The following selections of poems are curated around specific themes and are appropriate for young readers.

Find poetry lesson plansessays about teachinga glossary of poetry terms, and other educator resources on our Materials for Teachers page. Visit our Poetry for Teens page to find more selections of poems tailored to a high school audience. Encourage students to participate in the Dear Poet project. And, celebrate Poem In Your Pocket Day virtually on April 30.

Poems Kids Like

Read a selection of poems kids love by poets like Lewis Carroll, Jack Prelutsky, Shel...

Animals: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about animals by poets like Alberto Blanco, Elizabeth Bishop, William Blake,...

Arab American Heritage Month: Poems for Kids

To celebrate Arab American Heritage Month in April—and the rich tradition of Arabic poetry all year...

Autumn: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about the autumn season by poets like Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Brenda...

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month: Poems for Kids

Celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month the following selection of poems features poets...

Beginnings: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about beginnings by poets like Naomi Shihab Nye, Theodore Roethke, Walt...

Black History Month: Poems for Kids

The following poems celebrate Black History Month with poets like Jericho Brown, Kwame Dawes, and...

Cities: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about cities, such as “New York at Night” by Amy Lowell, “In a Station of...

Environment: Poems for Kids

A selection of poems about the environment and climate crisis by poets like Jeffrey Bean, Camille T....

Family: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about family by poets like Richard Blanco, Nikki Giovanni, Yesenia Montilla,...

Father's Day: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about fathers and fatherhood by poets Jorge H. Aigla, Tina Chang, David St....

Food: Poems for Kids

Read a selection of poems about cooking, eating, and drinking like “Ode to Kool-Aid” by Marcus...

Friendship: Poems for Kids

Read a selection of poems about friendship by poets like Lucille Clifton, John Keats, Joanna...

Graduation: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about graduating, moving forward, and getting older, with poems like “The...

Halloween: Poems for Kids

The following classic and contemporary poems are great for celebrating Halloween, including “The...

Hispanic Heritage Month: Poems for Kids

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, the following selection of poems features poets like...

Holidays: Poems for Kids

To celebrate the holiday season, read a selection of holiday-themed poems like “Christmas Trees” by...

Hope: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about hope by poets like Maya Angelou, Jane Hirshfield, Langston Hughes, and...

Humor: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about humor like “The Purple Cow” by Gelett Burgess, “Post Impressions (VI)”...

Immigration: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about immigration featuring poets Lory Bedikian, Richard Blanco, Marilyn...

LGBTQ Pride Month: Poems for Kids

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month, the following poems feature poets like Chen Chen, A. E. Housman,...

Libraries: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about libraries, librarians, and the joys of reading from poets like Nikki...

Love: Poems for Kids

Read a selection of poems about love, friendship, romance, and devotion like “How Do I Love Thee?”...

Mother’s Day: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about mothers and motherhood like “Wonder Woman” by Angelo Geter,...

Myths and Fairy Tales: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about fables, fairy tales, folklore, legends, and myths by poets  Homer,...

Native American Heritage Month: Poems for Kids

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month, the following poems feature poets like Richard Calmit...

Nature: Poems for Kids

Read a selection of poems about nature, wildlife, and the outdoors like “Pursuit” by Elizabeth...

Politics: Poems for Kids

Read the following poems about politics, elections, and government by poets like Elizabeth...

Reading and Writing: Poems for Kids

The following poems explore the themes of reading, writing, and poetry by poets like Yves Bonnefoy,...

School: Poems for Kids

Read a selection of poems about school, learning, and the classroom by poets like Catherine Barnett,...

Social Justice: Poems for Kids

Read the following poems about social justice, identity, and human rights by poets like Elizabeth...

Spanish: Poems for Kids

A selection of poems in Spanish and English include “Arbolé, arbolé/Tree, tree” by Federico García...

Sports: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about sports, including baseball, basketball, track, and wrestling with...

Spring: Poems for Kids

Read the following poems about spring, growth, and renewal by poets like E. E. Cummings, Toi...

Summer: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about summer and warm weather with poems like “A Boat, Beneath a Sunny Sky”...

Technology: Poems for Kids

Read a selection of poems about technology, invention, and information by poets like James Arthur,...

Thanksgiving: Poems for Kids

To celebrate gratitude and the Thanksgiving season, read the following poems by poets like Joy...

Travel: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about vacations and travel like “Vacation” by Rita Dove, “Passing through...

Valentine’s Day: Poems for Kids

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the following classic and contemporary poems about love, heart, and...

Visual Art: Poems for Kids

The following poems are about paintings, sculptures, and other forms of visual art, as well as poems...

War: Poems for Kids

Read the following classic and contemporary poems about war, wartime, and veterans by poets like...

Winter: Poems for Kids

The following poems explore the themes of winter, snow, and cold weather like “[‘Tis the first...

Women’s History Month: Poems for Kids

The following poems celebrate Women’s History month and honor the legacy of women poets.