Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Fingerplays for Kids
Nine little bells hanging in a row.
The first one said, “Ring me slow.”
The second one said, “Ring me fast.”
The third one said, “Ring me last.”
The fourth one said, “I’m a chime.”
The fifth one said, “Ring me at Christmas time.”
The sixth one said, “Ring me with the others.”
The seventh one said, “Ring me for the mothers.”
The eighth one said, “Ring me with a song.”
The ninth one said, “Ring me all day long.”
This is a simplified version of the original lyrics to A Slippery Fish (Octopus Song). In the original lyrics, each creature moves through the water in a different way. For example, the octopus squiggles through the water or the tuna fish flashes through the water. This simplified version is perfect for babies and young toddlers and their caregivers!
A slippery fish, a slippery fish,
Swimming in the ocean.
A slippery fish, a slippery fish,
Glub. Glub. Glub.
Oh no, I’ve been eaten by an octopus!
An octopus, an octopus,
Swimming in the ocean.
An octopus, an octopus,
Glub. Glub. Glub.
Oh no, I’ve been eaten by a tuna fish!
A tuna fish, a tuna fish,
Swimming in the ocean.
A tuna fish, a tuna fish,
Glub. Glub. Glub.
Oh no, I’ve been eaten by a great big shark!
A great big shark, a great big shark,
Swimming in the ocean.
A great big shark, a great big shark,
Glub. Glub. Glub.
Oh no, I’ve been eaten by a humongous whale!
A humongous whale, a humongous whale,
Swimming in the ocean.
A humongous whale, a humongous whale,
Glub. Glub. Glub.
Oh no, I’ve been eaten by a human!
Was it you?
Slippery fish: hold hands together, palms touching, and move hands like a fish swimming in the water
Oh no! I’ve been eaten by…: Clap hands to your face making a surprised looked
Octopus: 1) lock thumbs together and wiggle 8 remaining fingers as legs or 2) place fist of one hand on back of the other and wiggle the second hand’s fingers as legs
Tuna fish: Keep hands together, palms touching. Keep fingers connected while moving hands from close together to making a circle or bowl shape, like a puffed up fish. Move them back and forth during this verse.
Great big shark: Extend arms out long spread apart then bring them together clapping hands like a giant mouth closing
Humongous whale: Place hands on hips with arms rounded out, taking up as much space as possible. Rock from side to side while singing this verse.
Was it you? Point at a child and ask them if they ate the whale. If this is a smaller, more personal group or with your own child, this is a great tickle opportunity.
You can find the book on Amazon (affiliate link): Slippery Fish in Hawai’i by Charlotte Diamond
Shoe the colt, Shoe the colt,
Shoe the wild mare;
Here a nail, there a nail.
Colt must go bare.
Go to bed first
A golden purse;
Go to bed second,
A golden pheasant;
Go to bed third,
A golden bird.
Friday night’s dream
On Saturday told,
Is sure to come true,
Be it never so old.
“Be it never so old” can be interpreted to mean “not very old.”
Little Tommy Tittlemouse
Lived in a little house.
He caught fishes
In other men’s ditches.
Ride away, Ride away,
Johnny shall ride,
And he shall have pussycat
Tied to one side.
And he shall have little dog
Tied to the other;
And Johnny shall ride
To see his grandmother.
Tommy’s tears and Mary’s fears
Will make them old before their years.
Birds of a feather flock together,
And so will pigs and swine.
Rats and mice have their choice,
And so will I have mine.
The man in the wilderness asked me
How many strawberries grew in the sea.
I answered him as I thought good,
As many herrings as grew in the wood.