The best examples of themes in limericks: fun examples to steal and twist

Limericks are tiny story machines. In five lines, you get a character, a situation, a twist, and usually a punchline. When people ask for examples of themes in limericks: fun examples, they’re usually asking, “What can I write about that actually works in this form?”

Traditionally, examples include:

• Silly characters in strange situations
• Travel and place names
• Love and flirtation
• Mildly naughty or subversive humor
• Everyday frustrations exaggerated into absurdity

Let’s start with a classic-feeling example of a limerick theme: the overconfident traveler.

There once was a skier from Maine,
Who bragged she could ski any terrain.
On a slope marked “too steep,"
She performed one long leap…
Then continued back down as a plain.

This plays with the theme of travel and overconfidence. The character’s pride sets up the fall (literally). That “set up → twist” pattern is one of the best examples of how limerick themes turn into jokes.

Everyday life and work: modern examples of themes in limericks

In 2024, some of the best examples of themes in limericks are pulled straight from everyday life: remote work, endless Zoom calls, the “always online” feeling. These are themes your readers already live with, so they land fast.

Here’s a real example of a work-from-home limerick:

A coder who worked from her bed
Wrote emails while half-overfed.
When her boss said, “You’re on!"
She forgot her mic’s on…
And pitched in her sleep-talking head.

The theme here is remote work awkwardness. The humor comes from a recognizable situation—being “on” while not really on. That’s why examples of themes in limericks: fun examples like this feel current without needing pop culture references that expire in a week.

You can spin the same theme in different directions:

A teacher who Zoomed from L.A.
Wore sweatpants the whole 90-day.
When she stood up to cheer,
Her class gave a cheer…
“Ms. Lopez, you’re trending today!”

Same theme, new angle: professional life colliding with casual at-home comfort. The limerick form loves that tiny disaster.

If you’re teaching writing, this is one of the best examples to assign: “Write a limerick about something annoying at work or school.” The theme is baked in, and students only have to focus on the rhyme and rhythm.

Love, flirting, and dating apps: timeless themes with a 2024 twist

Romantic chaos has always been one of the classic examples of themes in limericks. Fun examples today often blend old-school courtship with modern dating apps, ghosting, and weird bios.

Here’s a dating app example of a limerick theme:

A lawyer went swiping in Queens,
Selecting by books and cuisines.
Her match wrote, “I’m tall,"
But was five-foot in all…
And claimed six in his profile screens.

Theme: online dating expectations vs. reality. The limerick compresses the whole arc—hope, illusion, reveal—into five lines.

Another one, leaning more sweet than savage:

A gamer who streamed late at night
Met a mod whose jokes hit just right.
They typed for a year,
Then met up in real gear…
And both were surprised at the light.

This time the theme is digital connection turning real, with a softer, slightly sentimental ending. Not every limerick has to be mean; the form also works for warm, wry smiles.

If you’re looking for the best examples of themes in limericks: fun examples to share with teens or adults, love-and-tech limericks are perfect: relatable, easy to set up, and endlessly recyclable.

Travel, places, and accents: limericks that go everywhere

One of the oldest examples of themes in limericks is the “person from [place]” structure. It’s basically a mini postcard with a punchline. The place name often drives the rhyme, which is part of the fun.

Here’s a travel-themed limerick with a gentle twist:

A foodie flew out to Peru
To taste something wild and new.
She sampled each plate,
Wrote reviews till late…
Then craved boxed mac and cheese when she flew.

Theme: adventurous travel vs. comfort food loyalty. The place (Peru) gives flavor, but the real joke is that you can’t beat childhood mac and cheese.

Another travel-flavored example of a limerick theme, this time about eco-conscious tourism:

A hiker from Boulder was keen
To keep every campsite pristine.
She packed out each crumb,
Told her friends, “Do the sum—
Our trash is the worst thing we’ve seen.”

Now the theme is environmental awareness. You can even connect this to real-world climate and conservation education. For context on environmental issues and climate science, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers accessible resources at epa.gov.

This is a good reminder: themes in limericks can be silly, but they can also nod toward serious topics with a light touch.

Tech, social media, and AI: very 2024 examples of themes in limericks

If you want limericks that feel current, tech is your playground. Some of the best examples of themes in limericks: fun examples now involve phones, TikTok, AI, and that feeling of being slightly overwhelmed by notifications.

Here’s a social media limerick:

A teen who made dances on Reels
Chased likes like they came with free meals.
When the views hit a slump,
She went out for a jump…
And liked how the offline world feels.

Theme: screen addiction and rediscovering offline life. This is a great classroom example, because it opens up conversation about digital well-being. For teachers who like to back this up with data, the American Academy of Pediatrics and resources via nih.gov discuss screen time and mental health.

Now, an AI-themed limerick (yes, I’m biased):

A writer asked bots for a rhyme,
“Make it witty and right on the time.”
The machine did its best,
But she still did the rest…
And claimed, “I’m the one with the slime.”

Theme: human vs. AI creativity. The nonsense word “slime” at the end keeps it playful and undercuts any big speech about technology. Limericks are perfect for poking fun at our tech anxieties without turning into a lecture.

