Let's learn about action words!

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!