The future tense in English lets children talk about tomorrow, next week, or their dreams, and there are two main ways to do it: will and going to. A 5-year-old might say "I will eat cookies," while a 12-year-old plans ahead with "I am going to study biology." Below you will find exactly when to use each form, with simple examples, a side-by-side comparison, the most common mistakes kids make, and quick activities so you can practise the future tense in English at home with confidence.
The Simplest Future: Using 'Will'
The word 'will' is the most direct way to talk about the future tense in English. Use it for quick decisions, promises, and predictions. Best of all, the structure never changes with the subject, so it is the perfect place to start. With a 6-year-old, try short "will" sentences during play, like "The car will go fast!"
Structure: Subject + will + Verb (base form)
- I will eat an apple.
- She will read a book.
- They will play outside.
- It will be sunny tomorrow.
Notice that the main verb stays in its base form every time, which is a relief for English for primary school learners. To talk about the negative, simply add "not": I will not (won't) forget. For questions, move "will" to the front: Will you help me?
Making Plans with 'Going To'
Use 'going to' for plans and intentions decided before the moment of speaking, and for predictions you can see coming. It pairs naturally with the present continuous tense. With a 9-year-old, use it to talk through their weekend: "On Saturday I am going to play football."
Structure: Subject + am/is/are + going to + Verb
- I am going to visit my grandparents.
- He is going to build a tower.
- They are going to learn English.
'Will' vs. 'Going To': Choosing the Right Form
The choice comes down to when the decision was made. Use 'will' for ideas you decide on the spot, and 'going to' for plans you already had. Native speakers often blur the two in casual speech, but teaching the difference clearly is one of the most useful steps in the future tense in English, and it helps children with both speaking and English writing for kids. The table below shows the four situations that come up most often.
Time Words That Signal the Future
Certain words tell your child a sentence is about the future, which makes choosing the right form much easier. Point them out whenever they appear in stories or conversation:
- tomorrow — "We will go to the park tomorrow."
- next week / next year — "She is going to start school next year."
- soon — "Dinner will be ready soon."
- later / tonight — "I am going to read a story later."
- in a minute / in an hour — "The bus will come in a minute."
When a child hears one of these signal words, they know a future form is coming. A quick game is to say a time word and let your child finish the sentence: you say "Tonight…" and they answer "…I am going to brush my teeth." Practising the future tense in English this way turns grammar into a game rather than a worksheet.
Practice Time: Future Tense for Kids
Fill in the blanks using 'will' or 'be going to' based on the context:
- The sky is very grey. It ______ rain soon.
- "I'm hungry." "I ______ make you a sandwich."
- We already bought tickets. We ______ see a movie tonight.
- I promise I ______ tidy my room later.
- She ______ start piano lessons next Monday.
Answers: 1. is going to, 2. will, 3. are going to, 4. will, 5. is going to
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
A few errors come up again and again. Spotting them early saves a lot of confusion later — and it also helps with English reading for kids and asking questions. Here are the four mistakes parents notice most:
Practical Steps for Daily Practice
Short, regular practice beats long study sessions, exactly as it did with the past simple tense. Try these four habits this week:
- Plan with the calendar. Point at upcoming events and say them with "going to": "We are going to visit Grandma on Sunday."
- Play prediction games. Pause a film and ask, "What will happen next?" Every guess is a "will" sentence.
- Promise with "will". Turn chores into promises: "I will help you set the table."
- Correct gently. Instead of saying "wrong", repeat the sentence back the right way and let your child hear the fix.
For more classroom-tested ideas, the British Council's LearnEnglish Kids grammar activities offer free games and worksheets that reinforce the future tense in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should children start learning the future tense?
Most children grasp the future around ages 5-6. Start with simple "will" sentences as soon as they begin using time words like "tomorrow."
What are some fun ways to practice the future tense at home?
Ask your child to describe their "dream day." For an 8-year-old, have them write a short "future diary" about what they will do on vacation.
Is it better to teach 'will' or 'going to' first?
Start with 'will' because the structure is simpler. Once they are comfortable, introduce 'going to' to help them describe their specific daily plans.
How can I explain the future tense without using complicated grammar terms?
Call it "Tomorrow Talk." Focus on the meaning — things that have not happened yet — rather than memorizing labels. Children pick up the future tense in English by using it, not by naming it.
Want to keep building your child's grammar? Explore our guides to the present simple tense, modal verbs for kids, and the 100 most common English words.
Ready to help your child speak about the future with confidence? At LearnLink, our 120+ expert tutors help 3,500+ families in 70+ countries master grammar through fun. Book a free trial lesson with LearnLink.
