Family writing activities · ages 9–14

Creative writing for kids: start with one small choice

A free activity for families with children aged 9–14: choose a character, a place and a problem, then write a first sentence together. A pencil and paper are enough.

Who this activity suits

Try this with a child who enjoys imagining things but is unsure how to begin a story. They can write independently, say their sentence aloud for an adult to write down, or take turns reading it together. Pause whenever they want; there is no word target or timer.

Choose three ingredients

  1. Character: Who wants something? Try a bicycle mechanic who wants to hear the sea.
  2. Place: Where does it happen? Try a village built inside an enormous greenhouse.
  3. Problem: What gets in the way? Try a wind that carries every sound in the wrong direction.

These are suggestions. Your child can replace any of them. Ask what their character tries first, listen to the answer, and invite them to write one sentence in their own words. Then ask: what changes because of that choice?

From a question to a readable story

This is a prepared fictional demonstration, not a real child’s work or a saved story. In this example, the writer chooses the character, place and problem.

Adult’s question
“What does your mechanic try when the wind hides the sea?”
Example original sentence
“Mara put a shell on her bike bell so she could find the sound.”
The same words in a reading view
“Mara put a shell on her bike bell so she could find the sound.”

The reading view keeps the original sentence and Mara’s choice. Ask the writer what happens next. If they choose to edit, keep the original alongside their changes.

Where optional AI help fits

You can do this whole activity offline. In Plumakids, an AI guide asks questions and offers optional ideas. The child writes or dictates and reviews each scene. An explicitly requested sentence starter can be changed or replaced. AI can help prepare a separate polished reading edition while the original draft stays available. New AI images, including covers and portraits, and new narration are currently disabled.

Writing in English or outside Spain? Use this activity on paper and read our public sample stories without joining. This resource does not require product access.

Pick a starting idea and print a planning sheet →