Weekly Challenges

Need inspiration? YWP has a wide range of writing and visual art challenges every week throughout the year. Teens ages 13-19 are encouraged to sign up for a free YWP account to respond directly to the challenges. Writing and art posted on the site – both responses to these challenges and general "Create" posts – will be considered for publication with our Vermont media partners, and in our monthly digital magazine, The Voice, and our annual anthologies. Teachers do not need a YWP account to view the site and use our challenges and resources to inspire young writers and artists.


  • Visual Art

    Deadline

    Show & Tell

    It’s back to kindergarten! Creatively photograph something or someone that holds deep meaning to you, and write a short paragraph explaining their role in your life. Make sure to get permission from your subject.

  • Writing

    Deadline

    Sky

    Find inspiration in this theme for your next piece, written in any form: The sky is falling.

  • Writing

    Deadline

    Meditation

    Write about a character trying to meditate or do something mindfully. What’s holding them back? Do they eventually find peace?

  • Visual Art

    Deadline

    Favorite

    In your own signature style, illustrate a favorite scene from a favorite book.

  • Writing

    Deadline

    Secret

    Holding a secret for yourself or another can feel lightheartedly mischievous, devious, painful, or like an immense honor and sign of trust. In poetry or prose, write about someone with a secret – their own or someone else’s.

  • Writing

    Deadline

    Snow Day

    Ferris Bueller may have been the king of bad choices, but he knew how to have a good time. Let yourself imagine the itinerary of an unexpected day off from school – not playing hooky, but on a very welcome snow day.

  • Visual Art

    Deadline

    Appliance

    Make a study of a small home appliance, such as a microwave, toaster, or coffee maker, paying special attention to little details like dials, settings buttons, and number pads. Photograph or draw the elements that most intrigue you.

  • Writing

    Deadline

    Unlikely

    Lay down the story of two unlikely friends. How do they meet? Are they bound together by a promise or secret, or do opposites really attract, after all?

  • Writing

    Deadline

    Language

    Write about a character whose love language is making food for others. Do they manage to win someone over throughout the course of a meal?

  • Writing

    Deadline

    Desk

    Imagine you are floating above your body, looking down on yourself drawing in response to this prompt. Sketch the view of yourself bent in concentration over your desk, pen in hand, materials spread out.

  • Writing

    Deadline

    Meliorism

    A meliorist is one who believes that the world is on a steady path toward improvement and that humans can aid in its positive evolution. Are you a meliorist? If not, or your feelings are complicated, do you believe we have the power to change?

  • Writing

    Deadline

    Bears

    The bears came out of hibernation early that spring. Little did everyone know they were actually an omen…