Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Fingerplays for Kids
5 little candy canes hanging on the door.
Santa ate one and then there were 4.
4 little candy canes hanging on the tree.
Mrs. Claus ate one and then there were 3.
3 little candy canes lying by a shoe.
An elf ate one and then there were 2.
2 little candy canes lying in the sun.
A reindeer ate one and then there was 1.
1 little candy cane by the chimney.
Santa put it in his bag and brought it to me!
Snowflakes, snowflakes
In the air
Snowflakes, snowflakes
Everywhere
Snowflakes, snowflakes
Dance around
Snowflakes, snowflakes
Touch the ground
This rhyme is done in the style of Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear and works great with a winter or snow theme.
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.
Thumb in the thumb place,
Fingers all together.
This is the song we sing
In mitten weather.
When it is cold
It doesn’t matter whether
Mittens are wool or
Made of finest leather.
Thumb in the thumb place,
Fingers all together.
This is the song we sing
In mitten weather.
Snowball, snowball
Big and round
Behind which mitten
Can you be found?
To play the game:
Put each mitten on the flannel board one by one talking about the color of the mitten. For toddlers you can say the color and invited them to repeat it. For preschoolers you can ask them what the color is and then reinforce their learning by repeating the name of the color.
Once all the mittens have been placed on the flannel board, turn the board around and hide the snowball behind one of the mittens. As you are doing this you can explain how the game works. Turn the board around and say the chant. Have the children guess a color. Look behind the color. If the snowball is not there, have another child guess. If the snowball is there, cheer! You can turn the board around and hide it again. I have found that little ones enjoy this game 5-7 times or until all the colors have had a turn to hide the snowball.
Roll him and roll him until he is big.
Roll him until he is fat as a pig.
He has two eyes and a hat on his head.
He’ll stand there all night,
While we go to bed.
Merry little snowflakes
Falling through the air,
Resting on the steeple
And tall trees everywhere,
Topping roofs and fences,
Capping every post,
Covering the hillside
Where we like to coast.
But when the bright spring sunshine
Says it’s come to stay,
Those merry little snowflakes
Quickly run away.
Penguins, penguins having fun
Waddling in the winter sun.
Waddling fast and waddling slow
Waddling to and waddling fro.
Penguins, penguins having fun
Waddling in the winter sun.
I know a little penguin
Who sat upon some blocks
He swam in the water
And climbed on some rocks.
He snapped at a seagull
He snapped at a seal.
He snapped at a fish.
What a tasty meal.
Have you ever seen a penguin?
A penguin? A penguin?
Have you ever seen a penguin
Waddle this way and that?
Waddle this way and that way,
Waddle this way and that way?
Have you ever seen a penguin
Waddle this way and that?
Yes, I’ve seen a penguin.
A penguin. A penguin.
Yes, I’ve seen a penguin
Waddle this way and that.
He waddles and waddles,
Waddles and waddles.
Yes, I’ve seen a penguin
Waddle this way and that.