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Message in a Bottle - Upper School

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I could not help but feel a burning in my chest and a whole in my heart. To my shock, the letter in the bottle displayed a message that read: “I am alive. Follow the signs. Find me.”

Free ANZAC Day Poetry Resource

This ANZAC Day resource includes information about ANZAC Day, vocabulary, example poems and a writing template.

The Red House

The red house at the end of my streets glows 24 hours a day. There are strange noises and smoke coming out of the chimney. The weird thing is…no one lives there…

Scary School

Amy shivered from the back of the classroom. This was no ordinary school and these were no ordinary students…

Halloween Nightmare

“This can’t be real,” mumbled Katy. The inanimate Halloween objects had come to life…”Run!” cried her dad.

In my basement, there lives a mini alien. His name is Trevor and he is the size of a walnut.

Friendly Ghost

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” asked Millie. The ghost just sat there, staring at her. Millie slowly backed away…

Skeleton Family

At the end of our street, there lives a skeleton family. They seem normal, but they have something hiding in their closet…

The Black Cat

A gust of breeze swept through Sally’s kitchen. The chirping birds were replaced with an eerie silence, and there on her kitchen table sat a mysterious black cat.

Stone Prison

Dazed and confused, Peter awoke in chains. His knees were grazed and his face was bruised. He peered around to see only stone walls.

Real Life Movie

Simon couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “How is this real?” he whispered to his brothers. The characters were walking out of the television!

The Archer Queen

Her eyes narrowed in on the target. She never missed. It shimmered in the distance and would be gone in a matter of seconds. The Archer Queen steadied her bow…

Magic of The Moon

The moon rose from behind the clouds as butterflies drifted at the water’s edge. Amy had no idea why she was chosen. Each night her powers came to life.

Bill’s life was over. A shark was the last way he’d thought he’d die. ‘Such was life,’ thought Bill as he made his way to the underworld.

The Dark Knight

Trapped alone in a dark cage was unusual for the greatest knight in the land. However, this was reality now. His cage was small and the damp smell stung his nostrils.

The Young King

Staring mindlessly at the crowds, Peter’s mind fell blank. His father was dead and he was now the king. He turned to his uncle. “Arrest that man, he killed my father.”

“I will grant you one wish, anything you desire,” said the fairy. Mary had only awoken moments ago to the sound of her window opening.

Lily was like no other girl her age. She had a special gift; invisibility. She could vanish without a trace. But that meant others were after her…

Alien Invasion

The signs were loud and clear. The warnings had echoed through time, and yet my people refused to listen.

Her skin beamed red as adrenaline rushed through her veins. Jendi could feel her new powers surging through her body. Every 5 years, the Gods gifted her with new powers which she used to protect the planet.

Since discovering the magical mask, Alexandra’s life had changed drastically. The mask gave her a special power. A power that she used to save lives.

The Book in The Attic

Sarah’s eyes widened as her grandfather’s book began to sparkle. A careless visit to the attic was about to turn into an adventure. She leaned forward…

The Magical Orb

The location of the orb appeared to Brian in a dream. Now he was standing in front of it without a clue of how to use it. Brian approached the orb with caution…

The Little Magician

Jack was a fan of all things magic, but what he created was shocking. He had managed to craft a real wand! A wand in the hand of an 8 year old was sure to have dire consequences.

Amy had seen the same sight for 5 years. Every full moon, at midnight, a witch would fly across the moon with her cat. This full moon was different. The witch never came. Instead, as the clock struck twelve, she heard a cackle at her front door.

House on The Corner

Dazed and confused, Sandy awoke to the sound of mumbles. She was bound by rope and was covered in dust. Her heart began to beat rapidly as she realized where she was and what had happened.

Princess Arrow

With her kingdom behind her, the princess moved forward. Her evil ambitions were on display. She planned to take over all of the kingdoms in the land, one by one. “Move forward!” she roared to her troops.

Sam stopped panicking. He had come to the realization that his life was over. Floating in the open ocean for over 12 hours with no sign of help had taken away his hope. However, as the blue moon rose, Sam felt something, a kind of energy surge from the moon.

Hooded Figure

He stood in the street, staring at the house. The hooded figure did not flinch. His dark cloak covered his entire body and was symbolic of the man himself. Dark energy pulsed through his veins. He had one mission in life…

Her light hair cascaded down her shoulders as she moved back and forth. The stick that she wielded was filled with power and evil. Her long nose and deep black eyes were only seen in nightmares. She was, after all, the keep of souls.

