12 Fun and Easy Poems to Spark Kids’ Love for Poetry

Introducing children to poetry is a wonderful way to nurture their creativity,
enhance their language skills, and spark a lifelong appreciation for literature.

Poetry, with its rhythmic flow and vivid imagery, offers a unique form of expression that can captivate young minds.

Whether it’s through playful rhymes, heartwarming themes, or curious explorations of the world, poetry has the power to make learning both fun and meaningful for kids. Engaging them with poems at an early age can also help build their confidence in reading and interpreting language.

When choosing poems for children, it’s essential to focus on selections that are both accessible and engaging. Kids are naturally drawn to works that feature rhythm, humor, and imaginative storytelling.

Here are 10 famous poems that are excellent for introducing kids to poetry, selected for their accessibility, rhythm, and imaginative appeal.

Table of Contents

1. “The Swing” by Robert Louis Stevenson
2. “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll
3. “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost
4. “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” by Eugene Field
5. “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore
6. “If I Had a Little Pony” by Ann Taylor
7. “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat” by Edward Lear
8. “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth
9. “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” by Robert Browning
10. “Hurt No Living Thing” by Christina Rossetti
11. “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns
12. “The Spider and the Fly” by Mary Howitt

1.

“The Swing” by Robert Louis Stevenson

From A Child’s Garden of Verses, this delightful poem captures the simple joy of swinging and is relatable for children.

A Scottish novelist and poet (1850–1894), Stevenson is best known for adventure stories like Treasure Island and A Child’s Garden of Verses, a collection of poems that capture the wonder of childhood.

The Swing

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and flowers and fields,
And all at my lovely ride!

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Robert Louis Stevenson

Listen to this poem

2.

“Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll

This whimsical, nonsensical poem from Through the Looking-Glass is a fun way to engage kids with imaginative language and wordplay.

Born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832–1898), Carroll was an English author, poet, and mathematician, best known for his imaginative works Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

Jabberwocky

‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”

He took his vorpal sword in hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy.

‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

Lewis Carroll

Listen to this poem

3.

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost

The gentle rhythm and vivid imagery make this a soothing introduction to descriptive poetry.

An American poet (1874–1963) celebrated for his realistic depictions of rural life, Frost won four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry and is considered one of the most significant poets of the 20th century.

From New Hampshire

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost

Listen to this poem

4.

“Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” by Eugene Field

This dreamy bedtime poem is perfect for children, with its fantastical story of a fishing trip through the stars.

Known as the “Poet of Childhood,” Field (1850–1895) was an American writer and humorist whose works, such as Wynken, Blynken, and Nod, evoke the innocence and imagination of children.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe—
Sailed on a river of crystal light
Into a sea of dew.
“Where are you going, and what do you wish?”
The old moon asked the three.
“We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we!”
Said Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in that beautiful sea—
“Now cast your nets wherever you wish—
Never afeard are we!”
So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam—
Then down from the sky came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home;
‘Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed
As if it could not be,
And some folks thought ’twas a dream they’d dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea—
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

Eugene Field

Listen to this poem

5.

“A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore

Also known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, this classic holiday poem is a seasonal favorite for children.

An American scholar and poet (1779–1863), Moore is most famous for A Visit from St. Nicholas, a timeless Christmas poem that popularized many modern traditions of Santa Claus.

A Visit from St. Nicholas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads;
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of midday to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

Clement Clarke Moore

Listen to this poem

6.

“If I Had a Little Pony” by Ann Taylor

A sweet, simple poem about a child’s dream of having a pony, relatable and engaging for kids.

An English poet (1782–1866) who, along with her sister Jane, wrote charming and moralistic verses for children, Ann’s works were widely admired during her time.

If I Had a Little Pony

If I had a little pony,
I would feed him oats and hay,
And a little patch of clover
Would be his house of play.

If I had a little pony,
He would have a golden mane,
And I would ride him every day
Across the grassy plain.

Ann Taylor

Listen to this poem

7.

“The Owl and the Pussy-Cat” by Edward Lear

This quirky and endearing poem introduces children to love and adventure through a nonsensical lens.

An English poet and artist (1812–1888), Lear is celebrated for his humorous limericks and whimsical poems like The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, which delight readers of all ages.

