|   YW USA
[email protected]  |  01733 890066   |   Log In

Mission Imagination |
Creative Writing Competition
| Ideal for 7-12


Mission Imagination Graphic

ONE MISSION. ONE STORY. 100 WORDS.

Choose a mission. Start the story. Let their imaginations take off!

Take your class on a creative writing adventure with Mission Imagination, our exciting, FREE competition for 7-12 year-olds!

With six imaginative missions to choose from, pupils can explore extraordinary worlds, uncover mysteries, and create their very own mini saga in up to 100 words.

From magical kingdoms and distant planets to wild adventures and spooky mysteries, there's something to spark every imagination!

GET YOUR FREE PRINTED RESOURCES

Free to enter Β· Closing date: 18 December 2026

ONE MISSION. ONE STORY. 100 WORDS.

A missing treasure, a mysterious creature, a journey to another planet... where will your pupils' stories begin?

Mission Imagination gives every pupil an exciting way into creative writing. They can choose a mission that captures their imagination, invent their own characters and adventures, and bring their ideas to life in a story of up to 100 words.

Whether they love mysteries, magical worlds, nature, or action-packed adventures, there's something to inspire every writer!

CHOOSE YOUR MISSION!

Six exciting missions, each with endless possibilities! Choose one for the whole class, link it to a topic you're teaching, or let pupils pick their favourite.

EXPLORE SPACE

Blast off to a distant planet, discover an alien world, or encounter something unexpected among the stars!

ENTER A FANTASY

Step into a magical kingdom, discover an enchanted object, or meet a creature from another world!

SOLVE A MYSTERY

A strange clue, a missing object, or an unexplained event... can your pupils uncover the truth?

GO WILD

Journey into the jungle, explore the natural world, or tell a story inspired by an extraordinary animal!

SEEK ADVENTURE

Set off on a daring journey, discover somewhere new, or face an unexpected challenge!

GET SPOOKED

Enter a haunted house, hear a mysterious noise, or meet something that goes bump in the night!

OR CREATE YOUR OWN MISSION!

These missions are starting points, not limits. Pupils can add their own twist, combine ideas, or invent a completely different adventure. Where will their imaginations take them?

FROM FIRST IDEA TO FINISHED STORY!

With Mission Imagination, there's no need to start with a blank page. Our ready-to-use worksheet guides pupils through the key elements of storytelling, helping them turn an initial idea into a complete mini saga.

01

CHOOSE YOUR MISSION

Pick a theme that sparks an idea, or create your own.

02

BUILD YOUR STORY

Decide where it happens, who you'll meet, what happens, and how it ends.

03

POWER UP YOUR WRITING

Use the optional word banks and story boosters, then bring your adventure to life in up to 100 words!

The flexible missions work across different interests and abilities, while the short story format makes the challenge achievable.

Pupils can develop their vocabulary, storytelling, planning, and editing skills as they create something entirely their own.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET YOUR CLASS WRITING!

We've created a range of FREE, ready-to-use resources to help you introduce Mission Imagination, spark ideas, and support pupils as they develop their stories.

  • Pupil worksheets: A guided planning activity that takes pupils from their chosen mission to a complete story.
  • Lesson plan and PowerPoint: Ready-made teaching support to help introduce the competition.
  • Idea-generation activities: Creative prompts to get imaginations working.
  • Example stories: Show pupils what's possible in just 100 words.
  • Themed word banks: Useful vocabulary & inspiration to help bring stories to life.

Closing Date: Friday 18th Dec 2026

We've worked with over 20,000 schools. Here's what some of them have to say...
β€œ
”

Great competitions and easy to use resources! Highly recommend to all literacy teachers

Mrs King, Steyning Grammar School
See more...

Printed Resources

Save money on printing, let us know how many you'd like of the resources below, and we'll pop them in the post for you!

Teacher Info Card
Pupil Worksheet

Enter Details to Download

You'll get instant access to free writing resources.
Already have a teacher account? Log In

Please fill in your details...


Search

You'll get access to...

Pupil Worksheet
Example Stories
Story Starters
Themed Word Banks
Teacher Info Card
Teacher Entry Form
Pupil Worksheet A4
Setting Inspiration
Character Inspiration
Online Writing Portal Teacher Guide
Online Writing Portal Pupil Guide
Word Doc Entry Form

Competition Rules

To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:

Closing Date: Friday 18th Dec 2026

THE STORY

  • Stories must be the pupil's own original work.
  • Maximum 100 words, excluding the title. (Stories can be fewer than 100 words.)
  • Entries can be handwritten, typed, or scribed by an adult.
  • Please note on the entry if there is anything we need to take into consideration when reading the work.

WHAT TO INCLUDE

  • Each entry must include the pupil's name, age, and school name.
  • Initials or first names only can be supplied if necessary.
  • Give the story a title. This does not count towards the 100-word limit.

SENDING YOUR ENTRIES

  • There is no limit to the number of entries per school.
  • One entry per pupil.
  • Please submit entries together where possible.
  • If entering more than one class, include a separate Teacher Entry Form for each teacher.
  • Entries do not have to be on the official entry form. Stories can be written on A4 paper, typed, or completed in the Online Writing Portal.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • Free to enter.
  • UK entrants only.
  • Ideal for 7–12-year-olds, but pupils outside this age range are welcome to enter.
  • Copyright remains with the author.
  • No purchase necessary to win.

If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.

For Schools

Β£1,000

The school with our favourite set of entries will win Β£1,000 and Young Writers' Award of Excellence!

PLUS FREE BOOKS FOR PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS!

Every participating school with published pupils will receive a free copy of the book featuring their work.

The more entries you send, the more free books your school will receive. (1-30 entries = 1 copy; 31-60 entries = 2 copies etc)

School winners will be chosen from published entries received during the autumn term 2026. Prizes will be awarded the following term.

For Pupils

10 FANTASTIC WINNERS!
CREATIVE WRITING HAMPERS!

Our favourite 10 young writers will each win a fantastic creative writing hamper!

EVERY ENTRY COUNTS!

Every entrant receives a bookmark and sticker for taking part.

Pupils whose work we'd love to publish will also receive a certificate.

Pupil winners will be chosen from published entries received during the autumn term 2026. Prizes will be awarded the following term. Image for illustration purposes, contents may vary.

Download Now

It’s easy to take part!

  1. Download entry forms
  2. Your students write or type their entry (or an adult can scribe) ensuring their name (or initials) and age are included
  3. Submit your entries using one of the options below

Enter Online

  Email

Email your entries to [email protected] and please ensure your pupils' names and ages are on their work, and that you include your name, school name and school address in your email. Thank you!

  Upload

Upload your entries

  Entrants type their entries online

Why not combine literacy and ICT by using the online writing portal? Entrants can type their work and you can submit them at the click of a button!

Writing Portal

  File Sender Services

You can use different file sender services to enter digitally, such as: WeTransfer, Google Classroom, Dropbox, Send Anywhere, Egress, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Smash, Files.com, Apple iCloud Drive, FileCloud

Please ensure your name, email and school name and address are included with your entries if you send entries digitally via a non-Young Writers service.

Download Now

Send by Freepost

Send your entries, along with your teacher entry form, to:

FREEPOST RSLY-AUJA-RAHY
Young Writers PS
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

Writing Tips


Get FREE writing tips sent straight to your inbox!

Subscribe

Tips will be added here each week that the competition is running.

Get In Touch

Email
[email protected]

Tel
01733 890066

Post
FREEPOST RSLY-AUJA-RAHY
Young Writers PS
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

Closing Date: Friday 18th Dec 2026