Fantasy stories unlock something magical in young minds. I’ve watched kids’ eyes light up when they realise they can build whole worlds where dragons exist and mermaids sing under moonlit waves. If your child is staring at a blank page, this post gives them two things: six practical tips to actually finish a story and ten simple, exciting prompts to start with.
There’s something extra fun about writing far-fetched fantasy adventures, involving creatures like dragons, mermaids, and other mythical creatures. Add a tiny twist, and you’ve got creative writing for kids that feels like play, not homework.
Six practical tips for young fantasy writers
1. Start small, then add one magic twist.
- Pick three things: a place you know (beach, library, garden), a main character, and a problem.
- Ask “What if…?” What if a dragon is afraid of its own fire? What if a mermaid gets seasick?
2. Map your story in three quick steps.
- Beginning: Who is the hero and what do they want?
- Middle: What goes wrong? Add two obstacles.
- End: How does the hero solve it, and what did they learn?
3. Build a hero we can cheer for.
- Give them: a Want (goal), a Fear (what scares them), a Friend (helper or sidekick).
- Make them choose. Stories move forward when the hero decides, even if it’s messy.
4. Make scenes using your senses.
- Add one or two details for sight, sound, and touch (smell/taste if it fits).
- Use strong verbs (whispered, splashed, darted). Keep sentences short when action speeds up.
- Use dialogue to show feelings; start a new line when a new person speaks.
5. Write the first draft fast, fix later.
- Set a 10–20 minute timer and write without stopping. Aim for 300–700 words.
- It’s okay to leave blanks like [dragon name] and keep going.
- Then revise. I do not enjoy revising, but there is simply no way around this one, folks. Check: Does the hero have a clear goal? Did something change? Any confusing parts?
6. Stuck? Try a power-up.
- Combine two different prompts, change the setting to a holiday trip, or swap the creature.
- Ask: What just went wrong? What will my hero choose next?
- Read 2–5 pages of a favourite book to refuel.
- Or get help from a writing buddy, a writing class for kids, an online writing class, or a kids writing coach as part of a creative writing course.
10 magical story prompts to try
1. The Bakery Dragon
You find a strange egg in your Grandma’s bakery one weekend. It hatches into a tiny dragon who only eats enchanted pastries, and now you must learn magical baking and keep the dragon secret.
2. The Magic of Cleanup Day
A beach cleanup day turns magical when a young environmentalist discovers that every piece of trash they collect transforms back into a sea creature that had been trapped by the pollution.
3. The Message in a Bottle Network
Magical tides bring bottles containing urgent messages from sea creatures in distress to a quiet beach town, turning the local children into an oceanic rescue headquarters.
4. The Library Dragon
In a dusty library basement, a dragon hatches and “speaks” by touching books and sharing the stories in your mind. What happens when it touches a map?
5. The Swimming Lesson Mermaid
You’re scared of deep water. A kind mermaid offers magical swimming lessons and a tour of tide pools. Can you face your fear to help your new friend?
6. The Midnight Artist
Your mermaid paintings swim out of their frames at midnight to explore rock pools and caves. One night, a painting doesn’t return by morning.
7. The Mermaid Sisters
Two mermaid sisters from opposite ends of the ocean meet for the first time and discover their underwater kingdoms have been at odds for centuries. Their friendship might be the key to bringing peace between their peoples.
8. The Enchanted Pier
The abandoned pier in your new town stretches into a hidden realm where sea and land creatures team up. A storm threatens both worlds unless you act.
9. The Underwater Library
During summer by the sea, you inherit the job of guarding a secret underwater library. Someone is trying to steal a very important book.
10. The Garden Dragon
A young witch’s first spell goes hilariously wrong, turning her pet canary’s egg into a dragon egg. Now she has to figure out how to care for a fire-breathing baby dragon in her cozy cottage garden without burning down the neighbourhood.
Ready to turn ideas into stories?
These ten fantasy prompts are just the beginning. The real magic happens when young writers take these seeds and grow them into full stories, with characters they care about and adventures that surprise even them.
If your child is excited about these story ideas but needs some guidance turning drafts into finished pieces, consider joining our Creative Writing Club for Kids and Teens. Whether your child is just starting or ready for a challenge, our supportive and friendly writing class for kids will help them bring their magical tales to life!
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