Share your favorite haiku!
Write a favorite haiku and illustrate it on paper, then share aloud or display it for family or classmates to enjoy and discuss.
About this activity
Write a favorite haiku and illustrate it on paper, then share aloud or display it for family or classmates to enjoy and discuss.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather your materials and sit at a clear table or desk.
- 2
Step 2
Think of a favorite moment place or thing you love and choose one to write about.
- 3
Step 3
Write 8 short words or simple phrases about your chosen topic on the paper.
- 4
Step 4
Write a three-line haiku using the 5-7-5 syllable pattern and count syllables out loud as you write each line.
- 5
Step 5
Read each line aloud and change any word that makes a line have the wrong number of syllables.
- 6
Step 6
Neatly write your final haiku on a clear spot of the paper.
- 7
Step 7
Decide where to draw an illustration and lightly sketch an outline with your pencil.
- 8
Step 8
Use your colouring materials to color and finish the illustration.
- 9
Step 9
Add a short title or a simple decorative border around your haiku.
- 10
Step 10
Either read your haiku aloud to family or classmates or tape it up where they can see it and invite them to talk about it.
- 11
Step 11
Share your finished haiku and illustration on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I do a 'Share your favorite haiku' activity with kids?
To run a 'Share your favorite haiku' activity, explain what a haiku is (traditionally three lines with a short-long-short rhythm) and show a few examples. Give children time to choose or write a haiku, then illustrate it on paper. Help younger kids with syllable counting or prompts. When finished, invite students to read aloud or pin their drawings for a gallery walk, followed by brief, positive group discussion.
What materials do I need to write, illustrate, and display haikus?
You'll need plain paper or cardstock, pencils and erasers, colored markers or crayons, and optional watercolors or stickers for illustration. Provide a whiteboard or printed haiku examples, a simple syllable-counting sheet or app, and tape or clothespins to display finished pieces. For remote sessions, use shared slides or a drawing app so children can type, draw, and screen-share their haikus.
What ages is the 'Share your favorite haiku' activity suitable for?
This activity suits ages about 5–12. Preschoolers (4–6) enjoy drawing and saying short three-line phrases with adult help; elementary kids (6–9) can try basic 5-7-5 counting and simple illustrations; older children (9–12+) can experiment with imagery, syllable rules, and longer writing sessions. Adapt complexity, time, and prompts to each group's attention span and reading level; pair younger kids with helpers when needed.
What are the benefits of having children write and share haikus?
Writing and sharing haiku builds vocabulary, attention to sensory detail, and concise expression. Illustrating haiku strengthens fine motor skills and creativity, while reading aloud boosts confidence and listening skills. Group sharing promotes empathy, respectful feedback, and classroom community. It also introduces cultural appreciation of Japanese poetry. Encourage positive comments and allow children to pass if shy to keep sharing safe and supportive.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have the coloring materials, a pencil, or a clear table listed in the instructions?
If you don't have crayons, markers, or a clear table, substitute cut‑out colored paper or stickers for coloring, use a pen or charcoal for sketching, and place a clean piece of cardboard or a clipboard on any surface before you write your haiku.
I'm stuck getting each line to match the 5-7-5 syllable pattern—what should I try?
Clap or tap out syllables as you say each word, swap longer words from your 'write 8 short words' step for shorter synonyms, and follow the 'read each line aloud and change any word' step until every line fits 5-7-5.
How can I adapt this haiku activity for different age groups?
For younger kids, use single words or stickers and count syllables together while they sketch and color, and for older kids, encourage imagery-rich vocabulary from their 8-word list and a more detailed illustration or decorative border.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the haiku after finishing the basic steps?
Create a small booklet of several haikus, add a photo or collage background before you neatly write the final haiku and title, then tape it up for family or upload the finished piece to DIY.org to share.