Halloween and October Writing Prompts

Halloween and October Writing Prompts and Creative Journal Ideas

Creative Writing Ideas and Journal Topics
For Halloween and October

Halloween and October Writing Prompts and Journal Ideas for Elementary School Students blue bullet point October and Halloween Writing Prompts: Are you looking for a creative list of writing prompts and journal ideas to use during the month of October?

blue bullet point Below, you will find a list of general October writing topics and a list of specific calendar dates for October which contain creative writing ideas related to that particular date in October.

blue bullet point I have created this list of Halloween and October writing prompts and ideas for elementary school teachers and students, but many of these creative writing ideas and topics would also be appropriate for other grade levels.


blue bullet point You will find some Halloween and October writing prompts below that contain underlined links. If you click on an underlined link:

  • You will be directed to another page on Unique Teaching Resources that contains detailed lesson plan ideas and printable worksheets for those October writing prompts.
  • You will be directed to another website that contains useful information related to those particular October writing prompts.

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General Halloween and October Writing Prompts:

  • Haunted House Printable Worksheet Inside the Haunted House
    • These Haunted House printable worksheets can be used for many of the October writing prompts that are found on this page.
    • Click on the following link to view the page where this set of Halloween teaching resources can be found: Haunted House Worksheet and Banner Set
  • As the Clock Struck Twelve ...
  • I'm Batty About ...
  • Halloween Ghost Printable Worksheet Ghostly Tales
    • These Halloween Ghost printable worksheets can be used for many of the October writing prompts that are found on this page.
    • Click on the following link to view the page where this set of Halloween teaching resources can be found: Ghost Worksheet and Banner Set
  • A Scary Ghost Was Chasing Me
  • A Spooky Character
  • Spooky Halloween Printable Worksheet One Spooky Night
    • These Halloween Spooky Night printable worksheets can be used for many of the October writing prompts that are found on this page.
    • Click on the following link to view the page where this set of Halloween teaching resources can be found: Spooky Night Worksheet and Banner Set
  • I Was Really Scared When ...


  • The Mysterious Footprints Led To ...
  • Frankenstein Halloween Printable Worksheet Meet My New Friend: Frankenstein
    • These Frankenstein printable worksheets can be used for many of the October writing prompts that are found on this page.
    • Click on the following link to view the page where this set of Halloween teaching resources can be found: Frankenstein Worksheet and Banner Set
  • My Favorite Halloween Costume
  • The Mad Scientists: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
  • Pumpkin Halloween Printable Worksheet In the Pumpkin Patch
    • These pumpkin shaped printable worksheets can be used for many of the October writing prompts that are found on this page.
    • Click on the following link to view the page where this set of Halloween teaching resources can be found: Pumpkin Worksheet and Banner Set
  • Carving a Jack-O-Lantern
  • Safety Tips For Going Trick-Or-Treating
  • What's Brewing Halloween Worksheet Printable Worksheet What's Brewing? Write a Recipe for Witch's Brew.
  • A Magic Spell
  • A Tasty Halloween Treat
  • Planning a Halloween Party
  • Riding On the Witch's Broom
  • Halloween Witch Printable Worksheet "Witch" Story Do You Like Best?
    • These Witch printable worksheets can be used for many of the October writing prompts that are found on this page.
    • Click on the following link to view the page where this set of Halloween teaching resources can be found: Halloween Witch Worksheet and Banner Set
  • The Old Witch Was Mixing Her Brew
  • The Scarecrow
  • Graveyard Tales Halloween Printable Worksheets Tales From the Graveyard
    • These Graveyard printable worksheets can be used for many of the October writing prompts that are found on this page.
    • Click on the following link to view the page where this set of Halloween teaching resources can be found: Halloween Graveyard Worksheet and Banner Set
  • The Old Graveyard Was Filled With...


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Specific October Writing Prompts:

Celebrations, Events, Holidays, and Dates in History:

Scroll through this page, or click on the links below, to read
about each of these October writing prompts and holidays.




National Book Month - October

National Book Month Lesson Plans, Resources, and Ideas for Teachers blue bullet point The purpose of National Book Month is to encourage readers of all ages to enjoy books.

blue bullet point To coincide with National Book Month, the National Book Foundation announces its National Book Awards during the month of October.

