Sensory Poems

 


Sensory poems are an excellent way to encourage children to experiment with using words to describe their senses, and in doing so bring their writing to life for others. Even the youngest children can have a go. A big advantage of sensory poems is that tend to come out very well, so they are good for boosting confidence!

Start by picking a season, holiday or event. Then brainstorm with the children what you might see, taste, smell, hear, feel. In a classroom setting, students might call out words and phrases to be written up on the board, or they can use one of our printables to capture their ideas.

Sensory Poem Formats

There are a number of ways that you can tackle writing a sensory poem. Generally, sensory poems do not rhyme.

1. First person sensory poem

Children think about what they themselves experience - using I see, I smell, I hear, I taste, I touch, I feel - and simply write it out. For example,

In Summer...
I see colourful umbrellas on the beach
I smell sun lotion and salt
I hear children giggling in the waves
I taste an ice-cream cone - yum!
I touch soft, hot sand
I feel warm and happy
I love summer!

Click here for a printable / whiteboard version of this poem.

2. Seven line sensory poem

This is similar, but it isn't written from the first person's point of view. Children can use our sensory poem brainstorm worksheet below to plan it.

Subject
Something you see
Something you smell
Something you hear
Something you taste
Something you touch
Repeat subject

Here's an example:

Halloween
Children in costumes everywhere
Chilly October air
Trick or treat!
Chocolate on my lips
Holding my brother's hand tight
Halloween

Click here for a printable / whiteboard version of this poem.

3. Sensory poems with similes

These are the hardest to write, so you might want to try these with older children. By using similies the poems really come to life.

Winter looks like fairy cobwebs, whiter than white
Winter smells like ice cubes in an empty glass
Winter sounds like ear muffs and cotton wool
Winter tastes like snowflakes on my tongue
Winter feels like a shiver down my spine

Our Sensory Poem Printables

Holiday Sensory Poem Printables
We've got sensory poem printable planning sheets for all of the main holidays and some of the...
Seasonal Sensory Poem Printables
Working on sensory poems for each of the seasons will encourage children to notice the smells,...
Out and About Sensory Poem Printables
NEW! Help the children capture the "feeling" of the places you visit with these sensory...

More Poetry for Kids

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