NOTE

When sharing The Owl and the Pussy-Cat by Edward Lear with children, it’s important to be aware that the word “pussy” in the poem refers to a cat, which was its common and innocent meaning in the 19th century.

Educators or parents might choose to explain this historical context to avoid confusion or misinterpretation. Alternatively, they could use the adapted 21st century version with the contemporary wording (using “cat” instead) which maintains the poem’s whimsical charm.

Original 19th century version

The Owl and the Pussycat

The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.

The Owl looked up to the moon above,
And sang to a small guitar,
‘O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are,
What a beautiful Pussy you are!’

Pussy said to the Owl, ‘You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
Oh, let us be married! too long we have tarried,
But what shall we do for a ring?’

They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows,
And there in a wood, a piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

‘Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?’ said the Owl to the pig.
‘I’ll sell it for a shilling.
Only a shilling!
The Owl and the Pussy-cat agreed.

Edward Lear

Listen to the Original 19th century version

Adapted 21st century version

The Owl and the Pussycat

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.

The Owl looked up to the moon above,
And sang to a small guitar,
‘O lovely Cat! O Cat, my love,
What a beautiful Cat you are,
You are,
You are,
What a beautiful Cat you are!’

The Cat said to the Owl, ‘You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
Oh, let us be married! too long we have tarried,
But what shall we do for a ring?’

They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows,
And there in a wood, a piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

‘Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?’ said the Owl to the pig.
‘I’ll sell it for a shilling.
Only a shilling!
The Owl and the Pussy-cat agreed.

Edward Lear

Listen to the Adapted 21st century version

8.

“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth

Its accessible language and connection to nature make this poem a gentle introduction to Romantic poetry.

One of the leading figures of the Romantic movement, Wordsworth (1770–1850) was an English poet who explored themes of nature, emotion, and the human spirit, as seen in I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth

Listen to this poem

9.

“The Pied Piper of Hamelin” by Robert Browning

A captivating narrative poem that tells the tale of the mysterious piper and his magical music.

A Victorian poet (1812–1889) renowned for his dramatic monologues and narrative poems, Browning’s works like The Pied Piper of Hamelin often blend storytelling with moral lessons.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

Hamelin Town’s in Brunswick,
By famous Hanover city;
The river Weser, deep and wide,
Washes its wall on the southern side;
A pleasanter spot you never spied,
But when began the town’s great pity,
A piper’s tune, which would delight,
Did come from a far-off country of sound.

Robert Browning

Listen to this poem

10.

“Hurt No Living Thing” by Christina Rossetti

This short, moralistic poem teaches kindness toward all creatures and is easy for kids to understand.

An English poet (1830–1894), Rossetti wrote lyrical and devotional poetry, including beloved works for children such as Hurt No Living Thing, which reflects her sensitivity to nature and moral themes.

Hurt No Living Thing

Hurt no living thing:
Ladybird, fly away home;
Your house is on fire,
Your children are gone.

Christina Rossetti

Listen to this poem

11.

“A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

This timeless love poem compares a lover’s beauty and devotion to a blooming rose and an enduring melody.

Robert Burns (1759–1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, celebrated for his love songs and contributions to Scottish folk culture.

A Red, Red Rose

O my Luve’s like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve’s like the melodie
That’s sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry.

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

Robert Burns

Listen to this poem

12.

“The Spider and the Fly” by Mary Howitt

This moral fable warns against the dangers of flattery and deceit through the story of a cunning spider and a naive fly.

Mary Howitt (1799–1888) was an English poet and author best known for her moralistic fable The Spider and the Fly, which warns against the dangers of flattery and deceit.

The Spider and the Fly

“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,
“’Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show when you are there.”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”

“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly: “Dear friend, what can I do
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome—will you please to take a slice?”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”

“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf;
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say,
And bidding you good-morning now, I’ll call another day.”

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing:
“Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple, there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue—
Thinking only of her crested head—poor foolish thing! At last
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den
Within his little parlour—but she ne’er came out again!
And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

Mary Howitt

Listen to this poem

These poems not only introduce children to the beauty of poetry but also encourage imagination, empathy, and an appreciation of language.

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