Idioms Figurative Language Activity
This idioms figurative language activity lets 2nd to 4th grade students match idioms to their real meanings in a fun card game, then draw and explain them. Answer key included.
$6.97
Want this one free?
Tell us where to send it and it’s yours — no card, no catch.
One free resource per teacher. We’ll also send free teaching ideas each week — unsubscribe anytime.
Free teacher account · no credit card
Membership
Get every game, song, & printable
- Every game, on any device
- 6,500+ resources
- Assign online with HFT Classroom
Then $39.97/year · cancel anytime · See plans
- Instant digital download
- Printable PDF + answer key
- Made by real teachers
Teacher / Family membership
Teaching is easier with every resource
One membership for your whole year: 6,500+ worksheets, games, songs and videos for Preschool–6th, for your classroom or homeschool.
- Unlimited printables & downloads
- Every game, on any device
- Assign online with HFT Classroom
- Cancel anytime
Teacher / Family membership · 3 days free
Yearly
Monthly would be $119.64 a year
$3.33/month
Billed $39.97 once a year
You save $79.67 every year
Start My 3 Free Days$0 today · cancel anytime
Monthly
$9.97/month
Flexible, month to month
Yearly is just $3.33/mo. Switch and save $79.67
Start My 3 Free Days$0 today · cancel anytime
About this resource
Description
Idioms are phrases whose real meaning is different from what the words say. When a character says it is raining cats and dogs, no pets are falling from the sky. This idioms figurative language activity helps 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students learn what common idioms really mean, so they understand them when they meet them in books and in everyday talk.
Students play an idioms matching game with 16 Idiom Cards and 16 Meaning Cards. Lay the cards face down and play Memory, deal them out for Go Fish, or spread them face up and match every pair. After the game, students draw a funny picture of what four idioms say and write what each one really means. A practice worksheet gives students idioms in short stories to explain.
What’s Included
- Colorful cover page
- How to Use page with game directions and a cut summary
- 16 Idiom Cards and 16 Meaning Cards (4 card sheets)
- Draw and Explain sheet
- Practice worksheet: choose what each idiom means
- Three answer keys: card matches, Draw and Explain, and the practice worksheet
Why This Activity Helps Kids
First, matching each idiom to its meaning turns a tricky vocabulary skill into a quick, social game. Second, drawing the literal picture shows students the difference between what the words say and what the speaker means. Third, the practice page asks students to use clues in a story, the same way they figure out idioms while reading.
Ideas for Teachers and Parents
Print the cards on cardstock and keep them in a zip-top bag for a literacy center. Add one new idiom a week to a word wall, or ask students to listen for idioms at home and bring them to class. This idioms figurative language activity also works well for small groups, early finishers and homeschool review.
Related Resources
What teachers say
Reviews
Write a review, earn store credit
Get 25¢ in credit for every approved review of a resource you’ve downloaded, played or purchased — up to 15 a month. Credit applies automatically to your membership payments, so your reviews can help pay for your membership.
Honest reviews only — any star rating earns the same. Program rules
Log in to write a review and earn store credit.
This what does it mean literal non-literal language activity has 2nd to 4th grade students sort 16 food sentence cards and explain idioms. A practice page and answer key are included.
Students match food idioms, similes, and metaphors to their meanings and sort them by kind in this food for thought idiom simile metaphor activity for 2nd to 5th grade, with an answer key included.
This it's raining cats and dogs idioms activity helps 2nd to 4th grade students match idioms to their real meanings in a rainy-day game. A practice page and an answer key are included.
This flip-a-chip idioms activity is a memory game where 2nd to 4th grade students match idioms to their real meanings. A draw and explain sheet, practice page and answer key are included.
This editing sentences worksheet gives 2nd graders eight sentences to rewrite with the correct capital letters and end marks. Includes a complete answer key—perfect for quick, no-prep proofreading practice at home or school.
A soccer vowel teams game where second grade kids kick the ball at words with ai, ay, ee, ea, oa, ow, ie and igh, like rain, bee, boat and pie. Play online on any phone, tablet, Chromebook or computer.
A 2nd grade correcting sentences worksheet where students rewrite six sentences to fix capital letters, commas, apostrophes, and end marks. Includes an answer key for quick, no-prep proofreading practice.
This Writing Complete Sentences About an Image Worksheet gives 2nd graders four picture prompts to practice building sentences with a subject and predicate. Includes sample answers — great for no-prep grammar and writing practice.
A three-page Fry's 300 Sight Words List reference chart for 2nd grade, sorted into the first, second, and third hundred words. Print it once and build fast, confident word recognition all year long.
This possessive pronouns worksheet gives 2nd graders eight sentences for practicing her, its, our, their, and your. An answer key is included, so families and teachers can check the work in seconds.
This Fixing Sentences Worksheet gives 2nd graders eight sentences to rewrite with the correct capital letters and end marks. Includes a complete answer key — perfect for no-prep grammar and editing practice.
This Comparing Adjectives Fill in Blank Worksheet asks 2nd Grade students to add er to a word from the box and finish five comparing sentences. Answer key included for quick checking.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet