Free · 8 printable word banks · 622+ words
11+ creative writing word banks
Better words for feelings, weather, settings, movement, sounds and colours, plus sentence openers and alternatives to “said”. Each word bank groups the words by meaning, mostly from mild to strong, with example sentences, tips and a quick practice task.
The word banks
Emotions and feelings word bank
Words for happy, sad, scared, angry, surprised, calm and embarrassed, each from mild to strong, with example sentences.
8 groups · 82 words
- Happy
- Sad
- Scared
- Angry
- Surprised
- Calm and relieved
- Brave and determined
- Embarrassed
Weather word bank
Words to describe sunshine, cold, rain, wind, storms, fog and snow, from gentle to wild, for setting the scene.
7 groups · 78 words
- Sunshine and heat
- Cold and frost
- Rain
- Wind
- Clouds and storms
- Fog and mist
- Snow and ice
Settings word bank
Words and phrases for forests, cities, beaches, haunted houses, caves, mountains and space, to build a vivid setting.
7 groups · 84 words
- Forest and woodland
- City and town
- Beach and seaside
- Haunted house
- Cave
- Mountains
- Space
Movement word bank: alternatives to walked and ran
Better words for walked, ran, jumped and fell: slow, quiet, purposeful, fast, climbing, falling and smooth movement.
7 groups · 74 words
- Walking slowly or wearily
- Moving quietly
- Walking with purpose
- Running
- Jumping and climbing
- Falling and stumbling
- Smooth and graceful movement
Sounds word bank
Words for quiet and loud sounds, animal noises, water, machines and voices, plus onomatopoeia to make a scene come alive.
7 groups · 79 words
- Quiet sounds
- Loud sounds
- Animal sounds
- Water sounds
- Metal and machine sounds
- Voice sounds
- Onomatopoeia
Colours and light word bank
Shades of red, blue, green, yellow, white and black, plus words for bright light and for darkness and shadow.
7 groups · 74 words
- Reds and pinks
- Blues
- Greens
- Yellows, oranges and golds
- Whites, greys and blacks
- Bright light
- Darkness and shadow
Sentence openers and connectives word bank
Time, place, -ing, -ed and adverb openers, plus connectives for adding, contrasting and cause and effect.
8 groups · 83 words
- Time openers
- Place openers
- -ing openers
- -ed openers
- Adverb openers
- Connectives for adding
- Connectives for contrast
- Cause and effect
Alternatives to said word bank
Other words for said, grouped by how something is said: quietly, loudly, happily, angrily, sadly, nervously, asking and explaining.
8 groups · 68 words
- Quietly
- Loudly
- Happily
- Angrily
- Sadly
- Nervously
- Asking and answering
- Explaining and arguing
How to use a word bank
A word bank is a toolbox, not a checklist. The aim is the right word in the right place, not as many long words as possible: one precise verb or adjective beats three fancy ones in a row.
Choose by feeling
Words in most groups run from mild to strong. Pick the one that fits the moment, not the longest one.
A few at a time
Choose three to five new words, say them aloud, use each in a sentence, then use one in the next story.
Print and pin
Print a bank for the desk while practising. Put it away for timed writing, as nothing can be looked up on the day.
Questions parents ask
What is a word bank in creative writing?
A list of useful words grouped by topic or meaning (such as feelings, weather or ways of moving) that a child can look at while planning or writing. It helps them find a more precise word than the first one that comes to mind.
Can my child use a word bank in the 11+ exam?
No, word banks can't be taken into the exam. Use them while practising so the words become familiar, then write timed stories without them so your child can recall the words on their own.
How many new words should my child learn at once?
A handful at a time works best. Pick three to five words from one bank, use each in a sentence, and try to use one or two in the next story. Coming back to them over a few weeks is what makes them stick.
Are the word banks free to print?
Yes. Every word bank is free to read and print, with no account needed. Each page has a Print button and the word lists fit neatly on A4.
What age are the word banks for?
They're written for children aged 9 to 11 preparing for the 11+ in Year 5 and Year 6, and they're useful for Key Stage 2 creative writing in general.