Third graders are ready to move beyond literal reading and start noticing how authors play with words to paint pictures in a reader's mind. Figurative language worksheets for Grade 3 introduce similes, metaphors, and personification, the three building blocks third grade readers will lean on for the rest of elementary school.

At this age, students often confuse similes and metaphors because both make comparisons, and many struggle to recognize personification when an object simply 'does' something human. In second grade, students explored describing words and sensory details in simple sentences, and in fourth grade they will analyze how figurative language shapes meaning and tone in poems and longer stories.

These figurative language worksheets bridge that gap with sentence corrections, fill-in-the-blank practice, matching activities, and short passage questions that build interpretation skills step by step. Mastering this skill helps third graders read more deeply, write more colorfully, and enjoy the playful side of language that makes books truly come alive.

Worksheet Preview

Browse all 12 printable worksheets below — click any card to open the full page.

Easy
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. She ran as fast as a  
2. A simile compares two things using the words  
3. When we say the stars danced in the sky, we give stars a  
4. A metaphor says something  
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. A simile uses the words like or as to compare two things.
T F
2. Personification gives human qualities to animals or objects.
T F
3. The sentence "The boy is like a fish in water" is a metaphor.
T F

Figurative Language
Easy
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The pillow was as soft as a  
2. When we say the sun smiled down on us, the sun is given a  
3. A  
4. Figurative language does not mean exactly what the  
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. A metaphor compares two things without using like or as.
T F
2. The sentence "Time is money" is a simile.
T F
3. Figurative language helps make writing more interesting and vivid.
T F

Figurative Language
Easy
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. When someone says "It's raining cats and dogs," they mean it is raining very  
2. Hyperbole is a big  
3. The night sky was as dark as  
4. An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is  
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. Hyperbole uses extreme exaggeration to make a point.
T F
2. The phrase "Break a leg" literally means to break your leg.
T F
3. The sentence "My backpack weighs a ton" is an example of hyperbole.
T F

Figurative Language
Easy
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The saying "Let the cat out of the bag" is an idiom that means to reveal a  
2. Her hair was as golden as  
3. Saying you waited "forever" in line is an example of  
4. "The city was a  
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. An idiom means exactly what the words say.
T F
2. The sentence "She cried a river of tears" is an example of hyperbole.
T F
3. A metaphor always uses the word like or as.
T F

Figurative Language
Medium
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The baby's skin was as smooth as  
2. The thunder  
3. Her voice was music to my  
4. He ate like a  
5. The old car  
6. The snow was a white  
7. The kitten was as light as a  
8. The flowers  
9. Life is a  
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
The moon winked at me through the clouds.
→
simile using as
She is as brave as a lion.
→
personification of the moon
His heart is made of gold.
→
metaphor about kindness
The stars danced across the night sky.
→
personification of stars

Figurative Language
Medium
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The river  
2. Her smile was as bright as the  
3. The world is a  
4. The trees  
5. He swims like a  
6. Books are  
7. The alarm clock  
8. She was as quiet as a  
9. The test was a  
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
The homework was a breeze.
→
simile using like
The angry clouds gathered overhead.
→
metaphor meaning it was easy
He runs like the wind.
→
personification of clouds
The campfire reached its fingers to the sky.
→
personification of fire

Figurative Language
Medium
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The puppy was as playful as a  
2. The lightning  
3. His room was a  
4. I waited for you for a  
5. The night  
6. She was as tall as a  
7. Knowledge is a  
8. This bag is so heavy it weighs a  
9. The sea  
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
It's raining cats and dogs.
→
metaphor about being unkind
She has a heart of stone.
→
idiom meaning heavy rain
The wind whispered secrets.
→
hyperbole about laughing hard
I nearly died laughing.
→
personification of wind

Figurative Language
Medium
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The ice cream was as cold as  
2. The rain  
3. Friendship is a  
4. I have a  
5. The old stairs  
6. He eats like a  
7. Her smile was a ray of  
8. To "hit the nail on the head" is an  
9. The mountain  
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
That joke is so old it has a beard.
→
simile using like
Her eyes were like emeralds.
→
hyperbole about an old joke
The clock stared at me during the test.
→
metaphor about happiness
Laughter is the best medicine.
→
personification of a clock

Figurative Language
Hard
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which sentence contains a simile?
2. What type of figurative language is used in "The ocean swallowed the small boat"?
3. In the sentence "My brother is a walking encyclopedia," what does the metaphor mean?
4. Which pair of sentences are both examples of personification?
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. "The cafeteria was as loud as a  
2. "The door  
3. "Her ideas were  
4. Figurative language has a different meaning from the  
5. "The moon  

