Since time immemorial, nursery rhymes have been the most fun and fascinating strategy to teach children. The tunes, sounds, and beats sync the brains and bodies of children to better equip them with some of the crucial lessons of life. Additionally, regularly exposing children to mild sounds adds to their overall development.
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Here’s a list of different types of rhymes for toddlers and young ones that are sure to set their hands and feet moving. These children’s nursery rhymes ensure educational benefits without compromising on the fun part.
Related Reading: Amazing Short Stories for Kids That Teach Beautiful Lessons
25 Great Fun Nursery Rhymes for Kids
This list contains some amazing and easy-to-learn nursery educational rhymes. From traditional rhymes to fresh and popular ones, we got them all for you!
Fun Rhyming Songs of All Time
Rhyme is the art of producing words that sound the same or are similar in their endings. Both songs and poems for kids involve the use of rhymes. Perfect for a picnic and circle time, below are some rhyming songs your little ones would love to sing.
1. Hot Cross Buns
A top name on the most popular rhyme chart, Hot Cross Buns, with its enchanting rhythm, will teach children that ‘Sharing is Caring.’
Hot cross buns
Hot cross buns
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot cross buns
Give them to your daughters
Give them to your sons
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot cross buns
2. Miss Polly Had a Dolly
This is another fantastic rhythm song that highlights the importance of seeing a doctor and getting rest whenever we are sick.
Miss Polly had a dolly who was sick, sick, sick.
So she called for the doctor to come quick, quick, quick.
The doctor came with his bag and his hat,
And he knocked on the door with a rat-a-tat-tat.
He looked at the dolly, and he shook his head,
And he said, “Miss Polly, put her straight to bed!”
He wrote on a paper for some pills, pills, pills,
“I’ll be back in the morning with my bill, bill, bill.”
3. Finger Family
It is a modern yet popular rhyme song that nursery kids never tire of humming.
Daddy finger, daddy finger, where are you?
Here I am, here I am
How do you do?
Mommy finger, mommy finger, where are you?
Here I am, here I am
How do you do?
Brother finger, brother finger, where are you?
Here I am, here I am
How do you do?
Sister finger, sister finger, where are you?
Here I am, here I am
How do you do?
Baby finger, baby finger, where are you?
Here I am, here I am
How do you do?
4. God’s Love It’s So Wonderful
Not sure about how to introduce kids to God’s infinite mercy and love? This rhyming song will do the job!
God’s love is so wonderful
God’s love is so wonderful
God’s love is so wonderful
Oh! Wonderful love!
So high, you can’t get over it
So high, you can’t get over it
So high, you can’t get over it
Oh! Wonderful love!
So deep, you can’t get under it
So deep, you can’t get under it
So deep, you can’t get under it
Oh! Wonderful love!
So wide, you can’t get around it
So wide, you can’t get around it
So wide, you can’t get around it
Oh! Wonderful love!
God’s love is so wonderful
God’s love is so wonderful
God’s love is so wonderful
Oh! Wonderful love!
5. Jack and Jill
It is a well-known rhyme that teaches kids not to go too far with their naughtiness. Easy -to learn and sing, Jack and Jill should be on your list.
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
and Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got, and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper,
To old Dame Dob, who patched his nob
With vinegar and brown paper.
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Finger Rhymes to Make Learning Fun
Fingerplay rhymes involve hand movement coordination with the beats. It helps boost brain development, oral language, fine motor skills, and imagination among children. Check out the list of some most loved finger rhymes globally!
6. Incy Wincy Spider
One of the most celebrated rhymes, Incy Wincy Spider, is all about learning spider movements through finger actions.
Incy wincy spider
climbed up the water spout,
Down came the rain
and washed poor Wincy out,
Out came the sunshine
and dried up all the rain,
And Incy Wincy spider
climbed up the spout again.
7. Wheels on the Bus
These amazing children’s classical nursery rhyme songs are perfect for teaching your young ones about shapes, objects, and gestures. One of the oldest and most popular nursery rhymes for kindergarten, this one is loved by all.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
round and round,
round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
all through the town.
(Roll hands around each other)
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish;
Swish, swish, swish;
Swish, swish, swish.
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish,
all through the town.
(Push hands back and forth in front of you)
The Driver on the bus says, “Move on back,
move on back, move on back;”
The Driver on the bus says, “Move on back”,
all through the town.
(Point thumb over your shoulder)
The babies on the bus say, “Wah, wah, wah;
Wah, wah, wah;
Wah, wah, wah”.
The babies on the bus say, “Wah, wah, wah,”
all through the town.
(Rub fists in front of eyes)
The mommies on the bus say, “Shush, shush, shush;
Shush, shush, shush;
Shush, shush, shush.”
The mommies on the bus say, “Shush, shush, shush”
all through the town.
