How to Sign "Kids"
To sign “Kids”, Using your dominant hand into a fist with extend index finger and pinkie, (note: You can either have your thumb out or not). Placing your index finger under your nose and shake a little bit and gently.
Examples Using "Kids" in a Sentence
1
The kids are at school.
To sign this, start with the sign for 'kids' by placing your extended index finger under your nose and gently shaking it. Then, sign 'school' by clapping your hands together twice.
2
Are those your kids?
Point to the children, sign 'your', and then sign 'kids' using the index and pinkie finger handshape under your nose. Remember to raise your eyebrows since this is a yes/no question!
3
My kids love animals.
Sign 'my', then perform the 'kids' sign by wiggling your index finger just under your nose. Follow this up with the signs for 'love' and 'animals'.
How to Sign "Kids"
To sign “Kids”, Using your dominant hand into a fist with extend index finger and pinkie, (note: You can either have your thumb out or not). Placing your index finger under your nose and shake a little bit and gently.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'kids' has a very literal and humorous visual origin. It mimics the action of a child wiping a runny nose with their finger. Young children are notorious for having the sniffles and casually wiping their noses, so this iconic gesture was adopted into ASL to represent 'kids' in an everyday context.
Signing Tips
To make the sign for 'kids' look natural, keep the shaking motion small and relaxed. Your handshape should have your index and pinkie fingers extended. You can choose to leave your thumb out or tuck it in—whichever feels more comfortable for you. Make sure the movement stays localized right under your nose rather than moving across your whole face.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is using only the index finger without extending the pinkie, which can confuse the sign with 'boring' or 'fake' depending on the movement. Another common error is wiping the hand entirely across the face or shaking it too violently. Keep the handshape correct and the shaking motion gentle and contained.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Kids" in a Sentence
1The kids are at school.
To sign this, start with the sign for 'kids' by placing your extended index finger under your nose and gently shaking it. Then, sign 'school' by clapping your hands together twice.
2Are those your kids?
Point to the children, sign 'your', and then sign 'kids' using the index and pinkie finger handshape under your nose. Remember to raise your eyebrows since this is a yes/no question!
3My kids love animals.
Sign 'my', then perform the 'kids' sign by wiggling your index finger just under your nose. Follow this up with the signs for 'love' and 'animals'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between signing 'kids' and 'children'?
In ASL, 'children' is typically signed by doing a downward patting motion in front of you, as if patting the heads of a few short children. 'Kids' is more casual and uses the specific nose-wiping motion described here.
Does my thumb need to be tucked in or left out?
It is entirely up to your comfort! As noted in the description, you can sign 'kids' with your thumb extended or tucked in. The essential fingers are the index and pinkie.
Do I actually touch my upper lip or nose?
You can lightly rest or brush your index finger against the space between your upper lip and nose, but you don't need to apply pressure. A gentle wiggle right in that space is all you need.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!