Blackout poetry is a simple and creative way for kids to explore words, language, and meaning using just a printed page and a black marker. If you’re new to the idea, it’s where you take an existing text and black out most of the words, leaving behind just a few to form a new poem.

The results can be funny, powerful, mysterious, or even emotional. It’s part creative writing, part visual art and all kinds of fun.

If you want a full explanation on how to do blackout poetry (especially with kids or in the classroom), check out our main blog post here How to Write Blackout Poetry for Kids with step-by-step tips, more detailed blackout poetry instructions and examples. 

The Best Texts to Use for Blackout Poetry

To get started with blackout poetry, you can use almost any source text. It could be old book pages, magazine articles, or newspapers. Each kind of page gives a different vibe. 

Fiction will give you character and story-driven words. Non-fiction can make your poem feel more factual or political. Book pages for blackout poetry are especially fun because of their rich language and structure.

But if you don’t want to rip up books or hunt down old magazines, we’ve made it easy! Use our free printable texts for blackout poetry. 

Just download the blackout poetry worksheet PDF pack below, print, and start creating. They’re great for classrooms, homeschool, or just for fun at home.

Printable Blackout Poetry PDF Pack

This free pack includes 6 different pages to use for blackout poetry, taken from a mix of classic literature and nonfiction news stories. These are ideal for ages 9+ and suit a wide range of levels.

They are perfect as a blackout poetry worksheet PDF for grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8, and even grade 9.

Each blackout poetry handout includes space for students to mark out their final poem and create an expressive, visual work of art. Read the words on each page, find the hidden meaning, and make it your own.

Printable Texts for Blackout Poetry

We have put together a pack of blackout poetry worksheets, with a mixture of source texts for you to use as your base. These include a mixture of classic literature pages which are now in the public domain, and contemporary news articles. 

A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

This classic tale opens with the death of Marley, a dramatic, emotional scene packed with descriptive language. It’s a great source for strong, vivid words.

Some blackout poetry examples from this page might be:
Example 1 –
Marley was dead / the register signed / silence / door closed.

Example 2 –
Old Marley / as dead as a door-nail / unknowing hands / done for.

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Journey to the Center of the Earth – Jules Verne

A science-fiction adventure full of mystery and wonder. This page talks about decoding strange words and finding secrets. It’s rich in metaphors and great for abstract or imaginative poems.

Some ideas:

• Sacred wood / my eyes strained / I had discovered the secret.
• Anger, cruel / absurd collection of letters / read it backwards.
• “I was / fighting / fire / I saw / the back / the front / the secret.”

A perfect choice for middle schoolers who enjoy a challenge. This works well as a blackout poetry worksheet PDF grade 9.

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Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

Alice’s whimsical language and dreamy logic make this page fun for younger poets too. It’s easier to follow and gives room for creative play.

Example blackout poems using Alice in Wonderland

• “Tired / nothing to do / what is the use?”
• “She was / sleepy / daisy-chain / rabbit / ran.”

This one’s ideal for grade 5 and grade 6 and also great if you’re introducing how to make blackout poetry for the first time.

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Frankenstein – Mary Shelley

Frankenstein’s letters offer emotional intensity and beautiful descriptions. This printable has strong vocabulary and rhythm that feels poetic even before blacking it out.

Since it’s Frankenstein, it’s great for this time of year with Halloween coming up.

Sample blackout poems using Frankenstein

• “No disaster / confidence / advancing / vivid / dream.”
• “Wind of promise / play / delight / my daydreams.”

This is a powerful text for blackout poetry worksheet PDF grade 8 or 9, or advanced writers in younger years.

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BBC News: Huntington’s Treatment Breakthrough Text

Using news content like this to create blackout newspaper poetry like this adds a modern twist. This article discusses medical science and human emotion so students can pull out real-world themes to create their newspapers blackout poems. 

Example blackout poems using this newspaper article

• “Families / hope / data shows / slowed / dreams.”
• “The first / quality / therapy / good life.”

This page is great if you want to combine poetry with current events or nonfiction writing which is excellent for upper grades or mixed ability groups.

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BBC News: Viral Wedding Controversy Text

This text focuses on politics, social media, and public outrage which is a great prompt for writing poems with a message.

Possible poems using this newspaper text for blackout poetry:

• Scrolling through social media / really unacceptable / topped with a Santa hat.
• It was the wedding / his mind was made up / lights and baubles.
• Social media feed / blocked for VIP guests / went viral.

This printable adds variety to your blackout poetry lesson plan, especially if you’re tying it into media literacy or PSHE.

Download the Free Black Out Poetry PDF Pack

Click below to download your free blackout poetry worksheet PDF pack, including all six printable pages to use for blackout poetry. You can print and reuse them anytime for creative writing, art lessons, or a relaxing screen-free activity.

Terms of use: This blackout poetry worksheets pdf is free for personal use and classroom use. Please do not redistribute this file.

Blackout poetry is such a creative and accessible form of writing for kids whether they love reading, art, or just playing with words. 

With our free printable texts for blackout poetry, you’ve got everything you need to get started. These poetry worksheets are perfect for middle school, upper KS2, or even teens with something for every style and mood.

Want more inspiration? Check out our full post on How to Write Blackout Poetry for Kids, with tips, visuals, and extra examples.

Have fun creating your own collab with literary greats, or putting together your own newspaper blackout poems using these free printables. 

More Poetry Activities and Resources for Kids

If your kids enjoyed blackout poetry, there’s so much more to try! From creative poetry prompts to shape poems and visual poetry art, we’ve got more ideas to keep the creativity flowing.

• From a Railway Carriage PDF Printable with Activities
• 20 Best Short English Poems for Kids to Recite
• Short Earth Day Poems for Kids to Inspire a Love of Nature
• Acrostic Poems For Mother’s Day (Free Printable Templates)
• Leaf-Decorated Autumn Poem
• Summer Rhyming Words Printable Learning Activity

How to Write Blackout Poetry for Kids

From a Railway Carriage PDF Printable with Activities

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