  • What is a book that you recommend that other children your age should read during National Book Month? Explain why this is one of your favorite books.
  • What is a book that you recommend to read aloud to kindergarten students during National Book Month? Explain why you recommended this book.
  • Write a book report project describing your favorite book. My Favorite Book Report Page contains a fun book report template (shown below) shaped like a first place trophy that is ideal to use with your students during National Book Month.
National Book Month Lesson Plans and Book Report Project Ideas for Teachers

Above: Go to Favorite Book Report Project: Trophy Templates

  • Visit Oprah's Kids' Reading List page to use Oprah's guide from the American Library Association to find book lists that are divided into age levels, as well as different interesting categories.
  • On the Ways to Celebrate National Book Month page there are some good ideas for how to celebrate this month such as creating a class book club, book swaps between students, book parties, and involving the whole family in reading during October.
  • National Book Month is a great time of the year to begin using reading incentive charts with your students. On my Halloween English teaching resources page you will find bat and witch reading incentive charts (shown below) that will help you to encourage your students to read during the month of October.

National Book Month Reading Sticker Charts for Elementary School Students

Above: Go to Halloween English Teaching Resources: Bat and Witch Reading Incentive Charts




National Pizza Month- October

National Pizza Month Lesson Plans and Writing Prompts for Elementary School Students blue bullet point National Pizza Month is in October and we began celebrating National Pizza Month in 1987.

blue bullet point Since children ages 3 - 11 prefer eating pizza over all other foods for lunch and dinner (according to a recent Gallup Poll), this is a great topic to use to engage your students in fun creative writing activities.

blue bullet point Below you will also find some unique pizza lesson plan ideas that include reading and math activities as well.

  • Write a persuasive essay explaining why there should be a day off from school in October to celebrate National Pizza Month.
  • Using the 5 senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste), describe your favorite type of pizza to eat.
  • Write a report on the history of pizza using information from the following web pages:


  • National Pizza Month is an ideal time of the year to introduce your students to my Pizza Reading Sticker Charts that will encourage your students to read books independently this school year.
  • This is also an ideal time of the school year to introduce your students to my Multiplication Pizza Sticker Charts that will encourage your students to learn their times tables.

Pizza Sticker Charts for Elementary School Students

Left: Pizza Reading Sticker Charts
Right: Multiplication Pizza Sticker Charts




National Crime Prevention Month - October

National Crime Prevention Month Lesson Plans and Creative Writing Prompt Ideas blue bullet point In 1984, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) designated October Crime Prevention Month. The NCPC's mission is to be the nation's leader in helping people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime.

  • Write an essay explaining why you admire police officers and the difficult jobs that they have.
  • Have your students visit McGruff the Crime Dog Child Safety Center Website and write a list of crime prevention tips that they learned from this website.
  • On the National Crime Prevention Council's Resources page you will find a variety of useful resources about the following topics: bullying, cell phone safety, Halloween safety, Internet safety, and home safety.
  • To tie in with National Crime Prevention Month, have your students complete a wanted book report project. My Wanted Poster Book Report Page contains a fun book report activity (shown below) that is ideal to use with your students during National Crime Prevention Month.
National Crime Prevention Month Lesson Plan Ideas Wanted Poster

Above: Go to Wanted Poster Book Report Project




National Fire Prevention Week - 2nd Week of October

Fire Prevention Week Lesson Plans and Journal Prompt Ideas for Teachers blue bullet point National Fire Prevention Week is observed in the United States during the week in which October 9th falls. The first Fire Prevention Week was observed in 1925 by a proclamation made by President Calvin Coolidge.




National School Lunch Week - October 15 - 19 (2012)

National School Lunch Week Lesson Plans and Journal Prompts Ideas for Teachers blue bullet point National School Lunch Week is celebrated in the United States in October. It was created in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, 16 years after President Harry Truman signed the National School Lunch Act into law.

  • Why is it important for students to eat a healthy lunch?
  • What is the best school lunch you've ever had?
  • Can you think of three ways to make the lunches at your school better that include healthy food items on the menu?
  • The School Nutrition Association web page, contains information about National School Lunch Week, as well as fun puzzles and school lunch related brainteasers for your students.



