Christmas Writing Prompts for Kids (By Age & Setting)

Christmas writing prompts for kids are short, holiday themed ideas that give children an easy starting point for stories, journals, and poems so they can enjoy writing during the Christmas season. You can use them at home, in the classroom, or on road trips so kids stay entertained while they build real writing skills.

Why Christmas Writing Prompts Help Kids Write More

Holiday writing prompts help kids get past the hardest part of writing, which is deciding what to say. With a fun starting idea already on the page, children can focus on telling a story instead of staring at a blank notebook.

Early writing research shows that even simple drawings and invented spellings help children build the foundations of later reading and writing. A short Christmas story or list gives them meaningful practice with letters, sounds, and ideas.

Literacy experts also note that when students write more frequently, their reading comprehension often improves, because writing pushes them to think about vocabulary, structure, and meaning instead of just recognizing words.

Creative writing and journaling can also support kids emotionally. Putting holiday excitement, worries, or big feelings into words helps children process their experiences and feel more in control of busy seasons.

When families or classes write together, kids usually produce longer pieces and feel braver about sharing their ideas. A warm, low pressure environment can turn holiday writing into a tradition children look forward to each year.

How To Use These Christmas Writing Prompts With Kids

For parents and caregivers

• Choose two or three prompts and let your child circle the one that sounds the most fun.
• Offer choice of tools: pencil, colored pens, or a festive notebook just for Christmas stories.
• For younger kids, write their words as they dictate if handwriting is tiring.
• End by reading the story aloud together and asking what part they like best.

For teachers and librarians

• Use one prompt as a warm up for morning work or the start of reading block.
• Let students share in pairs or small groups before turning work in, so shy writers still get to be heard.
• Collect favorite pieces in a simple class anthology to send home before winter break.
• Mix narrative prompts with quick descriptive or opinion prompts so different skills get practice.

For independent young writers

• Create a “prompt jar” by cutting prompts into strips and letting kids draw one at random.
• Set a gentle timer for five or ten minutes and call it a “Christmas story sprint.”
• Encourage doodles next to the writing so artists feel engaged too.
• Invite kids to revisit a favorite prompt from earlier in the week and extend the story.

Christmas Writing Prompts For Younger Kids (Ages 5 To 8)

These prompts use simple language and clear situations so early writers can focus on one idea at a time. You can shorten or read them aloud as needed.

Simple Christmas story starters

1. On Christmas morning, I woke up and found a tiny door under the tree. When I opened it…
2. A baby reindeer shows up in our backyard and will not stop following me. I decide to…
3. My favorite Christmas ornament comes to life and whispers, “I need your help because…”
4. We make a snowman in our yard. At midnight, the snowman knocks on my window and says…
5. An elf accidentally delivers the wrong present to our house. Inside the box there is…

Senses based prompts for early writers

1. Write three sentences that describe what you see when you look around at Christmas time.
2. Describe your favorite Christmas smell. Where are you and what is happening?
3. Write about one Christmas sound you love and one sound you do not like.
4. Imagine you could taste a new Christmas cookie flavor. What would it taste like and what would you name it?
5. Describe the feeling of holding a warm mug of cocoa after playing in the snow.

Draw and write combo prompts

1. Draw a picture of your dream Christmas tree. Then write three sentences that describe it.
2. Draw a new outfit for an elf who works in Santa's workshop. Write about what the elf does in one busy day.
3. Draw your family or friends doing a holiday activity you love. Write a short caption or two sentences about what is happening.
4. Draw a new Christmas pet, like a snow puppy or a gingerbread cat. Write a few lines about its name and favorite game.
5. Draw a map of the North Pole. Label three places and write a sentence about what happens in each place.

Christmas Writing Prompts For Older Kids (Ages 9 To 12)

These prompts give more room for plot, character, and emotion, while still staying playful and approachable.

Character and point of view prompts

1. Write a story from the point of view of a kid who is allergic to Christmas trees. How does the family handle the holiday?
2. Tell the story of Christmas Eve from the point of view of a cat or dog in the house.
3. Imagine you are a toy on a store shelf on December 23. Describe what you see, hear, and hope for.
4. Write a scene where a kid your age has to step in as “Santa” for younger siblings when the power goes out.
5. Choose a minor character from your favorite Christmas movie and retell the story from their eyes.

Problem and solution prompts

1. Everything on the town Christmas tree disappears overnight. Your character has until sunset to solve the mystery.
2. Your family gets stuck in an airport on Christmas Eve. All flights are delayed. Write about how everyone makes the best of it.
3. A letter to Santa gets delivered to your house by mistake. The wish inside is something you can actually grant. What do you do?
4. Santa announces that his sleigh will run on kid invented, eco friendly power this year. Describe the new system and what goes wrong on the first test flight.
5. Your character finds out that two neighbors both plan to spend Christmas alone. Create a plan that brings them together.

Reflective and values based prompts

1. Write about the most generous thing you have ever seen someone do during the holidays.
2. Imagine your city has a rule that every person must give one gift that does not cost money. What would you give and why?
3. Describe a Christmas where something went wrong but still turned into a good memory.
4. Make a list of five small traditions that matter to you. Then write a paragraph about one tradition and why it is important.
5. Write a letter to your future self about what you hope you will remember from this holiday season.

Christmas Writing Prompts For Families To Do Together

Family prompts work well as dinner table questions, car ride games, or journal ideas you all answer at the same time.

1. Each person writes one sentence about a Christmas adventure, then passes the paper to the right. Keep going until the story comes back to the first person.
2. As a family, write a recipe for your perfect Christmas day. Include “ingredients” like people, places, and activities.
3. Write a thank you letter to someone who makes your holiday possible but often stays in the background, such as a mail carrier or store worker.
4. Create a new family tradition and write a small instruction manual for it.
5. Write a story in which your family discovers a secret Christmas door in your home that opens only once a year.
6. Have each person write a short scene about a Christmas from the past. Compare how each person remembers it.
7. Write a script for a short Christmas play that your family could act out in the living room.
8. Write a shared list poem where each line begins with “Christmas is…” and every family member adds at least one line.
9. Invent a new winter holiday that your family celebrates in January. Describe its food, music, and traditions.
10. Write a story where your family spends Christmas in a completely different place, such as a beach, a train, or a mountain cabin.

Christmas Writing Prompts For Classrooms And Groups

These prompts are designed for group work, centers, and short timed writes. They can work in school, homeschool groups, clubs, or library programs.

Quick writes for warm ups

1. In three sentences, describe the coziest place you can imagine during winter break.
2. Write a short thank you note from the point of view of a toy that finally gets picked on Christmas morning.
3. Describe your favorite Christmas snack so clearly that a reader starts to feel hungry.
4. Write a list of ten small acts of kindness someone could do in December.
5. Write a haiku about snow, lights, or a Christmas tree.

Group and partner prompts

1. In pairs, write a “choose your own adventure” Christmas story with at least two different endings.
2. In small groups, design a new kind of reindeer with special powers. Write a short brochure advertising why Santa should hire it.
3. As a class, write a chain story where each student adds one line about a traveling Christmas ornament.
4. Create a set of Christmas rules for your school, such as “Every classroom must…” Write them as if they were official laws.
5. Write a news article about a surprising event that happens at the school holiday concert.

A 12 Day Christmas Writing Challenge

If you want a simple plan for daily writing, use this 12 day Christmas challenge. Each day has a focus and a suggested prompt. Kids can write for five to fifteen minutes and decorate the page if they like.

Turn Your Child's Holiday Stories Into A Book

Christmas Writing Prompts For Kids: FAQs

Last Updated: 2025-12-06