Verbs for Kids: A Complete List of Action Words

Last updated: 08/07/2025

Every time a child says, “I run!” or “Mom cook!” they’re using verbs, and the building blocks of communication. Verbs help us describe actions, feelings, and even states of being, making them essential for kids learning to speak, read, and write. This article is your go-to guide for understanding verbs from a child’s perspective, complete with a curated list of kid-friendly verbs and practical tips to make learning engaging. Let’s dive in with WuKong Education!

What Are Verbs?

Defining Verbs in Child-Friendly Terms

Verbs are like the “do” words in sentences. They tell us what someone or something is doing. For example, when a dog “barks” or a bird “flies,” those are verbs. Even when we talk about feelings like “I happy” what they really mean is “I feel happy,” where “feel” is the verb. For young learners, it helps to connect verbs to actions they know. Say a word like “jump” and ask your child to show you what it looks like. When they leap into the air, they’ll instantly understand that “jump” is a verb. It’s something you do.

Why Verbs Matter in Kids’ Language Learning

Verbs are the backbone of sentences. Without them, words stay disconnected. Imagine trying to tell a story with only nouns: “Dog. Ball. Park.” It doesn’t make sense! But add a verb: “The dog chases the ball at the park.” Suddenly, the sentence comes alive. When kids recognize verbs like “build,” “share,” or “help” in a story, they can visualize what’s happening, making the text more meaningful. A study published in ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) found that children who can identify and use verbs correctly by age 5 tend to have stronger reading skills by second grade.

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The Best Verbs for Kids to Learn, Organized by Category

Not all verbs are created equal for young learners. Start with words tied to their daily lives that things they see, do, and feel. Here’s a categorized list to make teaching easier.

Heading	Key Verbs	Example Sentences	Teaching Tips
Daily Routine Verbs (What We Do Every Day)	wake up, brush, dress, eat, wash, sleep	– “I wake up when the sun comes up.” – “We brush our teeth before bed.” – “She dresses herself for school.” – “We eat breakfast together.” – “He washes his hands before dinner.” – “Babies sleep a lot.”	Point out these verbs during daily activities: “Look, we’re washing dishes and ‘wash’ is a verb!” Repetition helps kids memorize them.
Play and Movement Verbs (How We Move Our Bodies)	run, jump, climb, dance, swing, catch	– “The kids run on the playground.” – “Can you jump high?” – “He climbs the tree carefully.” – “We dance to music.” – “She swings on the swing set.” – “They catch the ball.”	Use physical games like “Simon Says”: Shout, “Simon says ‘jump’!” and watch them learn through action.
Emotion and Expression Verbs (How We Feel and Show It)	smile, laugh, cry, hug, nod	– “Grandma smiles when she sees us.” – “The joke makes us laugh.” – “Babies cry when they’re hungry.” – “We hug when we’re happy to see each other.” – “She nods to say ‘yes.’”	Ask, “How do you feel?” Then connect it to a verb: “You’re smiling that means you ‘feel’ happy!”
Food and Eating Verbs (What We Do With Food)	bite, chew, sip, stir, peel	– “He takes a small bite of apple.” – “We chew our food slowly.” – “She sips her juice.” – “Dad stirs the soup.” – “Mom peels the banana.”	Involve kids in cooking: “Can you stir the batter? ‘Stir’ is a verb!”
Classroom Verbs (What We Do at School)	write, read, listen, share, raise	– “We write our names in our notebooks.” – “The teacher reads us a story.” – “We listen to the lesson.” – “They share their crayons.” – “She raises her hand to ask a question.”	Post these verbs on a classroom “action wall” with pictures to reinforce them.

How to Make Learning Verbs Fun for Kids

Kids learn best when they’re having fun. Here are three evidence-based strategies to turn verb practice into play.

