Kids learn rapidly and can easily assimilate information, but sometimes they need a bit of help.
Through metaphors, kids can acknowledge real-time issues in a simpler way that helps their still-developing brains understand the situation and the outcome of that situation.
Down below, you can find 120 best metaphor examples for kids that will teach them anything from the basics in life to more advanced things so they can learn how to deal with certain situations.
Each one of these metaphor examples will help kids create images that are easier to understand rather than having to deal with literal language.
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Best Metaphor Examples for Kids
With so many metaphor examples, kids will have an easier way of learning new things which will speed up the time they process that information and learn new things. As a result, improved productivity is one of many benefits.
1. A heart of stone
Source: Aaron Burden from Unsplash
This refers to a stem or cruel nature.
2. A mighty lion
The powerful or strong presence of a person.
3. Music to my ears
Being very happy to hear something.
4. Hard work is the key to success
Everything takes time, will, and work to move forward, make progress, and achieve success.
5. Melting pot
A description for one location or group where a range of variety is included.
6. Apple of my eye
An extremely cherished person.
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7. The snow is a white blanket
Something that covers everything or describes the cozy feeling of being covered.
8. The tears were a river
Source: Kazuend from Unsplash
Tears flow downhill just like the river, hence the comparison.
9. You are my sun
Referring to someone as the light of your life much as the Earth revolves around the sun.
10. Just a band-aid for the problem
Refers to a quick but usually inefficient, short-term solution to a problem.
11. The world’s a stage
Refers to humans as the actors where we get to be whatever we want to.
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12. Their home was a prison
Refers to someone who feels trapped in their home, or has made bad decisions, much like a prisoner has.
13. Your brain is a computer
Meaning that your brain is capable of taking in information, manipulating it, and outputting it.
14. He is a walking dictionary
Refers to someone who knows a lot of information.
15. Books are the keys to your imagination
Books can help with imagination and the production of ideas in the brain.
16. His heart is a cold iron
Someone’s heart is tough to get into, and doesn’t readily share their feelings.
17. Laughter is the music of the soul
Source: Genessa Panainte from Unsplash
Laughter is one of the emotions that can express many feelings and help make others feel like you do.
18. Two peas in a pod
This means that two people are very similar, to the point of being indistinguishable frommeach other.
19. The calm lake was a mirror
A calm lake often reflects images like a mirror.
20. Kisses are flowers of affection
Affection can be shown in many ways and kisses are one of the most common ways to show affection for someone.
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21. He is a shining star
A shining star refers to someone being smart.
22. The thunder was a mighty lion
Lions are known for their very loud roar, which is compared to thunder.
23. The computers at school are dinosaurs
School computers are old, hence being compared to dinosaurs.
24. The classroom was a zoo
A zoo is often full of chatter and sounds, so this metaphor represents a classroom full of noise.
25. Time is money
Source: Morgan Housel from Unsplash
Time is as valuable as money (if not more) as you can accomplish a lot in a day.
26. Stars as little pearls
Little pearls are very shiny and so are the stars.
27. Life is a dance
Life is full of unexpected moments and emotions we go through so it is like a dance, full of moves.
28. A diamond among the sea of glass
Someone referred to as a diamond among the sea means that he is special in a certain way, in comparison to others.
29. Sitting on a winning lottery
To have an opportunity you should definitely consider taking instead of rejecting.
30. A cheetah in the race
Cheetahs are extremely fast, so this metaphor refers to someone who’s very quick.
31. A guiding light
In the darkest night, you’d need a light to find your way, so a guiding light is someone who can help you make decisions and moves.
32. Life is a maze
Life is full of unexpected things, situations, and ways one can go, so it is compared to a maze.
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33. His heart was made of gold
Source: Markus Spiske from Unsplash
This metaphor is meant to describe someone who is kind and compassionate since such a heart is compared to gold.
34. Drowning in grief
Grief can make people feel desperate and hopeless, which can often feel like drowning in the situation grief brings to people’s lives.
35. The mind is an ocean
Mind is a lot more complex than we think and there’s still so much we don’t know about it, just like the ocean.
36. His heart melts when he sees her
Melting refers to the nice jelly feelings of seeing someone who you care for.
37. Words can cut deeper than a knife
Words are easy to say but they are meaningful and can be used to easily hurt someone, as deep as knife wounds can.
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38. You’re a firework
Refers to someone who is exciting and amazing to look at, like fireworks.