(Hold index finger in front of the mouth as if saying shhh)
8. Five Ants Marching Up a Tree
An original rhyme by Ms. Christina, this one promises truckloads of laughter and learning with improved manual dexterity.
One, two, three, four, five!
Five ants marching up a tree,
looking for some food to eat—
they had not the slightest hunch
that they’d be somebody else’s lunch.
Munch!
Oh, no! How many are left? Let’s count them …
One, two, three, four!
Four ants marching up a tree …
Continue until no ants are left.
And that’s the end of lunch. Yummy!
9. London Bridge is Falling Down
It is a traditional English nursery rhyme with basic fingerplays. This simple yet engaging rhyme song is suitable for children who are conscious about getting the movements right.
London Bridge is falling down
Falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down
My fair lady
Build it up with iron bars
Iron bars, iron bars
Build it up with iron bars
My fair lady
Iron bars will bend and break
Bend and break, bend and break
Iron bars will bend and break
My fair lady
Build it up with gold and silver
Gold and silver, gold and silver
Build it up with gold and silver
My fair lady
London Bridge is falling down
Falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down
M-y-y f-a-i-r l-a-d-y
10. Baby Bumble Bee
A great rhyme to witness your kid’s silly side, Baby Bumble Bee has been a traditional hit.
I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me,
I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Ouch! He stung me!
I’m squishing up a baby bumblebee,
Won’t my mommy be so proud of me,
I’m squishing up a baby bumblebee,
Eww! He’s gooey!
I’m lickin’ up a baby bumble bee
Won’t my Mommy be so proud of me
I’m lickin’ up my baby bumble bee
Mmm! He’s yummy!
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Action Nursery Rhymes List to Get Kids Moving
Childhood development and action rhymes go hand-in-hand. Nursery kids can learn and grow by imitating, moving, and repeating actions on the rhythm. Action rhymes can aid in developing various skills and movements in kids, such as body awareness, gross motor coordination, visual motor skills, and eye-hand coordination.
11. Ringa-Ringa Roses
This evergreen popular English nursery rhyme is an all-time children’s favorite. This not only gets them moving but adds to their behavior development. This rhyme can also help in enforcing positive reinforcement in kids.
Ringa-ringa roses,
A pocketful of posies.
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!
We all fall down!
Fishes in the water,
Fishes in the Sea,
We all jump up with a
One, two, three!
12. Teddy Plays on the Swing
A catchy action rhyme that brings out the best in young ones and involves core body movements and coordination.
Teddy plays on the swing
Teddy plays on the slide
Teddy plays on the swing
And Teddy plays on the slide
And he goes
Tick – tock
Forwards and back
Round & round he goes
Tick – tock
Forwards and back
Round & round he goes
And he goes
Tick – tock
Forwards and back
Round & round he goes
Tick – tock
Forwards and back
Round & round he goes
13. Teddy Bear
It is a melodious gesture learning rhyme that has been a favorite among kids and adults alike.
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 your toes!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Turn out the light!
Teddy bear, teddy bear, Say good night!
14. Baby Shark Doo Doo
A catchy and famous song for kids, Baby Shark Doo Doo never leaves your headspace once it gets in. Play and see it turning into your child’s next favorite in no time.
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Baby shark!
Mommy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Mommy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Mommy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Mommy shark!
Daddy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Daddy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Daddy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Daddy shark!
Let’s go hunt, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Let’s go hunt, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Let’s go hunt, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Let’s go hunt!
15. Hokey Cokey
Hokey Cokey is one of the famous nursery rhymes that never let your kid miss the next activity session. It is fun and engaging and uses ample body movements.
You put your left arm in,
your left arm out!
In out, in out!
Your shake all about!
You do the Hokey Cokey and
you turn around!
That’s what it’s all about
Woah the Hokey Cokey, Cokey!
Woah the Hokey Cokey, Cokey!
Woah the Hokey Cokey, Cokey!
Knees bend, arms stretched!
Rah rah rah!
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Hand-Clapping Songs to Get Kids Hooked
Probably the most popular amongst kids, Hand-Clapping songs always bring out the wiggles and giggles. Since songs make it easy for kids to grasp the vocabulary, parents or teachers can incorporate such fun rhyme sessions into their daily routines.
16. If You Are Happy and You Know It
It must have been an obvious rhyme in the list for you, right? It is popular and admired around the globe for its catchy rhythm and actions. It is an excellent way to teach gestures to kids in an entertaining manner.
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 stomp your feet.
(Stomp Stomp)
If you’re happy and you know it stomp 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, do all three
(clap clap)
(stomp stomp)
(hurray)
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three
(clap clap)
(stomp stomp)
(hurray)
17. BINGO
It is another excellent hand-clapping song. It’s famous and serves as a fun way to keep the kids engaged.
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!
18. Zoom Zoom
This gesture song will be an instant hit with your little ones. And they might start dreaming of becoming astronauts.
Zoom, zoom, zoom
We’re going to the moon.
