English · Naming and counting worksheet
Nouns Worksheet for KS1: Free Naming Words Printable (Ages 5 to 7)
Nouns are one of the very first pieces of grammar children meet in Key Stage 1. A noun is simply a naming word: the name of a person, a place, an animal or a thing. This free printable gives children a friendly picture full of everyday objects to name out loud, count and write down, so the idea of a naming word feels concrete rather than abstract.
The worksheet prints neatly onto one sheet of A4. Children colour the scene first, then work through the naming and counting tasks. It pairs well with a quick chat at home or in class about all the nouns you can spot in the room around you.]]>
Naming Words (Nouns)
Free English worksheet · Ages 5 to 7
Name the naming words
Look carefully at the picture. Name each thing you can see, then write the naming word (noun) on the lines. Use the word box to help with spelling.
Write the naming word for the thing you sleep in.
Write the naming word for the thing that gives light.
Write the naming word for the round thing you can throw and catch.
Write the naming word for the tall plant with branches and leaves.
Write the naming word for the friendly animal that says woof.
Count the naming words
Count carefully and write your answer in each box.
- How many naming words (things you can name) can you find in the whole picture?
- How many of the naming words name an animal?
- How many legs does the dog have? Write the number.
Naming Words (Nouns)owee.worldAnswer key
- Write the naming word for the thing you sleep in. — bed
- Write the naming word for the thing that gives light. — lamp
- Write the naming word for the round thing you can throw and catch. — ball
- Write the naming word for the tall plant with branches and leaves. — tree
- Write the naming word for the friendly animal that says woof. — dog
- How many naming words (things you can name) can you find in the whole picture? — 5
- How many of the naming words name an animal? — 1
- How many legs does the dog have? Write the number. — 4
What is a noun? A simple explanation for KS1
A noun is a naming word. It names a person (such as mum, teacher or Tom), a place (such as park, school or kitchen), an animal (such as dog, cat or rabbit) or a thing (such as ball, lamp or bed). In Year 1, children are introduced to the word 'noun' as part of their early grammar vocabulary, and they begin to recognise naming words in the world around them and in simple sentences. There is no need to introduce proper nouns, common nouns or other categories at this stage; the goal is simply for children to understand that nouns name things, and to start using the term confidently.
How to use this naming words worksheet
Print the sheet onto A4 and let your child colour the picture first; colouring slows them down and helps them look closely at each object. Then point to an item and ask, 'What is the name of this thing?' Each answer is a noun. Encourage the child to say the word, then write it on the lines provided. The counting task reinforces one-to-one correspondence in maths while keeping the focus on naming. If your child finds writing tricky, you can scribe for them so the grammar learning is not held back by handwriting. To extend the activity, look around the room and challenge them to find five more nouns that are not in the picture.
Why introducing the word 'noun' matters in Year 1
The Year 1 grammar curriculum deliberately introduces a small set of technical terms, including 'noun', so that children build a shared language for talking about how sentences work. Using the correct word early, in a low-pressure and playful way, means that by the time children meet verbs, adjectives and more complex grammar in Years 2 and beyond, the vocabulary already feels familiar. Naming the objects in a picture is one of the clearest ways to make an abstract grammar term tangible: a child can point to a real thing and say, 'That is a noun.'
Linking nouns to simple sentences
Once children can spot and name nouns, the natural next step is to use them inside sentences. After completing the worksheet, ask your child to make a short spoken or written sentence using one of the nouns they found, for example, 'The dog is in the park.' This helps children see that nouns are not just isolated words but the building blocks of the sentences they read and write every day. Keeping sentences short and supportive at this stage builds confidence before more demanding writing tasks later in Key Stage 1.
Frequently asked questions
What is a noun for KS1 children?
For Key Stage 1, a noun is best explained as a naming word: it names a person, a place, an animal or a thing. Children in Year 1 are introduced to the term 'noun' and begin to recognise these naming words in pictures, in the world around them and in simple sentences.
Is this nouns worksheet free to print?
Yes. This worksheet is completely free to download and print. It is designed to fit on a single sheet of A4 so it is quick and economical to use at home or in the classroom.
What age or year group is this worksheet for?
It is aimed at children aged 5 to 7, which covers Years 1 and 2 in Key Stage 1. It is most useful when children are first introduced to the word 'noun' in Year 1, and as gentle revision in Year 2.
Do I need to teach proper and common nouns at this stage?
No. In Year 1 the focus is simply on understanding that a noun is a naming word and on using the term 'noun'. Categories such as proper nouns, common nouns and collective nouns are introduced later, so this worksheet keeps things simple and confidence-building.
How can I help my child if they find writing the words difficult?
You can act as a scribe and write the nouns down while your child says them aloud, so the grammar learning is not held back by handwriting. You can also let them trace or copy the words, and focus the praise on correctly naming each thing in the picture.
Curriculum links
- English Year 1, Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation (Appendix 2): use the grammatical terminology 'noun' in discussing their writing and reading.
- English Year 1, Writing - Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation: leave spaces between words and begin to use simple sentences, naming the people, places, animals and things they write about.
- English Year 1, Word Reading and Spelling: read and spell common naming words for familiar people, places, animals and objects.
- English Year 2, Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation: build on and consolidate the use of grammatical terminology introduced in Year 1, including 'noun', within sentences.
Made by The Owee education team. Updated 02/06/2026. Free to print and share.
More learning, made playful
Owee turns topics like this into age-right quizzes for children aged 5 to 10, with a treehouse that grows as they learn. Three subjects are free, forever.
Get Owee free