The Mission

Sam had one mission, to find his brother. He had been missing for 185 days and hope was fading. Sam’s determination had not faded. Alone in his mission, he had to succeed.

The Family Curse

The forest offered no safety from the nightmares. The loud ringing of bells and an almost too angelic voice hummed harshly in his ears, as if someone was using cymbals on his head. He felt his entire body vibrate; a low shiver ran down his spine.

Time Travel

Her heart beat uncontrollably as her time machine whirred in the background. Jenny’s invention had finally come to life and now was the time to test it. “200 years ago should do it,” she muttered to herself.

A New World

Sarah was afraid of her new home. There were things that were only found in books. She had to escape.

New Friends

The news was wild with information about the alien “invasion”. Jack watched in awe. “They have come in peace, they have come in peace!” repeated the news broadcaster.

A New Journey

It was finally Ben’s time to go. He had been contacted 5 years ago about moving to a new planet with an alien species. Ben had been chosen and was ready for the journey.

Space Explorer

Jack gasped for air, clinging onto life. His mission to establish a colony on Mars was running smoothly until his helmet cracked in a sandstorm. Now, his life and the mission was about to end.

The Takeover

First the lights came and then the sky evolved. Human curiosity changed to fear and anxiety. One spaceship turned to thousands, hovering above the earth. For days they didn’t move, just sat in the purple sky. 

Green Machine

His scaly exterior was tough and the power he possessed was destructive. The “Green Machine” had already taken over 2 continents and he was on in way to ours. 

Lost in Space

Vera looked up at the darkness of the sky. Hope had faded as this was not her sky. Lost and stranded on another planet meant certain death for Vera…

Bella’s life seemed normal, but it was far from it. She went to school, had friends and played sport on the weekend. The only strange thing was…she was from the past, living in the future.

His mission to explore Mars had failed. Space cat was now floating into the abyss. However, This extraordinary cat, with a human sized brain, had a plan…

The location was a secret and the employees were…odd. Area 51 was rumored to be hiding an alien. Sandy decided it was her mission to find the location and rescue the alien.

Mr Universe

Mr Universe used his powers to protect the planets in our solar system. His super strength and speed stopped all invasions from enemies only found in nightmares. Until one day, he met his match… 

A Changed World

The world had changed after the asteroid. The planets had moved and the position of the Sun made life challenging. It felt like life on our planet was heading towards extinction.

Pat was the best astronaut in the world, but he was in trouble. His breathing was heavy as his eyes scanned the area. Pat’s rope to the ship had broken and his chance of survival was fading.

What's That?

Tom’s chance of survival was slim. He lay flat on his back, trappeed by an asteroid. It seem as if the sky was falling with rock parts landing all around him.

Mystery Island

The plane had crashed 3 weeks ago. 20 of us were still alive, fighting for survival. Strange noises echoed across the mysterious island. Survival seemed futile.

After a radioactive explosion, the town of Scarlet had been abandoned and was now a ghost town. 20 years had now passed, and creatures began to emerge out of the radioactive city…

The Talking Owl

“You’re going the wrong way,” whispered a voice. “You’re in grave danger,” it continued. Peter looked up to see an owl…a talking owl…

Lonely Powers

Banksy wanted to use her powers, but she was afraid. Banksy didn’t want to hurt anyone and she knew that her powers were strong.

House on The Hill

“There’s no way out!” screamed Lexi. The gates had closed and they were trapped at the house on the hill. The doors opened and a tall figured emerged.

Magic Hands

I hovered my hands over her broken leg. It usually took 20 seconds to heal the bone completely. Mary winced in pain as the bone mended. I pulled my hands back and smiled at Mary. “Magic hands,” she whispered.

Moving Houses

It was time for Sam’s family to move again. Every year before Christmas, they would prepare their land and head to a new location. It was their way of keeping safe from the warlocks.

Our entry was rough, but we finally made it to Venus. The air was hot and thick. Sweat filled my suit and my glass cover began to fog up. What was on this strange planet?

The Blizzard

This was the end. The blizzard had all but consumed us. We huddled together, ready to die.

The Acquaintance

A single woman protected our village. No one really knew her. All we knew is that when her father was killed, she mysteriously moved to the hills and watched over us.

Liz’s heart was trying to beat out of her chest, but she refused to let it. She had to get everyone out, even if it would drain her. “Help!” cried the voices.

Sweat ran through Pete’s fingers as he hung on for dear life. Thousands watched on in horror. Pete’s tight rope act had gone horribly wrong.

A Time in Space

Time was running out and Sarah had to get back through the space gate. Her mission was complete, but she was about to be stranded in space.

