The summer holidays are around the corner, and if you’re a parent of a child aged between 9 and 15, you probably know that “the look.” It’s the look of a child who has already finished their favourite video game, scrolled through YouTube for hours, and is now staring at you with that dangerous mix of boredom and untapped energy.
We want our kids to have a break, of course. They’ve worked hard all school year. But as the weeks stretch out, there’s often a nagging worry: how do we keep them engaged in something meaningful? How do we stop their brains from turning into mush before September rolls around?
In my experience as a writing coach, I’ve found that creative writing is one of the most underrated summer activities. It’s not “extra schoolwork”: at least, it shouldn’t feel like it. It’s an adventure. Whether they are dreaming up a fantasy world or journaling about their day, writing offers a unique set of benefits that few other hobbies can match.
Here is why you should consider encouraging your child to pick up a pen (or open a laptop) this summer.
1. Beating the “summer slide”
You might have heard teachers talk about the “summer slide.” It’s a real thing. Research shows that students can lose up to two months of academic progress, particularly in reading and writing, if they don’t practice those skills during the long break.
But nobody wants to do grammar worksheets in July. Creative writing is the perfect “stealth” learning tool. When a child writes a story, they are naturally practicing:
- Sentence structure and grammar: They learn what “sounds” right by writing it out.
- Vocabulary: They find themselves reaching for better words to describe a dragon or a futuristic city.
- Critical thinking: They have to figure out how a character gets from point A to point B without it being boring.
By keeping these gears turning, they’ll head back to school in September feeling sharp and confident, rather than struggling to remember how to put a paragraph together. And they’ll actually have fun and enjoy doing it.
2. A safe space for self-expression
The ages of 9 to 15 are a bit of a whirlwind. It’s a time of big transitions: moving from primary to secondary school, navigating new friendships, and starting to figure out who they are. Sometimes, talking about these things out loud feels a bit “cringe” or difficult.
Creative writing provides a safe, private outlet. In our Creative Writing Club for Kids and Teens, we often see how students use their characters to process real-life emotions. A story about a lonely alien might actually be a way for a child to explore how they felt when their best friend moved away.
It’s about more than just “writing stories”; it’s about emotional intelligence. When kids write, they are practicing empathy by stepping into their characters’ shoes. They are learning to articulate their thoughts, which is a skill that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.
3. The perfect screen-free alternative
We all love technology, but there is a definite difference between the passive consumption of a screen and the active creation of a page. Writing is a sensory experience. The feel of the paper, the scratch of the pen, or even the rhythmic click of the keyboard forces the brain to slow down and focus in a way that scrolling through a feed simply doesn’t.
I recently wrote about the sensory magic of reading physical books, and the same applies to writing. When a child is deep in a “flow state” creating a story, the digital world fades away. It’s a great way to reduce screen time without it feeling like a punishment.
If your child is resistant to sitting still, I recommend looking at how active kids make great writers. Sometimes, the best story ideas come after a game of football or a long walk!
4. Building unstoppable confidence
There is a very specific type of pride that comes from finishing a story. It’s the “I made this” feeling. For many kids, school assignments are about following rules and meeting criteria. But a summer story? That’s all theirs. They are the boss of that world.
When a child sees their ideas take shape on the page, their confidence soars. We’ve seen this happen time and again at Accomplish Press. We’ve even helped children as young as 10 and 12 publish their own books. Imagine the boost to a 13-year-old’s self-esteem when they can tell their friends, “I wrote a book this summer.”
Creative writing teaches them that they have a voice, and that their voice matters. That kind of confidence doesn’t just stay on the page: it carries over into their school presentations, their social lives, and their future careers.
5. How to get them started (without the grumbling)
You might be thinking: “This sounds great, but my kid will never just sit down and write.”
You’re probably right! Most kids need a little nudge or a structured environment to get started. Here are a few tips to make creative writing fun:
- Use rewards: There’s no shame in a little motivation! We’ve shared some great ideas on using rewards to keep your child motivated.
- Give them a “hook”: Instead of saying “write a story,” give them a prompt. “What would happen if you woke up tomorrow and everyone else in the city had disappeared?”
- Make it social: Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. This is why our club is so popular: kids get to share their ideas with peers who “get it.”
- Don’t edit (yet): Tell them the first draft is the “messy draft.” Encourage them to ignore spelling and grammar for now and just get the ideas down. There is plenty of time for editing later.
Let’s make this summer creative
The summer holidays shouldn’t just be about passing the time; they should be about discovering new passions. Creative writing is a low-cost, high-impact way to keep your child’s mind active, their heart full, and their confidence high.
If you have a young writer at home who needs a bit of direction, or a child who has a story buried inside them but doesn’t know how to start, I’d love to help.
I’m teaching a Young Writers Summer Storytelling Camp for kids and teens aged 9 to 15 this July and August. This is a perfect way to get your child into a fun, creative and exciting summer activity that will also boost their confidence and keep their imagination active.
If you’ve wanted your child to be a member of the Creative Writing Club, but the term-time schedule doesn’t work for you, a holiday workshop is a perfect way to get the benefits of the club and boost your child’s writing skills.
Whether they want to write the next great fantasy epic or just keep a summer journal, let’s help them find their voice. Click here to find out more and register. Let’s turn your child’s writing dreams into reality this summer.