Last Updated on September 2, 2024
The phrase “nursery rhymes” is a misnomer. That’s because the conventional definition of the term is ‘a group of traditional songs or poems for nursery and pre-school children,’ yet these rhymes have become popular with people from other age groups too.
Nonetheless, nursery rhymes provide one of the most ingenious learning opportunities for pre-school kids and those in their early education years. These songs and poems can help teach your children invaluable numeracy and communication skills. They may also enhance your kids’ creativity and stimulate their desire to explore the world around them.
Such skills will not only be useful for children during their school going years. But also when they eventually hit the job market.
If you’re a stay-at-home parent, the chances are that you’ve already fallen in love with a few nursery rhymes from your child’s favorite animated series, but are struggling to learn the words. Well, you’re in luck. In this post, we present the collection of the 30 best nursery rhymes to kick-start your kids’ early education.
1. 12345 Once I Caught a Fish
One, two, three, four, five,
Once I caught a fish alive,
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Then I let go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on the right
2. 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped her head.
Papa called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’
One little monkey jumping on the bed,
He fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the Doctor and the Doctor said,
“Put those monkeys straight to bed!’
3. Alice the Camel
Alice the camel has 5 humps,
Alice the camel has 5 humps,
Alice the camel has 5 humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has 4 humps,
Alice the camel has 4 humps,
Alice the camel has 4 humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has 3 humps,
Alice the camel has 3 humps,
Alice the camel has 3 humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has 2 humps,
Alice the camel has 2 humps,
Alice the camel has 2 humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has 1 hump,
Alice the camel has 1 hump,
Alice the camel has 1 hump.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has NO humps,
Alice the camel has NO humps,
Alice the camel has NO humps.
‘Cause Alice is a HORSE,
Of course!
4. Are You Sleeping? (Brother John)
Are you sleeping?
Are you sleeping?
Brother John,
Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing.
Morning bells are ringing.
Ding, dong, ding.
Ding, dong, ding.
5. A Sailor Went To Sea
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea
To see what he could see, see, see
But all that he could see, see, see
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea!
A sailor went to knee, knee, knee
To see what he could knee, knee, knee
But all that he could knee, knee, knee
Was the bottom of the deep blue knee, knee, knee!
Sea, sea, sea
A sailor went to chop, chop, chop
To see what he could chop, chop, chop
But all that he could chop, chop, chop
Was the bottom of the deep blue chop, chop, chop!
Knee, knee, knee
Sea, sea, sea
6. Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa, baa black sheep
Have you any wool
Yes sir, yes sir
Three bags full.
One for my master
And one for my dame
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
7. Bingo
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
B-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
(Clap)-I-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O!
(Clap – Clap)-N-G-O!
(Clap – Clap)-N-G-O!
(Clap – Clap)-N-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Clap – Clap – Clap)-G-O!
(Clap – Clap – Clap)-G-O!
(Clap – Clap – Clap)-G-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)-O!
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)-O!
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)-O!
And Bingo was his name-O!
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-O.
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)
(Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap – Clap)
And Bingo was his name-O!
8. Five Little Ducks
Five little ducks went swimming one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, “Quack quack quack quack”
And only four little ducks came back!
Four little ducks went swimming one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, “Quack quack quack quack”
And only three little ducks came back!
Three little ducks went swimming one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, “Quack quack quack quack”
And only two little ducks came back!
Two little ducks went swimming one day
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack quack quack quack”
And only one little duck came back!
One little duck went swimming one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother duck said, “Quack quack quack quack”
And all her five little ducks came back!
9. Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes, and ears, and mouth, and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
(Repeat)
10. Here We Go Looby Loo
Here we go looby loo.
Here we go looby light.
Here we go looby loo.
All on a Saturday night.
You put your right hand in.
You take your right hand out.
You give your hand a shake, shake, shake.
And turn yourself about.
Here we go looby loo.
Here we go looby light.
Here we go looby loo.
All on a Saturday night.
You put your left hand in.
You take your left hand out.
You give your hand a shake, shake, shake.
And turn yourself about.
Here we go looby loo.
Here we go looby light.
Here we go looby loo.
All on a Saturday night.
You put your right foot in.
You take your right foot out.
You give your foot a shake, shake, shake.
And turn yourself about.
Here we go looby loo.
Here we go looby light.
