One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from mums is: “My child just isn’t imaginative. They hate making things up.” But the truth is, all children are imaginative – they just need help unlocking it in the right way, especially when it comes to creative writing for the 11 Plus.

I once worked with a Year 4 girl who always wrote the same kind of story: she’d go to school, something small would happen, and the story would end with her going home. When I asked her why she didn’t write about pirates or adventures or magical doors, she shrugged and said, “I don’t know how.”

That’s the key. It’s not a lack of imagination – it’s a lack of exposure to story ideas and the confidence to use them.

Here’s how you can help your child build their creative muscle – without pressure.

Let Imagination Start with the Familiar

You don’t have to start with dragons and aliens. Some of the most effective stories in the 11 Plus come from realistic situations with a twist.

Children often feel more comfortable starting with the world they know – and adding imagination from there.

Use Visual Prompts

Pictures are a brilliant way to spark ideas. Try these at home:

• A mysterious door in a forest
• An empty classroom with one chair knocked over
• A child standing alone at a train station

Ask your child:

• What’s just happened?
• What might happen next?
• What are they thinking or feeling?

Suddenly, ideas begin to form – and you haven’t even started writing yet.

Borrow from Books, Films and Real Life

If your child struggles to invent something new, encourage them to build on something they already know.

• Use a book character in a new situation
• Take a moment from a film and imagine a different ending
• Use a family story and add a dramatic twist

This isn’t cheating – it’s what real writers do. We’re all inspired by something.

Teach the Magic of “What If?”

This question can unlock a story idea in seconds.

Try:

• What if you woke up and everyone had disappeared?
• What if your pet could talk?
• What if your homework had a secret message hidden in it?

Brainstorming “what if” scenarios together can be a fun, relaxed way to stretch creative thinking.

Use Planning Structures to Make Ideas Manageable

Sometimes children don’t struggle with imagination – they struggle with what to do with their ideas.

Use a simple five-part story plan:

1. Set the scene
2. Introduce a character
3. Add a problem or twist
4. Build tension
5. End with a resolution or reflection

This helps structure the story and stops children from panicking or going off-track.

You’ll find this exact framework – and more – inside the Creative Writing Crash Course. It helps your child develop imagination in a way that’s structured, simple, and effective.

Make It a Game, Not a Test

Sometimes children freeze because they associate writing with stress. Try fun activities like:

• Creating a comic strip
• Acting out a short scene first
• Recording a voice note version of the story before writing

This removes the pressure and makes storytelling feel like play – which is when imagination flows best.

Praise the Ideas, Not Just the Writing

Children need to hear that their ideas are valuable – even if the spelling or grammar isn’t perfect yet.

Say things like:

• “That was such an exciting idea!”
• “I love the twist you added – it surprised me!”
• “You’ve created a really interesting character.”

This builds belief, which leads to braver writing.

Your Next Step

If your child freezes at the thought of creative writing, it’s not a lack of imagination – it’s a lack of confidence and structure.

Inside the Creative Writing Crash Course, we gently build your child’s imagination through guided prompts, planning tools, and writing tasks that encourage them to experiment – and enjoy it.

Start the Crash Course today and help your child unlock the creative spark that’s already there – ready and waiting.