10 Hands-On Activities to Support Opinion Writing at Home

What is opinion writing?

Opinion writing is a type of writing where the author expresses their thoughts, beliefs, or preferences about a topic. It includes a clear opinion statement, supporting reasons, and examples to persuade the reader. Writers use strong, convincing language to explain why they feel a certain way and may compare different viewpoints. Opinion writing can be found in book reviews, persuasive letters, and essays about personal preferences. This type of writing helps children develop critical thinking skills and learn how to support their ideas with logical reasoning. It also encourages them to express themselves confidently and respectfully.

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Opinion writing helps children express their thoughts, provide reasons, and persuade others. Parents can encourage their child’s opinion writing skills with engaging activities. Here are 10 hands-on activities to help primary-grade children practice opinion writing at home.

1. Would You Rather? Writing

Give your child two choices (e.g., “Would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet unicorn?”). Have them choose one and write a few sentences explaining why.

2. Favorite Book Review

After reading a book, ask your child to write a short review explaining why they liked or disliked it and provide reasons.

3. Create a Commercial

Have your child write a “commercial” convincing someone to buy their favorite toy, food, or game. They can even perform it for family members.

4. Restaurant Review

After eating at home or at a restaurant, ask your child to write a review of their meal, rating the food and explaining their opinions.

5. Best and Worst List

Ask your child to make a list of their “Top 3 Favorite” and “Top 3 Least Favorite” things (foods, animals, games, etc.) and write why they made each choice.

6. Persuasive Letter Writing

Encourage your child to write a letter persuading a parent or sibling to do something fun, like getting a new pet or having a movie night.

7. Superhero Showdown

Have your child pick two superheroes and write about which one is the best and why, using supporting reasons.

8. Debate Jar

Fill a jar with opinion prompts (e.g., “Is summer better than winter?”). Have your child pick one and write their opinion with supporting details.

9. Design a Dream Bedroom

Ask your child to describe their dream bedroom and explain why each feature (like a slide or a big TV) would make it perfect.

10. Convince the Family

Challenge your child to write a persuasive paragraph convincing the family to try something new, like a game, recipe, or vacation spot.

Make Opinion Writing Fun and Engaging!

These activities help children practice sharing their opinions in a fun, meaningful way. Try them out and watch your child’s confidence in expressing their ideas grow!