Poetry is a great way to encourage children to use their imaginations and express themselves. From rhymes to limericks and sonnets, there are many types of poetry for children to enjoy. But sometimes, it’s great to let children’s poems be just that: a free-flowing expression of creativity and thought.
In this article, you will find 15 examples of free verse poems that your kids will love to read and write.
15 Examples of Free Verse Poems for Kids
1. The Wind’s Whisper
The wind whispers through the trees,
A soft, quiet voice that moves the leaves.
It dances over the hill,
Brushing past the flowers in a gentle sway.
What does the wind say?
I don’t know—
But I can feel its touch,
A cool breath on a warm day.
Why This Works:
This poem encourages children to think about and personify a natural phenomenon that they cannot actually see: the wind. The free verse allows them to play with the sounds and movement of language, creating an image of something they can feel but not see.
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2. Morning Sunshine
The sun peeks through the window,
A bright yellow circle,
Waking up the world.
It touches my face with a warm hand,
Saying, “Good morning!”
The day stretches and yawns,
Ready to begin its adventures.
Why This Works:
The morning is a special time of day for many, full of potential and possibility. This poem helps children visualize the world around them in a different way, showing how light and warmth can bring energy to all living things.
3. The Busy Ant
Tiny feet race in the grass,
Carrying crumbs bigger than their bodies.
Up the tree,
Across the leaf,
Down the dirt path—
On and on they go,
With no time to rest.
Who needs a break when there’s so much work to do?
Why This Works:
Kids can learn a lot from observing nature, and this poem is no exception. It follows the journey of an industrious ant, teaching them about determination and teamwork. The repetitive nature of the lines also adds a sense of fun to the piece, as the ant never stops moving or taking on new challenges.
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4. Clouds in the Sky
Look at the clouds, floating so high,
Like cotton balls in a blue bowl.
One is a dog,
Another a castle,
And that one—a dragon!
They change shape and move on,
Like a story that never ends.
Why This Works:
Children love to imagine things, so this poem is a great way to encourage them to use their imaginations. By looking at the clouds and seeing different shapes and objects, kids can create their own stories and interpretations. The poem also serves as an example of how free verse poetry doesn’t have to conform to any specific rhyme scheme or structure.
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5. The Night’s Blanket
The stars twinkle softly,
Each one a tiny light
In the big, dark sky.
The moon,
A silver spoon,
Sits quietly above the trees,
Wrapping the world in a blanket of dreams.
Why This Works:
Nighttime can be peaceful and quiet, and this poem conveys that perfectly. The image of the moon sitting like a spoon above the trees is especially effective, as it makes children feel safe and snug under the night’s blanket.
6. Raindrops
Raindrops tap on the window,
Soft as whispers,
Dancing on the glass.
They tumble down,
Tiny rivers racing
Until they reach the ground.
Each drop tells a story—
Of clouds and wind,
Of storms and sunshine.
Why This Works:
Raindrops are a common and familiar natural occurrence, so this poem allows children to explore and personify them. The idea that each drop has its own story to tell makes even this simple thing seem more significant and interesting.
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7. The Sound of Silence
The world is quiet now,
Not a bird sings,
Not a car hums.
The trees stand still,
The grass is soft,
And in the stillness,
I hear the heartbeat of the earth,
Slow and steady.
Why This Works:
Silence is something that often goes unnoticed, but this poem brings it to the forefront. It shows kids that silence can be just as powerful as noise and that there is beauty in the quiet moments of life.
8. The Swing
Up, up I go,
Rising into the sky.
I feel like a bird,
Flying without wings.
The air rushes past my face,
And for a moment,
I am weightless,
Free,
Suspended in the air—
And then, down again,
To the ground below.
Why This Works:
This poem captures the exhilaration and fun of swinging perfectly. It invites kids to experience the feeling of being free and weightless, soaring through the air on their own wings.
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9. The Turtle’s Journey
Slow and steady,
The turtle walks,
One step at a time,
Taking in the world around.
No rush,
No hurry,
Just the steady rhythm
Of a quiet journey—
Until the finish line comes,
And the turtle wins.
Why This Works:
This poem is a fun twist on the classic story of the tortoise and the hare, but it focuses more on the value of patience and persistence. The turtle in this story doesn’t have to win against the hare, it just needs to keep moving at its own pace until it reaches the end.
10. The Magic of Books
Pages turn,
Words float off the paper,
Dancing in the air.
Each story a new world,
A different place,
Where dragons fly and oceans roar.
With every page,
I travel farther,
Until the story ends,
And I find myself back—
Ready for the next adventure.
Why This Works:
Books are magical, and this poem reminds children of just that. It allows them to experience all the different worlds that are hidden within books, as well as encouraging a love of reading.
11. The Fish in the Pond
The fish dart under the water,
Silver flashes in the sun.
They twist and twirl,
A dance beneath the surface.
Ripples spread outward,
Pushing against the edges of the pond,
As the fish glide in and out of sight.
Why This Works:
This poem is a great way to show children the beauty of nature. It takes place in a pond, where the fish dart and twirl, creating ripples in the water. The lines have a sense of movement to them, which perfectly matches the subject matter.
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12. Autumn Leaves
The leaves fall one by one,
Red, orange, yellow, and brown.
They dance in the wind,
Spinning and twirling,
Until they land softly on the ground.
Autumn is here,
And the trees are letting go,
Preparing for the quiet winter ahead.
Why This Works:
Autumn is a season that many kids love because it brings about change. This poem captures that perfectly, as it shows how the leaves fall from the trees and prepare for winter. It also has a sense of peacefulness to it, which fits well with the season.
13. The Lost Balloon
A balloon floats high,
Drifting on the wind,
Taking with it
A dream.
It travels over rooftops,
Past the clouds,
Until it disappears into the sky.
And though it’s gone,
The dream remains,
Waiting to be found again.
Why This Works:
The image of a balloon floating away on the wind is a powerful one, and this poem uses it to great effect. It teaches children about loss and hope, as well as how sometimes things are taken away from us but the memories or dreams they hold still remain.
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14. The Snowflake
Each snowflake falls alone,
A delicate crystal of ice,
Made of a thousand tiny pieces.
It floats and drifts,
Twisting in the wind,
Until it lands softly,
Where it melts into the earth,
Leaving behind only the memory
Of its brief, beautiful dance.
Why This Works:
Snowflakes are a perfect symbol of winter, and this poem captures their delicate beauty. It also teaches children about the fleeting nature of life, as each snowflake is unique but only lasts for a short time.
15. The Moon’s Reflection
The moon glows softly,
A silver coin in the night sky,
Its light reflected on the still water below.
Ripples form as the fish swim by,
Disturbing the perfect reflection.
But the moon remains,
Glowing quietly,
Even when the world around it changes.
Why This Works:
The moon is a constant in our lives, and this poem shows children that even when everything else around them may be changing, some things stay the same. It also has a beautiful, quiet quality to it that perfectly matches the subject matter.
Conclusion
Free verse poems are a great way to introduce kids to the world of poetry. They can be more flexible, creative, and expressive than other types of poems, so don’t be afraid to let your children’s poetry be just that: free!
By reading and exploring these 15 examples of free verse poems, your kids will learn how to appreciate the beauty of language without being constrained by rhyme or meter.
They will also discover new ways to observe the world around them and express their thoughts and feelings in their own unique way.
So let your little ones get creative and see what amazing things they can come up with – who knows, they might just create the next great poem!
