Do-It-Yourself: Holiday Poetry Activities for Kids
|Download the template >|
1. Poem Ornaments or Mobiles
Create individual poem ornaments featuring your favorite winter lines of verse. For a more non-denominational approach, create multiple to include in a seasonal poetry mobile.
Poets.org winter-themed shapes template
Many colors of construction paper or gift wrap
Yarn or string
Markers, crayons, or paint
Stapler or tape
A sturdy paper plate
1. Print out our winter-themed shapes template and cut out each shape.
2. Trace and cut out the shapes from colorful construction paper or gift wrap.
3. Decorate, including words or lines from winter or holiday poems (a selection of holiday and winter poems listed below).
4. With tape or a stapler, attach a 2 1/2 inch tall loop of string for ornaments (or a 1/2 foot long string for mobiles).
5. Draw a wide spiral onto a paper plate.
6. Cut along the spiral.
7. Attach three or more shapes along the spiral with tape or a stapler.
8. Attach a 3 inch tall loop to the center of the spiral.
9. Hang your creations up at home or in the classroom.
2. Poetry Snowglobe
Made from recycled jars, these snow globes are a charming reminder of the beauties of the season—especially when the scene inside is one conjured by a favorite poem.
Any type of jar with a lid
Hot glue gun or aquarium sealing glue
White or silver glitter, fake snow, or finely cut tinfoil
Wide, clear tape (such as packing tape)
A Poem printed the right size to fit in the jar (a selection of holiday and winter poems listed below)
Felt (to attach to the bottom)
Decorations to build a scene (such as a small figurine, plastic greenery, etc.)
1. Thoroughly wash and dry the jar and lid.
2. Cut out the printed poem so that it stands up vertically inside the jar.
3. Laminate the poem by covering it with overlapping layers of clear tape.
4. Attach figurines or other decorations to the inside of the jar lid using hot glue.
5. Fill the jar with cold water to within 1/2 inch (1 cm) of the top.
6. Sprinkle approximately 1/2 teaspoon of glitter, fake snow, or foil into the water. (Adjust glitter amount according to the size of your jar.)
7. Wipe the inside of the lid and the rim of the jar dry.
8. Line the inside of the lid and the rim with hot glue and screw the lid on tight.
9. Let the jar stand, lid side up, overnight.
10. After the seal has set, you can line the top of the lid with felt, attach ribbon, or further personalize your snowglobe.
11. Turn over, lid side down, and watch the snow fall!
Favorite Winter and Holiday Poems for Kids:
"A Visit from Saint Nicholas" by Clement Clark Moore
"Picture-books in Winter" by Robert Louis Stevenson
"Notes on the Spring Holidays [Hanukkah]" by Charles Reznikoff
"Snow-Flakes" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Blow, blow, thou winter wind" from As You Like It by William Shakespeare
"Winter-Time" by Robert Louis Stevenson
"Winter Sleep" by Edith Thomas
"Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"On Snow" by James Parton
"Snow Song" by Frank Dempster Sherman
"Woods in Winter" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Winter Twilight" by Anne Porter
|Download the template >|
3. New Year Poetry Calendar
Poets.org's 12-month 2010 calendar template
Markers or crayons
Construction paper or magazine images
Yarn, string, or ribbon
1. Print out the 12-month calendar template.
2. Select favorite poems and poetry quotes for each month (visit the Poems for Every Occasion and Notebooks pages to find poems for various holidays and themes).
3. Copy your favorite seasonal lines and stanzas onto each month.
4. Fill in special dates, such as birthdays, holidays, poets' birthdays and more (including National Poem in Your Pocket Day in April!)
5. Decorate each page by drawing, collaging images—be creative!
6. Gather the 12 pages and punch one or more holes along the top, about 1/2 inch from the edge of the paper.
7. Run yarn, string, or ribbon through the holes, and tie off to make slightly loose loops.
8. Hang your calendar up somewhere you will see it every day.
Browse Poems by Holiday and Theme:
National Poem in Your Pocket Day