Magic Mountain

On Terry’s 14th birthday, she made her way up Magic Mountain. That was the age that you could journey up the mountain and claim your one wish, anything you desired.

The Invention

It was the greatest invention of all time and no one had a clue. Yensen held it up to the light and admired his creation. “What a magnificent beauty you are,” he whispered.

Hot Air Adventure

Their hot air balloon dropped around 100m in less than 3 seconds! Peter and Simon, brothers, looked at each other with panic in their eyes. 

As their boats drifted on to the shore, Sam ran back to his village. His heart racing and his mind frantic. “They’re here, the pirates are here!” he screamed. 

Tom was no ordinary boy. He finished high school at the age of 7 and had a degree from Harvard by 10. There was only one problem…he wasn’t human.

The Good Witch

Alexia was different from her four sisters, and she was the strongest of them all. They chose evil and she chose good. But now she was in trouble, 3 verse 1 was going to be tricky…

Stone walls and metal bars surrounded Samson. His mind remained calm. The chains that bound him were no match. He had been trained as a ninja from the age of 3. 

The Magic of The Lake

It shimmered in the beautiful sunlight and sat between the tallest mountains. It’s temperature never changed, nor did its majestic blue. It was the lake that healed anyone who enetered.

Min couldn’t believe his eyes. His dog had just been eaten by a T-Rex. ‘Where am I?’ he thought. ‘This doesn’t look like home’.

The Strange Forest

Stella and her sister had given up. They were lost in the strangest forest with no way home, until…they came across an odd shoe house…

The Cauldron

There it was, just sitting. The cauldron that they had been searching for. 6 Long years it had escaped them, but now it was within their grasp…

The Mad Scientist

“I’m not crazy,” whispered Bill as he stared down at his creation. It was a tiny little frankenstein…a horrible monster….

The Compass

Tundi’s eye’s lit up as she held the compass. “So this will lead me to the treasure, huh?” she mumbled to herself. Her heart began to race.

The Magic Bridge

The bridge seemed to shimmer in the light and its stone was etched with intricate designs. Maya took the first step on to the magic bridge found on the edge of town.

Santa's Journey

Trapped in the mountains with no way of fixing his sleigh, Santa was stuck and all alone. A cold shiver ran down his spine and the icy fingers of the wind caressed his chubby cheeks.

The Universe

While exploring the forest, Alex stumbled upon an interesting box. He opened it to find an earth shaped orb that had a luminous glow to it.

Man in The Woods

For 13 years, there lived a man in the woods. He had no house and no family. The woods were his home, but that was about to change…

The Millionaire

The millionaire who lived in the mansion on the edge of town never came out of his house. Until one day, the door opened and out stepped an old, tired man…

Found Money

What would you do if you found a million dollars in your backyard? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me and my friend, Alex.

There was once a giant who lived in a small town. He was a lonely giant because he didn’t have any friends, until one day when things changed.

The Long Journey

Audacious and kind, Oliver, the young wizard wondered through his local village in great desperation. He had to find his lost spell book.

The Dragon's Egg

Patrick held on to the egg with a tight grip. The owner of the egg soared above, screeching for its baby.

The Shining Globe

Jani looked left and right and ran for her life. Her strawberry blonde hair whipped in the wind as silence enveloped the area.

Elephant Love

The village was under attack and Sami was in trouble. Her family had died and she had no hope. In the distance, she spotted something.

The Old Hut

An old hut sat on the edge of the forest. Many thought it was abandoned, but there seemed to some life to it. One day, Jackson noticed the door was slightly open…

All was lost. The ship was on fire and the dragons still roamed above. “Jump on its back!” cried Mary.

The files would take another 5 minutes to download. After months of searching, she was just minutes away from getting the classified information she needed to free her brother.

Fork in The Path

It had to be a trick. One path was dark and the other was so bright. Sami had to decide, time was running out. “The dark one!” she whispered.

Another World

There it was, the door that was supposed to be a myth. It was glowing and a strange sound was coming from it. He approached it with caution.

The Magic Book

Arnie moved towards the book slowly, knowing the danger it possessed. She paused for a second, “Is this a good idea?” she mumbled.

The Mysterious Library

The shelves had a light glow, and the books seemed to talk to Peter. Each of them calling for him to open them, but he knew that would be a mistake.

Sandy lay flat on her back, staring up at the night sky. Trapped in a pit was not how she wanted to spend her birthday. She could sense that the rain was coming

Winter's Ghost

“There’s no such thing as the Winter’s Ghost!” exclaimed her mother. Just then, the window flew open. They couldn’t believe their eyes…

The Monster

We slowly opened the door and peeked through with caution. The monster was sitting there as expected. “Now!” Jack screamed.

