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5 writing prompts for January

by | Jan 14, 2015 | Writing & Journal Prompts

Writing prompts for January encourage kids to write about lesser-known holidays such as National Opposite Day and National Dress Up Your Pet Day.

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Did you know there are hundreds of special days to celebrate every year? In addition to familiar ones such as Martin Luther King Day, Easter, and Father’s Day, the calendar is filled with plenty of unusual holidays too.

These writing prompts for January encourage kids to have fun writing about a few of this month’s lesser-known holidays.

January 14: National Dress Up Your Pet Day

People who celebrate Dress Up Your Pet Day dress their pets in cute or clever outfits. Imagine that you’ve been invited to design a costume for a mouse, turtle, elephant, penguin, or giraffe. Which one will you choose? Write about the outfit you will create, using as many descriptive details as possible.

January 18: National Thesaurus Day

A thesaurus is a reference book of synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning). For many years, students and writers have used the thesaurus to avoid repetition and weak vocabulary and improve the quality of their writing.

In honor of National Thesaurus Day, write a short story that includes these elements: ship, clock, storm, frog, shirt, bucket, discovery. After your story is written, read it carefully and circle any vague, dull words AND words you have repeated too many times. Look up at least five of these words in the thesaurus and find more interesting synonyms to replace them in your story.

January 21: National Squirrel Appreciation Day

Yes, there really is a National Squirrel Appreciation Day! Imagine that you are a squirrel who lives in a tree in John Crabapple’s back yard. Mr. Crabapple thinks you’re a nuisance because you chew on wires, monopolize the birdfeeder, and drop acorns on the roof. Write a letter to Mr. Crabapple in which you give three reasons why he should appreciate you.

January 23: National Handwriting Day

Writing by hand is becoming a lost art as more and more people rely on computers, tablets, and smartphones. National Handwriting Day is a chance to celebrate pen and paper! Express yourself in writing by picking one of these activities. Whichever you choose, use your very best printing, cursive, or calligraphy.

  • Write a friendly letter or thank-you note to a grandparent, cousin, or friend. Don’t forget to mail it!
  • Write in your journal or diary about something unusual or special that happened this past week.
  • Copy a favorite poem, Bible passage, or inspirational quote. When finished, illustrate it, if you wish.

January 25: National Opposite Day

National Opposite Day is crazy day when everything you say and do is backwards. If you say you’re sad, you really mean you’re happy. If someone tells you to raise your right hand, you raise your left hand! You would sleep all day and stay awake all night, and you’d eat dessert first. How confusing! Write about three zany ways you could celebrate National Opposite Day. What would you do?

Looking for more writing prompts? Check out our extensive collection on Writing Prompt Wednesdays!

These writing prompts for January encourage kids to have fun writing about quirky holidays such as National Opposite Day and National Dress Up Your Pet Day.

Photos: woodleywonderworks (handwriting) and PetsAdviser (cat), courtesy of Creative Commons