75 Creative Writing Journal Prompts for Teens

Middle school, high school, and the teenage years overall can be challenging, and young people need a safe space to work through new ideas and feelings. These creative writing journal prompts for teens can help them express their emotions and practice writing skills.

Creating a journaling habit can help teens work through difficult emotions, experiences, and creative ideas. But it isn’t always easy for teens to come up with journaling topics on their own. The next time they’re struggling to come up with something to write about, try suggesting one of these creative journal prompts for teens.

Journal Prompts for Teens

Whether you’re hoping to spark their imagination with a creative writing prompt or help them look inward with a reflective topic, these journal prompts for teens are a great way to encourage your teenager to keep writing.

If you could relive an entire year of your life, which year would you pick and what would you do differently?
What is the biggest challenge you have overcome?
Write a letter to your future self.
What do you want people to remember you for?
How do others see you? Why do you think that?
What would be the title of your life movie right now? Why?
If you could spend a day with a historical figure, who would you pick? What would you do?
Who is the person you trust the most? Why?
What is the hardest part about being a teenager today?
Do you prefer to be in the spotlight or behind the scenes?
What are you most afraid of?
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you?
What makes you feel the happiest?
If you could live in the world of any book, movie, or TV series, which one would you choose and why?
What is the best movie you have ever seen? What makes it so great?
If you had to wear the same shirt every day for a year, what shirt would you pick?
Who would you want to be stuck in an elevator with? Why?
If you could change your name, what would you call yourself?
What is one mistake you learned from? What did you learn?
Do you feel nervous about something today? Why?
What rule do you think is stupid? What would you change about it?
Describe yourself in 30 words.
What was the best vacation you’ve ever been on? What made it so special?
If you could be a famous social media influencer, what would you be known for?
What habit do you have that you want to change? How would you change it?
What effect do you think social media has on you?
List 25 things that make you smile.
What is something your parents do that you will never do when you have kids?
What are you afraid to talk about? Why?
If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?
What would you ask if you could talk to your future self? Write down the questions and save them.
What is your favorite book? Why?
If you found out the world was going to end in 2 days, what would you do with that time?
Write a list of 20 things you want to do before you turn 20.
What would you tell your younger self?
If you won $10,000, what would you use the money for?
What is one thing you could do to help someone tomorrow?
If you had to be stuck on an island with one person for a year, who would you want to be stranded with?
What fictional character is most like you? Write the similarities between them and you.
The local newspaper wants to interview you. What will the story be about?
Your parents said you can use the basement as your own personal hangout space. What will you do with the room?
Who is your best friend? What makes them so special?
Have you ever stood up to a bully?
If you could be best friends with a celebrity, who would you want to be friends with?
What is the most important issue facing teenagers today?
Has a friend ever stood up for you?
What is your favorite part of your day? Why?
Would your life be better if the internet didn’t exist? Why or why not?
If you found a genie in a bottle, what three wishes would you use?
What famous person do you admire? Why?
If you could invent a new technology, what would it do?
What is the best way to spend a Saturday?
List five things most people don’t know about you?
If you could go anywhere in the world for your summer vacation, where would you go?
Do you think it’s important to stand up for something you think is wrong? Why or why not?
If money was no object, what would you buy for yourself?
What is your goal for this year? How will you achieve it?
Do you think you’re addicted to social media?
What is the first thing you notice about someone when you meet them for the first time?
Have you ever been misunderstood? What happened?
What is one world problem that needs to be solved right now?
What did you want to be when you grew up when you were a kid? Has that changed now?
What is the best invention ever made? Why?
How would your life be better if there were no social media networks?
Would you ever delete all your social media profiles?
What do teenagers expect from their parents?
If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
What is the biggest life lesson you have learned so far?
Write your favorite inspirational quote? Why is it inspiring?
What is your dream job? How can you get it?
What was the toughest decision you have had to make? Why was it so hard?
Name three good things that happened to you this week.
What is the funniest joke you’ve ever heard?
What is the best thing in life that you can’t buy?
What are you looking forward to the most?
What does self care mean to you?
Who was your favorite teacher? Why?
What is your favorite memory with your best friend(s)?
Do you believe video games effect our emotional health? If so, is it a positive effect or negative?
Describe your perfect day.
What are your favorite things in daily life? (Could be a favorite food, place, good friend, or feeling)
What helps you get through a hard time?
If you were a famous actor or singer, would you like the spotlight or avoid it?
What’s your happiest memory?
Who puts on the best concert? Have you seen it live?
Do you have a favorite place to go when you’re going through something hard?
How does your favorite color make you feel?
Share your favorite childhood memory using a stream of consciousness in your writing.
Do you have a favorite TV show?
What’s your favorite song?
What’s the best advice a family member or good friend has given you?

We hope our favorite journal prompts for teens help inspire you and the young people in your life!

Why it Matters

Rochester Medical Center found that journaling can help with manage anxiety and reduce stress. It can also help you improve your mood by prioritizing your problems, tracking emotional triggers, and encouraging self reflection.

RTOR also found journaling can boost your emotional intelligence (EQ) through recognizing your emotions, communication skills, and seeking to understand another person’s perspective.

Using prompts while journaling is a great way to encourage your teen to think more deeply while they’re writing in their journal.

If you liked these creative writing prompts, we also have prompts for bettering your mental health and gratitude journal prompts.