5 Fun Activities for Poetry Day in Kindergarten and First Grade
Poetry Day on March 21st is the perfect time to introduce young learners to the magic of words! I love poetry because it helps kids build language skills, express creativity, and have fun with rhythm and rhyme. If you’re looking for engaging ways to celebrate this fun day in your classroom or poetry activities for kids, here are five easy and enjoyable activities to try!
1. Poetry Scavenger Hunt
Get kids excited about poetry by turning it into a game! Write simple poems on chart paper and hide them around the room. Give students clues to find each poem, and once they do, read them together as a class. This is a great way to get kids moving while introducing them to different types of poems.
2. Shape Poems Fun
Help students turn their words into visual art with shape poems! Have them choose a shape (a flower, sun, or even a butterfly) and write a poem inside the outline. This activity encourages creativity and helps students think about how words can fit into a design. Need ready-to-use resources and other fun poem activities? Check out this Spring Poetry Writing Activities resource!
3. Classroom Poetry Wall
Create a poetry wall where students can showcase their work! Give them prompts like “Spring is…” or “I feel happy when…” and let them craft short poems. Display their creations with fun borders and colorful decorations. If you want an easy way to set up a beautiful display, grab this Poetry Bulletin Board Ideas kit to bring your wall to life!
4. Silly Rhyme Time
Kids love rhyming words, so why not make it into a challenge? Say a word (like “cat”), and have students come up with as many rhyming words as possible. Then, work together to turn them into a short poem. This helps build phonemic awareness while making poetry fun and interactive.
5. Write and Share Digital Poems
Let students explore poems in a modern way with digital writing! Use Google Slides or a simple word processor to have students write and illustrate their own poems. They can even record themselves reading their work to share with the class. The Poetry Writing Google Slides & Print Option is a fantastic tool to guide your students through the process.
Poetry Day is a great opportunity to foster a love for language and creativity in your students. Whether you’re crafting shape poems, building a poems wall, or playing with rhymes, these activities will make the day engaging and memorable.
Looking for more spring activities? Check out my post here!