Free Summer Acrostic Poem Templates for Kids

A summer acrostic poem is one of our favorite low-prep ways to mix writing and creativity when school’s out.

These free summer printables include six “SUNSHINE” poem templates—three in color and three in black and white, so kids can write and decorate their own poems about the season.

Whether you use them during quiet time, as part of a poetry unit, or just for fun, they’re a great way to keep writing skills sharp while celebrating everything we love about summer.

A single printable worksheet with the word "SUNSHINE" written vertically along the left, each letter in a colored box. Blank spaces are provided to write each line of the acrostic poem. Below the image is the title “Free Summer Acrostic Poem Worksheets” in colorful, playful font.

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Table of Contents

How to Write a Summer Acrostic Poem

These free printable acrostic poem templates use the word “SUNSHINE” to help kids brainstorm and write about summer themes—like sunny days, sandcastles, or beach adventures.

Start with a Template: Choose from six templates (three in color, three black and white) that spell “SUNSHINE” vertically.

Brainstorm Ideas: Think of summer-related words or phrases for each letter. For example, “S” might be “Sunny skies” or “Sandcastles.”

Write Your Poem: Fill in each line with your ideas. Rhyming is optional—focus on vivid descriptions and seasonal details.

Decorate and Revise: Let kids color the black-and-white versions, then read the poem aloud to see if any edits are needed.

A summer-themed acrostic poem worksheet for the word "SUNSHINE" is partially colored with Crayola crayons. The background features palm trees, a sunny sky, and a beach scene. A box of 24 Crayola crayons is placed to the right of the worksheet.

Examples of Summer Acrostic Poems

Not sure where to start? These examples can help spark ideas as you work on your own summer acrostic poem using the word SUNSHINE.

Example 1:

Sunny days, bright and warm
Under the shade of tall palm trees
New adventures at every turn
Splashing in the cool, blue seas
Happiness in the air, carefree
Ice cream melting in the heat
Nights full of stars, clear and sweet
Endless laughter, summer’s treat

A printable “Sunshine Poem” worksheet features a large yellow sun on the left and an acrostic poem layout on the right with the word “SUNSHINE” written vertically. Each letter has a blank space next to it for kids to write their own poem lines. The sun is partially colored in yellow, and the page has a decorative border.

Example 2:

Seashells collected on the shore
Umbrellas open wide
Napping on a blanket
Sunsets with colors worldwide
Hummingbirds flutter by
Infinite skies so high
Nature’s beauty, no need to buy
Exploring under the summer sky

A vertical acrostic poem worksheet for the word “SUNSHINE,” with each letter in a colored box down the left side. The rest of the page has blank horizontal lines for writing. There are fields at the top for name and date, and a decorative square border frames the worksheet.

Tips for Writing Your Own Acrostic Poem

When my son first tried writing acrostic poems, he got stuck trying to make every line sound “perfect.” What helped most was keeping it simple and focusing on the senses.

Use Imagery: Think about what summer feels like—sticky popsicle fingers, crashing waves, the smell of sunscreen. Those little details make the poem come alive.

Play with Language: Alliteration, rhyming, or even a funny metaphor can make it fun—but don’t worry if it doesn’t all line up perfectly.

Keep It Honest: Some of the best lines are the ones that feel the most real. If “N” stands for “No more homework,” that works too.

Three printable acrostic poem worksheets for the word “SUNSHINE” are shown with different colorful summer-themed borders. Each sheet has space to write a line of poetry next to each letter, with name and date fields at the top and a bold square border framing the page.

More Summer Worksheets to Try

If your kids are anything like mine, summer learning has to feel more like play than school. These printable activities strike just the right balance.

Summer scattergories is a go-to in our house—great for family game nights or quick bursts of creative thinking.
Summer writing prompts help spark new stories when your child says they’re “bored.” It’s one of our favorite quiet-time tools.
Summer word scramble adds a playful twist to learning new words and keeps those problem-solving skills sharp.
Summer reading log makes it fun to track every book read—perfect for setting simple goals and celebrating progress along the way.

Image with a title "Summer Reading Challenge" showcasing multiple reading challenges and bingo cards for different school levels, including High School, Middle School, Elementary School, and Early Childhood. The reading challenges are color-coded and offer various activities to encourage summer reading, while the bingo cards feature tasks such as "Read a book" to track progress.

ENJOY A SUMMER OF FUN WITH OUR READING CHALLENGE!

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Last Updated on 24 April 2025 by Clare Brown