Nursery rhymes are children’s first introduction to words, poetry, lessons, laughter, music, and rhythm. Singing nursery rhymes together has been proven to be a mental stimulant for children who are just beginning to pick up the English language. They’re catchy, fun to sing, and tire kids out for nap time.
There’s nothing like a catchy song everyone knows the lines for to get the attention of a class full of kids in pandemonium. Here is a list of 15 nursery rhymes that have been cherished for decades, with countless adults able to recall them no matter how much time passes.
#1. Five Little Monkeys
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 his head
Mama 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 his head
Mama 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 right to bed!”
#2. Itsy Bitsy Spider
The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.
Down came the rain, and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun, and dried up all the rain.
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again.
#3. 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.
#4. Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary had a little lamb,
whose fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
the lamb was sure to go.
It followed her to school one day
which was against the rules.
It made the children laugh and play,
to see a lamb at school.
And so the teacher turned it out,
but still it lingered near,
And waited patiently about,
till Mary did appear.
“Why does the lamb love Mary so?”
the eager children cry.
“Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know.”
the teacher did reply.
#5. London Bridge Is Falling Down
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.
#6. 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 said “BOO!”
Hickory dickory dock.
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck three, the mouse said “WHEE!”
Hickory dickory dock.
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck four, the mouse said “No more!”
Hickory dickory dock.
#7. Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
Catch a tiger by the toe
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
My mother told me
To pick the very best one
And you are [not] it.
#8. 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 the dame
One for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
#9. Alphabet Song
A B C D E F G
H I J K L M N O P
Q R S
T U V
W X
Y and Z
Now I know my ABCs,
Next time won’t you sing with me.
#10. The Wheels on The Bus
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.
#11. Alice the Camel
Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice the camel has five humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
So go, Alice, go!
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one 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!
#12. 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.
#13. Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth
Brush brush brush.
Brush brush brush.
Brush your teeth in the morning and night.
Brush your teeth to keep them white.
Brush your teeth so your smile is bright.
Brush your teeth. It’s so much fun.
Brush your teeth when the day’s begun.
Brush brush brush.
Brush brush brush.
Brush your teeth when the day’s begun.
Brush your teeth, just open wide.
Brush your teeth from side to side.
Brush your teeth you sleepy head.
Brush your teeth before you go to bed.
Brush brush brush.
Brush brush brush.
Brush your teeth before you go to bed.
#14. Five Little Ducks
Oh, look, there’s five little ducks
One, two, three, four
Five little ducks went swimming one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother Duck said, “Quack, Quack, Quack”
But only four little ducks came back.
One, two, three
Four little ducks went swimming one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother Duck said, “Quack, Quack, Quack”
But only three little ducks came back.
One, two
Three little ducks went swimming one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother Duck said, “Quack, Quack, Quack”
But only two little ducks came back.
One
Two little ducks went swimming one day
Over the hill and far away
Mother Duck said, “Quack, Quack, Quack”
But 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”
But no little ducks came swimming back.
Sad Mother Duck went out one day
Over the hill and far away
Sad Mother Duck said, “Quack, Quack, Quack”
And all the five little ducks came back.
#15. Hey Diddle Diddle
Hey, diddle, diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
