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Funny poems for kids about childhood are actually very helpful in helping young minds explore humor and expand on their own nascent curiosity and creativity.
When you think about poetry, you might imagine serious, classic poems about nature or love.
But poetry can also be a fantastic way for kids to explore their silly side.
Helping young minds explore humor through poetry writing is a powerful tool for creativity, self-expression, and pure fun.
Why Humor in Poetry Matters
Humor is more than just a laugh. It’s an intuitive way that we can connect with others, deal with tough feelings, and see the world in a different light.
For kids, the laughter found in children’s writing can be especially freeing. Humorous literature lets them play with language, break the rules of said language, and find joy in their own words.
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When children learn to write humor, they know how to do wordplay, understanding how to use words in clever or unexpected ways; they understand rhythm and timing, learning how to set up a joke and deliver a punchline; they acquire perspective, seeing a familiar situation from a funny angle; and they become more confident, feeling proud of their ability to make others smile or laugh.
Teaching humor through poems is a natural fit because poems are short and focused. Kids don’t have to worry about a long story with a plot.
They can focus on a single funny idea and make it truly shine.
Helping Young Minds Explore Humor
Before you dive into the funny stuff, it’s helpful to cover some simple basics of poetry writing for kids. You don’t need to get bogged down in technical terms. The goal is to make it fun and accessible.
Start by reading some good poems for kids together. Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends and Jack Prelutsky’s The New Kid on the Block are great starting points.
Together, you and your child can figure out how the poets use simple rhymes and funny ideas. This shows kids that poetry doesn’t have to be complicated to be good and enjoyable.
Next, introduce the idea of rhythm in poetry. You can clap out the beats of a poem. Explain that some poems rhyme, and some don’t. Remind them that the most important thing is to have fun with words.
Don’t worry about perfect rhymes or fancy language.
The more they write, the better they’ll get.
Fun Creative Writing Exercises
Now for the fun part! These fun, creative writing exercises are designed to get kids thinking in a humorous way.
The I’m So Hungry Poem
Have kids write about being so hungry they could eat anything.
Start with a simple line like, “I’m so hungry, I could eat a…” and let them finish it with something funny and impossible, like a couch or a car.
The I’m So Hungry Poem helps them stretch their imagination, practice exaggeration, and develop internal logic.
The What If Game
Ask kids to imagine a silly “what if” scenario and write a poem about it.
What if a cow could fly? What about if a dog could talk? And what if a toothbrush decided to go on strike?
The What If Game helps them craft a humorous narrative in their minds and turn it into a poem.
Rhyming Riddles
Let kids write rhyming riddles where the answer is something surprising or funny.
The Rhyming Riddle is a great way to work on word choice and clue-giving. The answer doesn’t have to be a real thing; it can be as silly as they want.
The Bad Advice Poem
Make kids write a poem where they give terrible advice. This is a great way to play with humor by doing the opposite of what’s expected—for example, a poem advising on how to be a terrible friend or a messy eater.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Funny Poems
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide for helping kids write funny poems.
Step 1: Brainstorming Funny Ideas
Start with a big brainstorming session.
Ask them what makes them laugh. Is it a funny animal? A crazy invention? A silly person they know?
Write down all the ideas, no matter how wild.
This activity helps them see that anything can be a subject for a poem.
Step 2: Choosing a Topic and a Simple Form
Let them choose one idea from their list.
Then, decide on a simple form. A four-line poem with a rhyming pattern (like AABB or ABCB) is a great place to start.
For example, the first and second lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme.
Keep things simple and stress-free! No need to go wild and complex at the onset.
Step 3: Draft the Poem (No Pressure!)
Encourage them to just get the words on the page. Remind them that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. They can use the What if idea or the I’m so hungry idea to get started.
Just focus on writing a few lines that sound funny.
Step 4: Revise and Polish
This is where the magic of poetry happens.
Read the poem out loud together. Does it sound funny?
Can they make a word funnier? Maybe they can change “big dog” to “enormous mutt.”
This step of the process teaches children how to refine their writing and make their jokes land better.
Helping kids write funny poems is a collaborative process, so be a helpful guide, not a strict critic.
The most crucial step is to share the poem. Have them read it to you, their family, or their friends. Celebrate their work! Laughter is humor’s best reward.
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Helping young minds explore humor through poetry isn’t just a fun activity.
It’s a way to help them grow.
Writing poetry gives children a voice and a way to express their unique sense of humor. Poetry builds their confidence and shows them that writing can be a source of joy, not just a school assignment.
So, grab a pencil, and let the giggles begin!
Janis Latimore’s OH NIGEL IS THAT YOU? is available for purchase on this very website! Help your children expand their young minds through humor.
