How to Write a Poem: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids

‘The dog is in the fog, chasing a log.’ Your child proudly announces they’ve written a poem. While cute, it’s just the beginning of what they can do with a little guidance. In this blog on how to write a poem for kids, you’ll learn steps to guide them in creating poems that are thoughtful, fun, and full of personality.

6 Different Types of Poems for Kids

Before we get to poem writing for kids, it’s important to know some popular types of poems. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Acrostic Poems

In an acrostic, the first letter of each line spells out a word or phrase vertically. Each line describes or relates to the word.

Example:
Sunny days are bright,
Under trees, we play,
Making the most of today.

To help kids practice acrostic poems, here’s a fun acrostic poems worksheet where they can create their own poem using the word “FRIEND.” They can also draw or paste a picture to match their poem. 

2. Haiku

A haiku is a short, three-line poem following a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. It traditionally focuses on nature or seasons.

Example:
Soft snow gently falls (5)
Blankets cover hills and trees (7)
Winter whispers calm (5)

3. Rhyming Couplets

Rhyming couplets are two lines of poetry that rhyme and usually have the same rhythm.

Example:
The sun sets low beyond the hill,
The evening air is cool and still.

4. Free Verse

Free verse poems have no set rules—no rhyme, rhythm, or structure. Kids can write freely and focus on their thoughts and ideas.

Example:

The stars glow like tiny lanterns,
scattered across a vast, black sky.

5. Limericks

Limericks are five-line poems that follow a specific rhythm and an AABBA rhyme scheme. They are often humorous or playful.

Example:
There once was a boy named Ray,
Who loved to eat cookies all day.
But one was too sweet,
And stuck to his feet,
So he gave all the rest away!

6. Shape Poems (Concrete Poems)

Shape poems use the arrangement of words on the page to form a shape related to the subject of the poem.

Example: A poem about a star arranged to look like a star. For instance:
A poem about the shining star… (Words form the shape of a star).

Key Elements to Organize and Structure a Poem

Before you write a poem in English, it’s helpful to understand the basic structure of a poem. A good poem set up makes it easier to organize ideas and create something meaningful. Here are the key parts of a poem’s structure:

1. Title

Every poem needs a title. It gives readers an idea of what the poem is about. Keep it short and connected to the theme of the poem.

2. Lines

Poems are written in lines instead of full sentences. Each line usually focuses on one thought or image.

3. Stanzas

Stanzas are groups of lines, like paragraphs in a story. They help organize the poem and give it rhythm. Most poems for kids have 2-4 lines per stanza.

4. Rhyme and Rhythm (Optional)

Some poems rhyme, and others don’t. If you want to add rhyme, use words that sound alike, like “cat” and “hat.” Rhythm is the pattern of sounds that makes the poem flow.

5. Theme or Message

A poem should focus on one main idea or feeling. It could be about nature, a memory, or even something funny.
Now that you know how to set up a poem, it’s time for your child to practice! Below are some worksheets designed to help kids explore rhyme schemes, structure stanzas, and complete poems creatively. These activities are perfect for reinforcing the basics of poetry writing. Get started!

9 Easy Steps To Write a Poem for Kids

1. Choose a Topic

The first step in creating a poem is deciding what it will be about. A clear topic makes it easier to focus and come up with ideas. Start by asking:

• What’s something you love or find interesting?
• Is there a memory, a feeling, or an object that stands out to you?

Kids don’t need to overthink—simple topics work best. It could be their favorite animal, a sunny day at the park, or even their messy room!

Here’s how to guide them:

1. Ask questions:
   • “What makes you happy or excited?”
   • “What’s something funny that happened today?”
2. Encourage specificity: A specific topic is easier to write about than a broad one.
3. Make It relatable: Choose something they know well so they can describe it in detail.

2. Brainstorm Words and Phrases

Once the topic is chosen, it’s time to gather ideas. This step helps kids think of words, phrases, and emotions that connect to their topic. It’s like creating a “word bank” to draw from when writing the poem.

Steps to Guide Kids:

• Start with questions
• What does it look like? (e.g., for a dog: fluffy, brown, wagging tail)
• How does it feel? (e.g., soft, warm, playful)
• What sounds or actions does it make? (e.g., barking, running, sniffing)
• How does it make you feel? (e.g., happy, loved, safe)

• Use the five senses
  Help them think about how their topic smells, looks, sounds, feels, or tastes.
  Example for “Rain”:
  • Looks: Gray clouds, shiny puddles.
  • Sounds: Splish-splash, dripping.
  • Feels: Cold, refreshing.
• Write down descriptive words and phrases
  Create a list or word cloud of everything they brainstorm.
  Example for “A Beach Day”:
  • Words: “sand, waves, sun, shells.”
  • Phrases: “crashing waves, golden sunset, warm sand.”
• Focus on emotions or mood: Is the poem happy, calm, or funny? Add feelings to the brainstormed list to match the tone.
  Example for “Playing in the Park”:
  • Words: “joyful, exciting, laughing.”
  • Phrases: “swinging high, running fast, chasing butterflies.”
• Choose the most powerful words
  Once the brainstorming is complete, have kids highlight or circle their favorite words and phrases. These will form the building blocks of their poem.

3. Pick the Poem Type

Now that you have a topic and brainstormed ideas, it’s time to choose the poem’s structure. This decision helps kids understand how to start a poem and organize their thoughts.

Steps to Guide Kids:

• Think about the topic: Does the topic suit a playful rhyme, a short descriptive style, or something free-flowing?
• Match the poem type to their strengths: If they love rhyming, suggest couplets. If they want freedom, free verse works best.

