What are good action words for preschoolers?

Start with actions children can see and do themselves, such as run, jump, sit, eat, sleep, clap, hop, swim, read and draw. Because they can act these out, the meaning is clear right away. Words for actions you cannot see, like think or want, are better saved for later, once the idea of an action word feels familiar.

Why does my child call some naming words action words?

Some words can be both. A swing in the park is a thing, but to swing is an action, and young children naturally mix these up. Asking "Is someone doing this, or is it a thing you can touch?" helps them decide. Pictures that clearly show a person or animal moving make the difference easier to see.

How many Preschool action words worksheets are there?

10 printable worksheets, all free to preview. Downloads are included with a ClassWeekly free trial, and every page prints on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.

What age are action words worksheets for?

These are written for preschool children, roughly ages 3-5. Start with the first few pages, use the free preview to judge the fit, and come back to harder ones as your child gets steadier.

Does my child need to write letters already?

No. Pages start with tracing over dashed guides and build up to writing on their own, one small step at a time.

Can I use these action words worksheets for homeschool?

Yes. Nothing here assumes a classroom of 25, so they work the same one-to-one at the kitchen table as they do in a Preschool classroom, a learning center, or a tutoring session.

Preschool Action Words Worksheets

Ages 3-5 · 10 worksheets · 10 answer keys · Print-ready PDFs

Action words, also known as verbs, tell what someone or something is doing: run, jump, eat, sleep. Young children use them all day long, and noticing them is a gentle first step into grammar. Around ages 4 and 5, many children can describe what is happening in a picture with a simple action word, and that kind of talk also builds vocabulary.

On each of the 10 pages, children say what is happening in each picture and circle the one in every row that shows no action. Spotting the picture where nothing is happening makes the meaning of an action word easy to grasp without a definition. A grown-up can extend each row by acting out the verbs together or asking the child to name a different action for each picture. Answer keys come with all 10 pages.

Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher

GradePreschool

TopicAction Words

Frequently Asked Questions

Call them action words and explain that they tell what someone is doing. Play a game where you call out an action, such as hop, clap or wave, and your child does it, then switch roles. Describing the pictures in books by asking "What is she doing?" is another simple way to help children notice action words.

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