Writing for Enjoyment: ideas, activities and writing prompts

Through our Annual Literacy Survey, we've been tracking the engagement of children and young people in writing since 2010, exploring attitudes, behaviours and motivations.

In our 2026 report on Children and young people’s writing, we found:

• Writing enjoyment showed a small increase in 2026, interrupting the downward trend seen in recent years, though overall levels remain low.
• Just under 3 in 10 (28.7%) children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed writing in their free time in 2026, up 2.1 percentage points from 2025.
• Writing enjoyment among children aged 5 to 8 also rose slightly to 61.7%, though levels remain well below those seen before 2019.
• Writing enjoyment continued to decline with age, with the lowest levels among those aged 11 to 16, followed by a small increase among those aged 16 to 18.

In our research exploring the impact of writing for enjoyment programmes we have drawn together evidence that shows how writing for enjoyment is associated with improved wellbeing, helping individuals process complex emotions, and supports children and young people in expressing themselves. We have also identified a link between writing for enjoyment and writing attainment.

Writing for pleasure activities for schools

This resource provides an innovative range of writing games, prompts and ideas you can use in primary or secondary schools kick-start writing for enjoyment practice in your classroom.

They are designed to celebrate writing, reflect on reasons for writing and encourage everyone to find their own motivation and voice.

There are activities for ages 5 through to 14 (Key Stages 1, 2 and 3/P2 to P7 and S1 to S3).

National Writing Day

Of course, our writing activities are ideal for use all year round, but National Writing Day, which happens in June each year, provides an ideal springboard for engaging your class with these fun ideas.

Are you a premium member?

We have a range of new resources available to our premium members, exploring writing in the classroom.

Take a look at some of our writing-focused resources on the Primary Literacy Edit or the Secondary Literacy Edit.