Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Fingerplays for Kids
The bells on the sleigh go
ring, ring, ring
ring, ring, ring
ring, ring, ring
The bells on the sleigh go
ring, ring, ring
All through the sky!
The reindeer with the sleigh
Fly way up high,
Fly way up high,
Fly way up high
The reindeer with the sleigh
Fly way up high
All through the sky!
Additional verses:
The snow on the sleigh falls gently down
The driver on the sleigh says “Ho, ho ho!”
We wish you a Merry Christmas!
We wish you a Merry Christmas!
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!
Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year!
Now bring us some figgy pudding!
Now bring us some figgy pudding!
Now bring us some figgy pudding,
And a cup of good cheer!
We won’t go until we get some!
We won’t go until we get some!
We won’t go until we get some,
So bring it out here!
We wish you a Merry Christmas!
We wish you a Merry Christmas!
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
And a Happy New Year!
Now let’s all do a little clapping!
Now let’s all do a little clapping!
Now let’s all do a little clapping,
And spread Christmas cheer!
Additional verses:
Now let’s all do a little jumping!
Now let’s all do a little hopping!
Now let’s all do a little whirling!
Now let’s all do a little dancing!
Now let’s all do a little stretching!
Now let’s all do a little waving!
I’m a little Santa, short and fat
Here is my beard and here is my sack.
On Christmas Eve I hop in my sleigh
With a “Ho, ho, ho” I’m on my way!
(Tune: London Bridge is Falling Down“)
Head, thorax, abdomen
Abdomen
Abdomen
Head, thorax, abdomen
6 legs on an insect!
Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o
And on that farm he had a cow, e-i-e-i-o
With a moo, moo here
And a moo, moo there
Here a moo, there a moo
Everywhere a moo, moo
Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o
Repeat with various farm animals: chicken, horse, pig, duck, dog, cat, rooster, goat, etc.
Group activity idea: hand out stuffed animals or little figurines of farm animals, sit in a circle, each verse the next child holds their animal up and everyone sings that animal.
Are you hiding?
Are you hiding?
Leprechaun?
Leprechaun?
I’m searching for a rainbow.
Searching for a rainbow.
Leprechaun.
Leprechaun.
I’m a little leprechaun
Dressed in green.
The tiniest man
You have ever seen.
If you ever catch me, so it’s told,
I’ll give to you my pot of gold.
Having grown up in mountainous, snowy states, I am a huge fan of winter. So even in regions with a mild winter, I love to have a winter-themed laptime program. Today I’ve gathered twelve winter storytime songs that work great for singing with toddlers and preschoolers. The full lyrics are listed below, but more info on each song including an instrumental track, if available, can be found through each song’s link.
Hat and scarf, mittens and boots,
Mittens and boots,
Mittens and boots.
Hat and scarf, mittens and boots,
Warm and cozy
In the snow.
Once there was a snowman
Snowman, snowman
Once There Was a Snowman
Tall, tall, tall.
In the sun he melted
melted, melted
In the sun he melted
small, small, small.
Winter’s coming, winters coming.
It is Dark,
It is cold.
I am bundled snug and warm.
Animals sleep safe from harm.
Sleds and snow.
Cold winds blow.
I’m a little snowman short and fat.
Here is my scarf and here is my hat.
When the snow is falling come and play.
Build a snowman every day.
I’m a friendly snowman big and fat.
Here is my tummy and here is my hat.
I’m a happy fellow, here’s my nose.
I’m all snow from my head to my toes.
I have two bright eyes so I can see.
All the snow falling down on me.
When the weather’s cold I’m strong and tall.
But when it’s warm I get very small.
I’m a little snowman
Short and fat
Here is my broom
and here is my hat
When the sun comes out
I tremble with fear
‘Cause soon I’ll melt and disappear!
Dance like snowflakes
Dance like snowflakes
In the air
In the air
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes
Here and there
Here and there.
Frosty the Snowman, was a jolly happy soul,
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose, and two eyes made of coal.
Frosty the Snowman, is a fairytale, they say.
He was made of snow, but the children know he came to life one day.
There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found,
For when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around!
Oh, Frosty, the Snowman, was alive as he could be;
and the children say he could laugh and play,
just the same as you and me.
Thumpety thump, thump, thumpety thump, thump,
look at Frosty go.
Thumpety thump, thump, thumpety thump, thump,
over the hills of snow.
The frost is on the roof
The frost is on the ground
The frost is on the window
The frost is all around
I’m a little snowflake, look at me.
No other snowflake is just like me.
I’m so unique, as you can see,
And just as special as I can be!
I’m a little penguin, black and white.
I waddle to the left and I waddle to the right.
I cannot fly but I can swim.
So I waddle to the water and jump right in!
If it’s snowing and you’re cold, wear a hat!
If it’s snowing and you’re cold, wear a hat!
If it’s snowing and you’re cold, and your head is chilled to the bone
If it’s snowing and you’re cold, wear a hat!
I’ve created some laptime and storytime plans using these songs.
The Winter Poems theme uses “Once There Was a Snowman” and “Winter’s Coming,” plus books and activity recommendations along with a literacy tip to share with parents and caregivers.
The Winter Clothes theme uses “Hat and Scarf, Mittens and Boots” and “Snow Clothes,” plus books and activity recommendations along with a literacy tip to share with parents and caregivers.
Check out my Pinterest board of Winter Rhymes, Songs, and Activities for more ideas.
(Tune: “This Old Man“)
This little train, painted black
It comes chugging down the track
With a “Choo-choo; Toot-toot”
Hear the whistle blow
This little train goes chugging home.
This little car painted blue
It has seats for me and you
With a “Choo-choo; Toot-toot”
Hear the whistle blow
This little train goes chugging home.
This little car painted yellow
It shimmies and shakes like a bowl of jello
With a “Choo-choo; Toot-toot”
Hear the whistle blow
This little train goes chugging home.
This little car, painted green
It’s the fanciest car you’ve seen,
With a “Choo-choo; Toot-toot”
Hear the whistle blow
This little train goes chugging home.
This little car; it is grey
It takes you places far away
With a “Choo-choo; Toot-toot”
Hear the whistle blow
This little train goes chugging home.
This caboose; it is red
It will take you home to bed
With a “Choo-choo; Toot-toot”
Hear the whistle blow
This little train goes chugging home.
Download this free printable to use in your next train-themed program. Each train is full-page sized and a different color. 9 pages, 9 trains, 9 colors: black, gray, white, red, orange, yellow, blue, green & purple.