39. The man of the house
Someone who is in charge of something in the household, such as repairs.
40. Her fear became her prison
Fears can often limit our actions, ways, and beliefs, so they can feel like a prison even though it’s not physical.
41. The world is your oyster
Source: Biel Morro from Unsplash
Everyone is in a position to take opportunities that life has to offer, and there are plenty of them.
42. Angel in disguise
Someone who can seem nice at first but isn’t actually nice or as decent as once thought.
43. Born with a silver spoon in their mouth
Someone born with opportunities, a decent financial background, or the connections to make better progress in life than others.
44. The eye of the tiger
Tigers are highly focused. This metaphor is a great representation of someone who is very focused on achieving a goal.
45. Ocean was a raging bull
Raging bulls are erratic, hence the comparison to an ocean that can be all over the place as well.
46. Diamond in the rough
Diamonds are hard to find and it takes a lot of effort to find them because they are hidden. So when a person is referred to as a diamond in the rough, it means that they’re so nice that it’s hard to find someone like them.
47. Such anger was a wildfire waiting to ignite
Wildfires spread quickly and easily, especially during the summer. Anger can be similarly described.
48. She thinks the world revolves around her
Refers to someone who thinks that their problems and situations are far more important than anyone else.
49. A friend is a treasure
Source: Element5 Digital from Unsplash
A good friend is priceless and is hard to find, so they are like a treasure.
50. Love is a rose
Roses are beautiful, just like love can be, hence the comparison.
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51. Her smile lights up my world
Someone’s smile can really make one feel butterflies and that nice feeling can mean the world to someone.
52. An early bird
Someone who wakes up early, often before the sun.
53. Anger bottled up inside
Someone who’s been keeping things inside them and is angry up to the point of unleashing all that anger.
54. Life isn’t a bed of roses
Roses are beautiful but life isn’t always as beautiful.
55. Pay for the doings
Be punished for something bad done to someone or something else.
56. Master of my sea
You have full control over your life and decisions.
57. See the world through a different lens
Source: Elijah Hiett from Unsplash
Seeing life and situations from a different perspective can be very beneficial.
58. Life isn’t black and white
When making a decision, there are many more gray areas – decisions aren’t always straightforward.
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59. Digging up the details
When someone constantly asks for details regarding a situation.
60. Wearing different hats
Someone who is good at more than one thing and has many skills.
61. His health turned south
Someone’s health got worse.
62. Barking up the wrong tree
When someone tries to get information out of another who doesn’t possess the required information.
63. It lifted his spirit
Making someone feel appreciated and can even inspire them to do better.
64. Taken for a ride
When someone is deceived or fooled.
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65. Wipe the slate clean
Source: Dose Media from Unsplash
Refers to starting all over again from the beginning, when the slate was originally clean.
66. Life is a race
There’s always something we’re after in life so it can seem like a race where everyone has different goals.
67. As happy as a clam
Someone who is extremely happy.
68. Fit as a fiddle
Someone who is in a very good physical condition.
69. He is a night owl
Someone who spends a lot of time awake at night instead of going to bed early.
70. She is a chicken
Someone who is afraid to do something or make a certain decision.
71. He was a pig at dinner
This refers to someone who is being rude at the dinner table – usually by eating too much and without manners.
72. The wind was a howling wolf
The noise wind makes is often compared to a howling wolf due to its similarity.
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73. Dad is a road hog
Source: Manny Becerra from Unsplash
A road hog is someone who drives recklessly and makes it harder for others to pass, so they are hogging the road.
74. You are my sunshine
When someone is meaningful to someone else, it is often compared to sunshine which is often seen as a beautiful thing we get to experience in life.
75. The moon is a white balloon
A full moon often looks like a white balloon, hence the comparison.
76. The road ahead was a ribbon stretching across the desert
The road in the distance can seem so narrow and endless. It can often seem like it disappears into the desert, so it is compared to a narrow ribbon.
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77. Donations to the charity were a tsunami
Tsunami is often huge and charity donations tend to be huge.
78. The park was a lake after the rain
A lot of rain can easily soak the grass making large puddles, so it is often referred to as a small lake.
79. The clouds are balls of cotton
Clouds can often be referred to as balls of cotton because they’re white and fluffy.
80. That lawn is a green carpet
A freshly mowed lawn can often look as nice and smooth as a green carpet.