We hid in the basement as the storm raged on. We were one of the last families left in town. We had decided to stay, a choice we began to regret.

The Haunted House

Sarah stood in the overgrown lawn with grass tickling her knees. The haunted house seemed to sway in the summer breeze. It was tall and daunting.

Mary noticed something different in the sky. There seemed to be a message written in the stars. “R…U…N” it read. 

“We have to go now!” Adelaide shouted at the top of her lungs. The water continued to rise and there seemed to only be one way out.

Peter had a decision to make. Jump into the portal and risk everything, or turn and walk away. Sweat ran down his forehead as the Sun cast a long shadow behind him. He clenched his fist and walked forward…

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Create Your Own Message in a Bottle and Send It

Last Updated: February 7, 2024 Tested

Preparing the Bottle

Writing the message, sending the message, things you'll need.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 210,065 times. Learn more...

Making a message in a bottle can be an entertaining craft and a fun experiment. People have been making and sending messages in bottles for thousands of years. In addition to the fun of making it, the idea of a person receiving your message in a different part of the world can be very exciting. Your message in a bottle could end up across the ocean and you may even receive a response some day.

• To remove the label, place the bottle in hot water and let it sit for at least one hour.
• The hot water will loosen the glue on the label and make it easy for you to peel the label off. You may need to scrape some of the glue off of the bottle.

• To dry the inside of the bottle more quickly, place it in the oven on low heat at 150 °F (65.6 °C) for approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Be cautious when removing the bottle from the oven and allow it to cool off before continuing with the process.
• Another alternative for drying the inside of the bottle is rolling up a paper towel lengthwise and placing it inside of the bottle. Be sure to leave a portion of the paper towel on the outside of the bottle so that it can be easily removed.

• Since it is highly likely that a stranger will read the message, be sure not to reveal sensitive personal information. For instance, do not include your age or phone number if you are under the age of eighteen.
• You can add things that you enjoy, such as your favorite sport or your favorite food.
• Once you have finished writing your message, read it to determine if it is truly what you want to share with a stranger. They may contact you years down the road, so be sure to share something interesting.
• Some people send a message in a bottle for sentimental purposes, such as sharing a love story. [1] X Research source
• Pour melted wax onto the cork before placing it back onto the bottle for a much stronger seal that is more likely to endure water and temperature changes. [2] X Research source

• If it does not float, you will need to find another bottle.

• Check the litter rules. Verify that the rules in your county do not prohibit you from sending a message in a bottle. [3] X Research source

• Be patient and do not get discouraged if you do not receive a response because it could still happen years down the road.
• It has been reported that bottles from the titanic survived at sea for over a century.

Community Q&A

• Tall glass bottle with a cork (wine bottles are perfect)
• Paper (any type of sturdy paper)
• Avoid using plastic because seabirds, whales, sea turtles and other marine life can die from eating plastic. [4] X Trustworthy Source National Resources Defence Council Multinational environmental advocacy group focused on grassroots activism and legislative action Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Wax paper can be placed around the paper message inside the bottle to ensure that it is waterproof. Thanks Helpful 20 Not Helpful 2
• A cork is preferred because it probably will not disintegrate while in the sea. Thanks Helpful 23 Not Helpful 3

• Make sure you know your county's littering laws and do not violate them. Thanks Helpful 18 Not Helpful 3
• Avoid placing your bottle near rocks or anything else that will hinder movement. Thanks Helpful 14 Not Helpful 2
• Do not include any personal information. Thanks Helpful 14 Not Helpful 10

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://messageinabottlehunter.com/why-send-a-message-in-a-bottle/
• ↑ https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/entertainment/local/2008/05/12/how-to-make-message-in/52415010007/
• ↑ https://www.science20.com/science_20/message_bottle_its_not_littering_its_science
• ↑ https://www.nrdc.org/stories/10-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution

About This Article

To make a message in a bottle, write a poem, story, or encouraging phrase. Additionally, if you want to ask for a response once your bottle is found, include a Post Office Box number or email address. Roll your message up as tightly as possible and place a piece of tape around it to keep it from unraveling. Then, slip your message into the bottle, and add a warning to the outside of the bottle, such as “Do not throw away - message inside!” Finally, cork your bottle, set it adrift in the ocean, and wait for a response! For tips on how to waterproof your bottle, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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20 Exciting Message In A Bottle Activities

March 16, 2023 //  by  Ashley Pickens

Imagine being stranded on a deserted island without communicating with the outside world. What if you could craft a message, seal it in a bottle, cast it out to sea, and wonder what the future holds? That’s the power of a timeless concept: Message in a Bottle! We’ll explore its history, detail incredible stories about how they’ve been used throughout time, and teach you how to make your own captivating message in a bottle with your students!

