Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Fingerplays for Kids
Round and round the garden
Goes the teddy bear
One step, two steps
Tickle under there!
Directions: pretend your fingers are the teddy bear and use them to “walk” around either the child’s tummy or back, then tickle under their chin or their armpit at the end. This is a great rhyme for building anticipation as little ones know what is coming and can get very excited for the end tickle.
Here are my ears
Here is my nose
Here are my fingers
Here are my toes
Here are my eyes
Both open wide
Here is my mouth
With teeth inside
Here is my tongue
That helps me speak
Here is my chin
Here are my cheeks
Here are my hands
That help me play
Here are my feet
For walking today
Wave high, wave low
I think it’s time we’ve got to go.
Wave your elbows, wave your toes,
Wave your knees, wave your nose.
Wave your chin, wave your lips,
Blow a kiss from your fingertips.
Wave your ears, wave your eyes,
Wave your hands and say “Good-bye!”
Lay the infant on a blanket or on your lap. Tickle each body part as it is mentioned. Help the infant wave good-bye with their hands.
Either sit facing your sitting toddler, or have your toddler sit on your lap. If facing each other you can mirror your toddler by waving each body part as it it mentioned. If toddler is sitting on your lap, you can help them wave each body part as it is mentioned.
Down by the station early in the morning
See the little pufferbellies all in a row.
See the engine driver pull his little lever
Chuff chuff, toot toot, off we go!
Chuff chuff, toot toot, off we go!
(Tune: “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain“)
The Good-bye train is leaving.
See you soon. Choo! Choo!
The Good-bye train is leaving.
See you soon. Choo! Choo!
The Good-bye train is leaving.
The Good-bye train is leaving.
The Good-bye train is leaving.
See you soon. Choo! Choo!
(Tune: “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountains“)
The Good Morning Train is coming
How are you? Choo! Choo!
The Good Morning Train is coming
How are you? Choo! Choo!
The Good Morning Train is coming
The Good Morning Train is coming
The Good Morning Train is coming
How are you? Choo! Choo!
Let’s say Hello to (Child’s name)
How are you? Choo! Choo!
Let’s say Hello to (Child’s name)
How are you? Choo! Choo!
Let’s say Hello to (Child’s name)
Let’s say Hello to (Child’s name)
Let’s say Hello to (Child’s name)
How are you? Choo! Choo!
Pumpkin, Pumpkin is an interactive chant for you and your little one. Hold your baby or toddler on your lap and gently bounce as you chant the words. Sitting on a wall: perch child right on your knee. Tip and fall: rock child side to side, dipping as far as is comfortable. Rolling down the street: Holding child’s hands, roll them like you would in Pat-a-Cake. You’re so sweet: bring child in for kisses or tickles.
Pumpkin, Pumpkin sitting on a wall
Pumpkin, Pumpkin tip and fall
Pumpkin, Pumpkin rolling down the street
Pumpkin, Pumpkin you’re so sweet!
(Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot“)
I’m a little pumpkin short and round.
I grow on the vine and on the ground.
I start as a seed and grow and grow.
Soon I’ll be carved and then I’ll glow!
Three jellyfish, three jellyfish. (hold up hands by head)
Three jellyfish sitting on a rock.
One fell off. (drop one hand)
Two jellyfish, two jellyfish. (wave hand by head)
Two jellyfish sitting on a rock.
One fell off. (drop other hand)
One jellyfish, one jellyfish. (wiggle head)
One jellyfish sitting on a rock.
One fell off. (fall to the floor)
No jellyfish, no jellyfish.
No jellyfish sitting on a rock.
My fingers are so sleepy,
It’s time they went to bed.
First you, Baby Finger,
Tuck in your little head.
Ring Man, now it’s your turn.
Then comes Tall Man Great.
Pointer Finger, hurry
Because it’s getting late!
Let’s see if they’re all cozy.
No, there’s one more to come.
Move over, Little Pointer,
Make room for Master Thumb!