Here we go looby loo.
All on a Saturday night.
You put your left foot in.
You take your left foot out.
You give your foot a shake, shake, shake.
And turn yourself about.
Here we go looby loo.
Here we go looby light.
Here we go looby loo.
All on a Saturday night.
You put your head in.
You take your head out.
You give your head a shake, shake, shake.
And turn yourself about.
Here we go looby loo.
Here we go looby light.
Here we go looby loo.
All on a Saturday night.
You put your whole self in.
You take your whole self out.
You give your whole self a shake, shake, shake.
And turn yourself about.
11. Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush.
Here we go round the mulberry bush
On a cold and frosty morning.
This is the way we….. (insert actions, such as “wash our hands” or “shake our head,” and continue the song as above)
12. Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one
The mouse ran down
Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck two
The mouse went “boo!”
Hickroy Dickory Dock
13. Hush, Little Baby
Hush, little baby, don’t say a word,
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird don’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring turn brass,
Papa’s gonna buy you a looking glass.
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa’s gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat don’t pull,
Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa’s gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won’t bark.
Papa’s gonna to buy you and horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down,
Well you’ll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
14. If You’re Happy and You Know It
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
(clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
(clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
(clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it stamp your feet.
(Stomp Stomp)
If you’re happy and you know it stamp your feet.
(Stomp Stomp)
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet
(Stomp Stomp)
If you’re happy and you know it, shout hurray
Hurray
If you’re happy and you know it, shout hurray
Hurray
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, shout hurray
Hurray
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
Stomp your feet (stomp stomp)
Shout hurray “Hurray”
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap)
Stomp your feet (stomp stomp)
Shout hurray “Hurray”
15. Itsy Bitsy Birdie
The itsy bitsy birdie was looking at the ground
Whoosh! Went the wind and the tiny bird fell down
Out came the family to help their birdie friend
How will itsy bitsy birdie get back home again?
The itsy bitsy birdie was scared as could be
“Cheep, cheep!” She called out for her family
Out came the kids to help their birdie friend
How will itsy bitsy birdie get back home again?
The itsy bitsy birdie was wrapped up safe and sound
“Cheep!” Called out her mama seeing she’d been found
Out came the ladder to help their birdie friend
How will itsy bitsy birdie get back home again?
The itsy bitsy birdie looked up at the tree
Up, up! Went daddy, brave as can be
Out came Mama bird to see her baby’s friend
Oh, the itsy bitsy birdie’s nearly home again!
The itsy bitsy birdie was safely tucked away
“Hooray!” Cried the family, and helped her on her way
Out came the rope to help their birdie friend
Oh, the itsy bitsy birdie was safe at home again!
The big brave daddy turned to leave
Clatter! Went the ladder, where his feet should be
Out came a, “Yikes!”
(Can you guess what happened next?)
The big brave daddy was safe at home again!
16. Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tail ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
17. Mary had a Little Lamb
Mary had a little lamb,
Little lamb, little lamb.
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow.
And every where that Mary went,
Mary went, Mary went.
Everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.
It followed her to school one day,
School one day, school one day.
It followed her to school one day,
Which was against the rule.
It made the children laugh and play,
Laugh and play, laugh and play.
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.
So the teacher turned him out,
turned him out, turned him out.
So the teacher turned him out,
And sent him straight away.
18. Miss Polly Had A Dolly
Miss Polly had a dolly who was sick, sick, sick.
So she phoned for the doctor to be quick, quick, quick.
The doctor came with his bag and hat,
And knocked at the door with a rat tat tat.
He looked at the dolly and shook his head,
And said “Miss Polly put her straight to bed.”
He wrote a pad for a pill, pill, pill.
I’ll be back in the morning with my bill, bill, bill.
19. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his 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.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his farm he had a pig, E I E I O.
With an oink oink here and an oink oink there,
Here an oink, there an oink, everywhere an oink oink.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his farm he had a duck, E I E I O.
With a quack quack here and a quack quack there,
Here a quack, there a quack, everywhere a quack quack.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his farm he had a horse, E I E I O.
With a neh neh here and a neh neh there,
Here a neh, there a neh, everywhere a neh neh.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O,
And on his farm he had some sheep, E I E I O.
With a bah bah here and a bah bah there,
Here a bah, there a bah everywhere a bah bah
Old MacDonald had a farm, E I E I O.
