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Tips & Advice

Fun and Easy Ways to Get Kids Interested in Poetry

by Melissa Taylor

Photo credit: photosvit, iStock/Getty Images

When your kids think of poetry, do their eyes light up with delight? Does poetry captivate them?

Most often, probably not. But we can change that. We can make poetry interesting to kids.

Here are some ideas and activities to help get your kids hooked on poetry.

  • Make It Easily Accessible

  • Poetry Anthologies

    Find poetry books that will appeal to your child’s interests — dinosaurs, nature, riddles, anything.

  • Online Poetry Sites

    Look at websites such as: The Poem Farm, The Poem Hunter, The Poetry Foundation, My Word Wizard, and my personal favorite, The Favorite Poem Project.

  • Poetry Bucket

    Have poems available for your kids to read. Put them in a small bucket or basket. Then, pick out a poem to read at breakfast or dinnertime.

  • Poetry Folders

    Keep a copy of your child’s favorite poems in a poetry folder or three-ring binder. Keep these on your bookshelves for easy access.

  • Make It Portable

  • Technology

    Since most kids love technology, pair that love with poetry. Download poetry apps so you can read poems on the go. Try Pocket Poetry, iF Poems, and Favourite Poems for Children.

  • Poem In Your Pocket for Young Poets:100 Poems to Rip Out and Read

    Tear out a poem from this clever book. After you read it, carry it with you throughout the day.

  • Make It Fun

  • Fridge Poetry

    You’ve seen these before, right? Magnetic words you can stick on your refrigerator. These are great for spontaneous poetry writing — and are pretty funny, too.

  • Illustrate a Poem

    Find a poem your child loves, give her art supplies, and see what the poem inspires her to create.

  • Found Poetry

    Use old magazines or anything with written words, to “find” interesting words and phrases. Cut out and re-arrange into a poem.

  • Riddles

    It often surprises kids that riddles can be poetry. Riddles not only get kids engaged with poems, they also get kids engaged in critical thinking. Try reading riddles with your kids. It’s so much fun. Then, if you’re up for it, create your own riddles.

  • Music

    Your kids will be shocked to learn that music lyrics are poetry. (Some not all that good but nevertheless, poetry.) Print out the lyrics to favorite songs. Sing and enjoy.

    Along the same line, set poems to your own music. See if you can sing poems instead of reading them. Many poems naturally have a rhythm. Try to find it. Can you make it a rap?

Kids not hooked on poetry yet? Try these Poetry Books for Reluctant Poetry Readers.