Second Monday of October - Columbus Day

Columbus Day October 12 Lesson Plans and Writing Prompt Ideas blue bullet point Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October in the United States. This holiday commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492.

  • Pretend that you are an explorer and want to take an expedition to an unknown land. You will need money to finance your adventure. Write a letter to a king, queen, president, or a wealthy person to ask for help to finance your adventure.
  • Write about an imaginary voyage and create a map that charts your route.
  • Have a discussion about navigation and exploration with your students and show how them how to use a compass. Give your students a map of your school (or the playground area) with coordinates or directions, and then send them on a Columbus Day treasure hunt for items that you have hidden.
  • By using the directions and photographs on the Kaboose Egg Cup Ships page, have your students make mini versions of the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria using egg cartons.
  • Visit Wikipedia's Columbus Day Page to learn more information about this holiday.



October 14 - Dessert Day

National Dessert Day October 14 Writing Prompt Ideas and Lesson Plans blue bullet point National Dessert Day is celebrated on October 14 and it is one of the tastiest holidays of the year!

  • What is your favorite dessert? Write a recipe for how to make your favorite dessert. Include the ingredients needed and the directions for each step in the recipe.
  • Invent a new dessert for Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Design a poster advertising this new dessert product.
  • Combine National Pizza Month with National Dessert Day by making a brownie pizza with your students.
  • To tie in with National Dessert Day, have your students complete a birthday cake book report project. My Birthday Cake Book Report Page contains a fun book report activity (shown below) that is ideal to use with your students on National Dessert Day.
National Dessert Day October 14 Lesson Plan Ideas Wanted Poster

Above: Go to Birthday Cake Book Report Project




October 16 - World Food Day

World Food Day October 16 Lesson Plans and Ideas For Writing Prompts blue bullet point World Food Day is recognized on October 16. This day was created to call attention to the shortage of food in many parts of the world.

blue bullet point World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and marks the date of the founding of the FAO in 1945.

blue bullet point The purpose of this worldwide event is to increase public awareness of the world food problem and the struggle against hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.

  • Name three things you could do to help children in other countries on World Food Day.
  • Name three things you could do to help children in your own community on World Food Day.
  • The World Food Program provides information about world statistics for hunger and malnutrition.
  • Every year, Tom Wilson (the creator of the Ziggy cartoons) designs a special World Food Day cartoon featuring Ziggy and friends. To view these illustrations that began in 1984, click on the following link: Tom Wilson World Food Day Ziggy Cartoons
  • Feeding Minds Fighting Hunger is a website that explores the problems of hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity. This website contains detailed lesson plans for teachers on hunger and malnutrition at the primary, intermediate, and secondary levels.



October 16 - Dictionary Day

Dictionary Day October 16 Lesson Plans and Ideas For Writing Prompts blue bullet point Dictionary Day is celebrated on October 16 in honor of Noah Webster. The objective of this day is to emphasize the importance of dictionary skills and to improve your vocabulary.

blue bullet point Webster was born on October 16, 1758 and he is considered to be the "Father of the American Dictionary." Noah Webster began to write his dictionary at the age of 43 and it took him 27 years to finish it.

  • Create an A to Z Dictionary (or word list) based on your favorite hobby or sport.
  • Find 5 words in the dictionary that you are unfamiliar with and write their definitions on your paper. Write a sentence using each of these 5 new words that you learned.
  • Have your students complete a Biography Newspaper Project about Noah Webster.
  • As a group project, have your students complete a Character Body Book Report Project about Noah Webster together.
  • Visit Wikipedia's Noah Webster page to learn more this American educator.
  • On Webster Word Central students can play spelling and vocabulary games.



October 24 - United Nations Day

United Nations Day October 24 Lesson Plans and Ideas For Writing Prompts blue bullet point United Nations Day is celebrated on October 24 and it recognizes the United Nations organization and all of the people who participate and serve in this world organization.

blue bullet point People around the world look to the United Nations to help alleviate poverty and hunger, to keep the peace, to expand education, and stand up for human rights in every corner of the globe.

blue bullet point The United Nations delivers humanitarian aid to the neediest areas in the world. They vaccinate 40 per cent of the world's children. They feed more than 100 million people and help millions of refugees, most of them women and children fleeing war and persecution.

