For many tweens, writing can feel like a chore rather than a fun or rewarding activity. While writing is a crucial academic skill, it doesn’t always come naturally—and when kids associate it with stress or boredom, they’re less likely to engage. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make writing fun and enjoyable for tweens. By tapping into their interests and making the process more engaging, you can help your child develop a love for writing that will not only improve their skills but also encourage regular practice.

Here are some tips and creative ideas to make writing fun for tweens and keep them practicing regularly:

Writing Games and Challenges

Turn writing into a game by incorporating fun challenges and interactive activities. Many tweens enjoy a bit of friendly competition, and setting up writing games can make the process feel more like play than work. You can introduce writing challenges that push them to write creatively, quickly, or in a certain style.

Ideas for Writing Games:

• Timed Writing Prompts: Give your child a fun prompt, set a timer for five minutes, and see how much they can write. Challenge them to write as much as possible while staying on topic.

• Story Dice: Use a set of storytelling dice or create your own. Roll the dice to get a set of random elements (like a setting, character, and object), then challenge your child to create a story using all of the elements.

• Word Count Challenge: Pick a topic or prompt and challenge your child to write as many words as possible in a set amount of time (like 10 or 15 minutes). You can also reverse the challenge and have them write a complete story using only a limited number of words.

By framing writing as a game, your child can practice their skills in a low-pressure, enjoyable way.

2. Use Writing Prompts to Spark Creativity

Sometimes, tweens simply don’t know what to write about, which can make starting a writing assignment feel daunting. Providing creative and fun writing prompts can take the guesswork out of the process and get their imagination flowing. Writing prompts are a great way to engage their interests, whether they’re into sports, fantasy, or technology.

Examples of Fun Writing Prompts:

• “If you could invent any gadget, what would it be and how would it work?”

• “Write a story about a character who can time-travel, but can only visit places they’ve read about in books.”

• “Describe your dream day, from morning to night. What would you do, who would you see, and where would you go?”

• “Imagine you’ve been hired to design a brand new amusement park. What would the theme be, and what rides would it have?”

Writing prompts help kids focus on their ideas and make writing more engaging by encouraging them to explore topics they care about.

3. Turn Their Interests into Writing Opportunities

One of the best ways to make writing fun is to connect it with something your child is already passionate about. Whether it’s sports, video games, movies, or animals, find ways to incorporate those interests into writing tasks. By linking writing with topics they love, you make the process feel less like a task and more like an opportunity to share their knowledge or creativity.

Ideas for Interest-Based Writing:

• Write a Review: If your child loves movies, books, or video games, have them write reviews. Ask them to describe what they liked or didn’t like and whether they would recommend it to a friend.

• Create a Fan Story: If they have a favorite character or world from a book, movie, or game, challenge them to write their own short story featuring that character or setting.

• Sports Reporting: If they’re into sports, ask them to write a play-by-play of a recent game they watched or participated in, or even create a fictional game where their team wins in dramatic fashion.

When tweens get to write about things they enjoy, they’re more motivated to practice and develop their writing skills.

4. Start a Family Writing Challenge or Story Swap

Writing doesn’t have to be a solo activity. You can get the whole family involved by creating a family writing challenge or story swap. These activities make writing a shared experience and give your child a chance to read and receive feedback from others.

Ideas for Family Writing Activities:

• Story Swap: Everyone in the family writes a short story, but instead of finishing it, they pass it to the next person to continue the story. At the end of the activity, you’ll have a collaborative family story filled with twists and turns.

• Family Writing Challenge: Set a challenge where everyone writes about the same prompt, and then share your stories over dinner or during a family night. You can make the challenge more fun by adding themes, such as writing a mystery, a comedy, or an adventure.

• Pass-the-Pen: Start a story with one sentence and then pass it around the table, with each person adding one sentence at a time. This activity can lead to funny, unexpected stories and helps kids see how writing can be collaborative and spontaneous.

When writing becomes a group activity, it feels less like a school assignment and more like a fun way to bond and be creative.

5. Encourage Journaling

For tweens who don’t enjoy formal writing assignments, journaling can be a great way to get them writing regularly in a more personal and relaxed way. Journals allow tweens to express their thoughts, feelings, and daily experiences without the pressure of grades or evaluations. It’s a low-stress way to develop writing habits while encouraging self-reflection and creativity.

Journaling Ideas:

• Daily Reflections: Encourage your child to write about what happened during their day, what they enjoyed, or what they’re looking forward to tomorrow.

• Gratitude Journaling: Have them write down three things they’re grateful for each day, which helps them focus on the positive and build emotional resilience.

• Dream Journals: Tweens often have vivid imaginations, and a dream journal allows them to capture their dreams and use them as inspiration for creative writing.

The beauty of journaling is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It gives tweens a private space to practice their writing skills without the pressure of a formal structure.

6. Incorporate Technology to Make Writing Interactive

In the digital age, tweens often feel more at home using technology than traditional pen and paper. To make writing more engaging, consider introducing them to online tools, apps, and interactive platforms that spark their creativity in a digital format. This approach not only aligns with their tech-savvy interests but also makes writing feel fresh and dynamic. Programs like Smart Little Writers are specifically designed for kids, helping them build confidence by fostering independent learning in a supportive digital environment.

Digital Writing Ideas:

• Write a Blog: Encourage your child to start a simple blog where they can share their thoughts on topics they’re passionate about. Whether it’s reviewing video games or sharing artwork, having a platform to share their writing can be motivating.

• Create Comics or Visual Stories: Use apps like Storyboard That or Canva to help your child create visual stories or comics. These tools combine writing with art, making it an engaging multimedia experience.

• Collaborative Writing Tools: Use tools like Google Docs, where tweens can share their writing with friends or family and collaborate on stories in real-time.

Technology offers new and exciting ways for tweens to express themselves through writing, making it feel like a more interactive and enjoyable experience.

7. Reward Progress and Celebrate Success

One of the simplest ways to keep tweens motivated to write is to recognize their progress and celebrate their accomplishments. Tweens thrive on positive reinforcement, and rewarding their efforts—whether big or small—can encourage them to keep writing regularly.

Ways to Reward Writing Progress:

• Create a Writing Wall: Dedicate a space in your home to showcase your child’s best writing pieces. Whether it’s a bulletin board or a spot on the fridge, this gives them a sense of pride in their work.

• Offer Writing Milestone Rewards: Set writing goals (like completing 5 journal entries or finishing a short story), and offer small rewards for reaching those milestones. Rewards can be anything from extra screen time to choosing the next family movie night selection.

• Share Their Work: Encourage your child to share their writing with friends or family, either in person or via email. Positive feedback from others can boost their confidence and make them feel proud of their efforts.