If there’s one topic that instantly gets upper elementary students talking, it’s superheroes. Instead of battling their obsession (we all remember the Great Spider-Man Drawing Phase of September), why not harness it for learning? These superhero writing activities turn capes, villains, and secret identities into creative writing gold.
I’ve pulled together five of my favorite superhero-themed activities that work well for grades 4–6. These are creative, standards-based, and most importantly…fun. You’ll hit character development, narrative writing, point of view, persuasive techniques, and even a little public speaking… all while letting students geek out over their own made-up heroes and villains.
And yes—these are totally free.
Be sure to get the handout. It includes printables for all five activities, as well as detailed answer keys. YEAH!
Superhero Writing Activities for Creative Classrooms
1. Superhero Character Writing Activity: Hero & Villain Bios
We kick things off with a character-building activity (literally). Students create a hero and a villain from scratch, including name, backstory, personality quirks, tragic past… the whole works.
I like to start with a class brainstorm: What makes a good hero? What turns someone into a villain? (This is always where someone brings up how maybe the villain just had a bad childhood, and suddenly we’re in a moral philosophy class.)
Once they’ve got a few ideas, students use the printable organizers to flesh out their characters. I’ve even included sample bios for Batman and The Joker, in case you’d like to model the process. (Or if you’re just too tired to explain what a “tragic flaw” is again.)
2. Compare and Contrast Superhero Writing Activity
Once their characters are developed, it’s time for a showdown. This is where we break out the trusty Venn diagram.
You can have students compare their own hero/villain pair, or choose a classic duo like Ariel and Ursula, or Simba and Scar. (I included a sample Venn diagram for Ariel vs. Ursula that works well as a starting point.)
We focus on traits, goals, actions, and then go a little deeper with this question: Who’s more complicated—the hero or the villain? The discussions that come out of this one are gold. And the writing? Even better.
3. Point of View Superhero Writing Activity
This might be my favorite.
Students complete the same story twice—once from the hero’s perspective, and once from the villain’s. The story starts with an alarm sounding over Signal City, and students fill in details like setting, internal thoughts, sensory language, and of course what epic power move launches the battle.
It’s a great way to get them thinking about point of view, tone, and how bias creeps into storytelling. Plus, they love seeing how different the two versions turn out. (“Wait... she thought he started the fight?”)
4. Persuasive Superhero Writing Activity
This one is short, sweet, and full of persuasive writing practice. Students design a snack that their superhero would totally endorse (or be caught snacking on while watching the city from a rooftop).
They create labels, slogans, and persuasive blurbs that market their product to the hero’s fan base. I usually show a few real snack labels first and talk about catchy language—then let them run wild.
We’ve had “Lightning Bites,” “Justice Juice,” and “Turbo Toffee”… one student even created a health drink called “Kale of Duty.” (Still not over that one.)
5. Public Speaking and Writing Activity: Superhero Awards Night
To wrap it all up, we throw a little celebration—complete with fictional awards. Think: “Best Disguise,” “Most Unexpected Power,” “Most Likely to Save the World and Be Home for Dinner.”
Students write short acceptance speeches or award blurbs in character, using everything they’ve developed so far—voice, tone, personality, and achievements.
You can turn this into a full-on awards ceremony (costumes optional but encouraged), or just keep it simple with students presenting to the class. Either way, it’s a creative, confidence-building way to end the unit.
Why It Works
I’ve taught this unit in various ways—sometimes spread over a week, sometimes used as writing centers, and occasionally as a just-for-fun break after testing—and it always works.
Superhero stories have built-in conflict, motivation, and big emotions. They give students the freedom to be creative while hitting the same standards you’d cover in a more traditional writing unit.
And if you’re wondering—yes, the villains always end up being more interesting. And that’s part of the fun.
Download the handout to receive all the activities mentioned in this post.
“You don’t need X-ray vision to see that every child has a story to tell. Sometimes they just need the right prompt to unlock it.”
— Adapted from a forgotten superhero handbook found wedged in a desk drawer between dried glue sticks and a lone googly eye.
These superhero writing activities prove that writing doesn’t have to be boring. When students create their own heroes and villains, they’re not just writing stories—they’re exploring motivation, perspective, and voice. And honestly, isn’t that what every great superhero tale is about?
Want More Reading Skill Practice?
If you’re looking to go beyond making connections and build a strong foundation in comprehension, check out my Reading Skills Bundle. It includes 12 complete units covering:
- Text Structure
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Each unit comes with printables, graphic organizers, and engaging activities that make reading skills stick.
