18 Poem Ideas for Kids and Poem topics for kids— Poetry is a wonderful way for students to learn to express themselves while also honing their writing skills. The best part about our poem ideas is that many of them can be incorporated into different subjects, such as science, social studies, or reading. Of course, these ideas are also excellent for national poetry month (April). Oh yeah!
You see…
Introducing children to the concept of poetry allows them to improve their writing skills as well as their reading comprehension skills.
Students of all ages, from kindergarten through the end of high school, are capable of writing incredible poems. Sometimes, all they need is a little encouragement from a trusted adult to become a poet.
Plus…
Encouraging students to write poems in the classroom and during their free time will help them better understand the different poetry styles and allow them to discover which styles speaks to them on a personal level.
And…
Poems give children an opportunity to express their opinions, feelings, and ideas through writing. Use these poem ideas for kids in your classroom as a way to encourage students to explore various themes and topics. Poetry is a great time to introduce metaphors and similes.
Below are just a few poem ideas for kids to get you started. Budding poets can find their rhythm writing free verse or any of the various types of poetry outlined below.
Ok, without further ado, here are those fabulous poem ideas for kids.
18 Poem Ideas for Kids
- Ask children to consider their favorite item in their bedroom, and write a short poem about why it is special to them.
- Provide all children with the same image, such as a piece of art or a photograph. Then ask them to write a poem about it, and take note of the different approaches that each child takes with their work.
- Tell students to write a haiku poem about their last vacation with their family.
- Have the students spend five minutes exploring the classroom, and ask them to select a single object that they find. Then, they need to write a poem about that object.
- Encourage the kids to write a descriptive poem about their favorite color.
- Tell the students to write a rhyming poem using their list of vocabulary words for the week.
- Ask each student to think of a word that best describes the way they feel that day. Then, tell them to write a mnemonic poem using that word.
- Have students write a poem about their pet, and then read their poems aloud to the class.
- Make poetry a classroom activity by bringing in a set of magnetic poetry words. Have the class work together in order to create a poem on the board.
- Teach students that song lyrics often begin as poems. Have them listen to a few of the most popular songs of the day and then ask them to write their own poem that could also be a song.
- Tell every student that they have to write a poem in which this is the first line: “I stumbled upon a blooming flower…”
- Have students stretch their poetry writing skills by asking them to write a directional poem about how to make a peanut butter sandwich.
- Ask students to write a poem about any topic that they choose, but limit their poem to just 30 words.
- Give the students a few moments to study the weather outside the window. Then, tell them to write a poem about the current weather forecast.
- Tell the kids to write a poem about their favorite thing about themselves.
- Have the children in the classroom read several classic nursery rhymes, then ask them to write a modern version of their favorite nursery rhyme in the form of a poem.
- Encourage the students to write a poem about their teacher.
- Tell the children to sit quietly for a few moments and become in tune with their senses. Then, ask them to write a poem about the classroom using all of their senses.
I hope you enjoyed this list of poem ideas for kids. Now…
19 Single Word Poem Prompts
Some writers do well with a single word to inspire them to create great poetry about a topic. Here is a sweet list of single-word poem prompts young writers will enjoy.
- Moon
- Nests
- Owls
- Monkeys
- Butterfly
- Elephant
- Zoo
- Claws
- Hen
- Straw
- Spoon
- Friend
- Space
- Sunshine
- Present
- Smile
- Love
- Tomorrow
- Nourish
Check out our excellent list of 100 Wonderful One Word Prompts for Writers.
Poetry Writing Tip for Single Word Prompts
Leet’s explore personification.
You see…
Personification is a literary device that gives human characteristics to non-human things, such as animals, plants, or objects. It is a type of figurative language that can be used to create vivid imagery and add depth to a poem.
There are many different ways to use personification in poetry. One common way is to describe an object or animal as if it were a person. For example, a poet might write about a tree that “sighed” in the wind or a flower that “smiled” in the sun.
Another way to use personification is to give human emotions or feelings to non-human things. For example, a poet might write about a river that was “sad” or a mountain that was “proud.”
Personification can also be used to create a sense of action or movement in a poem. For example, a poet might write about a cloud that “danced” across the sky or a leaf that “fluttered” to the ground.
Personification is a powerful tool that can be used to create vivid imagery and add depth to a poem. When used effectively, it can help to bring a poem to life and make it more relatable to the reader.
