Prepositions for Kids: Grammar Rules, Examples and Exercises
English Grammar for Kids: Prepositions Explained with Examples and Exercises (Ages 7–12)
Learning prepositions is an important step in helping children improve their English grammar, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Prepositions are small words, but they play a big role in sentences. They help children explain where something is, when something happens, and how people or objects are connected.
For children aged 7–9, learning prepositions through simple explanations, pictures, and everyday examples can make grammar enjoyable. For children aged 10–12, practising prepositions in longer sentences and paragraphs helps develop stronger writing and communication skills.
In this guide, you will learn what prepositions are, explore different types of prepositions with example sentences, and complete 20 English grammar practice questions with answers.
Parents and teachers can use this lesson at home, in the classroom, or as part of an English grammar worksheet for kids.
What Is a Preposition?
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. It often tells us where something is, when something happens, or how something is positioned.
Consider these examples:
The cat is under the table.
We will meet after lunch.
The book is on the desk.
She walked through the garden.
The words under, after, on, and through are prepositions. They help us understand the relationship between different parts of each sentence.
Without prepositions, sentences can become unclear or incomplete.
For example:
"The bag is the chair."
"The bag is under the chair."
The preposition under makes the location clear.
1. Prepositions of Place
Prepositions of place tell us where a person, animal, or object is located. These are among the first prepositions children learn.
Common prepositions of place
In: Something is inside a space or container.
Example: The pencils are in the box.
On: Something is touching the surface of another object.
Example: The notebook is on the desk.
Under: Something is below another object.
Example: The puppy is sleeping under the bed.
Behind: Something is at the back of another object.
Example: The bicycle is behind the garage.
In front of: Something is positioned before another object.
Example: The bus stopped in front of the school.
Between: Something is in the space separating two people or objects.
Example: The ball is between the two chairs.
Beside: Something is next to another object.
Example: Rahul sat beside his friend.
Above: Something is higher than another object.
Example: The clock hangs above the door.
Near: Something is close to another person or object.
Example: Our house is near the park.
A simple learning activity
Ask your child to look around the room and describe where different objects are located.
For example:
The shoes are under the bed.
The bottle is on the table.
The schoolbag is beside the chair.
The fan is above our heads.
This activity helps children connect grammar with their everyday surroundings.
2. Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time explain when something happens. Three particularly important prepositions are at, on, and in.
At
Use at for specific times.
Examples:
My school starts at 8:00 a.m.
We eat dinner at 7:30 p.m.
The train arrives at noon.
On
Use on for days and dates.
Examples:
I play football on Sunday.
Her birthday is on 12 May.
We have a test on Monday.
In
Use in for months, years, seasons, and longer periods.
Examples:
My birthday is in October.
We moved here in 2024.
Flowers bloom in spring.
I usually read in the evening.
Easy rule to remember
At = a specific time
On = a day or date
In = a month, year, season, or longer period
Remember that English has some exceptions, but this rule works for many everyday sentences.
3. Prepositions of Movement
Prepositions of movement explain where someone or something is going or how it moves.
To: Shows movement towards a destination.
Example: We walked to the library.
Into: Shows movement from outside to inside.
Example: The cat jumped into the basket.
Out of: Shows movement from inside to outside.
Example: She took the books out of her bag.
Across: Shows movement from one side to another.
Example: The children ran across the playground.
Through: Shows movement within or from one side of something to another.
Example: We walked through the tunnel.
Towards: Shows movement in the direction of something.
Example: The dog ran towards its owner.
These words make sentences more descriptive and help children explain actions clearly.
4. Prepositions of Direction and Position
Some prepositions explain the direction or position of a person or object.
Examples include:
The bird flew over the house.
The boy walked along the road.
The children climbed up the stairs.
The ball rolled down the hill.
The car drove past the school.
The girl stood opposite the shop.
Children can practise these prepositions by describing journeys, playground activities, or pictures in their English textbooks.
5. Prepositions of Manner, Means, and Accompaniment
As children grow more confident, they can learn prepositions used to explain how something is done or who is involved.
By: Often describes a method of travel or communication.
Example: We travelled by train.
With: Can describe using something or being accompanied by someone.
Examples:
She cut the paper with scissors.
I went shopping with my mother.
Without: Means not having or using something.
Example: He left home without his umbrella.
Like: Shows similarity.
Example: The clouds looked like cotton.
About: Shows the subject of something.
Example: We read a story about a brave astronaut.