1. Explore the History of Messages in Bottles

Take a deep dive into 10 fascinating true stories about writers and recipients of messages in bottles throughout history. Engage your students in a discussion and analyze the messages to get a historical glimpse into the past! 

Learn more: WatchMojo

2. Analyzing the News

Students can summarize a news article using the 5W template and write their own messages for bottles. Additionally, they can watch a news video about American students who sent messages across the ocean.

Learn more: ELT Buzz Teaching Resources

3. Upper Elementary Writing Templates

Let your students’ imaginations soar! They can complete this fill-in-the-blank writing template as if they’ve found someone’s message in a bottle on the beach. Encourage students to craft their own replies using the template as a guide.

Learn more: GlowScotland

4. Shiver Me Timbers

Students can use their creative thinking skills to create their own deserted islands by assembling a fun LEGO project. The kit comes with materials needed to create a beach scene with a curious crab and an itty-bitty bottle with a mini message inside.

Learn more: LEGO

5. Grow an Ecosystem

Split students into groups. Give each group a 2-liter soda bottle, gravel/soil, pebbles, a plant with a seed (pea/bean), and an insect. Cut the bottle 1/3 from the top. Write a message to the insect. Fill the bottle with materials and tape the top back on. Students can then record the observations for 3 weeks.

Learn more: Albuquerque Public Schools

6. Authentic-looking Glass Bottle

Each small group will need an empty wine bottle. Remove the label, write a message, and add your return contact information. Seal the message inside the bottle and then cast it into the sea. Wouldn’t it be amazing if, one day, your students got a response?

Learn more: wikiHow

7. Time Capsule Memories

Children can write a custom message about the current year, a special memory, or their future goals using this printable activity. Use the paper jar or decorate a real bottle. Keep the messages in a time capsule to show the students when they graduate.

Learn more: Classroom Secrets

8. Analyzing Music

Introduce the song, “Message in a Bottle” by The Police and instruct students to listen and pay attention to what happens after the castaway sends a message. Students will share in pairs. Provide lyrics and then have your students discuss whether the lyrics are literal or metaphorical before discussing the meaning. 

Learn more: Scribd

9. CVC Word Practice

If you’re teaching Kindergarten and looking for ways to reinforce phonics skills, try these templates, which offer a range of CVC word-building activities that can help your students practice and improve their phonics skills.

Learn more: Mrs Learning Bee

10. Tidal Currents Bottle Story

Students near coasts can release drift bottles in the ocean with stamped, school-addressed postcards to track coastal currents. Bottles will be dropped from a boat, and finders will write the location and date on the postcard before mailing it back.

Learn more: Ogo APES

11. Drawing an Adorable Message in a Bottle

In this video, students will learn how to draw a message in a bottle with a helpful step-by-step guide. They’ll only need paper, a pen, a pencil, an eraser, and markers.

Learn more: Shoo Rayner Drawing

12. Releasing Emotional Experiences

School counselors help your students process complex experiences, such as grief, traumatic events, or other deeply emotional experiences, with this unique activity. Encourage your students to express their feelings by writing about a traumatic memory, placing it in an actual or metaphorical bottle, and then releasing or destroying the message.

Learn more: IZUMI Depth Therapy

13. GPS-Tracked Bottles

As a class, students will analyze this STEM article about how scientists use tracking devices to gather crucial data about how plastic travels in the ocean, including researching risks that plastic contamination poses to marine life.

Learn more: Ocean Protect

14. Sensory Bin Messages

Create a sensory bin using rice and beans. Write a message or task in glass vials and hide it in the bin for your students to find. They’ll practice their fine motor skills by using tweezers to extract and read the message inside.

Learn more: Miss Renee OT

15. Tiny Bottle Project

Challenge students to craft a miniature message in a bottle using an empty water bottle. Fill it halfway with sand and pebbles, add a simple message, and seal it with a cork. In a step-by-step “how-to” assignment, students will describe the construction of their project.

Learn more: Craft Elf

16. Water Bottle Bingo

Fill bottles with plastic or foam letters, numbers, and shapes in assorted colors. Secure the top with hot glue or tape and shake the bottle. Use the bingo sheet and dot markers to record what is discovered; including the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes.

