Planning and writing a story set in an imaginary world

Green or barren, deserted or populated by amazing creatures – it's time to enter an imaginary world! Your child will need to write a story set in an environment of their choosing, using the planning frame to help them organise their ideas before they put pen to paper.

Why is it important to write fantasy stories at KS2?

Learning to write fantasy stories is important for Key Stage 2 (KS2) children for several reasons:

• Creativity and imagination: writing fantasy stories encourages children to use their imagination and creativity to invent new worlds, characters, and magical elements. This fosters creative thinking and helps children develop their own unique ideas.
   
• Language development: writing fantasy stories allows children to experiment with language in creative ways. They can explore descriptive language, metaphors, similes, and other literary devices to bring their imaginary worlds to life.
   
• Emotional expression: fantasy stories provide a safe space for children to explore complex emotions and themes. Through their characters, children can explore issues such as friendship, courage, fear, and empathy, which can help them develop emotional intelligence.
   
• Engagement and motivation: fantasy stories can captivate children's interest and motivate them to write. The freedom to create fantastical worlds and characters can make writing more enjoyable and engaging for children, encouraging them to practice their writing skills.

How can you teach your KS2 child to write a fantasy story?

Teaching KS2 children to write fantasy stories involves igniting their imagination and guiding them through structured steps.  Start by introducing the fantasy genre and discussing its key elements like magical worlds and fantastical creatures. 

Guide children in outlining the plot of their fantasy stories, emphasising the importance of conflict, obstacles, and resolution. (This planning and writing worksheet is a great starting point for prompting creative thinking and building a story about an imaginary world.) 

Encourage them to weave together their characters, settings, and plot lines into engaging narratives. As they write, provide support and feedback to help them craft descriptive language, dialogue, and sensory details that bring their fantasy worlds to life. 

What are examples of fantasy stories for KS2 children? 

There are numerous fantasy stories suitable for KS2 children, ranging from classic tales to modern favorites. 

Here are some examples:

• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
• Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
• His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
• The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
• How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell

Check out our list of the best fantasy adventure stories for kids.