National Poetry Day Resources for Primary Schools
Every October, schools across the UK celebrate National Poetry Day — a wonderful chance to put poetry centre stage in the classroom. It’s the perfect opportunity to inspire children, showcase their creativity, and remind everyone that poetry is for everyone.
If you’re a primary teacher looking for ideas, this post is packed with National Poetry Day resources and activities you can use straight away. Whether you want quick classroom starters, whole-school projects, or inspiring performances, you’ll find something here to make the day memorable.
👉 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. Whole-Class Poetry Performance
Choose a short poem and rehearse it as a class. Experiment with echo lines, sound effects, whispers, and shouts to make it dramatic. A final performance in assembly gives children a real sense of achievement.
👉 Related blog: Assembly Poems KS2
2. Poetry Treasure Hunt
Hide lines of a poem around the classroom or playground. Children work in groups to find them, put them in order, and then perform the poem together.
👉 Related blog: Pirate’s Chest Poem
Get yourself a signed book!
3. Write a Poem on This Year’s Theme
Each year National Poetry Day has a theme, this year it’s ‘play’. Use it as a starting point for acrostics, kennings, or shape poems.
4. Poetry and Art Mash-Up
Ask pupils to illustrate a favourite line or create a calligram (words written in the shape of their meaning). Display the finished pieces around school.
5. Poetry Slam!
Hold a mini competition where pupils perform their own short poems. Encourage rhythm, rhyme, and performance flair. Offer small prizes for effort, creativity, or audience impact.
6. Lunchtime Open Mic
Set up a microphone in the hall or playground and invite children (and staff!) to share a favourite poem or something they’ve written.
7. Create a School Poetry Anthology
Gather poems written on the day into a booklet. Print copies for each class or share a digital version with families.
Hundreds of FREE poetry ideas, activities and resources-ready to download!
Why Celebrate National Poetry Day?
Poetry builds confidence, sparks imagination, and gives every child a chance to express themselves. National Poetry Day isn’t just about reading poems — it’s about creating, performing, and celebrating the joy of words. It also ties directly into the National Curriculum, which encourages children to memorise, perform, and enjoy a variety of poems.
FAQs About National Poetry Day in Schools
When is National Poetry Day 2025?
It will be celebrated on Thursday 2nd October 2025.
What is the theme for this year?
Each year has a theme, this year it’s ‘play’. Use it as inspiration for writing and performance activities.
How can I book a poet for National Poetry Day?
Many schools invite poets to perform and run workshops on or around National Poetry Day. You can [book me here] for in-person or online sessions.
Is National Poetry Day suitable for KS1 and KS2?
Yes — the activities can be adapted for all ages, from simple rhyme games in KS1 to more complex writing challenges in KS2.
National Poetry Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the joy of poetry in your school. With activities like performances, treasure hunts, and poetry slams, your pupils will discover that poetry is exciting, creative, and fun.
If you’d like to make the day extra special, why not book a poetry workshop with me? I offer in-person and online sessions that bring poetry to life through performance, writing, and laughter. Your pupils will leave inspired, confident, and eager to create their own poems. Details of my online National Poetry Day workshop can be found here.
