
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for your little learners to get creative with poetry! Writing short, four-line poems (also called quatrains) is a fun way for kids to practice language skills while spreading kindness. Plus, homemade Valentine’s Day cards with personalized poems are a sweet way to make someone’s day extra special.
Step 1: Explain the Basics of a 4-Line Poem


A four-line poem can have different rhyming patterns, but the easiest one for kids to start with is AABB (where the first two lines rhyme and the last two lines rhyme) or ABAB (where every other line rhymes). Keep the lines short and simple to make writing fun!
Step 2: Think About the Message
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance—it’s about friendship, kindness, and love for family, too! Encourage your child to think about who they are writing for and what makes that person special.
Step 3: Write the Poem
Now comes the fun part! Let your child create their poems. Now, to be honest, my children drew their pictures first and they took their poem inspiration from their art. So by all means, do this in the order that best suits your children

To the right are the poems my children made for their cards. My 10-year-old daughter had started with a poem that she could tell was not very good. The look on her face was unsatisfied when I read it aloud to her. Her poem was 3 lines long and did not rhyme. Now if she was younger and she was totally proud of it I would have left it alone and praised her for her creation. But my daughter clearly wanted to improve. Her three lines all had a different number of syllables so we started with identifying the number of syllables in her best line, five. Then we identified the last word in her best line, frog. We explored what words rhymed with "frog." If you read it, you will notice that we even have a slant rhyme in it (learn more about slant rhyme here) . Then she pieced together 4 lines with 5 syllables that ended with one of her rhyming words. Your child may need help with eliminating filler words or adding filler words to smooth out their poem. In her second line, she has "She was in love." I pointed out that if she were to add the word "so" she would have her 5 syllables.
Below are some more examples to inspire your child:
For a Friend:
Roses are red, the sky is blue,
I’m really lucky to have a friend like you!
You make me laugh, you make me smile,
I hope you stay my friend for a long, long while.
For a Parent:
You give me hugs, you keep me safe,
You fill my heart with love and faith.
You make each day feel warm and bright,
I love you more than stars at night!
For a Sibling:
We laugh, we play, sometimes we fight,
But I still love you with all my might!
You're my best friend, it’s true to say,
I’d never trade you any day!
A Romantic One (For Mom or Dad to Use!):
When I see you, my heart feels light,
Like twinkling stars on a peaceful night.
You are my love, my joy, my cheer,
Today and always, my Valentine dear!
Step 4: Decorate the Card
Once your child has written their poem, let them decorate their Valentine’s Day card with drawings, stickers, or even glitter (if you dare)! Handmade touches make the card even more special.
Encouraging kids to write poetry is a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with love, laughter, and learning. Have fun writing and spreading joy with heartfelt words!
Here’s a list of advanced vocabulary your children can use in their Valentine’s Day poems to make them more expressive and heartfelt. Share with your children that using even one of these words can make their poem have more depth.
Love & Affection
Adore
Devotion
Cherish
Endearment
Affectionate
Passionate
Enchanting
Devoted
Beloved
Tenderness
Beauty & Nature
Radiant
Luminous
Ethereal
Blossoming
Serene
Mesmerizing
Celestial
Resplendent
Enamored
Breathtaking
Emotion & Sentiment
Sincere
Sentimental
Yearning
Heartfelt
Nostalgic
Jubilant
Ardor
Euphoria
Melancholy
Whimsical
Time & Eternity
Timeless
Eternal
Fleeting
Perpetual
Momentous
Infinite
Everlasting
Ephemeral
Transcendent
Unwavering
These words can add depth and richness to their poetry, making Valentine’s Day messages even more meaningful!
If you make poetry valentines make sure to visit the FB group and share some pictures with the group of email me some pictures at ayearofpoetryteatime@gmail.com
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