Limericks for KS2: Funny Poems to Teach Rhyme and Rhythm 😂✍️
Why Teach Limericks in KS2? 🤔
Children love being silly — and that’s exactly what limericks for KS2 are all about. With their playful rhythm, strong rhyme and cheeky humour, limericks are a brilliant way to:
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Engage reluctant writers with funny poems KS2.
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Explore rhyme and rhythm in a memorable way.
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Build performance confidence (they’re made to be read aloud).
Limericks also link perfectly with the KS2 English curriculum. They help children practise syllable counting, understand rhyme schemes (AABBA), and develop vocabulary in a creative context.
🎯 Learning Outcomes
By exploring limericks, pupils will:
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🗣️ Perform with humour and expression.
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✍️ Apply the AABBA rhyme scheme when writing.
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🎶 Recognise syllable patterns in short poems.
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🤪 Play with nonsense language to spark creativity.
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📖 Read, understand and enjoy traditional and modern limericks.
What Is a Limerick? 📖
A limerick is a short, funny, five-line poem with:
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Lines 1, 2 and 5 = longer, rhyming with each other (A)
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Lines 3 and 4 = shorter, rhyming with each other (B)
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A bouncy rhythm that makes it fun to read aloud
Limerick Examples for Children
Here are three child-friendly limerick examples you can share in class:
Example 1
There once was a boy from Kent,
Whose nose was remarkably bent.
He walked into a door,
Fell flat on the floor,
And wondered where all his time went!
Example 2
There once was a cat in a hat,
Who fancied himself quite a rat.
He danced on a chair,
Then flew through the air,
And landed with grace on the mat!
Example 3
A teacher who came from Dundee,
Drank fifty-two cups of hot tea.
She wobbled and spun,
And said, “That was fun!”
Then zoomed off as quick as a bee!
👉 For another short poetry form, see Haiku Poems for KS2.
How to Write a Limerick in KS2 ✍️
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Start with a character – “There once was a…” or “There was a young…”
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Choose a place or feature – to help with rhymes (Kent, Dundee, Spain).
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Build the AABBA rhyme scheme – lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme; lines 3 and 4 rhyme.
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Use rhythm – make it bouncy and easy to read aloud.
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End with a twist – a funny or surprising last line.
👉 For reluctant writers, see Poetry for Reluctant KS2 Writers.
Classroom Activities with Limericks 🎓
1. Reading Famous Limericks 📚
Share Edward Lear’s nonsense limericks. Discuss:
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How the rhyme works
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Why the endings are funny
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How rhythm makes them easy to perform
👉 For other humorous activities, see Fun Tongue Twisters for KS2.
2. Writing a Class Limerick 📝
Brainstorm a silly character together:
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A kangaroo who eats crisps
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A teacher who juggles
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A dog who loves football
Write as a group, using rhyme banks on the board.
👉 For collaborative games, try Creative Classroom Challenges.
3. Independent Limerick Writing ✍️
Challenge pupils to create their own limerick. Encourage:
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Silly characters and places
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Unexpected endings
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Clear rhymes and rhythm
4. Performance Poetry 🎤😂
Have pupils read their limericks aloud with:
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Funny voices
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Actions or props
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Group performances
👉 See Performance Poetry for KS2 for more ideas.
5. Extra Fun Limerick Activities 🌟
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Limerick Illustrations: Draw a cartoon to match the poem.
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Limerick Riddle: Write a limerick about an object or animal; classmates guess the answer.
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Limerick Swap: Pupils start a limerick, swap papers, and someone else writes the ending.
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Limerick Parade: Display poems around the room; pupils walk and read them aloud.
Cross-Curricular Links 🌍
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History: Explore Edward Lear and Victorian nonsense poetry.
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Geography: Use towns or countries for rhymes.
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PSHE: Discuss humour and respect — jokes should be kind, not unkind.
👉 For broader links, see Poetry Across the Curriculum.
Why Teachers Love Limericks 📌
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Short and accessible — perfect confidence builders.
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Funny and engaging — ideal for reluctant writers.
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Teach rhyme and rhythm clearly.
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Easy to link across subjects.
Book a Poetry Day At Your Primary School!🌟
My workshops always include laughter! Book a poetry day to bring fun, creativity and performance to your KS1 & KS2 pupils.
👉 Learn more: Poets in Schools
