Exciting Journaling Prompts for Kids

50 Journal Prompts For 3rd Graders

What if journaling could be an exciting adventure rather than a tedious task for your third grader? Get ready to transform your child's writing experience with our handpicked selection of prompts that not only stimulate creativity but also foster emotional growth. From prompts that help kids articulate their feelings, such as "Describe a day when you felt sad. What happened and how did you make yourself feel better?" to imaginative scenarios like "Write about a world where everything is made of candy," this episode is packed with ideas designed to turn journaling into a fun and meaningful activity.

We also delve into the importance of encouraging kids to think deeply about their values and aspirations, with prompts that go beyond simple career choices. Imagine the impact of questions like “What kind of person do you want to be in the future?” and how small acts of courage in everyday adventures can build character. By emphasizing the joy of writing and self-expression, we aim to inspire you to engage your child in meaningful conversations and activities that nurture their growth and creativity. Tune in for practical tips and a treasure trove of prompts that will unlock your child's voice and make journaling an exciting part of their daily routine.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Okay, so you find this really great resource right
, but it's huge.
Yeah, like that list of 50journal prompts for third
graders we were talking about,50 is a lot.
Yeah, even for like the mostenthusiastic kid.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
It really is, and it's good to have choices, of
course, but how do you pick thebest ones?
You know, the ones that areactually going to get them
excited about writing.

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Exactly, and that's what we are diving into today,
writing exactly, and that's whatwe are diving into today,
especially because this list isfrom list Allian right, yeah,
and I just think it'sinteresting that they also sell
journals.
Talk about knowing your targetaudience that's true but those
gems, the prompts that make kidsactually ask to write, those
are the ones we're afterabsolutely, because this isn't

(00:41):
about just getting them to writeneatly.

Speaker 2 (00:43):
You know journaling.
It can be so much more thanthat, especially for kids this
age.
It's true.
Self-expression, understandingtheir emotions, I'm told Like it
gives them a place to processthose big feelings without being
judged.

Speaker 1 (00:55):
Yeah, like their own little private diary.

Speaker 2 (00:57):
Exactly.

Speaker 1 (00:58):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (00:58):
And that's actually something that's really
important to remember with thisage group.

Speaker 1 (01:09):
So it makes sense that the first category on the
list is all about exploringemotions?

Speaker 2 (01:12):
Oh for sure, because third grade that's a big time
for feelings.
I remember.
Yeah, it is.
Think about it.
They're just starting to reallyunderstand all those different
emotions they're feeling.

Speaker 1 (01:15):
That's a whole new world opening up to them.

Speaker 2 (01:17):
It is.
So when they can put thosefeelings into words, that's a
huge step.
It's like what they callemotional literacy.
I like that Emotional literacy.
Yeah, that's a huge step.
It's like what they callemotional literacy.

Speaker 1 (01:24):
I like that emotional literacy, yeah, ok.
So what are some of the promptsthat help with this?

Speaker 2 (01:31):
So one that I thought was really interesting is
describe a day when you felt sad.
What happened and how did youmake yourself feel better?

Speaker 1 (01:38):
OK, I like that because it goes beyond just like
naming the feeling.

Speaker 2 (01:41):
Exactly Makes them think about what they can do
about it.

Speaker 1 (01:44):
So it's like they're coming up with their own
strategies for dealing withthese big emotions.

Speaker 2 (01:48):
Right and at that age , figuring that out, that's huge
.

Speaker 1 (01:51):
It's so true.
This is exactly the kind ofthing that takes journaling from
like oh I have to to, I want to, okay.
So what else is on this listthat's going to have kids
begging for more writing time?
Let's talk about the fun stuff.

Speaker 2 (02:05):
Oh, you are going to love this next one.
Get ready for imagination andcreativity, Because seriously
nobody does imagination like athird grader.

Speaker 1 (02:14):
Oh my gosh, it's true .

Speaker 2 (02:15):
They're like little idea machines.

Speaker 1 (02:17):
They are, and they come up with the craziest stuff.

