How to Write Children's Poetry: Tips and Writing Prompts
by Katie Martin
What a joy it is to write for young audiences! There is no limit to the amount of love, creativity, kindness, and pure silliness that we can pour into the hearts and minds of our young readers. Let’s dive into one of the most special genres of all: children’s poetry.
What Is Children’s Poetry?
Children’s poetry comes in all shapes and sizes, packages and purposes, and impressions and intents. It can take the shape of a rhyming picture book, a rhyme in school curriculum, a story to teach, a song to enjoy, or a nonsensical string of silly sounds. All of these are wonderful for our young readers and can be especially fun for us to write.
Why Write Children’s Poetry?
Whether you normally write adult nonfiction or if you already specialize in children’s literature, writing children’s poetry can bring light and levity to your day—and stretch your creative muscles, too!
We probably all remember a particular rhyme or song from our childhood that helped us learn in school, appreciate the Bible story, or learn about life principles. We now have the immense privilege and blessing of creating poetry and rhymes for our little ones, and to have fun while doing so!
How Do I Write Children’s Poetry?
Like any other creative genre, children’s poetry begins with purpose: an inspiration, idea, or message. Its form can be as creative as you wish, from silly rhymes to sentimental prose-poetry, but the heart of it lies in its message.
You can write a children’s poem in the next ten minutes if you are willing to stretch your creative brain cells and venture into a little nonsensicality or sentimentality. Are you with me? I’ll provide three frameworks for beginning a children’s poem. But note—if you read the prompt, you have to try the prompt. Deal?
Here’s Prompt 1. Only read it if you’re ready to write it!
Prompt 1: One Rhyme, Six Times
We’re going to write a 6-line poem, where all the lines end with the same rhyme. (Example: rhyme, time, dime, sublime, etc.) We aren’t going to worry about the meter or the “beat” of the poem. We are just going to hook as many rhymes together as we can, and see what happens.
Open up a favorite rhyming resource, whether a book of rhymes or an online rhyme dictionary. Give yourself 3 minutes to find a set of words that seem like they have potential. (If you’re struggling, try jingle, ink, weather, balloon, or wheel. They have some fun rhyme options!)
Set a timer for 7 minutes. Now write whatever you can. Whatever comes to mind—write and connect these rhymes together. The more strange and silly, the better. And don’t be afraid to make up words if needed. The world might need a creature called a snobberly-thwicket to take a ticket to a cricket, in the thicket! One can never tell.
Prompt 2: The Education Station
Note: You may only proceed reading if you have tried (or totally bypassed) Prompt 1.
This prompt is to create one rhyming couplet to serve as a learning device for an educational fact, a Biblical story, or a life principle. These rhymes are especially useful because they can be incorporated into other writing projects, such as children’s educational materials, Bible curriculum, or children’s stories. They can also be expanded into standalone works, like a song or longer poem.
Set a timer for 5 minutes. Jot down any facts or “takeaways” that are related to a recent life event, educational project, or Bible lesson—a fact or lesson that you want to pass to the next generation. Brainstorm all over the page. Then set the timer again for 5 minutes. Focus on one (and only one) fact and create rhymes related to that fact. At the end, circle the one you think is the best.
Approximate rhymes are allowed. Here are two examples:
Keep this in mind:
Always be kind.
Methuselah lived a long, long time
Until he was nine hundred and sixty-nine
Think of a child who is close to you: perhaps your own child, grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin, a child in your church family, or another little one. Then write them a special poem to cherish their special traits and to treasure their unique gifts. You can gift this poem to them on a birthday or special holiday. This poem does not need to rhyme.
We’ll set a timer for 10 minutes, and you’ll need to write for all 10 minutes. But don’t be afraid to make this a draft and revisit it if needed.
If you need a place to start, consider beginning with any of these:
What I find special about you is _______.
Your eyes light up when you _______.
I hope you know that _______.
The world is alive when you _______.
I see this in you: _______.
In Conclusion...
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of children’s poetry! What a wonderful gift and blessing it is—to be serious, to be silly, to learn, and to explore the world through the most fun and unique combinations of words. I hope you feel inspired to dip your toes into the creative pool of rhymes and poetry. Our young readers deserve all the fun, godly, and sincere poetry we can provide.
(Do you want to publish your children's poetry? There are opportunities in magazines and online publications. Here are some links where you can get your poems published:
* An interview with poet Irene Latham (who has been a SCWC leader) on the "Highlights" magazine website
* A list of magazines that accept children's poem submissions
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Katie Martin is a professional writer, editor, and designer in East Alabama. She earned her Master of Technical and Professional Communication from Auburn University and is always working on an abundance of creative projects—especially microfiction, poetry, and short stories. You can find her latest creative updates online at katiemartinbooks.com.
This is so well written, Katie! I've published very little in children's writing and none in poetry, but you've inspired me.
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