The following selections of poems are curated around specific themes and are appropriate for young readers.
Find poetry lesson plans, essays about teaching, a 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.