Short poems for kids: 10 original rhyming poems to read aloud

1. Monsoon drums

The clouds roll in, the sky turns grey,
The first big drops come down to play.
They drum the roof, they splash the street,
And dance upon my muddy feet.

Say it aloud: start softly, like the first drops, and get louder with each line.

2. My school bag

My school bag hums with pens and books,
A lunchbox in its secret nooks.
It bumps my back along the lane,
And waits for me through sun and rain.

Draw it: your own bag, with five things peeking out of the top.

3. The moon

The moon is a lantern hung up so high,
It follows my bus through the dark of the sky.
Some nights it is round, some nights a thin boat,
On the water of night it is happy to float.

Say it aloud: whisper it slowly, as if the moon might hear you.

4. My cat

My cat sits still beside the door,
Then zooms across the kitchen floor.
She chases string, she leaps, she spins,
And purrs whenever she wins.

Draw it: a cat in the middle of a big leap, with a curly tail.

5. Mango time

Mangoes ripen in the heat,
Golden, juicy, soft and sweet.
I share a slice with Dad and Mum,
Then sticky fingers, yum yum yum!

Say it aloud: rub your tummy on the last line and stretch out the yums.

6. Train journey

The train goes clickety, clickety, clack,
Down the bright rails and never looks back.
Fields wave by, and a river too,
The chai-seller calls, "Chai for you!"

Say it aloud: tap the beat on your knees, quick and steady like wheels on a track.

7. Kite day

Up goes my kite on a ribbon of string,
Over the rooftops, a bright flying thing.
The wind gives a tug and I let out more,
Till it flies higher than ever before.

Draw it: a kite with a long tail, and the rooftops far below.

8. Time for bed

The day is done, the lamp is low,
The window hums, the breezes slow.
I hug my pillow, close my eyes,
And float away to starry skies.

Say it aloud: make your voice slower and sleepier with every line.

9. The helpful ant

A tiny ant found a crumb one day,
Too big to carry all the way.
She called her friends, they came in a row,
And off went the crumb, nice and slow.

Draw it: a line of ants carrying one big crumb together.

10. Grandma's courtyard

Grandma's courtyard, swept and wide,
Has a swing where I can ride.
A jasmine climbs along the wall,
And sunshine falls on one and all.

Draw it: a courtyard with a swing, a jasmine plant and a rangoli pattern by the door.

How to read poems aloud

• Rhythm: clap or tap once for each strong beat. Most lines here have four.
• Pause: take a small breath at each comma and a longer one at the end of each line.
• Voice: match the mood. Rain can be loud, the moon should be quiet.
• Read it twice. The second time, let the child say the rhyming word.

Write your own four-line poem

1. Pick one thing you love, such as a puddle, a pencil or a pet.
2. Write two lines about it that end with rhyming words, like street and feet.
3. Add two more lines with a new rhyme.
4. Read it aloud and change any word that feels bumpy.

If rhymes feel hard, start with a list of words that sound alike, then pick your favourites.

A note for adults

Short poems are a gentle way to build listening, memory and a love of sound. Read them slowly, let children join in, and enjoy mistakes. Use them as a calm moment before school or at bedtime. There is no test and no right way to feel about a poem, so let children say which line they like best and why.

More to play and read

Try tongue twisters for kids, riddles for kids with answers or story writing prompts for kids. Browse stories and activities, the play and learn hub, or Rangooo for teachers.

Questions

What age are these poems for?

They suit children aged 4 to 9. Younger children can listen and repeat, and older ones can read them alone.

Are these poems original?

Yes. All ten were written for Rangooo and are not copied from any other poem or nursery rhyme.

How can I use them in a classroom?

Read one aloud, ask the class to clap the beat, then let pairs draw the picture or write a new last line.

How do I help a child write a poem?

Choose a favourite thing, find two rhyming words together, and build four short lines around them.