80+ Journal Prompts for Kids for Creativity & Self-Discovery

This is a fun post for me. I love to connect with my inner child by making things for kids. You know, I often realize that kids are so much smarter and more thoughtful than we give them credit for.

Recently, I did a prompt exercise with my younger cousins between ages 6 to 13. The first exercise was to share one thing that they felt grateful for at that moment and the second was to appreciate a quality that they liked in everyone else.

Then my aunt asked them to share one thing that they want from their parents which they feel that they don't have.

It was the very first time that I got to learn about the deeper thoughts of my little cousins. The youngest, Reyansh said that he feels grateful for nature and all the beauty that it brings around him.

Answering my aunt's question, his sister Sonakshi, aged 12 said she wants her mother to understand her more. Avval, also 12, said that he wishes that he could spend more time with his father who's in the Army and often has to head out for his work.

The oldest, Ridhima (13) appreciated me for being friendly and staying like a kid with them.

As I was listening to them, my heart felt so full. I wondered how many opportunities they got to be real and open about how they felt. It was probably much less than the times they were told that they weren't right by adults.

I wish we could have stayed children a little longer. I do think I had to grow up too soon. Let's protect our children's childhood and let them express themselves. Let us also go back to our childhood too. Bring back that lightness, excitement, simplicity, and freedom.

And, with that, let's now head to the journal prompts for kids to help them understand themselves and feel freely:

Journal Prompts for Kids

1. Draw and describe your favorite toy. Why do you like it so much?
2. Write about a time you made someone laugh. How did it feel?
3. If you could have any pet in the world, what would it be? Draw a picture of it.
4. Write about a place you've always wanted to visit. What would you do there?
5. What's your favorite color? Draw a picture using only that color.
6. Imagine you're a superhero. What's your superpower, and how would you use it to help others?
7. Write about something that made you smile today.
8. Write three things you love about your parents.
9. Write three things you don't like about your parents.
10. Draw a picture of your family and write something special about each person.
11. If you could talk to an animal, which one would it be? What would you ask it?
12. Write about a fun adventure you had with your friends or family.
13. Describe your favorite meal. Why do you like it so much?
14. Draw a creature from your imagination and give it a name.
15. Write about a time you felt really proud of yourself. What did you do?
16. If you could have any job when you grow up, what would it be? Why?
17. What's your favorite thing to do outdoors? Draw a picture of yourself doing it.
18. Write about a time when you helped someone. How did you help them?
19. If you were a wizard, how would you spend your day?
20. Draw a picture of a rainbow and write about the colors you see.
21. Write about a time when you felt really excited. What happened?
22. If you had a spaceship, where would you go? Write about your space adventure.

Journal Prompts for Kids for Imagination

1. Imagine you're an astronaut exploring a brand-new planet. Describe what you see, hear, and discover.
2. Invent a machine that does something really silly. Draw it and explain what it does.
3. If you had a time machine, where and when would you travel? Describe your time-travel adventure.
4. Combine two different animals to create a new mythical creature. Draw it and name it.
5. You find a magical door that leads to a hidden world. Describe what's on the other side.
6. If you could have any superpower when you sleep, what would it be? Write a short story about using it.
7. Write a story from the perspective of a talking animal. What adventures would they have?
8. Imagine you're a deep-sea explorer. Describe the strange and wonderful creatures you encounter.
9. Picture a world made entirely of candy and sweets. Describe where you'd live and what you'd do.
10. Write about an adventure exploring outer space. What planets would you visit? What would you discover?
11. If your art supplies had magical powers, what would they do? Create a picture using your magical supplies.
12. You receive a letter from an alien. Write a letter back, telling them about life on Earth.
13. Create a brand-new sport that no one has ever played before. Describe how it's played.
14. Describe a walk through a magical forest filled with talking animals and hidden surprises.
15. Imagine your pet has the ability to travel through time. Describe the adventures you'd go on together.
16. Write about a journey to find a lost treasure in a mysterious land.
17. Draw a picture of a creature that lives on another planet. What colors, features, and special abilities does it have?
18. Write a story from the perspective of one of your toys. What do they do when you're not around?
19. Invent a holiday that celebrates something unique and fun. Describe the traditions and activities.
20. Write down a magical recipe for a potion that grants a wish. What ingredients would you need?

Journal Prompts for Kids for Gratitude

1. Draw a picture of something that made you smile today.
2. Write about a time when a friend did something kind for you. How did it make you feel?
3. Imagine you have a magic wand that can create any treat. What treat are you most thankful for?
4. Write a thank-you letter to your favorite book or movie character for making you happy.
5. Draw a picture of your favorite meal. Why are you grateful for it?
6. Think of a place in nature that you love. Describe why you're thankful for it.
7. Imagine you can talk to animals for a day. Write about the conversations you'd have and what you'd learn.
8. Draw a picture of a superhero who helps people feel grateful. What's their name?
9. Write about a time when you overcame a challenge. What are you proud of?
10. Draw a picture of a magical jar that holds your gratitude. What colorful things are inside?
11. Write about a teacher you're thankful for. What have they taught you?
12. If you could thank a plant or tree, which one would it be? Why?
13. Imagine you have a gratitude garden. Describe the flowers and plants that represent things you're thankful for.
14. Write about a time when someone surprised you with a gift. How did it make you feel?
15. Write about a family tradition that makes you feel grateful and happy.
16. Draw a picture of a colorful hot air balloon filled with things you're thankful for.
17. What are three things you’re grateful for?
18. Write a thank you letter to someone you love.

Reflective Journal Prompts for Kids

1. If you could solve any problem in the world, what would it be and how would you do it?
2. Describe the best adventure you've ever been on.
3. Write about a recent day where you had a lot of fun.
4. Who is your best friend? Write three things that you love about them.
5. What is something new you'd like to learn or try? Why?
6. List three things that made you smile today.
7. If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go? What would you do there?
8. If you could plant any type of tree, what would it be and why?
9. What is one thing that helps you when you’re worried?
10. Think about your favorite hobby or activity. Why do you love it?
11. What’s one goal or challenge you have for yourself this week? How will you accomplish it?
12. What’s one thing that always makes you laugh?
13. Have you ever wanted to learn another language? Which one would you want to learn?
14. If you could tell your family one thing that’s been on your mind lately, what would you say?
15. What’s the funniest joke you can think of?
16. Write about one goal you’ve reached that you’re proud of.
17. Do you have a favorite book? What do you love about it?
18. When you get grumpy, what’s one thing that helps you calm down?
19. What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
20. Pretend you are an astronaut who has just landed on the moon. What do you think you would see?
21. What is one of your funniest memories? Write a poem about it.
22. If you could talk to your future self, what would you ask?
23. If you could talk to your past self, what would you say?
24. What’s the best way to spend a rainy day?
25. If you could do anything you wanted, how would you spend your day?

And, that's it! I hope that the kids really enjoy this. I just sent a message on my cousin's WhatsApp group if they'd like to do journaling exercises with me. Wishing for the best!

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Aarushi Tewari

The writer and affirmations speaker at Gratitude, Aarushi believes that one of the most effective ways of feeling inner peace is by being grateful and having a loving self-relationship.