Kids love animals, so they’re sure to go wild for this week’s engaging writing topics! Five free journal prompts about animals invite them to plan a pooch party, invent a new animal, write a silly story, and more. Before you know it, they’ll be barking, howling, and begging for more!

1. Party Pups

You are a famous party planner who has received an unusual request: A pet owner wants you to plan a birthday party for her dog. You don’t want to forget a single detail, so make a checklist reminding yourself of everything you’ll need to arrange for this canine crowd. Include decorations, games, and snacks. Don’t forget the party favors!

2. Best of Both Worlds

Invent a new animal by combining the body parts of two or three different animals. Give your new creature a name and write a paragraph describing three things it can do.

3. Neighborhood Watch

You and your family are going out of town for the weekend, and your neighbor is going to watch your pet while you’re away. Write a set of detailed instructions explaining how she should feed and care for your pet until you return.

4. What a Character!

From each list below, pick one character trait, one character, one setting, and one plot. Write a short story featuring the animal character. Your story can be serious or silly, real or imaginary.

Example: A frightened hamster in a race car escapes from a fierce cat.

Character trait: mischievous, nosy, frightened, enthusiastic

Character: monkey, penguin, giraffe, hamster

Setting: cruise ship, thrift store, race car, ice-skating rink

Plot: finds a secret passageway, falls into a ________, gets caught in a ________, escapes from ________

World of Animals StoryBuilders offer hundreds more combinations for animal-themed adventure stories. Check them out!

5. Bird or Beast

Imagine that you can become any animal you want. Would you choose to be a land animal, a soaring bird, or an ocean creature? Would you rather roam wild or be cared for as a pet? Write a diary entry about a typical day as the animal of your choosing.

Aren’t these fun? Peek into our archives for hundreds more prompts, and check back weekly each Writing Prompt Wednesday!