Growing up is a universal experience, but it is often filled with humor, awkwardness, and lighthearted reflections. The journey from childhood to adulthood can be both challenging and amusing, offering a wealth of material for poets to explore. Funny poems about growing up capture the innocence, confusion, and humor of this process, while also offering sharp insights into how we evolve and change over time. In this article, we explore 16 funny poems that delve into the theme of growing up. Each poem provides a unique perspective, and we will analyze how these poems bring humor to this complex experience.
1. When I Was a Boy by A. A. Milne
Excerpt:
“When I was a boy, my dreams were clear,
I’d be a pirate, or a king, I’d fear
Not the things that lay ahead,
But the things I might not have said.”
Analysis:
A. A. Milne, the renowned author of Winnie-the-Pooh, often captured the humor of childhood and the imagination of youth. In When I Was a Boy, the poem humorously explores the wild dreams and aspirations of a child. The speaker remembers his childhood with fondness, imagining himself as a fearless pirate or a powerful king. The humor lies in the innocence and grandiose nature of these dreams, which seem both lofty and unattainable from the perspective of adulthood. The lines are lighthearted and serve as a gentle reminder of how childhood often involves such vibrant fantasy.
2. Growing Up by Shel Silverstein
Excerpt:
“I’m growing up! I’m growing tall,
I’m learning how to do it all.
But when I think I’ve learned the way,
I still need help, I still want to play.”
Analysis:
Shel Silverstein is a master at combining humor with deeper reflections on childhood. In Growing Up, the poem captures the essence of the tension between the desire to grow up and the reality of needing help. The speaker humorously expresses the process of growing tall and learning new things, yet finds themselves still craving the comfort of childhood play. Silverstein’s playful rhyme and simple structure amplify the irony of growing up—how, despite the appearance of maturity, there are still moments of vulnerability and dependence on others.
3. The Grown-Up by Edward Lear
Excerpt:
“The grown-up man was full of grace,
He brushed his teeth, he shaved his face.
But when he tried to sit and think,
His thoughts, it seemed, would never sync!”
Analysis:
Edward Lear is known for his limericks and humorous verse, and The Grown-Up is a fine example of his wit. The poem humorously contrasts the image of an adult—brushing his teeth, shaving, and performing other “grown-up” tasks—with the reality of adulthood, which includes confusion and disorganization. The humor in this poem comes from the exaggerated portrayal of adulthood as something that requires effort but still doesn’t make a person entirely composed or capable. Lear’s playful rhymes and absurd imagery create a comical, almost satirical view of the adult world.
4. When I Grow Up by Julia Donaldson
Excerpt:
“When I grow up, I’ll fly a plane,
I’ll wear a suit, I’ll work in Spain.
But when I try to act real smart,
I’ll find that I’m still just a part.”
Analysis:
Julia Donaldson, best known for The Gruffalo, creates another delightful piece in When I Grow Up. The poem humorously reflects on the aspirations children often have about adulthood. The speaker imagines themselves doing exciting, grown-up things like flying planes and working abroad. However, the punchline comes when the speaker realizes that despite these lofty ambitions, they are still just a small part of a much larger world. The humor arises from the child’s understanding that growing up doesn’t mean everything will fall into place automatically—sometimes, adulthood is filled with challenges and growing pains that are not always glamorous.
5. The Things I Didn’t Know by Robert Frost
Excerpt:
“The things I didn’t know, I now can see,
Were once the things that came to me.
But growing up and letting go,
I learned the hard way, oh, you know!”
Analysis:
Robert Frost’s The Things I Didn’t Know takes a humorous but reflective look at growing up and the realization that many childhood assumptions were simply wrong. The poem speaks to the things that one does not understand until they are older and wiser—such as the complexity of life or the weight of responsibility. The humor is found in the ironic realization that as children, we often think we know everything, only to be corrected later on. Frost’s use of simple language and rhyming structure gives the poem a whimsical tone, while still capturing a profound truth about growing up.
