Best Funny Poems for KS2 Children
Why Funny Poems Work So Well in KS2
Children love to laugh — and poetry is one of the best ways to capture their attention. Funny poems are brilliant for engaging reluctant readers, building confidence in performance, and showing pupils that poetry can be playful as well as powerful.
Whether you’re planning a class assembly, looking for new performance poems, or just want to make literacy lessons sparkle, these are some of the best funny poems for KS2 children.
👉 In my Poetry Days in primary schools across the UK I work hard to get the children excited about writing and performing their own poems. I visit over 100 schools every year and I’d love to work with your children and teachers.
📅 You can book me for:
In-person Poetry Days across the UK
Online Poetry Workshops (affordable and flexible)
➡ Secure your date here: Poets in Schools – Ian Bland
1. Sick – Shel Silverstein
This poem, packed with excuses from a child trying to avoid school, is guaranteed to raise a smile. KS2 pupils love its rhythm, humour, and over-the-top imagination. It’s perfect for performance with exaggerated voices and actions.
2. Albert and the Lion – Marriott Edgar
A timeless comic monologue about a boy, a seaside trip, and a very unfortunate lion. Though slightly longer, it’s a fantastic performance piece for confident KS2 pupils who enjoy storytelling and humour.
3. Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face – Jack Prelutsky
A wonderfully silly poem imagining what life would be like if noses were in different places. KS2 children love the absurdity, and it’s a great springboard for writing their own “what if” poems.
4. Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth-Toast – Charles Causley
This humorous tale of a pompous colonel and a mischievous ghost is full of character and fun. Ideal for performance, it works brilliantly in pairs or groups, with different children taking different voices.
5. An Odd Kettle of Fish – Pie Corbett
Playful, rhythmic, and packed with odd imagery, this poem captures children’s imaginations. KS2 pupils love exploring its quirky language, and it’s great for encouraging children to invent their own funny “odd” poems.
6. When I Was a Pirate – Nick Toczek
A witty, energetic poem that lets children dive into the world of pirates. Great for performance with actions, sound effects, and pirate voices — guaranteed to get laughs in a class or assembly.
7. Mum For a Day – Paul Cookson
This relatable, laugh-out-loud poem imagines what might happen if a child swapped places with their mum. KS2 pupils enjoy the cheeky humour and love acting it out in performance.
Tips for Teaching Funny Poems in KS2
Use actions and silly voices – humour works best when performed with energy.
Try group work – pupils can split stanzas and build confidence together.
Encourage writing spin-offs – many funny poems are perfect models for children to create their own versions.
Perform in assemblies – funny poems are always crowd-pleasers.
Why Funny Poems Matter
They engage even the most reluctant readers.
They make literacy lessons fun and memorable.
They build confidence in reading aloud and performance.
They show children that poetry is playful, not just serious.
Conclusion
Funny poems are a brilliant way to hook KS2 children into reading, writing, and performing poetry. From Shel Silverstein’s Sick to Paul Cookson’s Mum For a Day, these poems are guaranteed to make children laugh, build confidence, and inspire creativity.
👉 In my Poetry Days in primary schools across the UK I work hard to get the children excited about writing and performing their own poems. I visit over 100 schools every year and I’d love to work with your children and teachers.
📅 You can book me for:
In-person Poetry Days across the UK
Online Poetry Workshops (affordable and flexible)
