Good Story Prompts for Middle School

Good story ideas— Many students begin making up their own stories when they are young and full of imagination. But as kids grow up, their creativity is sometimes stifled—and not encouraged as it should be.

Fortunately, journaling is a powerful way to keep kids thinking, dreaming, and creating even as they age. Encouraging your students to write creatively in their journals (rather than simply recording their daily activities) is an even more wonderful way to incite their imaginations.

In these 33 good story prompts for middle school students, your class will receive fresh ideas and characters to develop and explore. Each prompt can easily be turned into a brief short story or expanded on in a longer work of fiction. With topics ranging from a family’s first day with their brand new dog to the amazing things and people an old innkeeper has seen over the years, your students can practice their writing while also thinking deeply about other people and their lived experiences.

Use these brand new story prompts with your middle school students to spark their imaginations!

33 Good Story Ideas to Inspire Creativity
in Your Middle School Students

Write a story about a scientist who discovers a new planet.
Write a story about an abandoned playground—and the kids who want to save it.
Write a story about an alternate world where tweens and teens are in charge and make all the rules.
Write a story about a snowstorm that shuts down the whole town.
Write a story about an old innkeeper who has seen all sorts of guests over the years.
Write a story about a young boy whose bad habit ends up saving the day.
Write a story about a family’s first day with their newly adopted dog.
Write a story about a mountain-climber who has just made the ultimate climb.
Write a story about a bridge that leads to nowhere.
Write a story about a group of kids who get stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel.
Write a story about a special garden where people always go to think.
Write a story about a group of competitive horseback riders.
Write a story about a young student who makes it big in the world of professional video games.
Write a story about a group of young soldiers.
Write a story about a family that receives a large, anonymous check in the mail one day.
Write a story about your grandmother as a young girl.
Write a story about a group of friends that stumbles upon a time capsule buried in one of their backyards.
Write a story about an athlete who gets caught fixing a game.
Write a story about a young teen who loses her cell phone—and goes on a series of adventures to get it back before her parents find out.
Write a story about a doctor with a patient that no one can diagnose.
Write a story about a pirate ship that ends up in a very unexpected location.
Write a story that serves as a sequel to a popular children’s fairytale.
Write a story about a young astronaut’s first trip to space.
Write a story about a tree that is 1,000 years old.
Write a story about two best friends who are having a big fight.
Write a story about a troll who enters and wins a beauty pageant with the help of some friends.
Write a story about a class field trip to the White House.
Write a story about a truly unforgettable birthday party.
Write a story about a young girl who takes up an unusual hobby: archery.
Write a story about an actor who has just been nominated for a prestigious award.
Write a story about a family who travels to the ocean every year.
Write a story about two friends who reconnect after many years apart.
Write a story about a young boy who is getting ready to begin high school early at the age of 12.