Winter Forest Poetry Prompts for KidLit Poets

Hey there fellow poets! Here are 3 new poetry prompts about “A Winter Forest.” Each has 3 “Ways to Play” ideas to inspire new poems or fresh perspectives on the prompt theme.

Let me know in the comments or via email if you write a poem from these prompts. I can’t wait to see what you create!

Listen to the prompts here:

Prompt 1

Write a poem about one or more animals who live in a winter forest.

Ways to Play:

• Write the poem from the point of view of the animal. Crouch down (in your mind’s eye or in person) and see the forest from the animal’s viewpoint.
• Bring in a narrative element – does your animal want something? What’s getting in their way and how do they overcome it? Can you tell a mini-story in poetic form?
• Play with the form of the poem. For example, each stanza could be a different animal. Or, each stanza could focus on an element of the animal (physical appearance or personality).

Prompt 2

Write a poem about the sounds of a winter forest.

Ways to play:

• Take a walk (in your mind’s eye or in person) through a forest and pause to listen. What do you hear? How can you capture those sounds in words?
• Play with sound for this poem about sounds – include a tight rhyme or rhythm pattern. Repeat certain words or sounds. Don’t worry about narrative here. Make a fun poem that kids could dance or move to.
• Create an extended metaphor poem inspired by one of the sounds you find.

Prompt 3

Write a poem about trees in a winter forest.

Ways to play:

• Activate different senses for this poem. For example, what does a pine or spruce tree smell like? Are there other smells? What do pine needles or the bark of a birch tree look like? Spend some time really looking at them.
• Put your science toque on and become a tree detective. How many types of trees are there in your forest? What are the common and scientific names? Are there any special characteristics? Play with the style of your poem. For example, write it in the style of an encyclopedia entry or scientist’s notebook. Or maybe your poem tells the story of a young scientist investigating trees.
• Find the oldest tree in your winter forest. What has this tree seen and lived through? The highs and lows? How has the forest changed since they were a tiny sapling? Do they miss felled friends? Are they excited to see new growth? Tell this tree’s story in your poem.

Happy poetry writing, Kim x

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