These are modern, real examples of themes in limericks that work well for 2024–2025 writing prompts: “Write a limerick about your phone,” “Write one about AI,” “Write one about going offline.”

Food, health, and habits: examples of themes in limericks for the classroom

Food and health are surprisingly rich themes. They’re concrete, visual, and everybody has opinions. Teachers often look for clean, kid-friendly examples of themes in limericks; fun examples about snacks and sleep are perfect.

A food-obsessed limerick:

A student who lived on cold fries
Was shocked when her jeans wouldn’t rise.
She swapped in some greens,
Tried walks in between…
And gained back her old exercise highs.

Theme: small lifestyle changes. It’s not a medical guideline, just a nudge. For trustworthy health information beyond playful poetry, sites like medlineplus.gov and mayoclinic.org are more reliable than your cousin’s blog.

Another theme: sleep and late-night scrolling.

A gamer stayed up until three,
Then wondered, “What’s happening to me?"
With dark rings in sight,
And grades taking flight…
He learned that his phone wasn’t free.

Again, the limerick doesn’t diagnose anything; it just dramatizes a habit. If you’re writing for kids or teens, these real examples show how limericks can sneak in a little health awareness without turning into a lecture.

Nonsense, wordplay, and pure silliness: the classic limerick heart

Of all the examples of themes in limericks, fun examples of pure nonsense never go out of style. Think Edward Lear, strange animals, impossible physics, and puns that make people groan.

Here’s a nonsense-heavy example of a limerick theme:

A cat who could juggle three pies
Wore monocles over both eyes.
When asked, “Is that two?"
She said, “More than you knew—
I’m seeing my future in pies.”

Theme: absurd talent and surreal logic. There’s no moral, just delight.

Another:

A penguin who lived in Madrid
Insisted that snow was “forbid.”
He sunbathed all day,
In a deck chair of hay…
And swore he was just a cool kid.

Theme: creatures out of place, a favorite in children’s poetry. These are the best examples of themes in limericks when you want to encourage imagination and language play.

Nonsense limericks are also a great exercise for building vocabulary: kids can invent creatures, foods, or made-up words that still fit the rhyme and rhythm.

How to pick your own theme (and not run out of ideas)

Once you’ve seen a bunch of real examples of themes in limericks, fun examples start to suggest themselves. You can almost hear the rhythm: “There once was a ___ from ___…”

A simple way to choose a theme:

• Start with a setting: a city, a classroom, a spaceship, a subway.
• Add a role: teacher, gamer, nurse, chef, influencer, janitor.
• Add a problem or quirk: always late, afraid of birds, obsessed with coffee, allergic to cats, terrified of public speaking.

Combine them until something feels funny or vivid:

• A shy chef in Chicago who hates garlic.
• A fearless nurse in Miami who faints at the sight of paperwork.
• A barista in Austin who can’t stand coffee.

Each combination is the start of a theme. From there, you build a tiny story that bends toward a twist.

For example, take "barista in Austin who can’t stand coffee":

A barista in Austin confessed
That coffee just made her distressed.
She brewed with a frown,
Sipped cocoa downtown…
And called it “espresso, but dressed.”

Theme: performing a role you secretly dislike. Notice how the theme gives you your ending: she solves the problem by cheating in a funny way.

When you’re stuck, skim through these categories again:

• Work and school
• Love and dating
• Travel and places
• Tech and social media
• Food, health, and habits
• Nonsense and fantasy

Most of the best examples of themes in limericks: fun examples you’ve seen here fall into one of those buckets, just with different costumes.

FAQ: examples of themes in limericks

Q: What are some common examples of themes in limericks for beginners?
Common examples include school mishaps, clumsy pets, travel disasters, silly family members, and weird food habits. These themes are easy to picture and give you clear setups and punchlines.

Q: Can you give an example of a kid-friendly limerick theme?
Sure: a dog who’s afraid of mailmen, a cat who thinks it’s a lion, or a student whose backpack seems to eat their homework. All of these are safe, funny, and perfect for classroom writing.

Q: Are limericks always rude or adult-themed?
No. Some historic limericks are definitely adult, but many of the best examples of themes in limericks are clean: nonsense animals, travel jokes, or gentle teasing of everyday habits. It depends on your audience.

Q: How do I turn a serious topic into a limerick without making fun of it?
Focus on a small, human moment instead of the entire issue. For example, instead of “climate change,” write about a hiker who picks up trash on the trail. You’re not mocking the topic; you’re highlighting one quirky angle.

Q: Where can I find more examples of limericks to study?
Public domain collections of Edward Lear’s limericks (often hosted by universities and libraries) are a good start. Educational sites like major university English departments (for example, Harvard’s poetry resources) sometimes share classic verse and teaching guides you can adapt.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: limericks love specific themes. The more concrete your idea—an anxious gamer, a sleepy nurse, a penguin in Madrid—the easier it is to write a punchy five-line poem. Use these examples of themes in limericks, fun examples and all, as a menu. Pick one, twist it, and see where your own weird brain takes it.