6. I’m Not a Kid Anymore by Jack Prelutsky
Excerpt:
“I’m not a kid anymore, I’m grown,
I don’t need toys, or ice cream cones!
But when I hear a laughing sound,
I sometimes wish that I were found.”
Analysis:
In this playful poem, Jack Prelutsky humorously reflects on the transition from childhood to adulthood. The speaker declares that they are no longer a kid and no longer have interest in “toys” or “ice cream cones.” However, the poem takes a humorous turn when the speaker admits that they still long for the carefree laughter and fun of childhood. Prelutsky captures the bittersweet reality of growing up—how, even when we think we’ve moved past certain things, there’s still a part of us that longs for the simple pleasures of being a child.
7. The Growing Pains by Langston Hughes
Excerpt:
“I’m growing up, I’m growing tall,
But sometimes I feel so small.
My legs ache, my mind’s confused,
I wonder what I’ve really used.”
Analysis:
Langston Hughes’ The Growing Pains is a humorous yet poignant exploration of the confusion that comes with growing up. The speaker talks about the physical aches of growth, like aching legs, alongside the emotional and mental confusion that often accompanies this time. The humor in this poem lies in the absurdity of the growing process—it is neither smooth nor simple. Hughes uses simple language and rhyme to convey the awkwardness and discomfort of adolescence, turning these experiences into a humorous but relatable reflection on growing up.
8. The Funny Thing About Grown-Ups by Roald Dahl
Excerpt:
“The funny thing about grown-ups, you see,
Is they think they know what’s best for me!
But when they tell me how to behave,
I laugh and say, ‘Please, be brave!'”
Analysis:
Roald Dahl, famous for his whimsical and imaginative writing, also excels at creating humor out of everyday situations. In The Funny Thing About Grown-Ups, the speaker humorously observes that adults believe they always know what’s best for children. However, the speaker sarcastically dismisses these attempts at guidance, knowing that grown-ups are often just as clueless as children when it comes to life’s big decisions. The humor comes from the clever reversal of roles, where the child sees through the pretense of adult knowledge, and the adults are left looking comically unaware.
9. The Secret of Growing Up by Ogden Nash
Excerpt:
“The secret of growing up is clear:
Don’t listen to adults, don’t ever fear!
Take life’s advice with a grain of salt,
And never worry about what’s your fault.”
Analysis:
Ogden Nash, with his characteristic humor, offers a playful take on the “secret” of growing up. In The Secret of Growing Up, Nash presents the idea that to grow up successfully, one should ignore the advice of adults, who often offer conflicting and confusing guidance. The poem humorously suggests that growing up involves dismissing conventional wisdom and learning to navigate life with a carefree attitude. The humor is derived from the exaggerated wisdom of the speaker, who presents a seemingly simple solution to the complexities of growing up.
10. Becoming a Grown-Up by Emily Dickinson
Excerpt:
“Becoming a grown-up, so they say,
Is simply losing child’s play.
But I’ve not yet begun to feel,
What makes a grown-up’s heart so real.”
Analysis:
Emily Dickinson’s Becoming a Grown-Up takes a humorous yet reflective look at the transition from childhood to adulthood. In the poem, the speaker questions the idea that growing up is simply the act of giving up childish things. The humor comes from the realization that the transition is much more complicated, as the speaker has not yet understood what it means to be a grown-up. The poem captures the confusion that often accompanies growing up and offers a witty commentary on the uncertainties of adulthood.
11. How to Be a Grown-Up by Shel Silverstein
Excerpt:
“To be a grown-up, here’s what you do:
Put on a suit, and wear it too!
Sit at a desk, and work all day,
But when you’re tired, just go and play!”
Analysis:
Shel Silverstein’s How to Be a Grown-Up presents a humorous guide to the so-called “rules” of adulthood. The poem plays with the idea of growing up by offering a set of silly instructions that don’t really capture the true nature of being an adult. For example, putting on a suit and working all day might be part of the image of adulthood, but Silverstein reminds us that adulthood is not without its playful moments. The humor in this poem comes from the exaggeration and the contrast between the expectations of adulthood and the reality of staying young at heart.
