What Is Love, As Told By Children

If you’re a parent, you know for a fact that kids can say the strangest things some time. Even if you aren’t a parent, there’s no doubt you’ve heard a few shiners from the little ones of friends and relatives.

But every now and again kids take it one step further. It’s more than just strange, these kids are saying something profound. But of course, we can’t say for sure whether it’s just luck that these kids have landed on something that resonates with us, or they actually are miniature wells of wisdom.

Still, it’s always enlightening to compile the best examples of this child wisdom, and where better to start than the topic that adults themselves often flounder: LOVE

We’ve scoured the internet and found the best of the best, one liners from children that might prove they understand it better than we do.

The Written Word

In the 90s, during the email age (when every man and his dog decided that it was time to get an email address), chain mails were the big thing. Most of this stuff was nonsense, but every now and again there would be a mail that would get you laughing. The one where kids gave their own definitions of love was always that one for me. We obviously can’t tell you if this is true or not, but it sounds like kid wisdom at its finest.

Sometimes, this wisdom is a result of something they’ve seen:

“Love is when mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” Danny, aged 7.

“Love it when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.” Karl, aged 5.

“Love it when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.” Elaine, aged 5.

“Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think it’s gross.” Mark, aged 6.

Sometimes, it’s something they’ve experienced:

“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy  new ones.” Lauren, aged 4.

“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” Terri, aged 4.

“Love is when you tell a boy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.” Noelle, aged 7.

“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” Mary Ann, aged 4.

Sometimes you just aren’t sure where it comes from:

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy, aged 4.

“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.” Tommy, aged 6.

(quotes from here)

Tell It To The Camera

Of course, now that we have video we’re able to experience the wisdom of children in the digital flesh. There is no shortage of proof that, if you didn’t believe it before, kids really do have the strangest, and most heartwarming, views on love.

Kids on LOVE by SoulPancake

The best lines from this video, well there are so many. Certainly, “love came from the beginning of the world when the world started,” is up there. Also, if someone keeps looking up at you from their math test, you just know.

Love Lessons by the Jubilee Project

What we can definitely tell from this video is love is gross, and don’t even get us started on the kissing. But love is about lots of eye contact, and a being warm like a pillow. And when you get down to it, love is the feeling of never being lonely, and just being who you are. But wow do these kids have some great ideas about ‘true love’.

Children Talk About Love by DailyCandy Video

Showing people that you love them is about playing together, giving out hugs, and drawing pictures. But for parents it’s about dancing and kissing on the lips (eww). There’s definitely some great lines in here.

Or Draw It

Now, if you aren’t up for articulating yourself on-screen, and let’s face it who is, you could always artistically express your feelings about LOVE. That’s exactly what these kids have done.

What Does Love Look Like To Kids by BuzzFeed

A basic interpretation of love at first sight, with lots of smiley faces, hearts and ‘fuzzies’. Love makes you feel like a big happy thing, and it might be your mum, or a rainbow, or both. It’s a warm feeling, like being hugged by a teddy, and we all love that.

What Is Love? Kids Tell All by SoulPancake

Love is about bunnies and sunsets. It might be freaky, but you wouldn’t be here without it. Usually mum and dad are included in the circle of love, but brothers only sometimes make the cut. Also, your wife should go both ziplining and bungee jumping. End of story.

How do your little ones describe love?