50 Great Object Writing Prompts for Elementary

Looking for great ways to inspire your students’ writing? What if I told you that the key to creative object writing prompts might be right in front of you? With an ordinary object like a pencil or a crayon, you can unlock the creativity of young writers and help them explore new ideas with ease! 

Incorporating object writing prompts into your classroom is a simple, effective way to nurture creative thinking. Using everyday objects like a pencil or a book, students can create their own short stories filled with imagination. This method takes something familiar and allows kids to look at it with fresh eyes—one of the best ways to encourage creativity and descriptive writing. Ready to turn a random object into the beginning of your story? Keep reading!

What Are Object Writing Prompts?

Object writing prompts are creative prompts designed to inspire students to write by describing an ordinary object in detail. This could be a physical item like a book or something as simple as a paperclip.

The goal is to help students explore key elements of description, like sensory details and personal association—where their own memories and feelings come into play.

Object writing prompts offer a fun way to turn an unconventional source, like a rubber band, into an imaginative short story. These object writing prompts work wonders in getting students to practice short sentences and creative thinking.

Benefits of Using Object Writing Prompts

There are several great ways to use object writing prompts in your classroom, but let’s start with some of the biggest benefits:

• Enhanced Descriptive Language: By focusing on everyday life and everyday objects, students are encouraged to stretch their vocabulary and use new words they might not usually consider.
• Boosted Creativity: With object writing prompts like “What if this stapler had a secret?” or “Tell the own story of this button,” students develop the ability to see an ordinary object in a whole new light, forming new ideas from something familiar.
• Strengthened Observation Skills: This type of writing pushes students to observe objects more closely, paying attention to universal associations and sensory details—like the texture of an eraser or the sound of paper crinkling.
• Creative Freedom: There’s no inner critic here. Kids can go anywhere their imagination takes them—turning a paperclip into the main character of a fairy tale or imagining a pencil as a young woman on a journey around the world.

50 Object Writing Prompts to Use in the Classroom

Here are 50 creative object writing prompts you can easily incorporate into your daily routine using everyday objects:

1. Stapler: Write about the point of view of this stapler. What’s it like being used all day long?
2. Crayon: Imagine this crayon could speak. What would it say about being stuck in a drawer for a long time?
3. Book: If this book had feelings, how would it react when it’s read over and over again?
4. Pencil: Tell the story of a random object—like this pencil—traveling across the country. Where does it go?
5. Eraser: What would this eraser’s own story be if it could tell you about the most important things it’s erased?
6. Ruler: Imagine this ruler could bend the rules. What mischief would it get into during class?
7. Paperclip: If this paperclip had a superpower, what would it be and how would it use it?
8. Desk: Describe a day in the life of this desk from its point of view. What does it think of the students who sit at it?
9. Marker: Write about this marker that’s run out of ink. How does it feel when it can’t be used anymore?
10. Glue Stick: If this glue stick had a best friend in the classroom, who or what would it be, and why?
11. Notebook: Imagine this notebook kept secrets. What stories has it overheard?
12. Backpack: What adventures would this backpack go on if it could leave the school for a day?
13. Scissors: Describe how this pair of scissors would react if it was asked to cut something impossible.
14. Water Bottle: If this water bottle could talk, what would it say about its journey from home to school every day?
15. Chalk: What would this piece of chalk write if it could create anything on the chalkboard without a teacher?
16. Classroom Chair: Tell the story of this classroom chair. How has it changed over time with different students?
17. Stapler Remover: Imagine this stapler remover had a rivalry with the hole puncher. What would their arguments be about?
18. Highlighter: What if this highlighter could change the color of anything it touched? How would it use its power?
19. Clock: Write about this clock on the wall. What does it think about time moving so slowly or quickly during class?
20. Calculator: If this calculator could make mistakes, what would it do when it gets frustrated with math problems?
21. Whiteboard: What would this whiteboard say about the lessons it’s been part of over the years?
22. Classroom Plant: Imagine this classroom plant had feelings. How does it feel being left behind during school breaks?
23. Computer Mouse: If this computer mouse could control more than just the screen, what else would it want to manipulate in the classroom?
24. Stapler Remover: Describe the point of view of this stapler remover. How does it feel about undoing the stapler’s work?
25. Pencil Sharpener: Write a story about this pencil sharpener’s journey as it sharpens pencils from all around the world.
26. Classroom Flag: If this classroom flag could move on its own, where would it go and what would it want to see?
27. Bookshelf: What secrets would this bookshelf hold if it could remember every book that’s been placed on it?
28. Sticky Notes: Imagine this stack of sticky notes could rearrange itself. What messages would it create on its own?
29. Classroom Door: If this classroom door could decide who gets to come in, what rules would it make?
30. Bulletin Board: Write about this bulletin board from the perspective of the pins stuck in it. How do they feel about their place in the classroom?
31. Pencil Case: Imagine this pencil case could pick which supplies it holds. What would it choose and why?
32. Globe: If this classroom globe could speak, what stories would it tell about the places it’s shown students?
33. Backpack Zipper: Write from the perspective of this backpack zipper. How does it feel being opened and closed all day?
34. Classroom Rug: What would this classroom rug say about the students who sit on it during story time?
35. Dry-Erase Marker: Describe this dry-erase marker’s feelings as it gets erased over and over again.
36. Classroom Window: If this classroom window could travel anywhere, where would it want to go, and what would it want to see?
37. Stack of Papers: Imagine this stack of ungraded papers could grade itself. What feedback would it give?
38. Trash Can: What does this classroom trash can think about the items it’s asked to hold?
39. Bulletin Board Posters: Write about this bulletin board from the point of view of the posters pinned on it. How do they feel about being displayed?
40. Chair: If this chair could complain, what would it say about being sat on all day?
41. School Bell: Imagine this school bell could decide when it rings. Would it ever let the students out early?
42. Projector: What would this projector say about all the presentations it’s been part of?
43. Art Brush: If this art brush could paint anything it wanted, what masterpiece would it create?
44. Lunchbox: Describe a day in the life of this lunchbox. What’s it like traveling between home and school every day?
45. Classroom Floor: What if this classroom floor had thoughts about everything it’s seen and heard? What would it share?
46. Chalkboard: Imagine this chalkboard could erase whatever it wants. What would it get rid of, and why?
47. Water Fountain: If this water fountain could grant wishes with each drink, what wishes would it grant?
48. Classroom Bell: Write about this classroom bell from the perspective of a student who listens for it all day long.
49. Pencil: What would this pencil think about always getting shorter with every use?
50. Hamster: If this classroom hamster could share its adventures, what would it say about life inside its cage?

These object writing prompts are not just fun but practical! They help students write short stories using sensory language, setting up the foundation for later creative thinking in all areas of writing.

How to Implement Object Writing Prompts

1. Introduce the Object: Pick an ordinary object, like a piece of chalk or a physical object from nature, like a leaf.
2. Brainstorm Descriptions: Ask students to brainstorm words and phrases that come to mind. Encourage them to think about its smell, texture, and even what it might “feel” emotionally if it had a first person perspective.
3. Write the Prompt: Have students write short sentences or even a short story about the object. Remind them they can bring in universal associations (memories, feelings, or experiences connected to the object).
4. Share: Let students read their work aloud. It’s a great opportunity for peer feedback and to hear how many different ways one object can inspire new ideas.
5. Expand into Short Stories: Once they’ve mastered simple descriptions, they can build on this by adding main characters, plot, and fairy tale elements for longer stories.

Tips for Success

• Rotate Objects Regularly: Keep the object writing prompts fresh by rotating the physical objects every few days.
• Mix it Up with Significant Objects: Encourage students to bring a significant object from home and write about its personal meaning. This can deepen their connection to the writing.
• Explore Different Senses: Don’t just focus on sight. Encourage students to explore the object’s feel, smell, or even taste (but maybe not for stale beer, right? Good luck with that!).

Conclusion

Incorporating creative prompts with everyday objects offers a simple yet powerful way to engage students in writing. Whether they’re writing a short story, practicing observation, or exploring fairy tales, these exercises help develop the foundational skills they’ll use for years to come.

Give these object writing prompts a try in your classroom and watch how these seemingly random objects turn into the most important things for your students’ writing journey!

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