20. Ring Around the Rosie
Ring around the rosie,
A pocket full of posies,
Atishoo, Atishoo,
We all fall down!
The cows are in the meadow
Eating buttercup
Atishoo, Atishoo,
We all jump up!
21. Rock-a-Bye Baby
Rock a bye baby, on the tree top,
When the wind blows the cradle will rock,
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,
And down will come baby, cradle and all.
22. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile
Don’t forget to scream!
23. Six Little Ducks
Six little ducks that I once knew;
Fat ones, skinny ones, fair ones too.
But the one little duck with the feather on his back,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, quack,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
Down to the river they would go;
Wibble-wobble, wibble-wobble to and fro.
But the one little duck with the feather on his back,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, quack,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
Back from the river they would come;
Wibble-wobble, wibble-wobble ho, hum, hum.
But the one little duck with the feather on his back,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, quack,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
Into the water they would dive;
Over and under the other five.
But the one little duck with the feather on his back,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, quack,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
Home from the river they would go;
Wibble-wobble, wibble-wobble ho, hum, hum.
But the one little duck with the feather on his back,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, quack,
He led the others with a quack, quack, quack.
24. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Turn around!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Touch the ground!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Jump up high!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Touch the sky!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Bend down low!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Touch you toes!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Turn out the light!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Say good night!
25. Ten in the Bed
There were ten in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were nine in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were eight in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were seven in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were six in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were five in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were four in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were three in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There were two in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over! Roll over!”
So they all rolled over
And one fell out
There was one in the bed
And the little one said,
“Good night!”
26. This Old Man
This old man, he played one
He played knick-knack on my thumb
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played two
He played knick-knack on my shoe
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played three
He played knick-knack on my knee
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played four
He played knick-knack on my door
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played five
He played knick-knack on my hive
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played six
He played knick-knack with some sticks
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played seven
He played knick-knack up in Heaven
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played eight
He played knick-knack on my gate
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played nine
He played knick-knack on my spine
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played ten
He played knick-knack once again
Knick-knack paddy whack
Give the dog the bone
This ?ld man came rolling home.
27. This Is the Way
This is the way we sail the seas
Sail the seas, sail the seas
This is the way we sail the seas
On this pirate ship.
This is the way we spin the wheel
Spin the wheel, spin the wheel
This is the way we spin the wheel
On this pirate ship.
This is the way we load and launch
Load and launch, load and launch
This is the way we load and launch
On this pirate ship.
This is the way we raise our flag
Raise our flag, raise our flag
This is the way we raise our flag
On this pirate ship.
This is way we look for treasure,
Look for treasure, look for treasure,
This is way we look for treasure
On this pirate ship.
This is the way open the chest,
Open the chest, open the chest
This is the way open the chest,
On this pirate ship.
28. Three Little Kittens
Three little kittens, they lost their mittens
And they began to cry
“Oh, mother dear, we sadly fear
We’ve lost our mittens by”
“What! Lost your mittens? you naughty kittens
Then you shall have no pie”
“Meow, meow, meow, my”
Three little kittens, they found their mittens
And they began to cry
“Oh, mother dear, see here, see here
We’ve found our mittens by”
“Put on your mittens, you silly kittens
And you shall have some pie”
“Meow, meow, meow, my”
Three little kittens put on their mittens
And soon ate up the pie
“Oh, mother dear, we greatly fear
We’ve soiled our mittens by”
“What! Soiled your mittens? You naughty kittens”
Then they began to sigh
“Meow, meow, meow, my”
Three little kittens, they washed their mittens
And hung them out to dry
“Oh, mother dear, do you not hear
We’ve washed our mittens by?”
“What! Washed your mittens? Then you’re good kittens
And you shall have more pie”
“Meow, meow, meow, my”
29. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
When you shower your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
30. Wind the Bobbin Up
Wind the bobbin up, wind the bobbin up
Pull, pull, clap clap clap
Wind the bobbin up, wind the bobbin up
Pull, pull, clap clap clap
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor
Point to the window, point to the door
Clap your hands together, 1, 2, 3,
Put your hands down on your knees
Summary
Not only can these nursery rhymes be instrumental in teaching your kids basic skills like numeracy and communication.
You could also use them to lull your kids to sleep. Just be sure to sing, play, or hum them in the right notes.
