Here’s a collection of writing prompts on animals, pets and bugs. Few things can hold a child’s fascination and attention quite like an animal. Who doesn’t love to tell a story about an amusing pet they know or an interesting encounter with a wild animal? Use these writing prompts to get your 1st – 5th grader’s writing gears in motion.
Writing Prompts for 1st and 2nd graders:
→ Writing Prompt 1: If your pet could talk, what do you think he would say to you?
→ Writing Prompt 2: Imagine you were able to choose any animal for a class pet. What would you choose and why?
→ Writing Prompt 3: Most people like one particular animal more than others. What is your favorite animal? Why is it your favorite?
→ Writing Prompt 4: Lucky you! You have been chosen to become an animal for a day. What animal would you be and why?
→ Writing Prompt 5: You’re going on vacation and must leave your pet with a friend. Make a list of things your friend needs to do to take care of your pet.
→ Writing Prompt 6: Think of two different types of animals. Combine the head of one with the body of the other. What is the name of your new animal? What interesting things can he do?
→ Writing Prompt 7: Would you rather be a cheetah or a kangaroo? Which one would you choose and why?
→ Writing Prompt 8: Pretend you’re a bird sitting up high in a tree. Describe in detail what you see and how things look to you.
→ Writing Prompt 9: Imagine you are a dog. Only you’re no ordinary dog. You are a dog with wings! Describe what your days would be like.
→ Writing Prompt 10: What is the funniest animal sound you can make?
→ Writing Prompt 11: Would you rather look like a rooster or smell like a skunk?
→ Writing Prompt 12: Today is Answer An Elephant’s Question day. An elephant is going to ask you a question and you are to answer it. What kind of a question do you think an elephant would ask?
→ Writing Prompt 13: Write a story about the day Harvey the sloth raced Freddie the turtle around the high school track. Who won and how long did the race last?
→ Writing Prompt 14: Would you rather look like a rooster or smell like a skunk?
→ Writing Prompt 15: Would you like to have a dog who is as big as a horse? Where would he sleep?
→ Writing Prompt 16: If you could be an animal, what animal would you be? Why did you choose that animal?
For the older grades:
→ Writing Prompt 17: Write a letter to a local animal shelter requesting information about their animal volunteer program.
→ Writing Prompt 18: Describe a bird, an insect, or animal that you have strong feelings about. For example, choose one that scares, amuses, or puzzles you. Research the animal well enough so that you can describe it fully. Use sensory details that will make your classmates feel the same.
→ Writing Prompt 19: Describe an animal that you will never forget.
→ Writing Prompt 20: Sharks can regrow teeth throughout their lifetimes. The time it takes for a shark to regrow a tooth can vary from a few days to a few months. Imagine if scientists can figure out how it’s possible for sharks to do this, and then apply it to humans. Do you believe that it would be a benefit for humanity?
→ Writing Prompt 21: Most people know of an animal they would like better than any other as a pet. What animal would you choose to be the best pet ever?
→ Writing Prompt 22: Write an essay about the differences between two different types of insects. Show circumstances on how each type adapts to its environment.
→ Writing Prompt 23: Make up a new animal. Describe the important features of the animal; for example, what it looks like, and where it lives. Write from the viewpoint of the first person to discover this animal.
→ Writing Prompt 24: You are a type of insect. State what type of bug you are and describe your typical day. How do you deal with any dangers you encounter?
→ Writing Prompt 25: The town of Churchill in northern Manitoba, Canada, is considered the polar bear capital of the world. It’s not uncommon for a polar bear to come down and roam the streets. For this reason, residents of Churchill keep the door to their houses and cars unlocked, in case someone needs to escape a polar bear. Pretend you went up to Churchill for a visit, and suddenly found yourself being chased by a polar bear. Write an essay about your scary adventure!
Writing Prompts on Animals, Pets
and Bugs Continue
→ Writing Prompt 26: You are a bee. Write about your typical day and how you deal with any dangers you encounter.
→ Writing Prompt 27: Which is the better pet? A dog or a cat? Write an essay giving your view on the pros and cons of owning the animal of your choice.
→ Writing Prompt 28: One day you come home from school only to find 100 dogs of all shapes and sizes sitting in your front yard. Write a story about how they got there and what you hope will happen.
→ Writing Prompt 29: Write an essay giving your view on the pros and cons of owning either a monkey or a horse. Which would be the better pet? Why?
→ Writing Prompt 30: You just found a puppy or kitten all alone in your front yard. Write a letter to your parents explaining why you want to keep it and why you should be allowed to have it. Be sure to include all of the ways you would take care of it and how you would earn the money needed for food and vet bills.
→ Writing Prompt 31: Would you like to be a bird? Why or why not? If yes, what type of bird would you want to be?
→ Writing Prompt 32: Would you like to have a dog who is as big as a horse? Where would he sleep?
→ Writing Prompt 33: Write an essay about an animal that you can’t stand. Why don’t you like it? Have you ever had any experience with that type of animal? Could you ever learn to like it?
→ Writing Prompt 34: You get to be a dog. Would you prefer to be a big dog like a Golden Retriever, a Labrador or a German Shepherd? Or would you prefer to be a cute, cuddly lap dog, like a terrier, a beagle or a dachshund? Why did you make the choice you did?
→ Writing Prompt 35: Most scientists believe that warm blooded animals have dreams just like humans do. What do you think a walrus dreams about?
→ Writing Prompt 36: Pretend you live in an apartment and your parents have said you can choose any pet you want. You pick a llama! How is your family going to manage living with a llama in an apartment?
→ Writing Prompt 37: You are a type of fish. State what type of fish you are. Describe your typical day and how you deal with any dangers you encounter.
→ Writing Prompt 38: Write a story about your favorite pet of all time.
→ Writing Prompt 39: Write a story with the title, “The Year The Easter Bunny and The Groundhog Changed Jobs.
→ Writing Prompt 40: Snakes slither instead of walk, since they have no legs or feet. Imagine being a snake and waking up one morning to discover you suddenly have feet and legs. What would you do? How would you feel?
→ Writing Prompt 41: Giraffes have long necks, zebras have stripes and elephants have long trunks. Pick one of these animals and write a story about how they got their unusual features.
→ Writing Prompt 42: One day you get home from school earlier than usual. When you open the door your dog seems surprised to see you. But you are the one who is really surprised! Because instead of laying on his dog bed, he’s sitting at the computer typing! What happens next?
→ Writing Prompt 43: In the 1880’s Barnum and Bailey had a circus called “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Since there was no internet, movies or television, the average person had never seen the animals that we are able to see with just a click of a button. Elephants, tigers, lions and monkeys were not accessible to the average person. In fact, many people had never even heard of some of the more exotic animals. But today, with just a click of a button, we can view animals on a screen living in their natural habitat. So is it fair for animals to be in circuses today? What is your view on people using animals for entertainment in the modern era?
→ Writing Prompt 44: Write a story about how the zebra got his stripes.
→ Writing Prompt 45: What is your favorite exhibit at the zoo? Do you like the big animals, like elephants and hippopotamuses, the tree climbing animals like the sloth and the monkey, or do you prefer the reptile section with snakes and lizards? Why did you chose the one you did?