  • On this day, I often read my students The Way to Start a Day by Byrd Baylor (a Caldecott Honor winning book).
  • Way to Start A Day Byrd Baylor Lesson Plans for Teachers Click here to go to my web page that contains ideas and teaching resources for this book: The Way to Start a Day lesson plans.
  • Research UNICEF and write a summary describing the purpose of this organization.
  • On my Peace Day web page you will many teaching resources that would be great to use for United Nations Day. Click here to go to Heidi's Peace Day Lesson Plans page.
    • P.E.A.C.E. acrostic poem writing inside globe templates
    • Dove shaped creative writing templates
    • Cooperative group project using large P.E.A.C.E. letters

End of Halloween and October Writing Prompts


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October Printable Calendar Set


Click here to go to my
Free Printable Classroom Calendars page.

Note: On the above page, you will find links to download all 12
of my FREE classroom calendar sets for January - December!


Thumb Tacks

My printable calendar sets are designed to fit inside the
monthly calendar pocket charts that many teachers use.

My holiday calendar sets contain
the following printable worksheets:


Halloween and October Printable Monthly Calendar

Above: The large October calendar title is a
2 page banner template that is glued together and cut out.


Halloween and October Printable Worksheets Calendar

Above: This printable calendar set for October includes large
days of the week templates for the 7 days of the week
(Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are shown above).


Halloween and October Printable Calendar

This printable calendar set for October includes smaller calendar pieces for the 7 days of the week that will fit inside your calendar pocket chart.

There are 31 square calendar number dates in this teaching resources set.

There are squares for you to print and write your students' names and birthdays on.

There are 11 printable calendar worksheets in this
October teaching resources classroom display set.

$1.50
 Add to Cart

Note: At the top of this box, there is a
free download link for this October calendar set.




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Below are some ideas and examples of teaching resources
that can be used for some of the Halloween and October
writing prompts that are found on this page:

Haunted Times Newspaper Set


Halloween Haunted Times Newspaper Writing Templates

For this Halloween English teaching resources set, students write two newspaper articles. There are two templates that are glued together to form a large Haunted Times Newspaper.

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Halloween and October Writing Prompts
Haunted Times Newspaper Set


Witch and Cauldron Templates


Halloween Witch Shaped Creative Writing Templates and Worksheets

For this Halloween English teaching resources set, students write a story inside the witch's cauldron. Your students will enjoy writing their final drafts in these unique witch shaped templates.

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Halloween and October Writing Prompts
Witch and Cauldron Templates



What's Brewing Witch's Recipe


Halloween Witch Recipe Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween Witch Recipe Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

For these Halloween worksheets, students can create a recipe for a special witch's brew or they can write the ingredients for their favorite recipe.

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Halloween and October Writing Prompts
What's Brewing Witch's Recipe


Halloween Haunted House


Halloween Haunted House Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween Haunted House Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

Your students will enjoy writing a spooky story about a haunted house during October with these Halloween language arts worksheets.

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Halloween and October Writing Prompts
Halloween Haunted House Worksheets



Halloween Ghostly Tales


Halloween Ghostly Tales Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween Ghostly Tales Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

Your students will enjoy this spooky creative writing assignment. Students write ghostly tales using these Halloween language arts worksheets.

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Halloween Ghostly Tales


One Spooky Night...


Halloween One Spooky Night Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween One Spooky Night Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

For this October assignment, students can write a short story or a poem about the topic "One Spooky Night" using these Halloween printable worksheets.

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One Spooky Night...



Pumpkin Patch Worksheets


Halloween Pumpkin Patch Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween Pumpkin Patch Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

Students can cut out these Halloween language arts worksheets along the thick border and then they will have fun pumpkin shaped templates to write on.

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Pumpkin Patch Worksheets


Frankenstein Worksheets


Halloween Frankenstein Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween Frankenstein Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

"Frankly We Think Our Work Is Great!" is a shorter Halloween writing assignment, so it would be ideal to use for a spooky Halloween poetry writing activity.

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Frankenstein Halloween Worksheets



Witch Story Do You Like Best?