For example:

• A topic like “My Dog” could be fun in rhyming couplets.
• “A Snowy Day” might work beautifully as a haiku.
• “My Feelings” could flow freely in free verse.

Once they’ve picked a type, they’re ready to move on to creating their first draft!

Note: You could swap the order and pick the poem type first, which might work well for kids who prefer structure and clear direction. However, brainstorming first generally works better because it allows for free-flowing creativity. Kids can explore their ideas without feeling constrained and naturally choose a poem type that fits their thoughts. 

4. Draft Simple Lines (Focus on Ideas First)

Now it’s time to start writing! At this stage, the goal is to create simple lines based on the brainstormed words and phrases. The focus should be on expressing ideas, not on perfection.

Steps to Guide Kids:

• Use the word bank: Look at the brainstormed list and start turning those words into sentences or short lines. Encourage kids to keep it simple.
  
• Start small: Write just one or two lines at a time. Kids don’t need to write the whole poem all at once.
  
• Focus on images: Encourage kids to describe what they see, hear, or feel. Visual or sensory details make poems more engaging.
  
• Skip rhymes (For Now): If the poem type involves rhyming, don’t worry about matching rhymes right away. Focus on ideas first and adjust for rhyme later if needed.
• Keep the tone in mind: If the poem is meant to be playful, funny, or serious, guide kids to write lines that match the mood.

5. Work on Word Choice

Once the first draft is complete, it’s time to make the poem more vivid and engaging by improving word choice. This step helps transform simple lines into something creative and expressive.

Steps to Guide Kids:

• Replace plain words with descriptive ones: Encourage kids to swap basic words with more detailed or colorful options.
  Example:
  • Instead of: “The dog is big,”
  • Write: “The enormous dog towers over me.”
• Use similes and metaphors
  Teach kids to compare one thing to another for added imagery.
  • Simile: Compare using “like” or “as.”
    Example: “Her smile is as bright as the sun.”
  • Metaphor: Describe something as if it’s something else.
    Example: “Her smile is the sun lighting my day.”
• Experiment with action words: Replace generic verbs with ones that show more action or energy.
• Include sensory details: Add words that describe sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or feelings.
• Keep the tone consistent: Ensure the words match the mood of the poem. Playful words for a lighthearted tone, or serious words for an emotional topic.

6. Add Line Breaks for Rhythm and Effect

Line breaks play a crucial role in shaping how a poem looks, sounds, and feels. They can control the rhythm, emphasize key ideas, and make the poem more engaging—especially when you write a rhyming poem.

Steps to Guide Kids:

• Break lines where you naturally pause: Encourage kids to read their poem aloud and listen for natural pauses. A line break can occur where they pause for breath or to emphasize a word or idea.
• Highlight key ideas or words: Use line breaks to draw attention to important words or emotions.
• Keep rhymes at the end of lines: If you’re writing a rhyming poem, ensure the rhyming words fall at the end of the lines for better flow and impact.
• Vary line lengths for style: Short lines can create urgency, while longer lines can feel calm or reflective. Experiment with different line lengths to match the mood of the poem.

7. Add Rhyme or Rhythm (If Applicable)

This step focuses on enhancing the musicality of a poem. Adding rhyme or rhythm makes poems fun to read and hear, especially when working on rhyming types like couplets or limericks.

Steps to Guide Kids:

• Identify a rhyme scheme (If Needed)
  Decide on a pattern for the rhyming words. Common rhyme schemes include:
  • AABB: Two lines rhyme, followed by another rhyming pair.
    Example:
    The sky is clear and blue (A)
    The birds are singing too (A)
    The flowers bloom so bright (B)
    Under the warm sunlight (B).
  • ABAB: Alternating rhymes.
    Example:
    The waves crash on the shore (A)
    The sun begins to rise (B)
    The breeze whispers once more (A)
    A sight to fill my eyes (B).
• Focus on rhythm: Rhythm is the beat or flow of the poem. Help kids clap out the syllables in each line to create a consistent pattern.
  Example:
  • With Rhythm: “The rain falls gently on the street.” (7 syllables)
  • Without Rhythm: “It’s raining hard outside.”
• Use simple rhyming words: Start with easy rhyming pairs like cat/hat, tree/bee, or day/play. Encourage kids to use rhyming words that fit the theme of their poem.
  
• Avoid forced rhymes: Teach kids that not every line needs to rhyme. Forced rhymes can make a poem sound unnatural.
  
• Experiment with a non-rhyming rhythm
  If the poem doesn’t rhyme, focus on making it flow smoothly by balancing the syllables in each line.

8. Revise and Refine

Once the poem is written, it’s time to polish it. Revising helps improve the flow, word choice, and overall impact, turning a rough draft into a finished piece kids can be proud of.

Steps to Guide Kids:

• Read the poem aloud: Encourage kids to read their poem slowly and listen to how it sounds. This helps spot awkward lines or places where the rhythm or rhyme feels off.
  Ask:
  • Does it sound smooth?
  • Are there any lines that don’t fit?
• Replace weak words: Look for words that feel too plain or repetitive and swap them with more descriptive or interesting ones. Use their brainstormed list for inspiration.
  
• Tighten the lines: Remove unnecessary words or phrases to make the poem sharper and more focused.

9. Add a Title and Final Touch

A good title captures the essence of the poem. Encourage kids to choose something short and meaningful that reflects their theme. They can also decorate the poem with drawings or colors to make it unique and share it proudly with others.

Printable Worksheets for Poem Writing Practice

Conclusion

Poetry is a great way for kids to express themselves and explore their imagination. With the tips in this blog, you now know how to write a poem for kids step by step. Encourage them to enjoy the process and watch their creativity shine!

Related Reading: Best Poems for Kids to Nurture Their Love for Poetry