These prepositions are especially useful for children aged 10–12 because they help create more detailed sentences.
6. Common Preposition Mistakes Children Should Avoid
Children often confuse prepositions because some words have similar meanings.
Mistake 1: Using "in" instead of "on"
Incorrect: The book is in the table.
Correct: The book is on the table.
Use on when something rests on a surface. Use in when something is inside a space.
Mistake 2: Confusing "between" and "among"
Use between when referring to separate people or things considered individually, often two.
Example: The ball is between the two boys.
Use among when referring to someone or something within a group.
Example: The teacher walked among the students.
Mistake 3: Confusing "at" and "in"
Incorrect: I wake up in 7:00 a.m.
Correct: I wake up at 7:00 a.m.
Use at for a specific time.
Mistake 4: Adding unnecessary prepositions
Incorrect: We discussed about the story.
Correct: We discussed the story.
The verb discuss does not normally require about before its object.
Mistake 5: Confusing "since" and "for"
Use since for the starting point of a period.
Example: I have lived here since 2022.
Use for for the length of a period.
Example: I have lived here for four years.
7. Tips for Teaching Prepositions to Kids
Parents and teachers can make preposition lessons more effective by using short, regular practice sessions.
Use real objects. Place a pencil under, on, or beside a book and ask your child to describe its position.
Practise with pictures. Ask children to describe what they see in a classroom, garden, kitchen, or playground.
Encourage complete sentences. Instead of asking only "Where is the ball?", encourage the child to answer, "The ball is under the chair."
Read together. Ask children to identify prepositions in short stories and reading passages.
Practise writing. Encourage children to use different prepositions when describing their rooms, school journeys, or daily routines.
Review mistakes positively. Explain why a sentence needs a different preposition instead of asking children to memorise rules without understanding them.
For additional grammar practice, explore English Grammar Practice for Kids. Children can also develop descriptive writing skills through Adjective Grammar Practice for Kids.
8. Prepositions Exercise for Kids: 20 Questions
Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence. These questions are suitable for children aged 7–12, with a mixture of basic and more challenging examples.
The cat is hiding _____ the bed. (under / across)
My birthday is _____ December. (in / at)
We go to school _____ Monday. (on / in)
The clock is hanging _____ the wall. (on / into)
The children ran _____ the playground. (across / between)
The train arrives _____ 9:00 a.m. (at / on)
The boy jumped _____ the swimming pool. (into / above)
The shoes are _____ the bed and the wardrobe. (between / through)
We travelled to London _____ train. (by / with)
She cut the paper _____ a pair of scissors. (with / at)
The dog ran _____ its owner. (towards / among)
The teacher stood _____ the students. (among / into)
The bird flew _____ the house. (over / under)
He has lived here _____ 2020. (since / for)
We have been waiting _____ two hours. (for / since)
The boy walked _____ the tunnel. (through / above)
My school is _____ the post office. (near / into)
She went outside _____ her jacket. (without / between)
The children climbed _____ the stairs. (up / among)
We read a story _____ a clever fox. (about / at)
9. Answers to the Prepositions Exercise
Under
In
On
On
Across
At
Into
Between
By
With
Towards
Among
Over
Since
For
Through
Near
Without
Up
About
How to Use the Answers
Ask children to check their work after completing all 20 questions. For each incorrect answer, encourage them to explain why the correct preposition fits the sentence.
For children aged 7–9, focus first on prepositions of place and time. Children aged 10–12 can move on to movement, direction, and more complex sentence structures.
10. Take Your Child's English Grammar Further
Prepositions are only one part of English grammar. Once children understand them, they can use them to write clearer descriptions, tell stories, and express ideas more accurately.
They can also practise connecting ideas through Subordinating Conjunctions for Kids and improve written communication through Letter Writing for Kids: Formal and Informal Letters.
For families looking for a structured sequence of grammar lessons and workbook activities, the Grammar in Steps book series on Amazon is another resource to explore for children's English grammar practice.
Conclusion
Learning prepositions helps children understand relationships between people, places, objects, and events. By practising words such as in, on, under, beside, between, at, and through, children can improve sentence construction, reading comprehension, and written expression.
The best approach combines clear explanations, everyday examples, short exercises, and regular revision. Start with simple sentences, gradually introduce more challenging prepositions, and encourage children to use what they learn in their own writing.
With consistent practice, children aged 7–9 and 10–12 can develop a stronger understanding of prepositions and build a solid foundation for more advanced English grammar.
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