Getting kids excited about poetry can feel like an uphill battle—blank stares, restless hands, and that dreaded sigh of boredom. But what if poetry made them laugh out loud? Funny poems for kids are the secret weapon to turning groans into giggles while effortlessly building language skills and comprehension. Therefore, this post collects the top 10 hilarious poems, making kids giggle in no time! Each poem comes with a teaching tip and a downloadable worksheet to make learning even more exciting. Explore now!
10+ funny poems for kids
From silly scenarios to playful wordplay, these 10 funny poems will bring joy to your classroom and encourage children to explore rhythm, rhyme, and storytelling.
1. “Sick” by Shel Silverstein
Theme: School, excuses, humor
This classic Shel Silverstein poem humorously captures a child’s exaggerated excuses for missing school. It highlights kids’ imaginative storytelling abilities while emphasizing the importance of honesty. The playful tone and whimsical excuses make it a favorite among young readers:
“I cannot go to school today,”
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
Teaching Tip: Use this poem to spark a discussion on exaggeration in storytelling. Have students create their own humorous excuses for skipping school and turn them into mini-poems.
Download the Sick poem worksheet for engaging classroom activities!
2. “Eletelephony” by Laura E. Richards
Theme: Wordplay, animals, humor
This tongue-twisting poem is a great example of how playful language can be. Kids love the funny mix-ups in words as the poem tells the story of a confused elephant and a telephone. It teaches young learners about phonetics and pronunciation in a fun way:
Once there was an elephant,
Who tried to use the telephant.
Teaching Tip: Read the poem aloud and encourage students to act it out. Challenge them to come up with their own funny animal-word mix-ups.
Use this Eletelephony worksheet to explore wordplay and rhyming structures!
3. “My Dog Ate My Homework” by Kenn Nesbitt
Theme: School, pets, humor
A hilarious take on the classic excuse, this poem humorously depicts a mischievous dog who conveniently eats homework. Kids love the playful exaggeration and fun rhymes:
My dog ate my homework.
That mischievous pup.
Teaching Tip: Have students come up with their own imaginative excuses for missing homework and turn them into a class poetry book.
Download My Dog Ate My Homework worksheet to create funny excuse poems!
4. “Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face” by Jack Prelutsky
Theme: Body parts, humor
This poem humorously explores what life would be like if our noses were in different places. It’s a silly yet thought-provoking way to engage kids in creative thinking:
Be glad your nose is on your face,
not pasted on some other place.
Teaching Tip: Discuss body parts and their functions, then have students write their own silly versions with misplaced features.
Use Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face worksheet to explore body part creativity!
5. “My Puppy Punched Me in the Eye” by Kenn Nesbitt
Theme: Pets, humor, exaggeration
This hilarious poem tells the exaggerated tale of a mischievous puppy causing chaos. Kids love the playful rhymes and silly imagery, making it a fun read-aloud.
My puppy punched me in the eye.
My rabbit whacked my ear.
Teaching Tip: Have students act out the poem using exaggerated expressions. Encourage them to write their own funny pet mishaps in a rhyming format.
Download the full My Puppy Punched Me in the Eye poem worksheet for interactive fun!
6. “The Crocodile” by Lewis Carroll
Theme: Animals, humor, imagination
A humorous poem about a crocodile’s exaggerated habits, this classic poem sparks laughter while introducing children to playful descriptions.
How doth the little crocodile,
Improve his shining tail?
Teaching Tip: Have students draw a funny animal with exaggerated features and write a short poem about it.
Download this fun The Crocodile poem worksheet on animal poetry!
7. “As Soon as Fred Gets Out of Bed” by Jack Prelutsky
Theme: Morning routine, humor
A poem about a boy who refuses to wear anything but a hat, making for a funny and exaggerated morning routine tale:
As soon as Fred gets out of bed,
his underwear goes on his head.
Teaching Tip: Encourage kids to write a funny morning routine poem based on their own habits.
Use As Soon as Fred Gets Out of Bed worksheet to write hilarious daily routine poems!
8. “Messy Room” by Shel Silverstein
Theme: Cleanliness, humor
A hilarious take on a messy child’s room, this poem describes the chaotic state of a bedroom in a way that makes kids laugh:
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
Teaching Tip: Have students draw their own “messy room” scene and write a poem about it.
Download this Messy Room poem worksheet for fun poetry activities!
9. “The Homework Machine” by Shel Silverstein
Theme: Imagination, humor, school life
This witty poem brings to life every student’s dream—a machine that does all their homework! With Silverstein’s signature humor, it sparks creativity and makes kids think about the pros and cons of taking shortcuts. A perfect poem for classroom discussions on responsibility and effort:
The Homework Machine, oh, the Homework Machine,
Most perfect contraption that’s ever been seen.
Teaching Tip: After reading, have students design their own imaginary homework machine and describe how it works. Encourage them to write a short poem or story about it.
Use The Homework Machine poem worksheet to spark creativity and critical thinking!
10. “The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven” by Jack Prelutsky
Theme: Holiday humor, food, chaos
This hilarious Thanksgiving poem captures the chaos of a holiday dinner gone wrong. With its exaggerated imagery and silly storyline, it’s a great way to introduce kids to narrative poetry and sequencing events:
The turkey shot out of the oven
and rocketed into the air.
Teaching Tip: Read the poem aloud with expressive voices, then ask students to illustrate the funniest moment. Have them write their own wacky holiday disaster poem.
Use The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven worksheet to explore rhyming and storytelling through poetry!
For more engaging and expressive verses, check out these inspiring slam poetry examples for students.
FAQs
1. What are some classic funny poems for kids?
Funny poems for kids have been cherished for generations, making poetry both entertaining and educational. If you’re looking for timeless classics, consider these:
- “Sick” by Shel Silverstein – A hilarious tale of exaggerated excuses for missing school.
- “Eletelephony” by Laura E. Richards – A fun wordplay-filled poem about a confused elephant and a telephone.
- “Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face” by Jack Prelutsky – A whimsical exploration of how strange it would be if our body parts were in different places.
2. What are some funny poems about pets for kids?
Children love poems about their furry friends, and these humorous pet-themed poems are sure to make them laugh:
- “My Dog Ate My Homework” by Kenn Nesbitt – A witty twist on the classic homework excuse.
- “The Silliest Cat in the World” by Darren Sardelli – A lighthearted poem about a cat’s ridiculous antics.
- “I Bought a Pet Banana” by Kenn Nesbitt – A quirky and imaginative poem about an unusual pet.
Final thoughts
Funny poems for kids bring laughter, imagination, and a love of language into everyday moments. Whether it’s a silly rhyme, a playful limerick, or a humorous story poem, these lighthearted verses help children connect with reading in joyful ways. By introducing funny poems into your home or classroom, you can spark creativity, improve literacy skills, and encourage kids to explore their own sense of humor through words. So, the next time you’re looking for a way to brighten a child’s day, turn to funny poems for kids—they’re the perfect blend of giggles and learning wrapped in rhyme!
Bring poetry to life in your classroom with printable poems worksheets that strengthen vocabulary, rhythm, and comprehension.
