Whether pet, wild, domestic, or aquatic, children love animals and are fascinated by them. The world of animals is magnificent, and there are so many things to learn from these incredible beings. Poems about animals for kids are innovative ways to educate them about various types of animals. Moreover, tons of stories and poems about animals are available that speak about learning their habitats, lifestyle, and distinct features. So, read on as we bring you some humorous, thought-provoking, easy and enjoyable poems on animals that your kid would love to recite.
14 Best Animal Poems For Children
These poems are about animals of all kinds. Some are about pets and farm animals, and a few are about the encounters in the wild. Are you ready?
1. Mary’s Lamb by Sarah Josepha Hale
“Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was white as snow, And everywhere that Mary went The lamb was sure to go; He followed her to school one day— That was against the rule, It made the children laugh and play, To see a lamb at school. And so the Teacher turned him out, But still he lingered near, And waited patiently about, Till Mary did appear; And then he ran to her, and laid His head upon her arm, As if he said—”I’m not afraid— You’ll keep me from all harm.” “What makes the lamb love Mary so?” The eager children cry— “O, Mary loves the lamb, you know,” The Teacher did reply;— “And you each gentle animal In confidence may bind, -And make them follow at your call, If you are always kind.””
2. Three Foxes by the Edge of the Field at Twilight by Jane Hirshfield
“One ran, her nose to the ground, a rusty shadow neither hunting nor playing. One stood; sat; lay down; stood again. One never moved, except to turn her head a little as we walked. Finally we drew too close, and they vanished. The woods took them back as if they had never been. I wish I had thought to put my face to the grass. But we kept walking, speaking as strangers do when becoming friends. There is more and more I tell no one, strangers nor loves. This slips into the heart without hurry, as if it had never been. And yet, among the trees, something has changed. Something looks back from the trees, and knows me for who I am.”
3. Kindness To Animals by J. Ashby Sterry
“Speak gently to the herring and kindly to the calf, Be blithesome with the bunny, at barnacles don’t laugh! Give nuts unto the monkey, and buns unto the bear, Ne’er hint at currant jelly if you chance to see a hare! Oh, little girls, pray hide your combs when tortoises draw nigh, And never in the hearing of a pigeon whisper Pie! But give the stranded jelly-fish a shove into the sea,– Be always kind to animals wherever you may be! Oh, make not game of sparrows, nor faces at the ram, And ne’er allude to mint sauce when calling on a lamb. Don’t beard the thoughtful oyster, don’t dare the cod to crimp, Don’t cheat the pike, or ever try to pot the playful shrimp. Tread lightly on the turning worm, don’t bruise the butterfly, Don’t ridicule the wry-neck, nor sneer at salmon-fry; Oh, ne’er delight to make dogs fight, nor bantams disagree,– Be always kind to animals wherever you may be! Be lenient with lobsters, and ever kind to crabs, And be not disrespectful to cuttle-fish or dabs; Chase not the Cochin-China, chaff not the ox obese, And babble not of feather-beds in company with geese. Be tender with the tadpole, and let the limpet thrive, Be merciful to mussels, don’t skin your eels alive; When talking to a turtle don’t mention calipee– Be always kind to animals wherever you may be.”
4. The Great Black Crow by Philip James Bailey
“The crow – the crow! the great black crow! He cares not to meet us wherever we go; He cares not for man, beast, friend, nor foe, For nothing will eat him he well doth know. Know – know! you great black crow! It’s a comfort to feel like a great black crow! The crow – the crow! the great black crow! He loves the fat meadow – his taste is low; He loves the fat worms, and he dines in a row With fifty fine cousins all black as a sloe. Sloe – sloe! you great black crow! But it’s jolly to fare like a great black crow! The crow – the crow! the great black crow! He never gets drunk on the rain or snow; He never gets drunk, but he never says no! If you press him to tipple ever so. So – so! you great black crow! It’s an honour to soak like a great black crow! The crow – the crow! the great black crow! He lives for a hundred year and mo’; He lives till he dies, and he dies as slow As the morning mists down the hill that go. Go – go! you great black crow! But it’s fine to live and die like a great black crow!.”
5. The Frog by Hilaire Belloc
“Be kind and tender to the Frog, And do not call him names, As “Slimy-Skin,” or “Polly-wog,” Or likewise, “Uncle James,” Or “Gape-a-grin,” or “Toad-gone-wrong,” Or, “Billy-Bandy-knees;” The Frog is justly sensitive To epithets like these. No animal will more repay A treatment kind and fair, At least, so lonely people say Who keep a frog and, by the way, They are extremely rare.”