Halloween Witch Story Do You Like Best Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween Witch Story Do You Like Best Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

"Witch Story Do You Like Best?" is a Halloween language arts worksheet that focuses on reading and students write an essay about their favorite books.

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Halloween and October Writing Prompts
Witch Story Do You Like Best?


Spooky Character Stories


Halloween Spooky Character Stories Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween Spooky Character Stories Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

Your students will enjoy writing a spooky story about Halloween Characters during October with these Halloween printable worksheets.

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Spooky Character Stories



October Creative Writing


Halloween October Creative Writing Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween October Creative Writing Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

These printable worksheets for the month of October contain pumpkin graphics and would appropriate for a wide range of creative writing topics.

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Halloween and October Writing Prompts
October Creative Writing Worksheet


Spooky Graveyard Stories


Halloween Spooky Graveyard Stories Bulletin Board Display Banner

Halloween Spooky Graveyard Stories Printable Worksheets for Language Arts

For this creative writing assignment, students write spooky stories set in a graveyard with these Halloween language arts worksheets.

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Spooky Graveyard Stories



Pumpkin Poetry Templates


Halloween Pumpkin Poetry and Poem Templates

Students write an acrostic poem with the letters that form the word P.U.M.P.K.I.N. They cut the templates along the thick black border, and then they have unique pumpkin shaped poetry templates.

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Pumpkin Acrostic Poems


Ghost Poetry Templates


Halloween Ghost Acrostic Poem Templates

October is a fun time to include some poetry writing activities into your language arts lessons. For this activity, students write an acrostic poem with the letters that form the word G.H.O.S.T.

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Ghost Acrostic Poems



Halloween Homophones


Halloween Homophones Grammar English Powerpoint Lesson Plan

Your students will enjoy playing this engaging Halloween Who Wants To Be A Millionaire game while they are reviewing homophones. (Ex: witch/which, right/right, hole/whole, would/wood, there/their)

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Halloween Homophones Powerpoint


Halloween Verbs


Halloween Present and Past Tense Verbs Grammar Powerpoint Lesson Plans

Students find present tense verbs and change them into past tense verbs. You can individualize this activity by replacing the names in the sentences, with the names of your own students.

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Halloween Present/Past Tense Verbs



Halloween Word Problems


Halloween Math Word Problems Powerpoint Lesson Plans

Your students will love solving addition and subtraction word problems with this fun Halloween activity! Each word problem is presented using large and colorful animated (moving) graphics.

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Halloween Math Word Problems


Halloween Pumpkin Squares


Halloween Math Puzzles Powerpoint Lesson Plans

Students have to solve addition and subtraction equations, using an engaging Halloween puzzle style format. There are 5 puzzles in this set and a student answer worksheet.

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Halloween Pumpkin Math Squares




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Click on one of the tags below to view the different categories of
Halloween Teaching Resources that are available on my website:


Return To Halloween Teaching Resources Main Page Go to Halloween Powerpoint Lesson Plans Page Go To Halloween English Teaching Resources Page

Go To Halloween Math Teaching Resources Page Go To Halloween Printable Worksheets Page Go To Halloween Bulletin Board Displays Page




Click on one of the calendars
below to go to a specific page
of monthly writing prompts:

On these pages, you will find creative writing prompts
that pertain to each month's themes, holidays, and events.


Go To January Writing Prompts Go To February Writing Prompts Go To March Writing Prompts
Go To April Writing Prompts Go To May Writing Prompts Go To June Writing Prompts
Go To July Writing Prompts Go To Back to School Writing Prompts Go To September Writing Prompts

Go To October Writing Prompts Go To November Writing Prompts Go To December Writing Prompts

Creative Writing Prompts and Journal Ideas For October and Halloween

Thank you for visiting my October writing prompts page.

Please be sure to check out the other pages on Unique
Teaching Resources
for a large variety of fun lesson plan activities
that will engage your students in learning and save you valuable time.

Heidi McDonald

Creator and Website Manager
Unique Teaching Resources


Engage Your Students In Learning


Halloween Row of Pumpkins 3

Click here to leave this page: October Writing Prompts
and go to my home page: Unique Teaching Resources

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