Here are some examples of personification in poetry:
- “The wind whispers through the trees.”
- “The sun smiled down on the flowers.”
- “The river danced merrily along.”
- “The mountain stood tall and proud.”
- “The clouds floated lazily across the sky.”
- “The leaves fluttered to the ground.”
Personification can be used to create a variety of effects in poetry. It can be used to add humor, suspense, or even sadness to a poem. It can also be used to create a sense of movement, action, or life. When used effectively, personification can make a poem more vivid and engaging for the reader.
Now, let’s explore…
Types of Poetry for Kids
While there are many types of poetry, some of the most common for kids to write include:
Acrostic —
Wikipedia states that “An acrostic poem is a poem in which the first letter of each line spells out a word, message or the alphabet”. Here are some kids acrostic poetry examples.
Haiku —
According to Kidzone.com, a “Haiku” is a traditional form of Japanese poetry. Haiku poems consist of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a Haiku have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables. The lines rarely rhyme. You can see an example of a Haiku for kids and learn more about this form of poetry.
Rhyme —
According to the Poetry Foundation, a rhyme is “The repetition of syllables, typically at the end of a verse line. Rhymed words conventionally share all sounds following the word’s last stressed syllable.”. Here are 39 wonderful poems for kids.
Limerick —
A limerick is a silly poem with 5 lines. Take a look at these limericks for kids.
Bonus Content on Journaling and Poetry
(The following is a post that was originally published on my blog in 2010. )
Poetry Journal Ideas for Kids– Journal writing about poetry is a fabulous technique to inspire new thoughts, feelings, ideas and experiences in kids and adults alike. Time and again I’m astonished at the vast power of poetry to affect our moods, emotions, and perspective on life. Poetry is an overlooked and under-valued journaling tool among most journal writers if you ask me.
I’d like to encourage parents and children (especially pre-teens and teen kids) to explore the creativity and new perspective that poetry can bring to journaling.
More About Poetry as a Journaling Technique
Today I came across the classic poem “Written in March” by William Wordsworth. In Minnesota (where I live) March is the time of year when we begin to transition from the cold depths of winter to the new warmth and life of spring.
When I read William’s words they inspired me to the depths of my soul and gave me a deep sense of reverence for the changing of seasons and how joyous it is to move from winter to spring. This experience then became my journaling topic for the day.
Introducing Poetry to Kids Journaling
I want to invite you to share “Written in March” with your child (scroll down the page to read it). Explore his words together and create a journal entry (together) about your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to his poem.
Look closely at the journal sample in the picture above. It is a fabulous example of creative journaling with words AND pictures.
I suggest that you and your child get creative with your journaling and incorporate new journaling techniques such as writing and drawing or coloring as well as shared, co-created journal entries. The possibilities for new journal creating ideas are endless!
WRITTEN IN MARCH
WHILE RESTING ON THE BRIDGE AT THE FOOT OF BROTHER’S WATER
The cock is crowing,
The stream is flowing,
The small birds twitter,
The lake doth glitter,
The green field sleeps in the sun;
The oldest and youngest
Are at work with the strongest;
The cattle are grazing,
Their heads never raising;
There are forty feeding like one!
Like an army defeated
The snow hath retreated,
And now doth fare ill
On the top of the bare hill;
The ploughboy is whooping–anon–anon:
There’s joy in the mountains;
There’s life in the fountains;
Small clouds are sailing,
Blue sky prevailing;
The rain is over and gone!
~ William Wordsworth, 1801
Isn’t it amazing a poem that is over 200 years old is still so relevant to our lives today? I guess what they say is true: The more things change, the more they stay the same. This gives me a deep sense of security. What does it do for you?
Final Thoughts on Kids, Journaling and Poems
As with journaling, there are no right or wrong interpretations of poetry. Rather, it’s all about the creative expression of thoughts and feelings in the way that works best for the individual. I hope you and your young writers are inspired by these poetry prompts.
Explore, share, and discuss what poetry means to you and your child. Respect each and every idea that comes up and CELEBRATE the many insights and ideas you are sure to uncover together. I invite parents everywhere to savor the experience of exploring poetry with your child. It’s just one among many fabulous journaling ideas here on my blog. Oh, and check out these great resources on my blog:
Until next time, and as always, keep on writing!
Jill Schoenberg,
Journal Buddies Creator and Curator