Action Games to Practice Verbs

Games that combine movement and language are highly effective, according to research from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Game Name	How to Play	Purpose
Charades	Write verbs on cards (e.g., “hop,” “paint,” “whisper”). Take turns acting them out while others guess.	Helps kids associate verbs with actions, enhancing their understanding and recognition of verbs through physical expression.
Verb Freeze Dance	Play music and have kids dance. Pause the music and shout a verb (“spin!”). They must freeze in that action.	Combines movement and verb recognition, making learning dynamic and memorable as kids link verbs to specific physical poses.
Scavenger Hunt	Give clues using verbs: “Find something you can ‘throw’” or “Point to something that ‘grows.’”	Encourages kids to connect verbs with real-world objects and actions, strengthening their ability to apply verbs in practical contexts.

Storytelling with Verbs

Stories are natural spaces for verbs. Try these activities:

Activity Name	How to Do It	Purpose
“Verb of the Day”	Pick one verb (e.g., “splash”) and weave it into stories: “Once upon a time, a duck liked to splash in the pond…”	Reinforces a specific verb through repeated use in a narrative context, helping kids familiarize themselves with its meaning and usage.
Collaborative Stories	Start a story and take turns adding sentences with new verbs. “The dragon flew over the mountain and then…” (Let your child fill in the verb: “roared!” or “slept!”).	Encourages kids to actively think of and use verbs, fostering creativity and enhancing their ability to incorporate diverse verbs into storytelling.
Picture Books	Read books like Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss, which is packed with playful verbs. Pause to act out words like “hop” or “stop.”	Exposes kids to a variety of verbs in an engaging way, combining reading with physical action to deepen understanding and memory of the verbs.

Engaging in such storytelling activities not only enhances verb learning but also paves the way for more advanced language skills, such as those needed in debate topics for kids, where clear expression and varied vocabulary are key.

Using Educational Tools to Reinforce Verbs

Technology can make verb practice interactive, especially for kids who love screens. Platforms like WuKong ELA are designed to teach language skills through games and stories, making verbs feel like an adventure rather than a lesson.

In Wukong ELA’s interactive modules, kids might “help a character find their way” by identifying verbs in sentences or “decorate a garden” by matching verbs to pictures. These activities align with curriculum standards while keeping kids engaged.

FAQs About Verbs for Kids

At What Age Should Kids Start Learning Verbs?

Kids naturally use verbs from a young age often starting with single words like “eat” or “go” around 12–18 months. Formal practice can begin around age 3, when they start forming short sentences (“Me run!”). By age 5, most kids use verbs regularly, though they may mix up tenses (“I go-ed” instead of “I went”) which is normal!

How Can I Tell if My Child is Using Verbs Correctly?

Look for progress, not perfection. Signs of mastery include:

Using verbs in sentences: “I play with toys” instead of just “toys.”
Matching verbs to contexts: Saying “bird flies” instead of “bird eats” when pointing to a flying bird.
Experimenting with tenses: Even mistakes like “I falled” show they’re learning how verbs change (they’ll eventually learn “fell” with practice).

What if My Child Mixes Up Verbs?

Mistakes are part of learning. For example, kids often overgeneralize rules, like adding “-ed” to all verbs (“swimmed” instead of “swam”). Instead of correcting harshly, model the right word: “Yes, you swam in the pool! That looks fun.” This gentle guidance helps them learn without feeling discouraged.

Conclusion

Verbs are more than just words—they’re how kids share their world. By focusing on verbs tied to their daily lives, making practice playful, and using tools like Wukong ELA, you can help them master these essential words. Remember: consistency matters more than perfection. Point out verbs in books, games, and conversations, and celebrate small wins. With time, verbs will become second nature, empowering kids to tell stories, express feelings, and succeed in school.

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jasmine

With over a decade of dedication to the education sector, I specialize in educational innovation and practice, deeply researching the construction of the basic education ecosystem and the cultivation of students’ core competencies. Holding a Doctorate in Education from Beijing Normal University, I integrate theoretical research with frontline teaching, excelling in stimulating students’ internal learning motivation through interdisciplinary teaching methods. Guided by the mission of “enabling every child to embrace suitable education”, I promote educational equity and personalized development, helping students unlock infinite possibilities in their growth. I am committed to injecting vitality into the high – quality development of education with professional expertise.