Inside: These spring poems for kids will not only enchant and entertain but also nurture their language skills and foster a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the season.
As springtime waves its magic wand, we see sleepy nature yawn and stretch. Birds’ orchestra tunes up every morning and starts their loud, lively symphony. Flowers wake up and pop up like they’ve just remembered they have a job to do.
And poetry?
It’s the perfect tool to capture this spring renaissance and deliver it, gift-wrapped, to our kids.
I’ve handpicked a bouquet of 12 delightful, spring-themed poems for children of all ages (and children at heart). I would be honest; as an ardent poetry lover, it was challenging to limit the selection to just twelve. However, revisiting my beloved poems to curate the best ones for you and your children was a truly delightful experience.
The final selection includes those poems that my own children most enthusiastically received in the past.
To make your life a tad easier, I’ve added a nifty summary, sneaky teaching tips, and thought-provoking discussion points for each poem. And even the full-text printable for all the poems is in the public domain! To download just click the link under each image.
Spring Poems for Kids
Spring is a season filled with beauty and wonder, and what better way to celebrate it than with delightful poems that capture its essence?
Encourage your children to express their love for spring through words by introducing them to these 12 captivating spring-themed poems.
1. “Spring Storm” by William Carlos Williams
Description: This poem captures the raw power and intensity of a spring storm.
Lesson Idea: Teach students about the importance of using vivid imagery in poetry.
Discussion Points: How does the poet make the storm feel real and intense? How does this poem make you feel?
2. “Not Ideas About the Thing But the Thing Itself” by Wallace Stevens
Description: Stevens explores how spring is perceived by the senses, not just the mind.
Lesson Idea: Discuss the concept of mindfulness and being present in the moment.
Discussion Points: How does the poet emphasize the importance of experiencing things directly?
3. “Rain” by Robert Louis Stevenson
Description: Stevenson uses rain, a common spring occurrence, to explore the theme of universal human experience.
Lesson Idea: Talk about the challenges of using the concept of visual imagery in poetry.
Discussion Points: What does the rain symbolize in this poem? How does it make you feel? Would the rain feel different if you were on the ship at sea? Or in an open field?
4. “April” by Sara Teasdale
Description: Teasdale’s poem encapsulates the beauty and joy that April, a spring month, brings.
Lesson Idea: Encourage students to write their own poems about spring.
Discussion Points: How does this poem make you appreciate April and spring?
5. “It’s Spring” by Winnifred J. Mott
Description: The author celebrates the joy of spring and looks forward to the new season and everything it brings with it.
Lesson Idea: Discuss what the poet had in mind (or the main idea) when writing this poem.
Discussion Points: How does Winnifred J. Mott portray the season’s energy?
6. “Nest Eggs” by Robert Louis Stevenson
Description: At first glance, the poem explores the simple joy of discovering nest eggs during spring, but on a deeper level, it’s also about growing and earning for adventure.
Lesson Idea: Discuss the themes of imagination, adventure, and a cycle of life as symbolized by birds’ transformation from helpless eggs to soaring in the sky.
Discussion Points: How does this poem evoke the sense of joy and wonder of spring, nature, and all living things?
7. “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth
Description: Wordsworth’s poem is a tribute to the beauty of daffodils, a classic symbol of spring.
Lesson Idea: Introduce the concept of symbols in poetry.
Discussion Points: What do daffodils represent in this poem, and how do they enhance its meaning?
8. “Spring” by William Blake
Description: Blake uses the voice of a young child to explore themes of freedom, innocence, and nature’s beauty.
Lesson Idea: Discuss the use of repetition in poetry.
Discussion Points: How does the poet use the nightingale, little boy, and the lamb to convey his message?
9. “To the Thawing Wind” by Robert Frost
Description: Frost welcomes the coming of spring through a tribute to the thawing wind.
Lesson Idea: Discuss the use of personification in Frost’s tribute to the wind.
Discussion Points: How does Frost use the wind as a symbol for the coming of spring?
10. “Spring” by Christina Rossetti
Description: Rossetti explores the joy and revival that spring brings to the world.
Lesson Idea: Discuss the theme of rejuvenation and what our five senses experience during spring.
Discussion Points: How does Rossetti convey the happiness and renewal of spring through imagery?
11. “A Light Exists in Spring” by Emily Dickinson
Description: Dickinson’s poem is a beautiful exploration of the unique light quality that comes with spring.
Lesson Idea: Explore how poets use sensory language to enhance their descriptions.
Discussion Points: How does Dickinson use language to relay the special quality of spring’s light?
12. “Spring Perhaps is Like a Hand” by E. E. Cummings
Description: Cummings uses the imagery of a hand to describe the gentle arrival of spring.
Lesson Idea: Discuss similes and how they can be used to convey abstract concepts.
Discussion Points: How does the image of a hand help you understand the arrival of spring?
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