What's the simplest way to teach action words?

Charades. Say a sentence, act out its action together, then find that word on the page. Kindergartners learn doing words by doing them, and the worksheet becomes the quiet half of a very active game.

Does my kindergartner need the word verb?

Not yet. Action word or doing word carries the whole idea. The grammar label can arrive in 1st or 2nd grade once finding the action is easy. Ideas first, names for ideas second.

Kindergarten action verbs

Kindergarten action verbs worksheets

An action verb tells what someone or something does: run, hop, dig, sing. Kindergartners find the doing word in short read-aloud sentences, usually by acting it out first: if you can do it, it's an action word.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.K.1.b.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll get

Underline every action verb in each sentence.

We dig in the soft sand.
Answer: dig
The tin top spins on the floor.
A big dog runs to me.

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a kindergarten sheet

Kindergarten sheets draw from 60 sentences, 12 to a page. All 60 are on 1st grade sheets too, along with 91 more.

Some of the words to find:

digsputsinghandsgluefliesraceslidesipfalls

Identify. Underline every action verb in each sentence. 12 questions per page.
Multiple choice. Circle the letter of the word that is the action verb. 10 questions per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Act everything out. Read the sentence, then ask: what is happening? Have your child do the hopping or the digging before they underline it. The body remembers the lesson better than the pencil at this age, and it turns grammar into a game.

Watch for: Words like is, are, and was are verbs, but they don't show action. Our action-verb sheets focus on the doing words. The action word changes with time: jump, jumped, and jumping are all forms of the same verb.

Common questions about kindergarten action verbs

What's the simplest way to teach action words?: Charades. Say a sentence, act out its action together, then find that word on the page. Kindergartners learn doing words by doing them, and the worksheet becomes the quiet half of a very active game.
Does my kindergartner need the word verb?: Not yet. Action word or doing word carries the whole idea. The grammar label can arrive in 1st or 2nd grade once finding the action is easy. Ideas first, names for ideas second.

Related worksheets

Ready to print one?

Need a fresh set of sentences? Download another copy.

Aligned to Common Core L.K.1.b. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated October 2026.

Spot a mistake on this sheet? Tell us. · About these worksheets