Tired of hearing groans when you announce it’s time for some poetry? Poems can be hard for kids to connect with, so it helps to have some clever poetry games and activities up your sleeve. These poetry activities help kids learn about poetry in general, connect with specific poems, and even write their own!
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Poetry Worksheets Bundle
Click the button to receive our bundle of printable poetry activities for haiku, limerick, ode, and more.
Poetry Activities With Free Printables
Every one of these interactive activities includes free printable worksheets you can use with your students, making your poetry lessons easier and more fun!
Games and Activities for Reading and Learning About Poetry
Use these ideas to learn about poetry in general and for exploring specific poems and styles. Looking for more poetry roundups? See all of our poetry resources here.
Poetry Games and Activities for Writing Poems
Writing a poem doesn’t have to be as hard as many students think it is. Try these entertaining ideas for helping students craft their own creative poetic compositions.
More Poetry Games and Activities
Here are more fun ways to bring poetry to life for your students.
32. Pair up songs and poems
Ask students to look for songs and poems that complement one another, perhaps by covering the same topic or using the same types of literary devices. Students can use songs you’ve analyzed in class or take inspiration from their own favorites.
33. Illustrate a poem
Let each student choose a poem they love, then illustrate it any way they like. Gather all the poems and artwork together and assemble them into a book you can share with future classes.
34. Create poem posters
In a similar vein, turn poems into big posters you can hang in school hallways. Students can work on their own or in pairs to choose a poem, letter the poster, and then add illustrations and other decorations to make their poem really stand out.
35. Set a poem to music
Whether your students compose their own tune or make a poem fit a melody they already know and love, this poetry activity really encourages creativity and artistry.
36. Translate a poem to another language
Try this with students in advanced world language classes. It’s fairly easy to translate a poem word for word, but often the rhythm, rhyme, and meter are lost. Can your students find a way to translate a poem while keeping it true to the author’s intention?
37. Try paper bag poetry
Introduce poetry to little ones with a paper bag filled with several items of different sizes, shapes, textures, etc. Kids reach into the bag without looking and describe what they feel in a few words. These words make their first poem. This is one of the best poetry games for younger students.
38. Add another verse
Have students choose any poem they like, then try to write another verse in the same style as the original. This could be another ending or a new verse in the middle to add more details. Be sure to follow the original poem’s meter, rhyme scheme, and general tone.
39. Memorize and recite a poem
A poem really takes on personal meaning when you can recite it by heart. It’s important to let students choose their own favorite poems for this assignment, ones that they’ll recall for years to come. Once everyone is ready, hold a poetry recital where each student shares their memorized poem with their classmates, and offers a few words about why they picked that particular composition.
40. Write vocabulary word poems
Sneak in some vocabulary or spelling practice during this creative writing activity. Ask students to use some or all of their current vocab or spelling lists to create a clever poem. To use the words properly, they’ll definitely have to know the meanings!
Get my free printable poetry worksheet bundle!
Ready to share these activities with your classroom? Download our activities bundle to pair with your poetry lessons! We have templates for eight poetry styles including haiku, limerick, ode, and more.
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