22 Short Story Writing Prompts

1. Your class hamster escapes and starts an adventure

Write a story from the hamster’s perspective explaining how they escaped, where they went, and what they got up to!

2. Your goldfish turns into a mermaid overnight

Describe the moment you discover the change. How did your goldfish do it? What do you decide to do next?

3. You accidentally turn your teacher into a frog

Explain how it happened, how your teacher reacts, and how you try to turn them back (or not!).

4. It rains jelly beans for a whole day

You wake up to banging on your roof and windows - it’s raining jellybeans! Describe what you see, what you do, and how the town reacts.

5. You find a button labelled “Do Not Press”… and press it

What happens immediately after you press it? Does it change you or maybe even the whole world?

6. Your pet can suddenly talk (but only at midnight)

Write about the first midnight conversation you have. What secrets does your pet reveal?

7. You can turn invisible… but only when you sneeze

How do you discover your power? What problems (or funny situations) does this cause?

8. You wake up with ginormous wings

Describe what they look like, how they feel, and what happens the first time you try to fly.

9. You shrink to the size of an ant for a day

Write about how the world looks from down there. What dangers do you face? How do you return to normal size?

10. You find a treasure map in the library

Where was it hidden? Who left it there? Describe your journey to find the treasure.

11. You wake up in the year 3026

What has changed? Who do you meet? How do you get back to the right time?

12. You discover a secret tunnel under your house

Describe how you find it, what you see when you explore it for the first time, and where it leads.

13. Gravity stops working for one hour

What happens to people, animals, and buildings? How do you stay safe?

14. A kickboxing tiger wins gold at the Olympics

Tell the story of how the tiger trained, overcame challenges, and finally won the gold medal.

15. A cow learns to skateboard

How does the cow learn? Who teaches it? What happens at its first big competition?

16. You turn your best friend into a pumpkin

Explain how it happened, and what you must do to reverse the spell before it’s too late.

17. A dragon egg hatches in your wardrobe

How do you find the egg, how did it get there, and what does it look like? Describe how it hatches. How do you hide the baby dragon?

18. A friendly monster is hiding in your shed

What does the monster look and sound like? Why are they hiding, and do you help them?

19. You open the fridge door and find a secret portal

Where does it lead? Describe the new world and the first person (or creature) you meet.

20. You fall asleep and wake up in a castle

Are you a guest, a prisoner, or royalty? What adventure awaits you, and how do you get back home?

21. A talking tree gives you a quest

How do you come across the tree, and what does it ask you to do? Why are you the chosen one?

22. You wake up as king or queen for the day

How did this happen? What important decisions must you make before the day ends?

Make writing fun with Night Zookeeper!

If you enjoyed these story prompts, you can find 100s more on Night Zookeeper! Whether you’re homeschooling or just looking to boost your child’s skills, our program makes writing exciting through fun games, interactive lessons, and skill-building challenges!

Sign up now for a FREE 7-day trial and let your child's writing adventure begin!

If you have any questions, email us at support@nightzookeeper.com or drop us a message on social media.