25 Sensory Writing Prompts: Summer Edition

Throw the hot dogs on the grill, kick up those feet with a cold beverage…and grab your writing notebook. It’s time for summer writing prompts! Each set of prompts is organized by sense so you can tap into those deep connections in your writing and make things more real for the reader. Pick your favorites and try not to drip watermelon juice on your paper!

Sound-Related Prompts

1. a blender cracking then whirring ice for frozen drinks
2. a deafening cloud of cicadas hidden in a live oak tree
3. the repetitive grinding and clicking of a bicycle stuck between gears
4. wet flip flops clacking and squeaking on a tile floor
5. lightning followed closely by a booming thunderclap

Touch-Related Prompts

1. smooth pool water gliding across skin
2. the incessant itch of multiple mosquito bites
3. a quick, stinging burn from a hot seatbelt buckle
4. sticky, cold popsicle juice dripping down little hands
5. the thickness of the air hitting when stepping outside after the rain

Taste-Related Prompts

1. the sweet tang of barbecue sauce warm from the grill
2. salty sweat trickling into your mouth
3. a freshly buttered ear of sweet corn
4. hints of rubber while drinking from a garden hose
5. creamy vanilla ice cream swirled from a machine

Smell-Related Prompts

1. the smoke wisps from recently exploded fireworks
2. freshly mowed grass with a dusting of potted flowers
3. the chemical stink of bug spray over-applied
4. strong plastic, artificial scents from a newly-opened swim raft
5. fruity, sugary strawberry pie with homemade whipped cream

Sight-Related Prompts

1. heat waves dancing off the pavement
2. a gator gliding across the water at dusk
3. the brown hues of the world through sunglass-covered eyes
4. lizards skittering across the sidewalk
5. brown and yellow grass burnt from the sun

Bonus! Picture Prompts