130 Kindergarten Journal Prompts

If you need free kindergarten journal prompts to keep writing fun, you’ve come to the right place. Not only is this article, there are more helpful posts all throughout the blog.  After reading this, simply search the tags on the right (or scroll to the very bottom if on your phone). 

 

When young children begin grade school, they are most likely a new writer. The year of kindergarten is a year of many firsts for young students.

Some students spend the entire year, getting used to being at school every day. It can be a massive adjustment for many children and their family members. Much of the day is spent in the beginning phases of learning math, science, reading, and history.

All of these foundational components of this first school year are vital to children making the rest of their way through grade school.

Some kindergarteners may feel overwhelmed by the structure. This is why structured free time or time where they get to be creative is incredibly helpful. Writing is an easy way to implement a little structured freedom into a kindergarten student’s day.

Learning to Read and Write

Writing is essential to becoming a fluent reader. Reading fluency is essential to becoming a well-developed writer. Both writing and reading are an essential component of that first year of school.

Writing may technically be a structured assignment, but it is a great way to give students time to think on their own. This is why many teachers implement daily journals into the schedule.

Some teachers have these journal prompts as morning work, to use as a break in the middle of the day, or to close up the day. It is an extremely beneficial activity and a fun way for students to get a little creative.

All that being said, if teachers do a journal prompt every day, that is a lot of prompts to come up with.

If you are in need of some daily writing prompts or new kindergarten writing prompts, check out this list! Please share on your favorite social media platform so more parents and teachers can help their kids with writing.  

Family and Home Related Journal Prompts

Students love talking about their lives. They will love getting to talk about what happens outside of school.

Your young writers will love answering these questions or prompts in their writing journals. Since these are intended for kindergarten, all of these can be answered in either a single or a couple of sentences. Some may ask for an explanation and some may just ask for a simple answer.

Use these journal prompts or Question of the Day as a great way to get to know your students.

•  How do you get to school today? 
•  My favorite breakfast is…
•  Who is in your family?
• Does your family have any pets? What are their names?
• When I am home, I like to…
• My house is…
• My family likes to go to…
• I like to watch…
• My bedroom is…
• At bedtime, I …

 

What is Your Favorite… Kindergarten Journal Prompts

Another perfect way to find out more about who is in your classroom everyday.

While most of these questions require a straightforward answer, your students will enjoy them. The answers to these questions may even help you do something special for their birthday or a special occasion!

The more you know about your students, the more you can connect. The more you can connect, the more likely they are to be receptive to classroom material.

• My favorite food is…
• My favorite sport is…
• My favorite book is…
• My favorite game to play is….
• My favorite song is…
• What is your favorite movie? Why?
• My favorite superhero is…
• My favorite color is…because…
• My favorite toy is…
• My favorite part of school is……because……
• What is your favorite place in the world? Why?
• My favorite book character is…
• My favorite desert is…
• My favorite store is…

Hobbies, Likes, and Interests

While the last section was also about their interests, it was mostly centered around their favorite of things.

This next section of question will continue to open up your eyes to the little ones in your room. These are more broad based questions about things that they like and different parts of their life.

These questions are easily answered in a single sentence or multiple if you want a little more explanation.

• I like to play _____ on the computer/tablet.
• Do you like sleeping over at your friend’s houses?
• I am good at….
• My best friend is…..because……
• I met my best friend at….
• At recess, I like to……
• My three wishes are….
• If I could be an animal, I would be…..
• I love our classroom because…..
• Would you rather play inside or outside on the weekend?
• What is your favorite game to play outside?
• When I grow up, I want to be….
• When I am sad, I like to….
• I want to go on vacation to….
• On the weekends, I like to…
• Do you like playing video games? What is your favorite?

 

Seasonal/Holiday Journal Prompts

Students love getting to celebrate holidays and seasons at school. It can break up something that can often feel monotonous. So, since you will likely be implementing holiday decorations and celebrations, here are some holiday themed journal prompts!

• What is your favorite Halloween costume?
• What is your favorite Halloween candy?
• I like Halloween because…. / I do not like Halloween because….
• What is your favorite part about trick-or-treating?
• My favorite holiday is….because….
• I like when the weather is….
• My dream birthday party would be…
• My favorite birthday cake is….
• The best present I’ve ever gotten is…
• Have you been ice skating? Did you like it?
• Have you ever been in a snowball fight?
• Building a snowman is….
• Do you celebrate Christmas? What is your favorite part?
• What is the best Christmas present you have ever gotten?
• I like Christmas because…
• Have you ever set out cookies for Santa? What kind?
• Would you rather eat cinnamon rolls or pancakes on Christmas morning?
• Have you ever seen a leprechaun?
• If I found a pot of gold, I would…
• Does your family celebrate Easter? What do you do?
• Do you like hunting for eggs on Easter?
• ” ……is my favorite season because……
• What is your favorite part about summer vacation?
• Over Summer vacation, I want to…
• My favorite Thanksgiving food is….
• I am thankful for…..
• On the 4th of July, I want to….