Speaker 2 (02:20):
The best, and that's why I love these prompts,
because it lets them run wildwith that stuff.
The best, and that's why I lovethese prompts, because it.

Speaker 1 (02:26):
Lets them run wild with that.
You know they don't always getthat with score.
That's so true.
Too much structure can reallystifle creativity.
I remember my son.
He told me this whole storyabout a squirrel who could speak
five languages and ran adetective agency.

Speaker 2 (02:37):
Oh, my goodness.

Speaker 1 (02:38):
Don't even ask where he comes up with this stuff.

Speaker 2 (02:40):
I can only imagine, but that's amazing and that's
what we want to tap into.

Speaker 1 (02:44):
Okay.
So what kind of prompt are wetalking about here?
Give me an example.
What's going to get my kidinspired?

Speaker 2 (02:49):
Well, this one is pretty great.
Write about a world whereeverything is made of candy.

Speaker 1 (02:54):
Oh, my goodness.

Speaker 2 (02:55):
I know right.

Speaker 1 (02:56):
That one I might have to steal for myself, though
maybe not the dentist bills thatcome with it, right, but that's
such a good one.
It really gets those creativejuices flowing.

Speaker 2 (03:04):
Exactly, and it gets them thinking about, you know,
like what makes something whatit?

Speaker 1 (03:10):
is oh, that's interesting because they have to
think about it in a whole newway.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
Exactly.
It's not just about eatingcandy, it's about what would a
candy house be like?

Speaker 1 (03:21):
Oh my gosh and a candy car.

Speaker 2 (03:22):
I know the possibilities are endless.

Speaker 1 (03:25):
Okay, what else have we got in the whimsical and
wonderful department?

Speaker 2 (03:28):
Okay, how about this?
Think of a day when you couldbe invisible.

Speaker 1 (03:33):
Oh, every kid's dream .

Speaker 2 (03:34):
Right, I mean, who hasn't wished for that at some
point?

Speaker 1 (03:37):
Yeah, especially at that age, it's like the ultimate
superpower.

Speaker 2 (03:40):
Exactly, and you can really have fun with this one
Like what would you do if youwere invisible?

Speaker 1 (03:45):
I have a feeling I don't even want to know the
answer to that with my kid.

Speaker 2 (03:48):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (03:49):
But yeah, so many possibilities.

Speaker 2 (03:51):
Right?
Would they use their powers forgood or for evil?

Speaker 1 (03:55):
That's a good one, or maybe a little bit of both.

Speaker 2 (03:56):
Exactly.
You could even turn it into agame.

Speaker 1 (03:59):
Oh, I like that, like a family game night.

Speaker 2 (04:01):
Yeah, everyone comes up with their own invisible
adventures okay.

Speaker 1 (04:05):
So we've got emotions covered, we've got imaginations
running wild.
What's next?

Speaker 2 (04:10):
well, this next category might seem a little
more, I don't know serious okaybut trust me, it's amazing what
kids this age come up with okay,I'm intrigued, lay it on me
this one's called reflectionsand memories.
Well, that's kind of sweet yeah.

Speaker 1 (04:25):
Because they don't have that many memories yet you
know, there's still so little.

Speaker 2 (04:28):
Well, that's just it.
Those early memories, they'resuper powerful.

Speaker 1 (04:31):
Yeah, I guess you're right, they stick with you.

Speaker 2 (04:33):
They really do and putting them into words at that
age.

Speaker 1 (04:37):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (04:37):
It really helps them.
Okay, so this one I really likeit's describe your best friend.
How did you meet and what doyou like most about?

Speaker 1 (04:56):
them.
Oh, that's a good one, I likethat.

Speaker 2 (04:57):
It's so simple but it's so insightful.
At that age you know.

Speaker 1 (05:01):
Yeah, because friendships are everything to
them when they're little.

Speaker 2 (05:04):
They really are and this gets them thinking about
you know what's important in afriend.

