prompts will get students thinking—and writing—every single day.

Happy writing!