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20 awesome gifts for kid and teen writers

by | Dec 1, 2020 | Gift Guides

What gifts can you choose for kids and teens who love to write? When it comes time to buy a gift for the young writers in your life, you want a perfect present they’ll appreciate for months and years to come.

Because writing is our specialty here at WriteShop, we know exactly what a young—or merely young at heart—writer would love to receive. Some are whimsical; others are serious craft-building tools. Either way, you can trust us on these gift picks.

Writers have a big thing for words! So any present related to writing tools and creativity is right up their alley. When shopping for language-loving kids and teens who love to write, we hope you discover a few perfect gifts from our curated collection below!

1. Telescoping Pencil Pouch

There are never enough pencil pouches to hold all of a writer’s favorite implements. This telescoping pencil case—which collapses to double as a standing pencil cup—will organize plenty of pens, pencils, erasers, and highlighters with cheerful flair. Made of sturdy canvas, the zippered pouch comes in an assortment of styles and colors so you can pick one your child or teen will love!

2. Faux Leather Desk Organizer

Available in over a dozen bright and neutral colors, this minimalist faux-leather desk caddy will keep your teen writer a little more organized, with plenty of room for pencils, pens, scissors, and note cards. The drawer version features an extra compartment for stashing small items like paper clips or sticky notes.

Wooden elephant pencil and smartphone holder for desktop

3. Wooden Elephant Pencil & Cellphone Holder

Here’s a fun twist on desktop organizers! This whimsical wooden elephant cradles your teen’s smartphone in its trunk and holds an assortment of favorite writing implements.

4. Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens

This pack of 14 gel pens definitely infuses writing time with JOY! The vivid ink glides across the paper, drying quickly and brightening your young writer’s ideas with vivid color. A variety of colors and smooth flow give writers the control they want while getting their thoughts on paper. Just by switching up pen colors, they can organize different ideas, make corrections, or simply add to the delight of the writing process!

5. Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer

A writer is on a constant quest to perfect his craft. This book is one of the best guides a writer can own. Author Roy Peter Clark shares a series of fifty-five short essays on different aspects of writing, based on his almost thirty years of experience in journalism, writing, and teaching.

6. The Rural Setting Thesaurus

Writers of fiction will appreciate this guide to describing settings revolving around school, home, and nature. The Rural Setting Thesaurus assists teen writers as they weave conflict and plot twists for these locations into their stories.

7. Thesaurus of the Senses

Kids and teens who love to write are always looking for that perfect word. The Thesaurus of the Senses expands their ability to see, hear, touch, taste, and smell so they can describe the world around them in vivid detail. This is the resource they’ll draw from when they need a rich list of sensory synonyms to enliven their writing with creative description.

8. Smencils Scented Pencils

If the writer you love has to have everything just so before they can sit down with their thoughts, these scented pencils may be just the ticket. The scent lasts for 2 years and includes 5 delicious flavors: Cola, Jelly Bean, Sour Apple, Cupcake, and Rainbow Sherbet. Yum! Better yet, these #2 graphite pencils are made from recycled newspapers.

Looking for something different? Try these Sports Smencils instead!

9. Wreck This Journal (in Color!)

Perhaps the coolest and most inspiring journal they’ll ever own, young writers will love this all-new edition of Wreck This Journal—now in stunning full color! The journal becomes completely theirs as they unleash their creativity with prompts for painting, shredding, and transforming its pages.

10. Bedside Writing Caddy

If your favorite teenage authors prefer to compose in the sanctuary of their own bedroom, this bedside writing caddy is perfect for keeping all the tools of the trade within arm’s reach and off the floor. With multiple pockets, it has room for notepads, composition notebooks, a tablet or Chromebook, pens, and more. It also keeps charging cords organized!

Pencil knee socks

11. Pencil Knee Socks

Nothing symbolizes writing more than the classic yellow pencil! These long pencil knee socks dress up the legs in old-style school charm, complete with pink eraser at the top and No. 2 graphite indicator on the side.

antique quill set

12. Antique Writing Quill Set

Although this quill writing set is more for fun than for serious writing, it does have an air of sophistication that will appeal to your young writer. Dipping the quill into ink, changing nibs, and using sealing wax will transport your writer back in time and possibly inspire a greater appreciative of modern ballpoint and felt tip pens!

13. IlluStory Book-Making Kit

How fun is this book-making kit? It walks children through writing, illustrating and even publishing their very own hardcover book they can cherish for years to come. The only limit is their own imagination!

If they’re more into comics, check out the My Comic Book version instead!

14. Connections: Letter-Writing Kit for Kids

With themed stationary, stickers and a stamp, this Connections Letter-Writing Kit for Kids is a perfect intro to this lost art. They’ll have so much fun writing to friends and family that they won’t even notice they’re practicing penmanship and improving their communication skills along the way! The best part? The letters your kids create and send will bring smiles to each recipient.

15. Authors Card Game

In  Authors Card Game, a vintage twist on Go Fish. players compete to collect books from classic authors. Thirteen authors and their literary offerings are the focal point of this race against your opponents. Because there are 52 numbered cards, they can be used for an assortment of other card games as well.

16. Kids’ Wireless Earbuds

For young authors who appreciate musical inspiration during writing sessions, consider these kids’ wireless earbuds in Batman and kitty styles. There are lots of other styles to choose from, too!

grammar nerd pencils

17. Grammar Rules Pencil Set

Any self-respecting grammar nerd will adore these ombre-look pencils adorned with snarky quips, including:

  • LOVE THE OXFORD COMMA
  • ‘ALOT’ IS NOT A WORD
  • KNOW YOUR ITS FROM YOUR IT’S

18. Flowing Water Pencil Holder

Get the ideas “flowing” with this funky, one-of-a-kind desk accessory. Available in 5 colors, this bucket appears to be suspended in air as it leaks a flow of clear “water.”

19. Tall Tales Storytelling Board Game

Get everyone in the family involved playing one of the five variations of this Tall Tales board game. The fifty colorful game pieces are a fun bonus. The non-competitive game promotes creativity and language skills and is super fun for kids and grownups alike. Because it doesn’t require reading, it’s perfect for children as young as four.

Are you homeschooling? If you’re teaching WriteShop Junior Book F to your 5th, 6th, or 7th graders, this would be a great addition to the Book F Tall Tales lesson!

20. Secrets of Storytelling

In clear, kid-friendly language, this book teaches children how to write a story, from creating characters to developing a plot. Organized in bite-size segments, Secrets of Storytelling helps young writers build their storytelling skills and flex their creative muscles with engaging prompts designed especially for 8- to 12-year-olds.


If you’re looking for more gifts for kids, teens or adults who love to write, follow this link to find 40 clever gifts for readers, writers, and word nerds.

20 Awesome gifts for kids and teens who love to write • WriteShop