Figurative Language
Hard
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which sentence is a metaphor?
2. "The computer threw a tantrum and shut itself off." What type of figurative language is this?
3. What does the simile "The baby's room was like an oven" mean?
4. Read: "The shadows crept along the hallway as night fell." Which human action is given to shadows?
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. "The lake was a sheet of  
2. "The autumn leaves  
3. "His backpack weighed as much as a  
4. A simile always uses the word like or the word  
5. "The warm bed  

Figurative Language
Hard
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What does the idiom "Piece of cake" mean?
2. Which sentence is an example of hyperbole?
3. Read: "The old tree stretched its arms toward the clouds." What type of figurative language is this?
4. Which pair contains one simile and one metaphor?
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. "The grass was as green as  
2. When you say "Hold your horses," you really mean to be  
3. "Her temper was a  
4. "This homework will take  
5. "The sun  

Figurative Language
Hard
Busy Bee
Figurative Language
Name:
Date:
Grade: Grade 3
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What does the idiom "Costs an arm and a leg" mean?
2. Which sentence uses personification?
3. Read: "My teacher has eyes in the back of her head." This sentence is best described as —
4. Which sentence contains both a simile AND hyperbole?
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. "The road stretched on  
2. "Spill the beans" is an  
3. "The classroom was as quiet as a  
4. "Opportunity  
5. "Time is a  

Figurative Language

What's Included in This Download

12 Printable Pages covering figurative language
Complete Answer Key for easy grading
Printer-Friendly Format in black & white
Variety of Activities to keep kids engaged
Common Core Aligned grade 3 standards
Instant PDF Download - no signup required

What You'll Learn

These figurative language worksheets help grade 3 students develop essential english skills through engaging activities.

How to Use These Worksheets

  1. Download & Print: Click the download button to get the PDF. Print on standard 8.5" x 11" paper.
  2. Start Simple: Begin with easier pages before moving to more challenging activities.
  3. Daily Practice: Dedicate 10-15 minutes each day for consistent learning.
  4. Use Manipulatives: Pair worksheets with physical objects like blocks or counters.
  5. Provide Encouragement: Celebrate progress and effort to build confidence.
  6. Check Progress: Use the included answer key to review work together.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

  • Calling any comparison a simile, even when the words 'like' or 'as' are missing. Third graders need to remember that similes always include 'like' or 'as,' while metaphors say one thing IS another.
  • Missing personification when the human action is subtle, such as 'the wind whispered' or 'the door groaned.' Students often read past these phrases without realizing an object is acting like a person.
  • Taking metaphors literally. When a sentence says 'My brother is a walking encyclopedia,' some third graders picture an actual book instead of understanding that the brother knows a lot of facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor for third graders?

A simile compares two things using the words 'like' or 'as,' such as 'her smile is like sunshine.' A metaphor says one thing IS another, such as 'her smile is sunshine.' The easy trick is to look for the words 'like' or 'as' first. If they are there, it's a simile.

What is personification and why is it tricky for Grade 3 students?

Personification gives human qualities or actions to animals, objects, or ideas. For example, 'the stars danced in the sky' gives stars the human action of dancing. It is tricky because third graders sometimes think any action verb counts, but the action must be something only people normally do.

Why do third graders need to learn figurative language?

Figurative language appears in almost every story, poem, and song students read. Recognizing it helps third graders understand what authors really mean and enjoy reading more. It also makes their own writing more vivid and interesting, which is a key Grade 3 writing goal.

How can I help my third grader practice figurative language at home?

Read picture books and poems together and pause whenever you spot a simile, metaphor, or personification. Ask your child to explain what the comparison means in everyday words. You can also play a game where you each invent a simile about something in the room, like 'the lamp is as bright as a star.'

What types of figurative language activities are in these worksheets?

The worksheets include sentence correction, fill-in-the-blank, true or false, matching, and multiple choice questions. Easy sheets focus on identifying simile, metaphor, and personification. Medium sheets practice completing examples and matching them to types. Hard sheets ask students to interpret what figurative phrases actually mean in short passages.

Are these worksheets really free?

Yes! All our worksheets are 100% free to download and print. There's no subscription, no hidden fees, and no registration required.

Can I use these in my classroom?

Absolutely! Teachers are welcome to print and use these worksheets in their classrooms. Make as many copies as needed for your students.

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