Winter Writing Workshop: Cozy Ideas to Inspire Elementary Writers

Winter has a way of slowing us down, even in milder climates. The days are shorter, the air is quieter, and there’s a natural pull toward warmth and comfort. While winter can sometimes feel like a long stretch to get through, it can also be a great season to focus on a reflective activity like writing, especially for elementary-aged kids!

This season lends itself to cozy writing workshops, and they don’t have to be too flashy or complicated. In fact, the calmer it feels, students may be more likely to open up and get creative. Whether you’re in the classroom or doing guided writing at home, winter can be the perfect backdrop for imagination and storytelling. 

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Why Winter Is the Perfect Season for Writing Workshops

Winter naturally invites stillness, unlike the other more high-energy seasons like spring and summer. This slower rhythm gives young writers space to think, notice little details, and work their imaginations.

Writing in winter also provides a meaningful alternative to screens during long indoor days. Journals, notebooks, and creative stories give kids a way to process their thoughts and feelings, especially during a season that can feel gloomy for some.

And remember, it doesn’t have to feel “academic.” When framed as creative and personal, writing can become something students want to do instead of something they have to do.

Setting the Scene: Creating a Cozy Writing Atmosphere

A winter writing workshop starts with the environment. Try some small changes that can make writing time feel extra special without piling more prep work on yourself:

• Dim the “big lights” and turn on a few lamps

• Play soft, instrumental music (Irish/Celtic is always a favorite for my kids!)

• Put a crackling fireplace video on the TV or projector

• Allow kids to bring their favorite small throw blanket

• Have a special notebook just for writing (I like to have kids decorate these ahead of time with magazine collages to make them personal!)

  
  

Comfort matters. When kids feel physically at ease, creativity can flow. Even reluctant young writers often relax when writing feels less formal and more inviting!

Winter-Themed Writing Prompts

Winter writing works best when prompts feel like invitations to get creative (and maybe a little silly) rather than assignments. Check out our collection of winter-themed writing prompts here, each on a single-sheet response page for a no-prep addition to your writing workshop!

Descriptive prompts are especially powerful in winter. You could encourage students to write about snow falling outside a window, frost patterns on glass, or the quiet of an early winter morning. Even kids who don’t experience snowy winters can write about seasonal changes in their environment.

Sensory prompts also help students deepen their descriptive writing. What does winter sound like? How does it feel on your face? What smells remind you of this season?

For imaginative writers, winter story starters can spark creativity:

• The town woke up to discover winter had arrived overnight…

• The day the snow wouldn’t stop falling…

• Everyone else thought winter was quiet, but I knew better…

  
  

Journaling prompts are another gentle option, especially for reflective kids. These can focus on memories or emotions, allowing students to write from the heart without worrying too much about perfect structure.

Mini-Lessons That Fit a Winter Writing Workshop

Winter is not the season for long, heavy writing lessons. Instead, short mini-lessons, ten to fifteen minutes, work best and keep the tone light.

Focus on skills that naturally connect to winter writing, such as crafting strong beginnings, building setting through description, or using figurative language to create mood. A single mentor sentence or a quick shared writing example is often enough.

Literature Connections

One of my favorite ways to start a writing workshop day is to read a cozy picture book that introduces the theme of the day’s writing project. Even my upper-elementary students who might be “too old” for picture books liked gathering around and hearing the story before starting their assignment. 

Here are a few of my favorites books to pair with winter workshops.

The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson is hands-down my favorite. If students aren’t familiar with the Gruffalo, I recommend reading the original Gruffalo book first so they have some context for the “Big Bad Mouse.” My kids always love the rhythmic, almost song-like quality of the story as the Gruffalo’s child follows tracks in the snow that eventually lead her to her “Big Bad Mouse.” After we read the story, we respond to a writing prompt like: “Imagine you find a set of tracks in the snow that don’t belong to anything or anyone you know. Where do they lead? What do you find there?” (This is one of the prompts included in our winter-themed writing prompts download – find that here!)

Another favorite is Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner. This is a great one to get kids thinking both imaginatively and scientifically, and is best followed with either a descriptive prompt like “Describe what animals are doing underneath the snow right now,” or something more creative like, “Write a story about a hidden world under the snow. Who lives there? What do they do during the winter?” 

Winter: A Solstice Story by Kelsey Gross is another really sweet one, in which forest animals each use their gifts to bring light to one another on the longest, darkest night of the year. This is the perfect introduction to a more reflective, journaling-driven workshop where students can think about their own special gifts and how they can bring joy and light to their families, friends, and communities.

Sharing & Community (Without the Stress)

Sharing writing doesn’t have to feel intimidating. In winter, cozy sharing routines help build community while keeping anxiety low. Maybe have students only share with a partner, or read aloud in a small circle. More confident students may like to volunteer to sit in an “author’s chair” with a special blanket or seat to read to the group. Some kids might prefer to share only a favorite sentence or paragraph, and that’s okay too.

Written feedback can also replace verbal input. A simple note saying, “I loved this part,” or “This image really stuck with me,” helps students feel seen without putting them on the spot in front of their peers.

Gentle Revision & Editing

Revision can sometimes feel like criticism, especially for more sensitive kids, so it helps to reframe it. Instead of “fixing mistakes,” think of revision as “warming up” a piece of writing.

Focus on one skill at a time, like adding stronger details, checking on transitions, or double-checking for end punctuation. If you haven’t checked out our Skill-Specific Revising and Editing Checklists, this could be a great place to give them a try!

Editing can stay light, too. Perfectionism has no place in a cozy winter workshop! The goal is enjoyment and building confidence, not flawless grammar.

Extending Winter Writing Beyond the Workshop

Winter writing doesn’t have to stay confined to workshop time. Encourage students to turn favorite pieces into mini books, seasonal poems, or letters to family members.

Nature journaling works beautifully in winter, even in cold climates. Observing bare trees, animal tracks, or subtle changes in the landscape gives students rich material to write about.

At home, family storytelling nights or shared journaling time can extend the magic of winter writing beyond the page.

Happy winter writing!