Creative Calligrams: Bringing Words to Life in KS2
If you haven’t used calligrams in your classroom before, you’re in for a treat! A calligram is a word or short phrase where the shape of the letters reflects the meaning of the word itself. For example, the word buzz written in wiggly, zig-zag lines to look like a bee’s flight path, or the word drip shaped like a droplet of water falling.
Calligrams are simple to introduce but hugely powerful in sparking creativity. They help children see that words aren’t just about meaning — they can also be about visual expression. This playful crossover between art and literacy often unlocks ideas in children who may struggle with more traditional writing tasks.
👉 For another simple but creative poetry idea, take a look at Kennings: Fun and Accessible Poetry for KS2.
Getting Started
✨ Hook your class by showing some fun examples (a quick Google search will give you plenty). You could also create a couple of your own in advance to display on the board. Children love seeing that you’ve had a go too!
✨ Model the process: choose a word, brainstorm what it represents, then think of how the letters could be shaped to bring that idea to life. Verbs work brilliantly to start with — words like jump, crash, swirl, splash, explode.
✨ Keep it simple: encourage children to begin with short words and then progress to longer, more ambitious attempts as their confidence grows.
👉 Need an easy warm-up? Try some Quick & Easy Poetry Starters for KS2.
Classroom Activities with Calligrams
Here are some exciting ways you can use calligrams with KS2:
1. The Calligram Starter
Hand out a worksheet with a list of lively verbs (bounce, slither, zoom, stretch).
Challenge children to transform the words into pictures using only letters.
Display the finished calligrams on a class “Word Gallery” wall.
2. Calligram Poetry
Once children are confident, extend the activity into whole poems.
For example, ask them to write a short descriptive poem about the sea, then turn one or two of their key words (wave, splash, drift, tide) into calligrams inside the poem itself.
👉 You can link this to Poems About the Seasons for KS2 Classrooms for cross-curricular inspiration.
3. Seasonal Calligrams
Use a theme such as Autumn, Christmas, or World Book Day.
Children choose words linked to the theme (snowflake, pumpkin, magic, celebrate) and create a set of festive calligrams to decorate the classroom.
👉 For more festive poetry fun, see Christmas Poetry Activities for KS2.
4. Group Calligram Challenge
Split the class into groups of 4–5. Give each group a different topic (e.g. space, rainforest, sport, weather).
Their task is to create a mini poster filled with calligrams connected to their theme.
Finish with a “gallery walk” where groups tour the room to admire each other’s creations.
5. Performance Calligrams
Invite children to present their calligrams aloud — they hold up their word while saying it with matching expression.
For example, a child holding the word shout drawn in big bold block letters could deliver it with a loud voice, while whisper might be drawn small and faint and performed softly.
👉 To explore more performance-based ideas, read Performance Poetry in Primary Schools.
Why Calligrams Work So Well
Teachers often tell me that even reluctant writers come alive during this activity. It’s creative, low-stakes, and allows children to play with language in a way that feels fun and artistic. Best of all, it’s a brilliant springboard into more ambitious poetry and creative writing because it puts children into the right mindset: adventurous, imaginative, and ready to explore words in fresh ways.
So next time you’re planning a poetry lesson, don’t underestimate the power of a quick calligram starter. It might just be the spark your class needs to produce something truly original.
Good luck — and have fun creating your classroom calligram gallery!
👉 Download a calligram worksheet from the selection below:
