What Is a Simile? (With 20 Fun Examples for Kids!)
- spencer655
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
Similes make writing exciting and help kids describe things in creative ways. In this post, we’ll explain what similes are, how they’re different from metaphors, and give 20 awesome simile examples kids can use in their own stories!
What is a simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as.”
Think of it as a fun way to describe something by saying it’s like something else.
Simile Example:
“He was as fast as a cheetah.”
This doesn’t mean he is a cheetah — it just means he runs really fast, like one!
What is simile vs metaphor?
Similes and metaphors both compare things — but they do it a little differently.
Comparison Type | Uses “like” or “as”? | Example | Meaning |
Simile | Yes | “Her smile was like sunshine.” | Her smile is bright and warm. |
Metaphor | No | “Her smile was sunshine.” | It says her smile is sunshine. |
So:
✅ Simile = uses “like” or “as”
✅ Metaphor = says one thing is another
20 Simile Examples for Kids
Here are some fun and easy similes that kids will enjoy (and maybe even try using in their writing!):
As busy as a bee
As slow as a snail
As bright as the sun
As quiet as a mouse
As light as a feather
As fast as lightning
As tall as a giraffe
As cold as ice
As sweet as candy
As soft as a cloud
As stubborn as a mule
As brave as a lion
As playful as a puppy
As smooth as silk
As sharp as a tack
As happy as a clam
As clean as a whistle
As strong as an ox
As bouncy as a ball
As sneaky as a fox
