Writing a Diary Entry: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 3
Writing a Diary Entry is a free printable worksheet for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. Write about your day in the first person. It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, a growing library of free printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795.
It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown-up: it has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea, and the answers. Print it at home or in the classroom. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
This worksheet includes lines for writing.
Who this is for
Year 3 (ages 7 to 8) in Key Stage 2.
Key Stage 2 covers Years 3 to 6, ages 7 to 11. Children are widening what they know and getting better at explaining their thinking, so activities that ask them to reason, not only recall, are especially useful. Use it at home, in class, on a rainy afternoon or at a family gathering.
What children practise
- Writing
- Sequencing
- Feelings words
Writing a first person account in time order with feelings.
Learning focus and curriculum link
Subject: English. Key stage: Key Stage 2. It supports the subject at this level through short, focused practice.
This sheet is a practice and play activity. It supports classroom learning and is not a replacement for it.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- Write about a real day or an imagined one. Check each sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the notes on page 2 and the answers.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
If it feels too hard
Talk through the day aloud first, then write one sentence at a time.
To stretch confident children
Add time words such as later, after lunch and at last, and a feeling word for each part.
Make it a game
Keep a diary for a week and read the entries back on the weekend.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Print on plain A4 paper. Black and white printing works too.
- Work through it together the first time, then let children try alone.
- Praise effort and thinking, not only correct answers.
A screen-free english activity for Year 3
Children spend a lot of time on screens. This is a screen-free english activity that needs only paper and a pencil. It works as quiet time after school, a rainy day activity, a holiday boredom buster or a calm moment before bed. Screen-free learning gives eyes a rest and gets children talking, thinking and writing by hand.
Free english resources for teachers
Teachers can use this worksheet as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a supply teacher resource, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The learning focus and skills are listed above so you can match it to your planning, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
English ideas for parents at home
You do not need to be a teacher to use this. Read the sheet through, sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work better than long sessions. If you are looking for free english worksheets for Year 3, or simple home learning for the weekend or school holidays, this is a good place to start.
Home education and tutoring
Home educators and tutors can print this as part of a wider english plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Because the sheet is free and printable, you can use it again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Why it helps children learn
Hands-on, paper based activities slow learning down in a good way. Children read carefully, think before they answer and see their own progress on the page. Games and challenges add a reason to keep going. That mix of play and practice is why printable activities like this are popular with parents, teachers and home educators.
Curriculum links for teachers
This sheet supports the areas below. It is matched to the published England frameworks. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | English | Writing: composition | Year 3 |
What children will be able to do
- I can write about my day using I and my.
- I can put events in time order.
- I can say how I felt.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What happened first, next and last in your diary entry?
- Which words show how you felt?
- What would you add to make it more interesting?
More like this
- Alliteration Tongue Twisters
- Alliteration Tongue Twisters
- Because But So Story Chain
- Birthday Memory Book
Same subject, one year up: Fronted Adverbial Cards | Same subject, one year down: The Kn and Wr Spellings
Frequently asked questions
What age is Writing a Diary Entry for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2.
What will children practise?
Writing a first person account in time order with feelings.
How do I use it?
Write about a real day or an imagined one. Check each sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.
What if it feels too hard?
Talk through the day aloud first, then write one sentence at a time.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use.
Is Writing a Diary Entry suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
Is this a screen-free activity?
Yes. It is a screen-free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
Can I use it for home education?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan. It is free to print again for brothers, sisters or revision.
How long does it take?
Most children finish page 1 in 10 to 20 minutes. The notes on page 2 suggest ways to make it shorter or longer.
Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
More free printables
More for Key Stage 2 | More english printables | Free printable games | All Mini Minds Hub resources