 

Have You Ever… Writing Journal Prompts

While these are still based on your students’ lives, these are a little more creative and will have them telling a story. If you only need a brief answer, these prompts are appropriate. If you would like a little more elaboration, you can request that and they will still fit well.

• Have you ever been to a movie theatre? What movie did you see?
• Have you ever played in the rain? What did you do?
• Have you ever been to the dentist? Did you like it?
• Have you ever been on a treasure hunt? What would you do? 

 

Would you… Creative Journal Prompts

These are creative writing prompts and narrative writing prompts perfect for elementary school. They will give you a little insight into the likes and dislikes of the young kids lives. They are also great prompts to help young students use their imagination and tell a story.  You can find these, and many others in this Question of the Day printable and digital resource.  

• Would you want to be a giant?
• Would you let Goldilocks into your house?
• Would you cross a bridge if a troll lived under it?
• Would you ever climb a beanstalk into the sky?
• Would you want to live in a giant castle by yourself?
• Would you eat green eggs and ham?
• Would you rather go to the beach or the mountains? Why?
• Would you want to talk to an animal? Which animal would you want to talk to?
• Would you change your name if you could? What would you change it to?
• Would you ever want to be a movie character? Which one?
• Would you ever want to be a book character? Which one?
• Would you ever want to trade places for a day with one of your friends? Why that friend?
• Would you ever want to live in another country? Which one?
• Would you ever want to live in another state or city? Which one?
• Would you ever want to be a snowflake? Why or why not? 

 

If I… Kindergarten Journal Prompts

These prompts allow them to picture themselves in an imaginary scenario. We want our students to become better creative writers. With the help of creative journal prompts like these, you’re encouraging students to share their thoughts in a creative way. For example, kindergarten, first grade , and 2nd grade kids will think about scenarios they may never have thought of before. Even the youngest writers are able to respond to these free writing prompts with a drawing or simple sentences. The best thing is journal writing will become fun!

• If I could change one thing about the world, I would change….
• If I could fly to the moon, I would….
• If I were ten feet tall, I would…..
• If I owned a big boat, I would…..
• If I found $1000 on the road, I would….
• If I could live in a fairy tale for a day, I would be….
• If I could be a celebrity for a day, I would be….
• If I could be my mom or dad for a day, I would….
• If I could be president for a day, I would….
• If I could be my teacher for a day, I would….
• If I could be my favorite animal for a day, I would be…
• If I could only eat one fruit for the rest of my life, I would eat…
• If I could go back in time, I would go….
• If I could hang out with older kids for a day, I would want to…
• If I could create a perfect day, I would want to….
• If I could be invisible for a day, I would….
• If I were stuck in the middle of a lake, I would…
• If I could fly for a day, I would…
• If I could go on my dream vacation, I would go to….
• If I had to save the world, I would…

 

Miscellaneous, Make-You-Think Writing Prompts

Younger kids that need challenged are going to love these fun writing prompts. Some of these questions may require a more thoughtful answer. They will have your students thinking, and may require a discussion before they begin writing. They are the best way to broaden your student’s mind and have them think abstractly.

Towards the bottom of this list, there are some questions about emotions. Journaling is a great way to talk about how you feel while getting writing practice. Kindergarten is new and can be scary for some students. These prompts are a great way for them to learn how to put their feelings into words.

• What have you learned in school this year?
• Why do kids have to go to school?
• Have you ever had to wait for something you wanted? What did that feel like?
• If you could be in charge of school for a day, what would you do?
• Write about a time where you worked really hard.
• How do you solve an argument with a friend?
• Write about the best memory that you have.
• Why do you think the leaves change in the fall?
• Why do you think the sky is blue?
• What makes the earth round?
• Why do we need to learn math?
• What do you think it is like to be a parent?
• After school, my teacher…
• Would you want to be the last person on earth? Why or why not?
• If you found a long ribbon, what would you use it for?
• What would you eat if you were stuck on an island?
• What could you see if you were a mountain?
• When I am angry, I feel….
• Do you like your name? Why or why not?
• I am proud of myself when…
• Write about a time that you were disappointed.
• I get scared when…
• What is your favorite thing about your parents? 

 

Daily Math Journals

If you are looking for great inspiration for kindergarten math journals, you will love Daily Math Talks. These monthly, seasonal, math talks come in printable cards and digital slides to help you teach math concepts in a fun way!

Check out the video below, or grab yours in the Little Learning Corner store, HERE.

 

Before you go, here are a few posts you’ll enjoy:

70 Fun Math Questions for Kids

75 Yes or Not Questions Kids Love

185 Fun Question of the Day 

22 Best Educational Apps for Kids

 

Kindergarten Journal Prompts