Speaker 1 (05:09):
Like a little window into their world.

Speaker 2 (05:11):
Exactly.
It's fascinating.

Speaker 1 (05:13):
Okay, so we've got reflecting on the past covered.
Now how about looking towardsthe future?

Speaker 2 (05:18):
Oh yes, this is one of my favorite categories Dreams
and aspirations.

Speaker 1 (05:23):
Oh, this is the one where they want to be astronauts
and veterinarians.

Speaker 2 (05:27):
Exactly.
It's so much fun to see whatthey come up with.

Speaker 1 (05:32):
I know my son wants to be a YouTuber, which does
surprise me in the least.
But hey, you never know, right.

Speaker 2 (05:35):
That's the spirit and that's what's so great about
this age Anything is possible.

Speaker 1 (05:40):
Exactly, the sky's the limit.

Speaker 2 (05:42):
Right, and encouraging that, even in a
small way, is so important.

Speaker 1 (05:47):
It's true, you never know what might spark a lifelong
passion.

Speaker 2 (05:50):
And it's not just about the career aspect either.
It's about getting them tothink about their values.

Speaker 1 (05:55):
Oh, that's a good point.

Speaker 2 (05:56):
Like what's important to them, what do they enjoy?
What kind of person do theywant to be?

Speaker 1 (06:01):
Yeah, like what kind of prompt gets that conversation
going?

Speaker 2 (06:04):
Well, there's this one.
Imagine what you want to bewhen you grow up.
Why do you want to do that joband what will you do each day?

Speaker 1 (06:11):
I like that because it makes him think about it, you
know.

Speaker 2 (06:15):
It's not just about the title.

Speaker 1 (06:16):
Right, it's about what you actually do all day.

Speaker 2 (06:18):
Yeah, like, do you really want to spend all day in
a laugh coat?

Speaker 1 (06:21):
Or wear a suit every day.

Speaker 2 (06:23):
Or answer emails.
It's the little things.

Speaker 1 (06:26):
It's true.
Okay, so we've covered a lot ofground here Emotions,
imagination, memories, dreams.

Speaker 2 (06:37):
Is there anything else on this list?
Okay, so the last category.
It's called everyday adventureseveryday adventures that's kind
of cool, I like that right,it's about finding the magic in
the everyday because sometimeskids need a little help with
that right totally do.
They get so caught up in theirown little worlds that's so true
.

Speaker 1 (06:52):
So what kind of props are we talking about here?

Speaker 2 (06:54):
well, one that stood out to me was think of a time
you tried something new.
What was it, and how did youfeel afterward?

Speaker 1 (07:00):
That's nice.
Yeah, I like that Because itdoesn't have to be some big
crazy thing.

Speaker 2 (07:04):
Exactly.
It could be anything.

Speaker 1 (07:06):
Like trying a new food or a new sport.
Or even just like talking to anew kid at school.

Speaker 2 (07:11):
Exactly, it's those little acts of courage that are
so important.

Speaker 1 (07:15):
They really are.
They build character.
You know, I have to say we'vecovered a lot of ground in this
list of 50 prompts, but Ialready feel like I have a much
better sense of which ones willreally resonate with my son.

Speaker 2 (07:26):
And that's the key right Finding those prompts that
speak to your child.

Speaker 1 (07:31):
Absolutely, because at the end of the day, it's not
about getting every prompt rightor perfect grammar and all that
.

Speaker 2 (07:37):
It really isn't not at this age.

Speaker 1 (07:39):
It's about getting them excited about writing.

Speaker 2 (07:41):
Exactly Giving them a voice, you know.

Speaker 1 (07:43):
Yes, and a place where they can just be
themselves.

Speaker 2 (07:46):
Their own little journal where they can explore
and experiment and just have funwith language.
I love that, and you know what.
This has been such a fun deepdive and I'm feeling really
inspired.
So I have a challenge for you,dear listener why not grab a
journal, your kiddo and givesome of these prompts a try?
You never know what kind ofmagic you might unlock together.