Essay Topics for Kids

Students will write all types of essays throughout their academic careers—and there’s no better time than right now to give them some extra practice. By the time students reach high school, they should have a clear understanding of various essay forms and the ability to effectively and cohesively present their point of view through each one.

These writing prompts include 35 kids essay ideas and topics in a variety of essay forms. Though it is not an exhaustive list of all the different types of essays, it does include a few of the most common with several essay topics in each one.

Your students will have the opportunity to write research essays, narrative essays, persuasive essays, how-to essays, and descriptive essays using these prompts. As they practice and improve their essay writing skills, you can even expand on the lesson by having them workshop their essays with a partner or peer group—or by presenting their essays to the class as a speech. When they’re finished, your students will be more adept at presenting their thoughts and ideas and better prepared for their future academic careers as well.

Kids Essay Topics: 35 Writing Prompts to Help Students Practice Essay Writing

Use these kids essay topics with your students this year to help them improve their essay writing skills!

Write a research essay about the effects of homework on learning.
Write a research essay about the process of recycling.
Write a research essay about the history of our city.
Write a research essay about the origins of a national holiday.
Write a research essay about how the Electoral College works.
Write a research essay about the viability of humans traveling to Mars.
Write a research essay about how thunderstorms form.
Write a narrative essay about a time when you did something embarrassing.
Write a narrative essay about a special memory you share with your dad.
Write a narrative essay about a time when you had to take an important test.
Write a narrative essay about how you spent your last spring break.
Write a narrative essay about the last time you hung out with your best friend.
Write a narrative essay about your earliest memory.
Write a narrative essay about a time when you were truly happy.
Write a persuasive essay about why your favorite actor is so talented.
Write a persuasive essay about whether cats or dogs are superior.
Write a persuasive essay about why your parents should let you do something you’re normally not allowed to do.
Write a persuasive essay about why it is or isn’t important to conserve natural resources.
Write a persuasive essay about why your favorite holiday is superior to all others or about why your least favorite holiday is inferior to all others.
Write a persuasive essay about when teens should be allowed to drive.
Write a persuasive essay about whether or not kids should be allowed to use their cell phones at school.
Write a how-to-essay about making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Write a how-to essay about creating a new email address.
Write a how-to essay about taking a good picture with your friends.
Write a how-to essay about playing your favorite game.
Write a how-to essay about tying your shoes.
Write a how-to essay about supporting a friend who is sad.
Write a how-to essay about how to be safe in a public place.
Write a descriptive essay about an item in the classroom.
Write a descriptive essay about your most prized possession.
Write a descriptive essay about the way it sounds when you walk outside in different types of weather.
Write a descriptive essay about your favorite food.
Write a descriptive essay about a person you admire.
Write a descriptive essay about an object with an unusual texture.
Write a descriptive essay about the sky at night.

Students in any grade may find that they struggle with finding interesting essay topics when tasked with writing informative essays, argumentative essays, or narrative essays. I hope you and your elementary students, middle school students, and even high school students enjoyed and found inspiration in these kids essay topics and writing ideas.

These kids essay topics can be introduced to young students on the first day of school or any rainy day! You don’t need any superpowers – just have them pull out their journals and keep writing!