Zoom, zoom, zoom
We’re going to the moon.
If you want to take a trip,
Climb aboard my rocket ship.
Zoom, zoom, zoom
We’re going to the moon.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
Blast off!
19. Open Shut Them
This rhyme is perfect for moving your little one’s hands in a clapping motion. The tunes and beats of the rhyme make it a treat for you and your kid’s ears.
Open shut them, open shut them,
Clap a little clap, clap, clap.
Open shut them, open shut them,
Pat them in your lap, lap, lap.
Creep them, crawl them, creep them, crawl them
Move them to your chin, chin, chin.
Open wide your little mouth,
But do not let them in, in, in.
20. Old Mac Donald Had a Farm
The irresistibility of ‘E-I-E-I-O’ is what makes this rhyme loved among children. Plus, repetition helps in language development too.
Old MacDonald Lyrics:
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
Old MacDonald Had a Farm, E-I-E-I-O
And on that farm, he had a dog, E-I-E-I-O
With a woof-woof here, and a woof-woof there
Here a woof, there a woof, everywhere a woof woof
Number Songs to Make Counting Fun
Number Songs are a great way to strengthen early math concepts in kids. Familiarizing them with both forward and backward counting through fun counting songs can work wonders in their foundational education years.
21. One Two Buckle My Shoe
This snappy traditional rhyme is perfect for introducing kids to numbers.
One, Two. Buckle my shoe
Three, Four. Open the door
Five, Six. Pick up the sticks
Seven, Eight. Lay them straight
Nine, Ten. A big fat hen?!?!
One, Two. Buckle my shoe
Three, Four. Open the door
Five, Six. Pick up the sticks
Seven, Eight. Lay them straight
Nine, Ten. Do it again!
22. Once I Caught a Fish Alive
This is another easy-to-learn number song that goes well with the little ones.
One, Two, Three, Four, Five,
Once I caught a fish alive,
Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten,
Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right.
23. Ten Fat Sausages
A fairly new entrant in the list, it makes grasping backward counting patterns a little less difficult.
Ten fat sausages, sizzling in a pan, one went pop, and the other went bang!
Eight fat sausages, sizzling in a pan, one went pop, and the other went bang!
Six fat sausages, sizzling in a pan, one went pop, and the other went bang!
Four fat sausages, sizzling in a pan, one went pop, and the other went bang!
Two fat Sausages, sizzling in a pan, one went pop, and the other went bang!
No fat sausages sizzling in a pan
24. Hickory Dickory Dock
This is a classic and fun short nursery rhyme. It helps kids to identify not just numbers but introduces them to the concept of time.
Hickory dickory dock,
the mouse ran up the clock,
the clock struck one,
the mouse ran down,
hickory dickory dock.
TICK TOCK TICK TOCK
Hickory dickory dock,
the mouse ran up the clock,
the clock struck two,
the mouse went WOO,
hickory dickory dock.
TICK TOCK TICK TOCK
Hickory dickory dock,
the mouse ran up the clock,
the clock struck three,
the mouse went WEEEEEE,
hickory dickory dock.
TICK TOCK TICK TOCK
25. One Potato, Two Potatoes
It’s ‘potatoes’ in the air with this catchy number song for your little ones.
One potato, two potatoes, three potatoes, four.
Five potatoes, six potatoes, seven potatoes, more.
One potato, two potatoes, three potatoes, four.
Five potatoes, six potatoes, seven potatoes, more.
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Benefits of Nursery Rhymes for Kids
Children’s nursery Rhymes nurture the kids head to toe. Let’s have a glimpse of their benefits:
- Improving Vocabulary and Sentence Construction
- Boosting auditory perception
- Grasping rhyming patterns
- Building concentration
- Strengthening memory due to repetitions
- Adding to Fine and Gross Motor Development
Related Reading: Best Music Games for Kids That Mix Learning With Sounds
Rhyming It Up!
With too much rhyme above, we are already following the rhythm. We bet you too!
Nursery Rhymes are loved by all. They also contribute abundantly to the overall behavior and development of children. It’s time to get these rhymes handy, turn the speakers on, and hit the floor with your bundle of joy!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the right age to introduce my kid to these rhymes?
Kids in the age range of 2-4 years can be introduced to these rhymes. The rhymes are mostly suitable for pre-schoolers.
Can I allow my kid to watch visuals of the rhymes?
Yes, you can but not recommended for infants. One of the essences of rhyme sessions is to unhook the younger generation from screens and get them moving. A better way would be to let your kid mimic your actions while playing the rhyme on the speakers.
What could be the maximum duration for rhyme sessions at home?
The time allowed for rhyme sessions depends on the age of the child and the availability of the parent/teacher. Infants can be engaged in rhyme fun for 1-2 hours each day, not at a stretch but at different time intervals. For pre-schoolers, the duration can be shortened to 1 hour daily.
