Poems for Children: Short Classic Poems for Kids
7 rhymes with full lyrics
These are short poems written for young children by poets such as Christina Rossetti, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edward Lear and Eugene Field. Unlike nursery rhymes, each one has a known author, but they work the same way when you read them aloud: short lines, clear rhymes and things children already know, like the wind, the rain, bedtime and play.
Every poem here is in the public domain and printed in full from an early edition, with notes on what it means and where it first appeared.
Good-MorningGood-morning, mamma! Good-morning, bright sun!Grace Before MeatHere a little child I standMix a PancakeMix a pancakeSingingOf speckled eggs the birdie singsWaterThere's water in the rain barrelWho Has Seen the Wind?Who has seen the wind?Wynken, Blynken, and NodWynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a poem and a nursery rhyme?
A nursery rhyme is traditional: nobody knows who first made it up, and it was passed on by word of mouth for generations. A children's poem has a known author and first appeared in a book, such as Christina Rossetti's Sing-Song (1872) or Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses (1885).
What is a good first poem to read to a young child?
Start with something short and musical, such as Who Has Seen the Wind? by Christina Rossetti. It is only eight lines long, and the question at the start invites children to answer before you read on.
Can I print these poems for home or class?
Yes. Every poem on this page is in the public domain, so you can read it aloud, copy it out or print it for home and classroom use.