22 Nursery Rhymes and Songs for Babies, Toddlers, and Children

Nursery rhymes are not just fun for babies, toddlers, and children, but they’re also educational, making them a valuable resource for learning and development. Plus, they’re an easy and enjoyable way for you to communicate and play with your little one. So, get ready to sing along with our collection of popular, classic, and funny nursery rhymes and songs, along with lyrics and easy actions.

What Is a Nursery Rhyme?

Nursery rhymes for babies and older children have long been popular in the U.K. and across the globe. Nursery rhymes are short, rhymed poems, songs or tales that are primarily used for entertaining and educating children. These rhymes are usually filled with simple, expressive language and often feature repetitive structures, making them easy for little minds to absorb and remember. They have been an important part of children’s literature for centuries. They often tell a story or teach a moral lesson and can serve as a tool to teach children about rhythm, rhyme, history and tradition.

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The Benefits of Nursery Rhymes for Babies and Kids

Teaching nursery rhymes to your baby and young children has a host of benefits that go beyond mere entertainment. These timeless verses stimulate language development and cognitive function, as they introduce children to the sounds, rhythms and sequencing that language is comprised of. Nursery rhymes also encourage early literacy skills, paving the way for smooth transitions into reading and writing. The repetitive structures and catchy melodies aid memory retention, teaching children how to anticipate language patterns.

Moreover, nursery rhymes foster social and communication skills as kids often recite or sing these rhymes in groups, nurturing a sense of community. Lastly, nursery rhymes often encompass universal life lessons, instilling in children a moral compass from a young age.

Baby and Toddler Nursery Rhymes

Are you searching for easy nursery rhymes for the youngest members of your family? These classic nursery rhymes for babies and toddlers, including the soothing melody of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, and the exciting tale of the Incy Wincy Spider, are fun and also play a crucial role in your child’s early learning and development.

1. ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, (Open and close your hands to imitate the twinkling of a star) How I wonder what you are. (Shrug your shoulders and open your hands) Up above the world so high, (Point up to the sky) Like a diamond in the sky. (Make a diamond shape with your fingers) Twinkle, twinkle, little star, (Repeat the opening hand gesture) How I wonder what you are. (Shrug your shoulders and open your hands)

This classic nursery rhyme song is perfect for newborns, infants and toddlers as it has a simple melody and repetitive structure. It’s also the perfect lullaby to help your baby fall asleep.

2. ‘Pat-a-Cake’

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man (Clap your hands together) Bake me a cake as fast as you can. (Pretend to mix ingredients in a bowl) Roll it, and pat it, (Roll your hands together and then clap them) And mark it with B, (Make the letter “B” with your fingers) And put it in the oven for baby and me. (Pretend to put a cake in an oven)

This chant-like rhyme not only teaches hand-eye coordination but also introduces children to basic vocabulary words like ‘cake’ and ‘bake’.

3. ‘Incy Wincy Spider’

Incy Wincy spider climbed up the waterspout. (Use your hands to mimic a spider climbing up a waterspout) Down came the rain and washed the spider out. (Flutter your hands downwards like falling rain) Out came the sunshine, And dried up all the rain. (Make a circle with your arms to represent the sun) And Incy Wincy spider climbed up the spout again. (Repeat the climbing motion with your hands)

This cute and easy nursery rhyme teaches little ones about perseverance and overcoming obstacles in a fun and playful way. It also introduces them to the concept of nature and insects.

4. ‘This Little Piggy Went to Market’

This little piggy went to market. (touch big toe) This little piggy stayed home. (touch next biggest toe, and so on) This little piggy had roast beef. This little piggy had none. And this little piggy cried, "Wee, wee, wee!" All the way home. (tickle him all over)

Chant this classic nursery rhyme song while changing your newborn baby’s nappy. Touch each toe as you go, starting with the biggest and moving down the row. When you get to the word ‘home’, tickle your baby all over, and watch them squeal with delight.

Nursery Rhymes for Children

Check out our charming list of nursery rhymes, handpicked for both reception-aged children and onwards. These timeless tunes, including the rhythmic adventure of Row, Row, Row Your Boat and the warm melody of You Are My Sunshine, are more than just a joy to listen to. They play a crucial role in your child’s cognitive and emotional development. So, let’s embark on this musical journey, fostering a love for rhymes and songs in your kids while creating unforgettable moments together.

5. ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’

Row, row, row your boat (rock back and forth) Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream. This fun and easy nursery rhyme teaches children about teamwork and cooperation, as they pretend to row a boat together. You could also vary the tempo for a fast boat ride or a slow one, or change the lyrics to get everyone giggling. Try substituting the last two lines for ‘If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to SCREAM!’

6. ‘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 x2)-N-G-O! (Clap x2)-N-G-O! (Clap x2)-N-G-O! And Bingo was his name-O! There was a farmer who had a dog, And Bingo was his name-O. (Clap x3)-G-O! (Clap x3)-G-O! (Clap x3)-G-O! And Bingo was his name-O! There was a farmer who had a dog, And Bingo was his name-O. (Clap x4)-O! (Clap x4)-O! (Clap x4)-O! And Bingo was his name-O! There was a farmer who had a dog, And Bingo was his name-O. (Clap x5) (Clap x5) (Clap x5) And Bingo was his name-O!

This fun and interactive rhyme teaches children about spelling, phonetics, and animal names. It’s also a great way to practice counting and learning numbers.

7. ‘The Grand Old Duke of York’

Oh, the grand old Duke of York, He had ten thousand men. He marched them up to the top of the hill, And he marched them down again. And when they were up, they were up, And when they were down, they were down, And when they were only halfway up, They were neither up nor down.

This marching nursery rhyme teaches children about rhythm, coordination, and following instructions. Plus, they’ll have lots of fun standing up when the soldiers march up the hill and sitting down when the soldiers march down.

8. ‘You Are My Sunshine’

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, You make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.

This sweet and sentimental rhyme is perfect for singing to your child as a lullaby (because even older kids need soothing to sleep sometimes) or during quiet time. It’s also a great way to express your love and affection towards them. You can also try singing this song in different tempos and volumes or using funny voices to make it fun and interactive.

9. ‘This Is the Way’

This is the way we brush our teeth, Brush our teeth, brush our teeth. This is the way we brush our teeth, Early in the morning. This is the way we wash our face, Wash our face, wash our face. This is the way we wash our face, Early in the morning.

Repeat with more of your morning routine activities, for example, combing your hair, getting dressed, and eating breakfast.

This fun and catchy nursery rhyme teaches children about daily routines and personal hygiene. It’s also a great way to introduce them to the importance of taking care of their teeth.

10. ‘Five Little Speckled Frogs’

Five little speckled frogs, (Hold up five fingers) Sat on a speckled log (Use your hand to mimic sitting on a log) Eating the most delicious bugs. Yum, yum! (Rub your tummy) One jumped into the pool, (Make a jumping motion with one finger) Where it was nice and cool. (Fan yourself with your hand like it’s hot) Then there were four green-speckled frogs. (Hold up four fingers)

Repeat but with four frogs, and so on until there are no more frogs. This nursery rhyme is a popular one in school as it’s fun for a group of children. You can pick five children to act as the frogs instead of using your fingers.

This fun nursery rhyme introduces your child to the concept of subtraction in a playful way. It also provides you with the opportunity to teach them about animals such as frogs, their lifecycle, behaviour and habitat.

Classic and Traditional Nursery Rhymes

These well-known and traditional English nursery rhymes have been part of childhoods for generations. From the jovial farm of Old McDonald to the adventurous story of Jack and Jill, they’re more than just common and popular; these nursery rhymes form a versatile and dynamic foundation for early learning.

11. ‘Old McDonald Had a Farm’

Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O! And on this 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 McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O!

You can continue with whatever animals you like, such as duck (‘quack, quack’), dog (‘woof, woof’), cat (‘meow, meow’), sheep (‘baa, baa’) and horse (‘neigh, neigh’).

This popular nursery rhyme is engaging, the sounds are enjoyable to mimic and the lyrics can help your baby learn the names of different animals. You can sing it while taking your child to the zoo or a farm, or when you’re reading a picture book that features animals. You can also make the animal sounds whenever you see them. Your child will be delighted to find that everything is so familiar.

12. ‘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 everywhere that Mary went, Mary went, Mary went, Everywhere that Mary went The lamb was sure to go.

