I love everything about Halloween – the scary movies, the decorations, trick or treaters, Halloween parties – all of it! So of course, I find every way possible to incorporate this theme into my teaching, whether it’s grammar or writing.
One thing I love to do is give students non-structured practice with writing topics related to the season. And I am always amazed at the ideas they come up with when given Halloween writing prompts! It’s a fun way to break up the monotony and give them the freedom to use their imaginations and get their creative juices flowing.
Spark Their Creativity With Story Starters!
One easy (and super fun) way to get the creativity going is by giving a selection of story starters. First, they choose the one that inspires them and then let their imaginations run wild. With a story starter, they begin with the basic premise and setting, and then they add their own details and events to see where the story takes them. It’s so much fun to see how the same story starter can produce wildly different and creative stories by different students.
Story Starter Ideas
Need some ideas for story starters? Here are a few you might want to try:
- Everyone told my friend and me to stay away from the abandoned mansion, but we didn’t listen.
- As I put on my Halloween costume, I suddenly started to feel…different.
- There was something very strange about the way that black cat was staring at me.
- There’s an old saying, “Be careful what you wish for.” After the old woman offered to grant me any wish, I discovered just how true this saying is.
- I took pictures during a cemetery ghost tour. When I looked through them later, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
- The sign on the laboratory read, “Keep out. Authorized personnel only.” So of course I decided to go in and have a look around. This was the first of some very bad decisions made that day.
Print & Go or Digital Halloween Writing Prompts
If you want to have some ready-to-go writing prompts, get the above story starters and many more in festive printable task cards or colorful fillable Google Slides!
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| Halloween Spooky Story Starters |
In addition to story starters, general Halloween prompts are always a good option. This opens up a possibility for a wide variety of writing types: narrative, descriptive, informative, persuasive, or other creative writing activities.
More Halloween Writing Ideas
If you need some inspiration, here are a few topics that you could use for Halloween:
- Choose 3 random words and create your own spooky story starter. Then write the story.
- Write a scary movie review.
- Write about the history of Halloween.
- Create your own monster.
- Describe your idea of the best Halloween.
- Would you rather…? (Example: go to a Halloween party or go to a haunted house) Get a ready-to-go print and digital set HERE!
- Describe a house that has been decorated for Halloween using descriptive details and words.
If you would like a printable activity that includes these prompts and more, click the image below to get a PDF choice board.
Get festive writing papers with even MORE writing prompts!
You might also like to have some festive Halloween writing papers (printable or digital) for students to complete their writing activities. Get them by clicking the links below, and as a bonus, you will also get a handout that includes the writing prompts listed above and more, which you can distribute to your students for another ready-to-go writing activity.
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| Halloween Writing Papers | Halloween Digital Writing Papers | Halloween Writing Papers Bundle |
I hope these prompts will help inspire your students to write some creative and interesting stories and essays!