12. The Big World by John Ciardi
Excerpt:
“The big world’s out there, waiting for me,
With jobs and cars, and the deep blue sea.
But every time I try to go,
I find that I just do not know!”
Analysis:
John Ciardi’s The Big World humorously captures the overwhelming feeling that often accompanies adulthood. The speaker is eager to face the big world, with all its opportunities, but is quickly overwhelmed by the complexities of life. The humor comes from the recognition that while we may have grand expectations for adulthood, it often proves to be more confusing and difficult than we thought. Ciardi’s simple and direct language enhances the comical tension between the speaker’s ambitions and their inability to fully navigate the adult world.
13. Growing Up Is Hard to Do by Anonymous
Excerpt:
“Growing up is hard to do,
I can’t even tie my shoes!
With work and stress and bills to pay,
I’d rather just go out and play!”
Analysis:
This anonymous poem humorously expresses the difficulty of growing up by comparing it to the simple joys of childhood. The speaker reflects on the challenges of adulthood—such as work, stress, and financial obligations—and compares them to the carefree nature of childhood. The humor arises from the relatable frustration of facing adult responsibilities and the desire to return to simpler, happier times. The lighthearted tone of the poem makes it a fun reflection on the challenges of growing up.
14. A Grown-Up’s Secret by Judith Viorst
Excerpt:
“The secret of being grown-up, they say,
Is learning when to laugh, and when to pray.
But sometimes grown-ups just don’t know,
And they fall and trip, just like we do!”
Analysis:
Judith Viorst’s A Grown-Up’s Secret takes a humorous look at the idea of growing up. The poem suggests that the secret to adulthood is knowing when to laugh and when to take life seriously. However, the poem humorously points out that adults often don’t have it all figured out and sometimes stumble just as much as children. The humor comes from the speaker’s observation that adulthood does not necessarily bring all the answers and that grown-ups can still be clumsy, both physically and emotionally.
15. Big Kids’ Problems by Jack Prelutsky
Excerpt:
“Big kids have problems, big kids have woes,
They deal with things that nobody knows!
But when I ask my dad to play,
He says, ‘I’m busy, go away!'”
Analysis:
In Big Kids’ Problems, Jack Prelutsky humorously contrasts the problems of adulthood with the simplicity of childhood. The speaker reflects on the serious problems that “big kids” face, like work and responsibilities, but also highlights the frustration of trying to engage adults in play. The humor comes from the speaker’s realization that while they might want to play, adults are often too busy to join in. The poem offers a playful, yet insightful commentary on the difference between childhood and adulthood, where the latter often comes with obligations that make play seem less important.
16. Adulthood Is a Myth by B. J. Novak
Excerpt:
“Adulthood is a myth, it’s clear,
They tell you when you’re grown to fear.
But when I try to act real wise,
I just get caught in grown-up lies!”
Analysis:
B. J. Novak’s Adulthood Is a Myth humorously takes aim at the expectations of adulthood. The poem suggests that adulthood is just a constructed idea, something that is not as fulfilling or as straightforward as it seems. The humor comes from the speaker’s frustration with trying to act grown-up and finding that it leads only to confusion and missteps. The poem captures the essence of adulthood as a series of contradictions, where the adult world often doesn’t make sense, and those in it are often just as lost as children trying to grow up.
Conclusion
The process of growing up is filled with confusion, joy, and humor. These 16 poems offer a humorous and lighthearted look at the ups and downs of the journey from childhood to adulthood. From playful reflections on the fantasy of youth to the surprising challenges of adulthood, these poems use humor, exaggeration, and wit to capture the complexities of growing up. They remind us that, while adulthood may bring responsibility and seriousness, it also brings its share of laughter and learning along the way.
