National Poetry Month: Fun Activities & Challenges for Kids!

April is National Poetry Month! That means it’s time to celebrate the wonderful world of words and rhymes! You probably know that poetry is more than just something you read in class. It’s like a secret code for expressing yourself, playing with language, and discovering new ways to see the world. And guess what? It’s SUPER fun!

Why Poetry Rocks for Kids

Poetry helps you in so many ways! It makes you a better reader because you learn how to understand the rhythm and flow of language. It boosts your imagination, encouraging you to create pictures in your mind with words. Also, writing poetry helps you express your feelings and thoughts in unique and creative ways. Poetry isn’t just about writing long, complicated poems, either. Poems can be short, silly, serious, or anything in between. Think of it like an awesome game you get to play with words.

Get Ready to Rhyme! Activities to Spark Your Inner Poet

Let’s kick off National Poetry Month with some exciting activities you can try! First off, let’s look at some of your favorite poems. Think about Shel Silverstein’s poems in Where the Sidewalk Ends or A Light in the Attic. They are fantastic examples of poems with simple words that have great messages. Try writing a poem inspired by one of his poems. What objects or feelings can you describe in a fun and unusual way like Silverstein does? Maybe try writing your own list poem based on his poem “Sick” from Where the Sidewalk Ends.

Another great idea is to explore different “forms” of poetry. Haikus are short and sweet, with only three lines. They focus on nature or a single moment. Try writing a haiku about your favorite animal, a beautiful sunset, or even your breakfast. Or, what about acrostic poems? These are poems where each line starts with a letter that spells out a word or name. Imagine an acrostic poem for your own name! The possibilities are endless.

Next, get inspired by the world around you! Go on a poetry walk! Head outside with a notebook and pen. Take a walk and write down words and phrases that catch your eye. It could be the colors of a flower, the sound of the wind, or a funny dog. Turn those words into a poem. You can describe a scene in great detail, tell a story, or share your feelings.

For another awesome activity, try a “poem swap.” Ask your friends and family members to each write a poem. Then, you can swap and read them! This is a great way to discover new poems and get feedback on your own work. Be supportive and encouraging, like you’re running a friendly poetry circle!

Poem In Your Pocket Day

And don’t forget about Poem in Your Pocket Day. This year (2025), Poem in Your Pocket Day is on Thursday, April 10 and there are lots of ways to celebrate, including printing a poem from the Poem in Your Pocket Day PDF to illustrate and keep in your pocket, reciting a poem out loud, and sharing poems with your family and friends..

Poetry Challenges to Keep the Fun Going

Want to keep the poetry party going all month long? Why not create a poetry challenge? Set a goal to write a poem every day, or at least a few times a week. You can make it themed, like “Poem about your favorite sport” or “Poem using only five words.” You could even check on the lessons page on this website for ideas on different types of poetry to try. It can be a fun way to improve your writing.

Another cool challenge is to try writing a poem in a specific form. If you’ve never written a limerick, then try that. A limerick is a five-line poem that is funny and tells a little story. Look at the limericks of Edward Lear as a model! See if you can come up with your own funny rhymes and crazy scenarios. Or, you can explore free verse poetry, where you can write about whatever you like without worrying about rhyme and rhythm. The point is to play with words!

Resources to Fuel Your Poetry Adventure

You don’t have to go it alone! There are so many fantastic resources to help you on your poetry journey. Your school library is a treasure trove of books! Check out collections like “Honey, I Love” by Eloise Greenfield, which celebrates the joys of childhood. Or, look for anthologies of poetry for young people. These books collect the work of many different poets. Also, don’t forget the Internet.

Websites like the Poetry Foundation and the Academy of American Poets are great for finding poems and learning about different poets. You can even find videos of poets reading their work. And I’ve got a list of the websites of dozens of children’s poets right here.

Sharing Your Poetry with the World

Once you have written a bunch of poems, it’s time to share them! Start with your family and friends. Read your poems aloud or create a little performance. It can also be a good idea to create a poetry journal where you can write, organize, and store all of your poems. You can also share your work at school by reading them to your class. Who knows? Maybe you can host an open mic poetry party or a poetry slam!

Writing poetry is all about having fun and expressing yourself. So, dive in, be creative, and let your words take flight! Remember, the best thing about poetry is that you can choose to follow the rules of a poetic form or just be yourself, make up your own rules, and let your imagination run wild. Happy National Poetry Month!

Kenn Nesbitt
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