Learn more: The Preschool Toolbox Blog

17. Read-Aloud Activity

Follow this intriguing read-aloud story as Afia and Hassan discover a message in a bottle! Students will learn vocabulary words and answer comprehension questions.

Learn more: Online Teaching Lab

18. Diversify Your Lessons

This resource offers diverse activities for all ages. Students will learn message-in-bottle history, decrypt codes, create patterns, respond to local newsletters, analyze text, craft messages for bottles, and find parts of speech in the newspaper for a challenge.

Learn more: Kid Scoop

19. Crafting a Love Jar

To make a Love Jar, all you need is a jar of any size with a screw-on lid. Jot down reasons for loving each family member or classmate on small notes and address them to specific individuals on the back. Crafting their own reasons can help students enhance their writing abilities.

Learn more: So Festive!

20. Teeny Tiny Bottles

Perfect as Valentine’s craft, your students will love creating this mini message in a bottle. Students will use 1.5-inch glass vials, a needle and thread, scissors, and custom messages or printed messages.

Learn more: Michele Baratta

Message in a Bottle Writing Activity for Kids

Kori morgan.

From William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" to "Pirates of the Caribbean," the message in a bottle is a popular recurring symbol in stories of castaways, deserted islands and high-seas adventure. It also offers students a chance to join the literary tradition by creating their own message in a bottle stories through both individual and interactive writing. Whether you're teaching English or a kids' writing workshop, a message in a bottle writing activity lets students be creative while practicing their storytelling and language skills.

Explore this article

• Just Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a Tale...
• Send an S.O.S. to the World
• Bottle Wash-Up Simulation
• Newsflash: Castaways Rescued

1 Just Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a Tale...

Before they write their messages in a bottle, students can create the back story behind their letters, including where they are stranded and how they got there. Ask students to imagine the places where they've ended up, then let them brainstorm their letters by describing their surroundings, the weather, what they're doing to survive and obstacles they've encountered. For example, they may have discovered an ancient tribal culture that's angry at being disturbed by outsiders or made their own weapons using everyday objects they had on hand when they arrived.

2 Send an S.O.S. to the World

Once they have the details of their castaway encounters on paper, students can create their messages. Ask them to compose letters explaining what happened and pleading for help. Students can describe where they were headed when they got stranded, how long they've been there and where they're from, and they can discuss their surroundings and experiences. To add authenticity, students can write their letters on fancy paper or crumble up and unfold them to make them look old and wrinkled. Give each student a plastic bottle with a lid, then have them roll up their letters and secure them in the bottles.

3 Bottle Wash-Up Simulation

To get the full effect of writing a message in a bottle, students need a body of water to put it in. Set up a large plastic container such as a storage tub or a small kids' swimming pool in the room and fill it with water. When everyone's letters are done, have the students toss the bottles into the water, then choose another student's bottle from the container. Back at their seats, they can open up the bottles and read the adventurous tales their classmates have written.

4 Newsflash: Castaways Rescued

Each of the students began a story when they wrote their letters, but now it's time for the bottles' recipients to finish them. Ask the students to make an outline of how the people who wrote the letters are rescued. Perhaps a fisherman in a boat caught the bottle on his line or a picture of the castaway showed up in a satellite view on a navigation website. Then, have the students write news articles describing the dramatic rescue of their classmates. As a group, share your articles so everyone can see how their stories ended.

About the Author

Kori Morgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in professional writing and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and has been crafting online and print educational materials since 2006. She taught creative writing and composition at West Virginia University and the University of Akron and her fiction, poetry and essays have appeared in numerous literary journals.

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Creative Writing - Message in a Bottle

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

22 February 2018

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Message in a bottle - creative writing

"You are lost on a deserted island. Write a message in a bottle for someone to find."

This is a one page creative writing task for students that can read and write. Grade according to the students level and have a fun challenge. The best creative writing task wins a reward.

This activity is perfect for an English lesson. Extend the lesson by having the students read their letter to the class. Younger students can end the lesson off by coloring or decorating their letter and bottle as a craft.

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Creative writing - Message in a bottle

Year 6 english, adjectives 1.

