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Let’s get moving! Action words, or verbs, are the powerhouse of our sentences, bringing life and energy to the stories we tell.
Whether we’re jumping, running, or dancing, these words help us express all the exciting things we do every day. For children, learning verbs is a big step in building strong communication skills, allowing them to share their adventures, describe their feelings, and interact with the world around them.
Understanding and using action words effectively is key to mastering any language. These dynamic words make conversations lively and engaging, whether your child is talking about their day, telling a story, or playing a game.
Ready to jump into the world of verbs?
Names of actions in English
Understanding how to use verbs effectively allows us to talk about our daily activities and adventures vividly. The following action words are part of the Studycat Learn English app for kids, designed to make learning verbs fun and interactive. By practicing these words, children can better express their daily activities, building confidence in their language skills.
Here’s a lively list of action words to energize our conversations:
walk
To move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn.
“Every morning, she likes to walk her dog in the park.”
fly
To move through the air using wings.
“The bird can fly high above the trees.”
swim
To propel oneself in water by using the limbs.
“He learned to swim when he was just five years old.”
jump
To push oneself off a surface and into the air by using the muscles in one’s legs and feet.
“The rabbit can jump very high over the fence.”
run
To move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both feet on the ground at the same time.
“She can run very fast in the track and field competitions.”
Basic everyday actions in English
These are the foundational actions we perform every day, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night. Mastering these verbs helps children describe their daily routines and interactions with others.
eat
To put food into the mouth, chew, and swallow.
“She loves to eat apples after school.”
sleep
To rest with the eyes closed and the mind and body inactive.
“He goes to sleep early every night to feel rested.”
drink
To take in liquid through the mouth.
“She likes to drink water after playing outside.”
sit
To rest on the lower part of the body with the upper body vertical.
“He likes to sit on the sofa and watch TV.”
stand
To be in an upright position on the feet.
“She stands tall during the school assembly.”
write
To form letters, words, or symbols on a surface, typically with a pen or pencil.
“He loves to write stories in his notebook.”
read
To look at and comprehend the meaning of written or printed material.
“She reads a book every night before bed.”
talk
To speak in order to give information or express ideas.
“They talk on the phone every evening.”
listen
To give attention to sound or action.
“He listens carefully to the teacher in class.”
watch
To look at something for an extended period, often with attention.
“They watch their favorite show together every weekend.”
Basic movement and physical actions vocabulary
Movement is a big part of our lives, from playing sports to simply getting from one place to another. These verbs describe how we move our bodies in different ways.
walk
To move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn.
“She walks to school with her friends every morning.”
run
To move quickly, faster than walking.
“He runs fast during the soccer game.”
jump
To push oneself off a surface and into the air.
“The kids love to jump on the trampoline.”
climb
To go up or ascend, often by using the hands and feet.
“They climbed the tree to get a better view.”
dance
To move rhythmically to music, usually following a set sequence of steps.
“She loves to dance to her favorite songs.”
crawl
To move on hands and knees.
“The baby crawls across the floor to reach his toy.”
swim
To move through water by moving the limbs.
“They swim in the pool every summer.”
fly
To move through the air, often using wings.
“The bird can fly high above the treetops.”
skate
To move on skates, typically on ice or a smooth surface.
“They go to the rink to skate every weekend.”
slide
To move smoothly along a surface.
“She likes to slide down the big slide at the playground.”
Creative and artistic actions names in English
Creative actions allow us to express ourselves through art, music, and imagination. These verbs are essential for children who love to create and explore their artistic talents.
draw
To make a picture or diagram by making lines on a surface.
“She draws pictures of animals in her sketchbook.”
paint
To apply color to a surface using a brush, sponge, or fingers.
“He paints landscapes with bright colors.”
sing
To produce musical tones with the voice.
“She sings her favorite songs all day long.”
play (an instrument)
To produce music using an instrument like a piano or guitar.
“He plays the piano beautifully during the recital.”
sculpt
To shape a material like clay or stone into a three-dimensional object.
“She sculpts animals out of clay in art class.”
build
To make something by putting together parts or materials.
“He builds towers with his blocks.”
write (a story)
To create a story by forming words on paper or a screen.
“She writes stories about magical worlds.”
compose
To create music by writing notes and arranging them.
“He composes his own songs on the guitar.”
perform
To present music, dance, or drama in front of an audience.
“They perform in the school play every year.”
craft
To make something skillfully by hand.
“She crafts beautiful jewelry using beads and string.”
Communication and social actions
These actions are all about how we interact with others. Verbs in this category help children express how they communicate, share, and engage with friends, family, and the world around them.
talk
To speak in order to give information or express ideas.
“They talk about their day at the dinner table.”
listen
To give attention to sound or action.
“She listens to her friend’s story attentively.”
share
To give a portion of something to others.
“He shares his toys with his brother.”
help
To assist someone in doing something.
“She helps her mom bake cookies.”
ask
To request information or assistance.
“He asks the teacher a question during class.”
answer
To respond to a question or statement.
“She answers the phone when it rings.”
teach
To impart knowledge or skills to others.
“He teaches his friend how to play chess.”
show
To display or explain something to someone.
“She shows her drawing to the class.”
tell
To communicate something in words.
“He tells a funny story to his friends.”
greet
To say hello or welcome someone.
“They greet their grandparents with a big hug.”
Outdoor and adventure actions words in English
Outdoor activities and adventures are an exciting part of childhood. These verbs describe the actions we take when exploring the great outdoors and having fun in nature.
hike
To walk a long distance, especially in nature.
“They love to hike in the mountains on weekends.”
camp
To set up a tent and stay overnight in the outdoors.
“The family camps by the lake every summer.”
fish
To catch fish using a rod, line, or net.
“He enjoys fishing with his dad at the river.”
explore
To travel around an area to discover new things.
“They explore the forest to find hidden trails.”
hunt
To search for and capture wild animals, typically for food.
“The group hunts for treasure during their adventure game.”
ride (a bike)
To sit on and control a bicycle.
“She rides her bike to the park every afternoon.”
paddle
To move a boat or canoe through water using a paddle.
“They paddle the canoe across the lake.”
climb
To go up or ascend, often by using hands and feet.
“They climb rocks during their outdoor adventure.”
surf
To ride on the waves of the sea using a surfboard.
“He surfs every morning at the beach.”
ski
To glide on snow using skis.
“They ski down the slopes every winter.”
Discovering these actions helps us describe and share our physical experiences with others and helps us communicate what we want to do in English!
How to learn and remember action words
Learning verbs with Studycat is all about active engagement. Here are some fun and effective ways to remember these dynamic words:
- Act them out: play a game where you act out different verbs and have others guess which action you’re demonstrating.
- Verb charades: a classic game of charades focusing on verbs can be a fun way to reinforce this new vocabulary.
- Create verb cards: make flashcards with each verb and a picture representing it. Use these cards to play matching games or to prompt storytelling.
- Visit a park or playground: use a visit to a park or playground as an opportunity to practice these verbs in real-time. For example, run to the slide, jump off the swing, and fly down the slide.
- Storytelling adventures: encourage children to tell a story using the verbs from the list. This helps in contextualizing the words and embedding them in memorable narratives.
As we wrap up today’s energetic exploration of verbs, remember that every action you learn increases your ability to describe the world around you.
Until our next dynamic dive into language learning, keep moving, playing, and learning together!