The Scaredy Cat: Spooky Cat Poem for Kids about Being Different

The Scaredy Cat

He’s known around as Scaredy-Cat

He’s scared of this, he’s scared of that

He’s scared of birds, he’s scared of mice

He’s scared of fish, he’s scared of lice

He’s scared of tails, full of fur

He’s scared of throats, full of purr

He’s scared of fangs, full of gnaws

He’s scared of paws, full of claws

He’s scared of yowls, under moons

He’s scared of Tom, in cartoons

He’s scared of hiss in his howl

He’s scared of spit in his growl

So Scaredy-Cat, hides under cars

and scaredy-cars, hide under stars

and scaredy-stars hide in the sky

and scaredy-skies, hide way up high

So if you spy The Scaredy-Cat

Afraid of this, afraid of that

Beneath the cars and stars and sky

Don’t point and laugh or pass him by

Just tempt him out with things he loves

Not fish below or birds above

The Scaredy-Cat loves bubble baths

And naughty dogs who make him laugh

So bathe him, paint his claws bright red

Then tie a bow upon his head

Arrange a date: a handsome Pug

Watch Scaredy-Cat walk tall, strut smug

He may not like what most cats do

He’s different, just like me, like you

The Scaredy-Cat feels proud and sure

He’s found his courage, scared no more

Mark Bird ©2021

💡 KS2 Poetry Ideas for Teachers and Students:

This funny cat poem for kids offers a wonderful springboard for exploring rhythm, rhyme, and repetition in poetry. Its playful tone and imaginative imagery will delight young readers while subtly encouraging empathy and acceptance. As a poem about being different for kids, it opens up thoughtful discussion about individuality and self-confidence. In the classroom, students can examine how humour is used to soften serious themes and write their own animal poems featuring unusual fears or quirks. They could also create illustrations of Scaredy-Cat’s adventures or invent new verses about how he overcomes his worries. A great follow-up activity could be writing a letter to Scaredy-Cat offering advice, or composing a poem from the perspective of his cheeky Pug friend. Through laughter and creativity, children learn that being different is something to celebrate.