Metaphors 1

Speech marks 1, using a dictionary 1, informal letters, instructions, practice writing test 2, practice writing test 1, writing a story - the birthday, writing a story - the lost island, writing a story - the car journey, writing a story - the argument, writing a story - super hero, writing a story - my bravest moment, writing a story - through the keyhole, asking questions 1, asking questions 2, asking questions 3, sentences - homophones 1, sentences - homophones 2, sentences - homophones 3, sentences - homophones 4, sentences - homophones 5, sentences - homophones 6, writing a story - the confession, writing a story - the secret cave, writing a story - the magical boots, writing a story - the lost puppies, writing a story - the attic room, writing a story - my best invention, writing a story - the angry neighbour, writing a story - my best memory, planning a story, acrostic poem - guy fawkes, acrostic poem - fireworks, word order 1, word order 2, word order 3, word order 4, word order 5, word order 6, word order 7, word order 8, word order 9, word order 10, fact and opinion 1, fact and opinion 2, fact and opinion 3, fact and opinion 4, fact and opinion 5, fact and opinion 6, cause and effect (1), cause and effect (2), cause and effect (3), cause and effect (4), cause and effect (5), cause and effect (6), prepositions (1), prepositions (2), prepositions (3), prepositions (4), prepositions (5), prepositions (6), prepositions (7), prepositions (8), prepositions (9), alternatives to 'said' 1, alternatives to 'said' 2, alternatives to 'said' 3, acrostic poem - st. patrick's day, proverbs - 'a', proverbs - 'b' to 'c', proverbs - 'd' to 'h', proverbs - 'i' to 'p', proverbs - 'r' to 'y', royal family quiz, father's day - a note to dad, comparison and contrast - two family members, comparison and contrast - two places you have visited, comparison and contrast - small town vs large city, comparison and contrast - film vs book, comparison and contrast - two professional athletes, comparison and contrast - morning and night, comparison and contrast - a real holiday and a dream holiday, comparison and contrast - fresh foods and canned foods, comparison and contrast - london and paris, one syllable only, the asteroid, nobody's home, creative writing - 5 o'clock, comparison and contrast - studying for exams, comparison and contrast - two types of exercise, research topic - chinese new year, creative writing - the cheetah who lost his spots, creative writing - funniest person i know, research topic - elizabeth fry, sentences - homophones 7, sentences - homophones 8, research activity - mallard duck, research activity - nightingale, research activity - pheasants, research activity - golden eagle, research activity - osprey, writing a conclusion - giant panda, writing a conclusion - komodo dragon, writing a conclusion - wolf, writing a conclusion - manatee, writing a conclusion - green sea turtle, research activity - black-browed albatross, research activity - peregrine falcon, research activity - curlew, biography - famous author, biography - famous inventor, biography - famous musician, biography - mother teresa, biography - dick king-smith, writing a conclusion - gibbons, writing a conclusion - polar bears, biography - stephen hawking, biography - mary anning, biography - john logie baird, writing a conclusion - chimpanzees, defining idioms, defining idioms (2), defining idioms (3), stegosaurus - review, triceratops - review, tyrannosaurus rex - review, yet or already, such or so, report form - hot air balloon, report form - velcro, report form - ballpoint pen, debate topics 1, debate topics 2, debate topics 3, editing - giant panda, research activity - mountain gorillas, research activity - hawksbill sea turtles, research activity - black rhino, research activity - sumatran tiger, biography - muhammad ali, in spite of, despite, and although, acrostic poem - shamrock, research activity - amur leopard, research activity - sumatran elephant, creative writing - christmas colours, creative writing - a christmas gift, creative writing - my favourite christmas book, creative writing - my christmas tree, creative writing - my favourite christmas traditions, biography - charles dickens, st. patrick's day limerick poem, dog mushing - yes or no, international women's day - women in british history, cloze activity - amerigo vespucci, biography - amerigo vespucci.

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Pop Goes the Page

Creative literacy & library love.

Message in a Bottle

Messages of love, thoughtful notes, warm invitations…they’re all heading your way to be captured and stashed in your fishing creel AND your heart!

We read The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles , written by Michelle Cuevas, and illustrated by Erin E. Stead (Penguin, 2016). The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles’ job is to spot message bottles and deliver them to their proper recipients. But secretly, he yearns for someone to write a message to him. One day, a bottle arrives with a party invitation, but no name. So the Uncorker asks a number of people if the message belongs to them. Finding no success, he decides to take the bottle to the party and report his failure. However, when he arrives, he finds everyone he talked to earlier, waiting and ready to have a party with him!

You’ll need:

• 1 tissue box
• 1 strip of poster board strip for a box handle
• 1 wooden dowel
• 1 piece of string
• 1 wine cork
• 1 button magnet
• 1 message bottle template , printed on 8.5″ x 11″ card stock
• 3 rectangles of clear plastic (more on this below!)
• 3 paperclips
• Scissors, tape, and stapler for construction
• Markers for decorating

First, your equipment! The fishing creel is a box with a poster board handle stapled to the lid. We decorated ours with color masking tape, but markers work too! The fishing pole is a wooden dowel, and the “hook” is a button magnet hot glued to a wine cork.

