Introduction

If you’ve ever said something like “My brother is a bear in the morning,” then guess what? You’ve already used a metaphor! In simple terms, a metaphor is a creative way to compare one thing to another without using the words like or as. It’s almost like giving something a secret identity. For example, you might say, “Her smile is sunshine.” Of course, her smile isn’t really the sun—but that metaphor helps you imagine how warm and bright it feels.

Now, you might say, “Why do we even use metaphors?” Well, metaphors make writing more fun, colorful, and full of imagination. They help readers picture ideas in their minds. Kids learning creative writing often find metaphors helpful because they turn simple sentences into something exciting.

Even though this page focuses on metaphors, we’ll also look at similes, since they’re close cousins and are easier for kids to start with. Similes use like or as to compare things, and they’re a great starting point for learning creative language. So let’s explore some easy, kid-friendly similes that can help young writers grow their skills and build confidence.

20 Kid-Friendly Similes (with Meanings & Examples)

Below are 20 simple similes, each written in a natural sentence, plus the meaning and example sentences.

1. “She ran as fast as a cheetah.”

Meaning: She ran very fast.
What it conveys: Speed and energy.
Examples:

She raced down the field as fast as a cheetah.
When the bell rang, kids ran like cheetahs to recess.

2. “He was as hungry as a wolf.”

Meaning: He was very hungry.
Conveys: Strong appetite.
Examples:

After soccer practice, Liam was as hungry as a wolf.
I ate my sandwich like a wolf who hadn’t eaten all day.

3. “The classroom was as quiet as a mouse.”

Meaning: Very quiet.
Conveys: Stillness and calm.
Examples:

During reading time, the room stayed as quiet as a mouse.
She tiptoed around like a mouse.

4. “Her smile was as bright as the sun.”

Meaning: Her smile was cheerful.
Conveys: Warmth and happiness.
Examples:

Emma greeted me with a grin as bright as the sun.
His face lit up like sunshine.

5. “The baby slept like a log.”

Meaning: The baby slept deeply.
Conveys: Stillness and peace.
Examples:

After the long trip, I slept like a log.
The puppy lay still as a log.

6. “The backpack felt as heavy as a boulder.”

Meaning: It felt very heavy.
Conveys: Weight and effort.
Examples:

My schoolbag was as heavy as a boulder today.
He lugged the box like it was a giant rock.

7. “She was as brave as a lion.”

Meaning: She was very brave.
Conveys: Courage.
Examples:

He stood as brave as a lion during the play.
She faced the challenge like a lion.

8. “The water was as clear as glass.”

Meaning: Very clear.
Conveys: Cleanliness and purity.
Examples:

The lake looked as clear as glass.
The puddle reflected the sky like a mirror.

9. “He was as busy as a bee.”

Meaning: Very busy.
Conveys: Activity and focus.
Examples:

Mom buzzed around as busy as a bee.
I worked on my project like a bee gathering pollen.

10. “The joke was as cheesy as pizza.”

Meaning: Silly or corny.
Conveys: Humor.
Examples:

That pun was as cheesy as pizza.
His jokes were cheesy like a giant slice.

11. “Her voice was soft like a feather.”

Meaning: Very gentle.
Conveys: Calmness.
Examples:

She spoke as soft as a feather.
His whisper floated like feathers in the air.

12. “The night was as dark as coal.”

Meaning: Very dark.
Conveys: Deep darkness.
Examples:

Outside, it was as dark as coal.
The room felt dark like a cave.

13. “He was as proud as a peacock.”

Meaning: Very proud.
Conveys: Confidence.
Examples:

After winning, he walked as proud as a peacock.
She strutted like a peacock showing off its feathers.

14. “Her hands were as cold as ice.”

Meaning: Very cold.
Conveys: Chilly feeling.
Examples:

His fingers were as cold as ice.
She touched my arm like a block of ice.

15. “The kids were laughing like hyenas.”

Meaning: Laughing loudly.
Conveys: Wild amusement.
Examples:

They giggled like hyenas during lunch.
We burst out laughing as loud as hyenas.

16. “He was as strong as an ox.”

Meaning: Very strong.
Conveys: Power.
Examples:

Dad lifted the box as strong as an ox.
She carried the bag like an ox pulling a cart.

17. “The cake was as light as air.”

Meaning: Very fluffy.
Conveys: Softness.
Examples:

This cupcake is as light as air.
The bread felt like air when I held it.

18. “The kid zipped away like lightning.”

Meaning: Moved very fast.
Conveys: Speed.
Examples:

He dashed like lightning to the finish line.
She disappeared as fast as lightning.

19. “The water glittered like diamonds.”

Meaning: Sparkling water.
Conveys: Beauty and shine.
Examples:

The lake sparkled like diamonds.
The snow shone as bright as diamonds.

20. “Her idea was as fresh as spring.”

Meaning: New and bright.
Conveys: Creativity.
Examples:

His plan felt as fresh as spring.
The story idea bloomed like spring flowers.

Practical Simile Exercise (10 Questions + Answers)

Questions

Complete: Her eyes sparkled like _______.
Identify the simile: He was as tall as a tree.
True or False: A simile uses “like” or “as.”
Rewrite with a simile: The room was very quiet.
Complete: The puppy was as soft as _______.
Identify what is being compared: She ran like the wind.
Complete: The night was as dark as _______.
True or False: “Her hair is gold” is a simile.
Create your own simile for something loud.
Circle the simile:

A: The sun is a golden coin.
B: The sun shines like a flashlight.

Answers & Explanations

diamonds, stars, or anything shiny — A simile uses “like.”
Simile — It compares height to a tree using “as.”
True — That’s the key rule of similes.
Example: The room was as quiet as a mouse.
a cloud / a blanket / a feather — Soft comparisons.
She is being compared to the wind to show speed.
coal / night sky / a cave — Anything very dark.
False — That is a metaphor, not a simile.
Example: The thunder boomed like a giant drum.
B — It uses “like,” so it’s a simile.

Conclusion

Similes are one of the easiest ways for kids to bring creativity into their writing. They help readers see, hear, and feel ideas more clearly, and they make even simple sentences fun and full of imagination.

Whether you say someone is “as bright as the sun” or “as busy as a bee,” you’re painting a picture with words—and that’s what good writing is all about.

Now that you’ve read through these examples of similes and tried some practice questions, try writing your own.

Look around your world, pick something ordinary, and find a creative way to compare it. You might be surprised by how many imaginative simile sentences you can come up with!