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500 Words

"Write a story you would love to read". BBC's 500 Words, the UK's largest children's writing competition for children aged 5-11 year-olds.

500 Words opens for entries in late September 2025

Check back for more information on the competition in July.

Everything you need to know about 500 Words

Everything you need to know
From judges to prizes, here's everything you need to know.
The winning stories of the BBC 500 Words 2024/25 competition
Oxford University Press releases their findings of words and themes used in 500 Words stories
The top 50 finalists. Audio
What are the 500 Words prizes?
Frequently asked questions
Our partners

Not every story starts with words - 500 Words partners Beano share their top tips on how to get inspiration for story-writing through drawing.

How Beano can help children write a 500 Words story

Learning resources for ages 5-7

Nathan Bryon shares his top tips for this year's competition
Children's author, Nathan Bryon, shares his top tips for 5-7 year-olds who want to write a story and enter 500 Words 2024.
Who am I? Creating characters
What happens next? Building a plot
Wonderful words and fantastic phrases
Finish with a flourish
Edit, improve and read aloud

Learning resources for ages 7-11

A Kind of Spark author, Elle McNicoll, shares her advice for writing stories
A Kind of Spark author, Elle McNicoll, shares her advice for this year's competition.
Who am I? Creating characters
What happens next? Building a plot
Wonderful words and fantastic phrases
Finish with a flourish
Edit, improve and read aloud

Tips and tricks to kickstart story writing

Chitra Soundar, author of CBeebies' Nikhil and Jay, answers questions on writing stories
CBeebies recently announced a brand new animated sitcom for children, Nikhil and Jay. We caught up with author of the books based on the series, Chitra Soundar, to ask her for her best advice for writing stories.
Joseph Coelho: "Observe the world around you"
The former Children's Laureate and 'Luna Loves...' writer has shared his top tips to kickstart story writing. Catch up on advice from other previous Children's Laureates here.
Julia Donaldson: "Read your story aloud"
The Gruffalo author, Julia Donaldson, shares her top tips for writing a 500 Words story. Play the clip to your students in class to inspire them to put the pen to paper!
Jamie Oliver's advice for children who are dyslexic
Dyslexia can create a barrier to some children when writing their 500 Words story, so we reached out to TV Chef and children's author, Jamie Oliver, for some of his top tips.
CBeebies' George Webster shares his inspiration for writing
The CBeebies presenter and Strictly star, now turned children's author, George Webster, spills what helps him write an inspiring story.