Painters stare at the canvas while waiting for inspiration. Writers stare at the computer screen or writing pad. This happens quite often for writers. Running out of ideas to write about? Tired of staring at the computer for too long? Athletes practice their sport while writers flex their writing muscles by practicing writing various topics.

Writing prompts provide simple guide and inspiration to get writers started. Writing prompts are great for beginner writers, who ask themselves “Where to begin?” and “What to write?” Personally, writing prompts are also great for experienced writers. It keeps their mind active, imaginative and words free flowing.

Here are a few writing prompts if you want to write children’s books:

Family Life:

• Dig into your family tradition for story ideas. Compare them with other family tradition, specifically family from a different culture. 
• Write about how kids differ in celebrating their different traditions. 

Games and Toys:

• Write about outdoor games kids play and indoor games kids play. 
• Write about kids playing outdoor traditional games versus kids who play electronic games.

Diversity:

• Write about a school that supports diversity. Describe your ideal diverse children’s school. 
• Write about kids differences in their physical attributes, their gender, social background and kids having special abilities or disabilities. 

Food:

• Write about kids who are specific in their food choices. For example, a kid who chose to be a vegetarian at an early age 
• Write about a kid who eats specific foods because of health condition.

Hobby:

• Write about a kid who loves sports versus a kid who loves to read, write and draw. 
• Write about a kid who loves to play dress up and play acting versus a kid who loves to be in the kitchen baking. 

Nature:

• Write about kids activities at the park and the adventures they can get into. 
• Write about kids activities while out camping and the exciting discovery they could make while outside.

Imagination:

• Write about fantasy or mythological characters and incorporate them into an everyday situation that kids love. For example, Unicorns and Mermaids. 
• Write about a made up problem that you faced as a kid and write about how you got out of it with magic.

A good writing exercise is to visit a location: go to a children’s playground, visit your relatives' children’s school or day care center. Eavesdropping and observing kids play and interact with other kids is a great source of inspiration to write stories about kids. The next time you visit your friends with children at their houses, don’t be annoyed by their children’s antics. Write it down.