41 Imaginative Writing Prompts For 2nd Grade

As your second-grade students make their way through the school year, their imaginations will grow right along with the new skills they’re learning.

By encouraging your students to express themselves in many ways, you will begin to help them understand the value of reflection and recollection.

One of the best ways for young students to express themselves is through writing. Sometimes writing might be more serious and academic, but every once in a while, it’s important to encourage your students to try writing just for fun.

Below, you’ll find a list of writing prompts that will encourage your students to use their imagination to create something of their own.

How to use these:

As mentioned above, this list of prompts is meant to be used to encourage students to use their imagination while they write. These prompts could be used in class as writing exercises or assigned as simple writing homework. Here are a few ways you can use this guide in your classroom:

  • Keep a laminated copy of this in a writing corner in your classroom, to give students something to do during their quiet time.
  • Choose a few of these prompts, and prompts from our other lists, and offer them as an activity to work on if they finish their work early.
  • Assign one or two of these prompts as writing homework each week.

The Writing Prompts:

  1. If you could have any animal, fictional or real, as a pet, which would you choose? Why?
  2. Write a poem about dancing.
  3. If I could play any instrument, it would be…
  4. Write a short story that takes place on a rainy day.
  5. If you could start a club at your school, what kind would it be? Why?
  6. What kind of superpower do you wish you had? Why?
  7. Write a poem that includes the following words: flower, dance, star, time
  8. Tell a story about a talking animal.
  9. If I could go to space, I would…
  10. If you could switch places with one person for one day, who would you pick? Why?
  11. What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you think this job will be like?
  12. If you could create one rule for your household, what would your rule be? Why?
  13. Write about the room you’re in using all five of your senses.
  14. Write an acrostic poem using the word “DREAM”.
  15. Would you rather have a pet unicorn or a pet dragon? Why?
  16. Write a story about a pet with superpowers.
  17. If the world was suddenly black and white instead of in color, I think…
  18. If you could invent something to make a chore easier, what would it be?
  19. If a genie granted you three wishes, what would you wish for? Why?
  20. Write about something funny that happened to you this week.
  21. Write a poem or story using the following words: jump, pink, line, silly
  22. Write about the last dream you had.
  23. If my pet could talk, I would ask them…
  24. Write about the last time you were frightened.
  25. Tell a story about a 2nd grader who is very excited about something.
  26. If I joined the circus, my role would be…
  27. Write a list of groceries that you want your parents to pick up from the grocery store.
  28. I was digging in the sand when I found…
  29. Would you rather be able to fly or be able to swim underwater without holding your breath? Why?
  30. Write a story about a talking pencil.
  31. Pretend you are transported into the world of Minecraft. Write about your day.
  32. I jumped from the swing and kept flying. Here’s what happened next…
  33. Write a story about your favorite food coming to life.
  34. Write about what would happen if your pet grew wings.
  35. What kind of birthday cake would you bake for a dragon?
  36. Write about a princess who has hiccups.
  37. Tell a story about a brave penguin.
  38. If I could live in one kind of weather forever, it would be…
  39. What would it be like to have a pet from another planet?
  40. What if your best friend told you she was an alien?
  41. Today, I decided to throw a party for the hippo down the road, who had just won an award for writing a book. Here’s what happened…

Looking for more writing inspiration?

If you’re looking for more prompts for your second-graders, our site is home to many lists to get your young creatives practicing their writing skills.

We also offer other educational resources for teachers, parents, and guardians to help your students show their full potential.