13. ‘Humpty Dumpty’

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. (tip baby back slightly) All the king’s horses and all the king’s men Couldn't put Humpty together again.

14. ‘Jack and Jill’

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; He went to bed to mend his head, With vinegar and brown paper.

15. ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’

Baa Baa Black Sheep, Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, Three bags full! One for the master, One for the dame, And one for the little boy Who lives down the lane.

This well-known, classic nursery rhyme is perfect for introducing children to the concept of colours, sharing, and caring for others. It’s also a great way to practice counting and learning numbers.

Funny and Popular Nursery Rhymes

Bring a smile to your child’s face with our list of funny nursery rhymes! Among these popular rhymes, you’ll find the amusing tale of Hey Diddle Diddle, where the cat plays the fiddle and the cow makes an astounding leap over the moon, and the humorous rhyme Down by the Bay, where you’ll meet many silly sights. These nursery rhymes and songs are not only enjoyable but also stimulate your child’s imagination while helping them develop language skills.

16. ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’

Hey diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such fun, And the dish ran away with the spoon.

This funny and popular nursery rhyme for infants and children is perfect for introducing them to the concept of imagination and creativity.

17. ‘Little Miss Muffet’

Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey; Along came a spider, Who sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away. This humorous rhyme is also perfect for introducing children to the concept of fear and facing it, to help with their emotional development.

18. ‘Five Little Monkeys’

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, One fell off and bumped his head. Mummy called the doctor, And the doctor said, ‘No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’

Repeat with four little monkeys jumping on the bed, until there are no more little monkeys jumping on the bed.

This entertaining song teaches children about behaviour and provides a fun way to learn counting. It’s also an excellent way to introduce them to the concept of following instructions.

More Famous Nursery Rhymes in the U.K. with Lyrics

There are so many fun and cute nursery rhymes for babies and children to choose from, that we simply had to add even more to our list. Read on for more famous nursery rhymes with their lyrics and actions.

19. ‘Round and Round the Garden’

Round and round the garden Like a teddy bear One step, two step Tickle you under there! (Gently tickle under your baby’s chin) Actions

Start by drawing an imaginary circle on your newborn’s tummy (‘round and round’), then walk your fingers up their chest (‘one step, two steps’) and tickle gently under the chin or armpit (‘tickle you under there!’).

This action nursery rhyme never fails to delight kids with its surprise tickle at the end.

20. ‘Two Little Dickie Birds’

Two little dickie birds sitting on a wall One named Peter, one named Paul. Fly away Peter! Fly away Paul! Come back Peter! Come back Paul!

Actions

Hold your hand in front of you with its back facing outwards to represent the wall. Behind it, hold your other hand so that two fingers are visible above it, representing the birds. Wiggle one finger when each bird is introduced (‘one named Peter, one named Paul’).

Then, When Peter ‘flies away’, curl one finger down behind the ‘wall’, then do the same with the other finger when Paul ‘flies away’. Uncurl each finger again as each bird comes back in the nursery rhyme.

To give ‘Peter’ and ‘Paul’ even more personality, draw a beak and eyes on the nail of each finger with a non-toxic pen. Alternatively, you could even make or buy two simple finger puppets!

The actions for this nursery rhyme are simple, but your baby will be fascinated by how the two birds disappear and reappear again in this short, but sweet nursery rhyme.

21. ‘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).

Actions

Clap twice at the end of each line except the third one. You can add as many verses as you like to this song, substituting ‘clap your hands’ with different actions every time. Some examples could include:

• Nod/shake your head

• Tap your toes

• Shout hooray

• Stamp your feet

• Turn around.

This is a song that you’ll never tire of singing to your baby as they grow and develop the motor skills to join in with more and more of the actions. Sometimes, you might even see your child doing a new action for the first time while joining in with this nursery rhyme!

The Bottom Line

These nursery rhymes serve as a wonderful tool to entertain and educate your child. They offer an engaging way to introduce early learning concepts, while also fostering a love for music and language. Remember, it’s not just about the rhymes; it’s the joy, the laughter and the learning experiences they bring. So, go ahead and introduce these classics to your little one and watch them learn and grow through the enchanting world of nursery rhymes.