81. Books are the keys to your imagination
Source: Lacie Slezak from Unsplash
Books help with visualization and mind connection so they are a way to improve imagination and creativity, especially with children.
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82. The car was a furnace in the sun
Refers to the very hot temperature inside a car that has been left in the sun.
83. Brother is a couch potato
A couch potato is someone who spends a lot of time on the couch, mostly watching TV.
84. She is an angel
Angels are viewed as kind and good, so someone referred to as an angel is viewed as a very kind and nice person.
85. Wind screamed in his face
The wind was so strong that it can be felt on the face when being outside, hence the comparison to screaming.
86. Monsters in the world
The world is full of things that can be harmful to us so are referred to as “monsters”.
87. Started a new chapter in life
Just the way books are written in chapters, so can one’s life be written in various chapters where a new chapter can be the start of something beautiful.
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88. A rat among us
A rat is often referred to as someone who can’t keep secrets well.
89. A dagger in the heart
Source: Igor Bispo from Unsplash
A dagger in the heart refers to a betrayal, as the feeling of betrayal is probably as bad as the physical pain of being hurt by a dagger.
90. Carrying the weight of the world on the shoulders
Having problems that are too difficult and yet are held and carried by one person who is extraordinarily strong, both physically and emotionally.
91. The stars are dancing
Stars are often used to predict destiny and if they’re dancing, it means that something good is coming up.
92. Life is a highway
The highway is used for traveling and life is full of the travels we will make, both emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
93. He was a lobster after spending some time in the sun
Some people’s skin gets very red in the sun and is compared to a lobster.
94. It’s raining cats and dogs
Refers to heavy rain.
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95. She is a busy bee
Someone who is very busy.
96. Raining on a parade
Someone who delivers bad news or puts a stop to something fun.
97. His head is always in the clouds
Source: Billy Huynh from Unsplash
If someone’s head is in the clouds, they are impractical or absentminded.
98. Do not make a mountain out of a molehill
It means to stop over-exaggerating things.
99. They are two hearts beating as one
Two people who are close and know each other well.
100. I’m crazy for you
This is a metaphor for experiencing really exciting feelings about someone.
101. He’s looking for love in all the wrong places
Someone who hasn’t had a lot of luck in love yet.
102. She is my better half
Used to describe a partner as someone better than themselves.
103. Fishing for compliments
Someone who is trying to get compliments in all ways possible.
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104. This room is a disaster zone
Refers to a messy room.
105. Feeling the sting of love
Source: Mayur Gala from Unsplash
Love brings unextraordinary emotions that can happen when you least expect them, so they’re referred to as a sting.
106. Waves raced to the shore
Waves often can be quick, as if they were racing to reach the shore which makes a beautiful sight.
107. Her hands were like ice
Used to refer to very cold hands..
108. She ran from others like a gazelle
A gazelle is a very swift and graceful animal, hence the comparison to someone who is also very quick.
109. A blanket of thick snow
A thick coat of fresh snow can seem like a blanket as it’s flat and heavy.
110. Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Someone who acts sweet and innocent but is actually ruthless and up to no good.
111. Let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret.
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112. Monkey see, monkey do
To learn something by mimicking someone else’s moves or doings.
113. Silken lies
Source: Julissa Santana from Unsplash
Someone who is very smooth and persuasive with the way they lie about something.
114. Bubbly personality
Refers to someone who is very lively and cheerful, like the bubbles in champagne.
115. She froze with fear
Fear can often paralyze someone so being frozen is a reaction to fear.
116. Kindling a new romance
New romance always starts off slow, just like kindling a fire.
117. You light up my life
Refers to someone who feels better in their life due to someone’s presence.
118. Memory is a little cloudy
Meaning that one can’t clearly remember something from the past.
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119. The monkey mind is full of ideas
Monkeys are often playful and all over the place, just like ideas can be in one’s mind.
120. Unable to digest the news
Someone who can’t accept the news, often bad news, hence the comparison to digestion.
Conclusion
With so many different ways of describing something specific, these metaphors create an excellent visual for almost any type of situation and occasion.
These metaphors include everything from the most common examples ideal for kids and can be used for anything from education and learning at a young age to things that come later in life such as love or certain/specific situations.
You can also notice that most examples are connected with nature since it’s the easiest way to connect an example with something visual for the kids to understand and learn quicker.
With so many metaphor examples, you can go through the whole list and make a list of top metaphor examples you believe your child should hear!
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