What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
children
Example
The children played happily in the park. [children: noun]
Example
She has three children, two boys and a girl. [children: plural form]
kids
Example
The kids had a great time at the birthday party. [kids: noun]
Example
He is responsible for taking care of the kids while their parents are away. [kids: plural form]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Kids is more commonly used than children in everyday language. Kids is a popular term used by people of all ages to refer to young individuals, while children is more commonly used in formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between children and kids?
While children is considered more formal and appropriate for official or professional contexts, kids is more informal and suitable for casual conversations or informal writing.