6. A Night With a Wolf by Bayard Taylor
“Little one come to my knee! Hark how the rain is pouring Over the roof in the pitch dark night, And the winds in the woods a-roaring Hush, my darling, and listen, Then pay for the story with kisses; Father was lost in the pitch-black night In just such a storm as this is. High on the lonely mountain Where the wild men watched and waited; Wolves in the forest, and bears in the bush, And I on my path belated. The rain and the night together Came down, and the wind came after, Bending the props of the pine tree roof And snapping many a rafter. I crept along in the darkness, Stunned and bruised and blinded… Crept to a fir with thick-set boughs, And a sheltering rock behind it. There, from the blowing and raining, Crouching I sought to hide me; Something rustled, two green eyes shone, And a wolf lay down beside me. Little one, be not frightened; I and the wolf together, Side be side through the long, long night, Hid from the awful weather. His wet fur pressed against me; Each of us warmed the other; Each of us felt in the stormy dark That beast and man was brother. And when the falling forest No longer crashed in warning, Each of us went from our hiding place Forth in the wild wet morning. Darling, kiss me in payment… Hark! how the wind is roaring! Father’s house is a better place When the stormy rain is pouring.”
7. My Farm Animals by Linda Harris
“On a sunny day, I sat on my porch swing And watched a cool fresh summer rain Everything then seem to come so alive Birds flew to birdbaths to take a dive My horse started galloping with glee Putting on a show to entertain me The donkey, he was hee-hawing so loud Trying to get the attention of a crowd The cows and goats stepped up to see What all the commotion seemed to be Chicken were making clucking sounds Even little bunnies were looking around Simon, the cat, awoke, puzzled over this Fell back to sleep for his daily rest My farm animals so joyful and free Well, no one to see, but only me!”
8. The Cheetah by Gracie Robertson
“The faster the cheetah flies, The faster his poor prey dies. The hungrier the cheetah gets, The longer his prey frets. He happens to be real smart, He always plays a part, In keeping the population down, He sometimes eats something brown. He sometimes does not catch his food, ’cause his prey is really rude. The lions and leopards growl, Show that they’re on the prowl, They hunt for anything that moves, Including the cheetahs brood. The cheetah now has no young, to carry life to old and young.”
9. The Daily Routine Of My Cat by M. Tarun Prasad
“Starts off in the morning, wakes up at six, Grooms itself using its tongue and licks. I give it break fast with a friendly pat. That’s the daily morning of my cat. Returns for lunch at one o’ clock. Eats milk rice and then goes for a walk. Sometimes even hunts and catches a rat. That’s the daily afternoon of my cat. Naps after lunch outside my door. Sleeps so deeply, perhaps even snores. Doesn’t like the ground; it prefers a mat. That’s the daily evening of my cat. Wakes up refreshed and comes for dinner. Does it eat too much? Shouldn’t it be thinner? Eats and sleeps – hope it doesn’t get fat. That’s the daily night of my cat.”
10. Woods At Night by Annette Bigger
“Wild geese fly with the moon on their wings, And a nightingale sits on a branch as it sings. All is peaceful in the still of night, and the moon is shining very bright. There’s only a rustle of a breeze in the trees, And to night for sure there will be a freeze. For the air is crisp, so crisp it will snap, At the slightest sound, rustle or rap. An owl skims slowly o’er the treetops. It slowly circles ’round a tree and stops. It sits and surveys the forest floor, Captivated by mystery and woodsy lore. For at night in the forest there’s gamey in the air, And the wild fox now creeps out of its lair. It yaps and the stillness is split with a knife, Yet all else continues with no conflict or strife.”
11. The Parakeets by Alberto Blanco
They talk all day and when it starts to get dark they lower their voices to converse with their own shadows and with the silence. They are like everybody — the parakeets— all day chatter, and at night bad dreams. With their gold rings on their clever faces, brilliant feathers and the heart restless with speech… They are like everybody, —the parakeets— the ones that talk best have separate cages.”
Funny Poems For Kids
These poems about animals are silly and sure to bring out smiles and giggles on your kid’s face.
12. Dentist And The Crocodile by Roald Dahl
“The crocodile, with a cunning smile, sat in the dentist’s chair. He said, “Right here and everywhere my teeth require repair.” The dentist’s face was turning white. He quivered, quaked and shook. He muttered, “I suppose I’m going to have to take a look.” “I want you,” Crocodile declared, “to do the back ones first. The molars at the very back are easily the worst.” He opened wide his massive jaws. It was a fearsome sight–– At least three hundred pointed teeth, all sharp and shining white. The dentist kept himself well clear. He stood two yards away. He chose the longest probe he had to search out the decay. “I said to do the back ones first!” the Crocodile called out. “You’re much too far away, dear sir, to see what you’re about. To do the back ones properly you’ve got to put your head Deep down inside my great big mouth,” the grinning Crocky said. The poor old dentist wrung his hands and, weeping in despair, He cried, “No no! I see them all extremely well from here!” Just then, in burst a lady, in her hands a golden chain. She cried, “Oh Croc, you naughty boy, you’re playing tricks again!” “Watch out!” the dentist shrieked and started climbing up the wall. “He’s after me! He’s after you! He’s going to eat us all!” “Don’t be a twit,” the lady said, and flashed a gorgeous smile. “He’s harmless. He’s my little pet, my lovely crocodile.””
13. Glow Worm by Taylor Russell
“Oh, I wish I were a glow worm, for a glow worm’s never glum, ’cause how can you be grumpy when the sun shines out your bum!”
14. Three Little Piggies by Paige
“I have three piggies, Who live in the shed They sleep in their food bowl And eat in their bed They drink lots of water Which makes them go wee This usually happens While they are sitting on my knee!!!”
