Once upon a time, there was a teacher looking for enchanting ways to inspire their class to write. They discovered the ready-made writing prompts on Pobble and lived happily ever after...
Fairytales have been capturing children’s imaginations for centuries. Filled with mysterious settings, courageous characters, unexpected visitors and extraordinary adventures, they provide plenty of inspiration for young writers.
Fairytale writing also gives pupils the opportunity to explore familiar story structures while adding their own creative twists. They can experiment with heroes and villains, magical objects, enchanted settings, suspenseful problems and, of course, unexpected endings.
These five fairytale writing prompts are ready to use and come with six activities to help your class discuss, plan and create some truly magical writing.
After following a mysterious trail of clues for several days, a young girl finally reaches the place people in her village have spoken about for centuries. She hopes her adventure will have a happy ending, but something more sinister may be waiting for her.
“Timidly, she tip-toed into the clearing. Sunshine drenched the ground as it poured through the clouds above.”
Can your class continue the story?
See all six writing activities that accompany this image.
Hidden deep within a maze of branches is an enchanted castle so tiny that only the luckiest people ever notice it. One brave visitor moves closer and spots miniature faces watching from the windows.
“Hidden behind the maze of branches stood a minuscule, enchanted castle. It was so easy to miss among the towering trees.”
Can your class continue the story?
See all six writing activities that accompany this image.
Princess Lila receives an extraordinary gift for her birthday, a large, shimmering dragon egg. According to legend, the rare dragon inside will only bond with someone who is pure of heart.
“On her birthday, Princess Lila received a gift like no other, a large, shimmering dragon egg.”
Can your class continue the story?
See all six writing activities that accompany this image.
For more than 50 years, life inside the giant toadstool has been peaceful and predictable. Nothing unexpected ever happens, until one ordinary morning brings a very unordinary visitor.
“He had lived here all his life. The giant toadstool had been home for over 50 years.”
Can your class continue the story?
See all six writing activities that accompany this image.
Ivy has heard stories about the magical mirror hidden in her grandmother’s attic. When she finally finds it, her reflection begins to ripple and shift, revealing a secret realm beyond anything she could have imagined.
“As Ivy climbed up the rickety wooden stairs to the grand attic, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation.”
Can your class continue the story?
See all six writing activities that accompany this image.
Before children begin writing, explore the features they often encounter in traditional tales. These might include:
Encourage your class to borrow the structure of a familiar tale without simply retelling it. They could reverse the roles of the hero and villain, tell the story from a dragon’s perspective, transport a traditional character into the modern world or write an ending that nobody expects.
The images can also inspire character descriptions, setting descriptions, dialogue, diary entries, letters, newspaper reports and instructions for using a magical object.
Whether your pupils discover a miniature kingdom, step through a magical mirror or meet a newly hatched dragon, these prompts provide everything they need to begin an unforgettable adventure.