Every year I wrap up books and journals and fill stockings with fun pens and pencils. This year will be no exception. I’m on the lookout for fun ways to encourage reading and writing. Below are some of the best writing-related gifts I’ve found to help grow young writers.

Gifts to Encourage Writing

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” – Stephen King

Writing, grammar, punctuation doesn’t have to be painful or boring. The way we introduce them to our children matters. Games and creative writing activities help kids strengthen their fine motor skills, learn the mechanics of language, and feel encouraged to write.

Kids are natural storytellers. Make writing fun and they will be writers too.

Gifts For Beginning Writers

For beginning writers, magnetic poetry, story cards, games that get kids playing with letters and words, and creating stories with silly sentences make writing accessible and fun.

Gifts for Kids Who Need Extra Encouragement

When writing is painful or boring, we need to tap into our kids’ interest, create safe, fun experiences, and help them rewire and maybe relearn how to be writers.

Get kids excited about the stories they could tell, introduce them to a variety of genres through high interest books. Graphic novels with a mix of graphics and words can often be helpful. Help them play with words. Play can take away anxiety, build confidence, and is one of the best teachers out there!

Gifts for Kids Who Enjoy Writing

It is wonderful when a child loves to write. Help them keep their excitement and passion alive by offering them new ways to explore their ideas and interest.

Resource Books

While maybe not the most fun gift to receive, some gifts can be useful! How we deliver our gifts matter. “I thought you and I could have fun reading these together,” will encourage opening a book more than, “I got these so you can get better at writing.”

Journals

Every child needs a journal. It’s a fact! Journaling allows us to release the hard things, explore our ideas, and record our lives. For many, it is spiritual, therapeutic, an act of self-care. For all of us, it is an invitation to go deeper into ourselves. The more we know about who we are, the more we are able to grow, change, and share.

Additional Writing Resources

Create a Writing Basket

Create a Writing Practice

How to Encourage Our Children to Write

Writing Circles for Women and Children