Level Up Your Writing: Summer Activities for Middle & High Schoolers with Dysgraphia

Summer is just about here—a well-deserved break! For many students with dysgraphia, though, summer can also mean a pause in the routines and support that help make writing a little easier during the school year. But here’s the good news: you can keep your skills sharp (and maybe even discover new strengths) with these fun, summer activities for middle & high schoolers with dysgraphia.

Whether you’re heading into middle school, tackling high school, or preparing for what comes next, here are creative ways to practice writing—without boring worksheets or essays. These ideas are all about expressing yourself, using technology, and building the skills that matter most while still enjoying your summer break.

1. Journal "Your Way"

Forget the rules of traditional journaling. Try a bullet journal, photo journal, or even a voice diary. Use lists, doodles, and quick thoughts. You can write by hand, type, or use speech-to-text tools—whatever feels easiest. Jot down summer highlights, playlist reviews, goals, or random thoughts.

2. Audiobook & Movie Reflection

After finishing an audiobook, movie, or video game, spend five minutes summarizing your thoughts—type it, record a voice memo, or jot ideas on sticky notes. Try ranking favorites, comparing characters, or making recommendations for others.

3. Start a Blog or Social Account

Share your interests with the world! Start a blog about a hobby, gaming strategy, or book/movie reviews. Or keep it private for yourself. Customize it with images, video clips, and links—focus on content, not spelling perfection. Many platforms (like Wix, Blogger, and even Instagram) offer built-in spell-checkers and editing tools.

4. Creative Fan Fiction or Comic Strips

Love a book, show, or game? Try writing a short fan fiction story—no one needs to see it but you! Or storyboard a comic (draw or use online comic makers). Dictate your story using voice-to-text and focus on dialogue or action. The point: have fun exploring new worlds.

5. Real-Life Writing Tasks

Keep it practical: draft text messages or emails to friends and family, write emails to advocate for causes you care about, or help plan an event by making checklists and invitations. These “real world” writing moments build confidence for the types of tasks you’ll encounter in school and beyond.

6. Collaborative Storytelling

Get together with friends (in person or online) and try a “round-robin story.” Each person adds a sentence or paragraph—spoken aloud, typed in a group chat, or recorded as a voice memo. The results are often hilarious and creative, and you get practice organizing ideas on the fly.

7. Explore Tech Tools

Experiment with apps and software that make writing easier:

- Grammarly or Google Docs with spellcheck for editing

- Voice-to-text on your phone or computer

- Mind-mapping tools (like MindMeister or Miro) to organize ideas

- Graphic organizers or templates for stories, essays, or reports

- Math Software - try one out and write us a review!

Test out what helps you the most. Summer is a great time to find your favorite tools before school assignments ramp up.

8. Respond to Prompts—Your Choice

Ask someone to text you a silly writing prompt each week (“Invent a new sport and describe the rules!” or “Write a scene where two characters swap lives for a day”). Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and just write—no pressure to be perfect, just see where your imagination goes.

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Tips for Teens & Parents:

• Play to strengths! If handwriting is tough, try keyboarding or voice-to-text.

• Short sessions are best —aim for 10-15 minutes at a time.

• Celebrate ideas over grammar. There’s plenty of time for editing later.

• Practice independence. Explore tech tools and strategies that help you get your thoughts down in ways that work for YOU.

Most importantly, don’t stress about perfection—summer is about exploring and growing. A little writing goes a long way, so have fun, get creative, and give yourself space for mistakes and new skills.

Ready to try something new? Share your favorite summer writing activity in the comments or tag us on social media!

For more resources, tech tips, and writing support for dysgraphia, check out Dysgraphia Life.

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Here’s to a summer of self-expression, new adventures, and growing confidence in your writing—one fun activity at a time!