10 FREE This or That Writing Prompts for kids K-2
Kids love sharing their opinions. Ask them whether they’d rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn and suddenly everyone has something to say. This or That writing prompts take that natural enthusiasm and turn it into a quick, creative writing activity kids actually want to do — no coaxing required.
And as a bonus, they’re a brilliant support for kids who struggle to get started. With two choices already in front of them, there’s no blank page panic — just a simple decision and a reason to write.
These prompts are quick, creative, and genuinely enjoyable for early writers. And for teachers? Zero prep.
I’ve put together a free printable set so you can try them straight away — grab it at the bottom of this post or jump straight to it here. 👇
THIS OR THAT WRITING PROMPTS: FREEBIE
Why This or That Prompts Work for Opinion Writing
Opinion writing can feel tricky for young learners — especially when they’re expected to come up with their own topic, organise their thoughts and write it all down.
This or That prompts take one big problem off the table: the topic is already decided.
Students choose between two options and respond using a simple sentence starter:
“I would rather _____ because _____.”
That one sentence does a lot. It gives students a clear structure, gets them practising opinion writing, and (most importantly) it gets words on the page fast.
These prompts work well across Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade because:
- The two-choice format keeps things focused and manageable.
- The sentence starter removes the “I don’t know what to write” stall.
- The topics are fun enough to spark real enthusiasm.
- They’re easy to differentiate — some kids write one sentence, others write three.
10 This or That Writing Prompts to Try Right Now
Pick one, print it, and go. Students choose their favourite and complete the sentence: “I would rather _____ because _____.”
- Would you rather build a snowman or jump in rain puddles?
- Would you rather explore space or explore the ocean?
- Would you rather ride a pirate ship or a rocket ship?
- Would you rather have a pet butterfly or a pet ladybug?
- Would you rather play in spring flowers or jump in fall leaves?
- Would you rather drive a bulldozer or a dump truck?
- Would you rather help a firefighter or a doctor?
- Would you rather eat Christmas cookies or an ice cream?
- Would you rather be a pirate on a ship or an astronaut in space?
- Would you rather eat pumpkin pie or a juicy, red apple?
Easy Ways to Use These in Your Classroom
These prompts are flexible enough to fit into almost any part of your day:
Writing centers — Print the prompt cards and rotate them through your writing center. Kids love having a choice.
Morning work — Low prep, high engagement. Students settle in and get writing straight away.
Talk it out first — Have students share their choice with a partner before writing. It warms up their thinking and makes the writing part much smoother.
Whole class lesson — Use one prompt to model opinion writing together, then let students respond independently.
Early finishers — Short enough to complete quickly, but they still require real thinking. Perfect for those in-between moments.
These also make great bulletin board displays — bright, bold, and full of personality. Every student’s response will be different, which makes for a really fun classroom display.
Free Printable This or That Writing Pages
If you want ready-to-use pages with these prompts already laid out and the sentence starter built in, you can grab the free printable set below.
It includes:
- 10 writing pages — bold, fun designs kids actually enjoy writing on
- 10 prompt cards — great for centers, discussion, or whole-class lessons
FREE: This or That Writing Prompts K–2
Help young writers practice opinion writing with these fun “This or That” prompts.
Just print and go.
These prompts are one of those simple ideas that just work. Quick for teachers to set up, fun enough that kids actually want to write.
Give them a try and see what your class comes up with!
PIN IT FOR LATER!
Want more writing activities? Browse the full collection in my TPT store.
