National Writing Day is the perfect excuse to grab a pencil (or a glittery gel pen) and let your child’s imagination run wild. It’s all about celebrating the magic of storytelling — and showing kids just how powerful their words can be.

Reading and writing go hand in hand. When children read lots of books, they become better writers. And when they write, they make deeper sense of what they’ve read. It’s like a literacy double-whammy.

Here are some fun, low-pressure ways to bring reading and writing together this National Writing Day — whether your child is a reluctant writer or a budding bookworm with a stack of homemade comics under their bed.

Why Reading and Writing Make Such a Great Team

They’re like peanut butter and jam — better together. Here’s why:

  • They build vocabulary: The more kids read, the more words they absorb — ready to sprinkle into their own writing like magic dust.
  • They boost comprehension: Writing about what they’ve read helps cement understanding (and gives them a reason to reread that funny bit with the talking badger).
  • They spark creativity: Great stories inspire even greater ones. Reading opens doors to new characters, ideas, and worlds to explore on paper.
  • They encourage thinking: Writing a review or a new ending to a story gets kids thinking critically — not just about the plot, but about how stories work.

Need more ideas for building reading habits at home? Take a peek at our Helping Children Learn to Read guide.

Fun Writing Activities to Try This National Writing Day

Bookish Word Hunts

Give vocabulary a sense of adventure.

  • Pick a favourite book and choose some interesting or unusual words.
  • Write each word on a separate slip of paper and hide them around the house.
  • As your child finds each one, challenge them to use it in a sentence — or build a story around it. Bonus points for silliness.

Story Starters

When blank pages are scary, prompts are your best friend.

  • “What if the Gruffalo went to space?” or “Write a diary entry from the Hungry Caterpillar after he’s had a food coma.”
  • Let your child take it from there — drawings, dialogue, dramatic cliffhangers and all.
  • Try folding paper into a little book to give their masterpiece the official ‘published author’ treatment.

Read & Write Combos

Reading sparks ideas. Writing brings them to life.

  • Write a review: What did they love? What would they change?
  • Become a character: Try writing a diary entry as the main character — what did they *really* think about that plot twist?
  • Change the ending: Let your child rewrite the final chapter their way. Happily-ever-afters optional.

Looking for the right books to kick things off? Browse our Book Bands collection to find ones just right for your child’s level.

Easy Ways to Make Reading and Writing Part of Daily Life

You don’t need a special occasion — but hey, National Writing Day is a good excuse to start. Here’s how to make words a bigger part of the everyday.

Set Up a Book & Writing Nook

A cosy corner makes all the difference.

  • Think cushions, fairy lights, a pile of books, and a stash of notebooks and felt tips.
  • Make it a screen-free zone where kids can read, write, doodle, or just daydream.
  • Call it the ‘Imagination Station’ if you’re feeling fancy.

Try a Family Writing Challenge

It’s not just for kids — get everyone involved!

  • Pick a theme (pirates, pets, pancakes…) and have each family member write a mini story.
  • Share them over dinner or at a story night with popcorn.
  • Or keep a family journal where everyone can add a page when they fancy.

How Reading Chest Can Help

Having a regular supply of brilliant books makes writing feel exciting — not like homework. That’s where we come in.

  • Our book band system means your child always gets books that are just right for their level — challenging but fun.
  • With easy swaps and deliveries, there’s always something new to read (and write about).
  • We’ve also got tips galore to help you support your child’s reading and writing journey at home.

Wrapping Up

Whether your child writes a sentence, a story, or a whole book (it happens!), National Writing Day is about celebrating creativity and confidence. Reading feeds writing. Writing deepens reading. And when kids start to love both, that’s where the magic really happens.

Want to inspire more reading and writing at home? Find out how Reading Chest can help.

And we’d love to see what you get up to! Share your family’s reading and writing fun with us on Twitter/X, Facebook, or Instagram. Let’s make some storytime memories together!