At story time, I scattered the kids’ bottles in the “ocean” while they sat in the boat. Then they “fished” off the side, connecting the magnet hook to the paper clipped bottles, which were then hoisted and deposited into the creel!

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The Creative Exiles

Creative Writing Set Free

Message In A Bottle

Message in a bottle – When a person is young love comes easy because you have never had your heart broken yet. Once you first encounter a breakup, then love becomes more difficult to obtain because you become somewhat jaded and you do not want to feel that hurt again. Some people find love and it will last a lifetime and that is really what anyone wants, but the reality of it is that those people that have those types of lifelong relationship’s are very rare. Some people settle for being comfortable, but without the love, in the back of their mind they know and their heart knows if you don’t receive love from the ones who are meant to love you, you will never stop looking for it. Others, such as myself no matter how old I become still believes in romance and love. Sometimes people find that love and for whatever reason it slipped away, never to be rekindled. I am a strong believer that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all. What is life without the taste of love and the quest, the search to find it again? If love has never found you or you have lost it on the road of life, never give up and keep searching. It really isn’t the end that matters, but the search. And if by chance you are one of the rare ones that find that everlasting love, never lose the romance. Never feel sad that you are searching, take pleasure in the fact that you still have romance in your heart. If all else fails, try putting your thoughts and heart in a message in a bottle.

Message In A Bottle My thoughts and words had meaning that I wrote, Heart, soul and everything I feel was in the note. In my dreams I see you, feel you, I know you exist, Walking forward, you disappear in the fog and the mist. I continue the search, I sense, I know you are real, In the dark of the night you are the only thing I feel. Message in a bottle sealed with a cork and a kiss, As I wind up and toss it far into the ocean abyss. You may never find it and read what I wrote, My love for you may only exist in that far-away note.

By Kurt James

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• ← The Shoes
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Kurt James was born and raised in the foothills of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Kurt’s family roots were from western Kansas and having lived in South Dakota for 20 years, Kurt naturally had become an old western and nature enthusiast. Over the years Kurt has become one of Colorado’s prominent nature photographers through his brand name of Midnight Wind Photography. The Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS in Denver, Colorado featured his poetry. Kurt is also a feature writer for HubPages and Creative Exiles with the article’s focused on Colorado history, ghost towns, outlaws, and poetry. Inspired at a young age by writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour, and Max Brand have formed Kurt’s natural ability as a storyteller. Kurt has published 16 books all based in and around the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Using the Midnight Wind Publishing brand, Kurt James novels, short stories, reference books, and poetry, are available in print or download on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and other fine bookstores. And a few shady bookstores as well. Kurt has 3 books that he is currently writing. The 8th book in his Rocky Mountain Series - Raphael Eye for an Eye. His third ghost town reference book, Kansas Ghost Towns, Hauntings, Treasure Tales, and Other BS. And a western/horror novel - Devil’s Tower Spirit of Chiha Tanka. Kurt is a proud member of Western Writers of America.

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8 thoughts on “ message in a bottle ”.

Love is the core of life. Your introduction about seeking love is so emotive. The key is to never give up seeking, for that holds the heart open to the one intended for you. Your poem is lovely, Kurt. Maybe this is your year for love and the right one will read your message. Well done.

I have been in love before Phyllis, but who knows maybe I will find the everlasting one this year. I am not jaded though – I believe in love, always will… thanks for stopping by.

Love can certainly take a person for a spin. I have had my share of ups and downs and lucky to have found my soul mate and peace at last. Wonderful poetic sentiments. Congrats on your book and best of luck.

You are one of the lucky ones Rasma, make sure that you realize every day when you wake up… thank you for your kind words…

Kurt, your prose and poetry always seems to stir up real emotion and it is easy to tell it comes from life experience and from the heart. Never give up on love .. because the perfect one may be out there looking for you too. Some are lucky to have found a lifelong soul mate early on, but many more have to keep searching. Great post.

Thank you John, and I try to write from my heart. My Mom always said I wear my heart on my sleeve. I think that is a good thing in poetry? Maybe? Never jaded and with a clear head, we will see if it is for me.

Amazing Kurt. I’m glad my note was answered. Hopefully the one you seek will reciprocate with a note of their own. Never stop looking for love. Good piece. Very emotive~Paul

Always thankful for your words and insight Paul…

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