Nursery rhymes songs for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children are a powerful tool to build strong language development.  

Furthermore, nursery rhymes songs also build skills such as rhyming, memory, articulation, communication vocabulary, and early reading skills.  

If you are looking for printable nursery rhymes song lyrics, scroll down to the bottom of the post, where you will find a collection of printable nursery rhymes for kids.

Free Nursery Rhymes Poetry Notebook Guide

Are you ready to keep reading fun with poems and rhymes? If so, we have a free guide to help you get started.

Grab your Free Poetry Notebook Guide, and rest assured we can help you along the way.

Popular Nursery Rhymes for Kids

1. A Tisket, A Tasket Nursery Rhyme Lyrics

A Tisket, a tasket, a green and yellow basket.

I wrote a letter to my friend, and on the way I dropped it. 

I dropped it, I dropped it, 

and on the way I dropped it.

The little boy, he picked it up,

and put it in his pocket. 

2. ABC Songs Lyrics

As a former kindergarten teacher, I can’t stress enough the importance of teaching kids the alphabet ABC song before starting kindergarten.  

With that being said, please don’t assume your kids “know their ABC’s” just because they know how to sing the song.  

Reciting the song and recognizing the letters and producing their sounds are completely different skills.  

If kids know the song before entering kindergarten, they will already have an interest in learning the letter sounds, and know the sequence of letters in the alphabet.  

Therefore, when it comes time to teach the letters, the kids who know the ABC’s alphabet song, will do better at tracking and pointing to the letters as they sing along – building letter recognition naturally.

If you are looking for ways to teach letter sounds and beginning sounds, check out the blog post: Check out our complete Alphabet Series.

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 Z

3. Are You Sleeping

Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?

Brother John, Brother John?

Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing

Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

4. Baa Baa Black Sheep Lyrics (Classic Nursery Rhyme)

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.

5. Down at the Station

Down by the station

Early in the morning

See the little pufferbellies

All in a row

See the station master

Turn the little handle

Puff, puff, toot, toot

Off we go!

6. Five Little Ducks

Five little ducks went out one day

Over the hill and far away

Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack”

But only four little ducks came back

One, two, three, four

Four little ducks went out one day

Over the hill and far away

Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack”

But only three little ducks came back

One, two, three

Three little ducks went out one day

Over the hill and far away

Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack”

But only two little ducks came back

One, two

Two little ducks went out one day

Over the hill and far away

Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack”

But only one little duck came back

One

One little duck went out one day

Over the hill and far away

Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack”

But none of the ducks came back. 

8. 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!”

9. Five Little Speckled Frogs Lyrics

Five little speckled frogs sat on a speckled log

Eating some most delicious bugs (yum, yum!)

One jumped into the pool, where it was nice and cool

Now there are four green speckled frogs

Four little speckled frogs sat on a speckled log

Eating some most delicious bugs (yum, yum!)

One jumped into the pool, where it was nice and cool

Now there are three green speckled frogs

Three little speckled frogs sat on a speckled log

Eating some most delicious bugs (yum, yum!)

One jumped into the pool, where it was nice and cool

Now there are two green speckled frogs

Two little speckled frogs sat on a speckled log

Eating some most delicious bugs (Yum, yum!)

Now there are how many frogs? ONE!

ONE little speckled frog sat on a speckled log

Eating some most delicious bugs. (Yum, yum!)

He jumped into the pool, where it was nice and cool

Then there were no speckled frogs! Glug, glug! 

10. 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.

11. Hey Diddle Diddle Lyrics

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. 

12. Hot Cross Buns Lyrics

Hot cross buns,

Hot cross buns.

One a penny, two a penny,

Hot cross buns. 

If your daughters don’t like them, 

give them to your sons.

Hot cross buns. 

13. If You’re Happy and You Know It Lyrics

This classic nursery rhyme is mother goose’s melody that is great for preschool songs, or the perfect song to do with new friends . Little boys and little girl will love the movement used throughout this traditional nursery rhyme.

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet.

If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet.

If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet.

If you’re happy and you know it, jump up and down.

If you’re happy and you know it, jump up and down.

If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you’re happy and you know it, jump up and down.

If you’re happy and you know it, spin around.

If you’re happy and you know it, spin around.

If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you’re happy and you know it, spin around.

14. I’m a Little Teapot

Year after year, my students love acting out this fun nursery rhyme. Mother goose nursery rhymes inspire kids to be silly as they act out and recite the nursery rhyme songs.

I’m a little teapot

short and stout.

Here is my handle,

here is my spout.

When I get all steamed up,

hear me shout.

Tip me over, and pour me out. 

15. Itsy Bitsy Spider Lyrics: Nursery Rhymes Songs

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.

16. It’s Raining, It’s Pouring Lyrics

It’s raining, it’s pouring.

The old man is snoring.

Went to bed, and bumped his head

and couldn’t get up in the morning.

17. Jack and Jill Lyrics

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.

18. Mary Had a Little Lamb Lyrics

Mary had a little lamb,

it’s fleece was white as snow.

And everywhere that Mary went,

the lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day

and broke the teacher’s rule

And what a time did they have

that day at school.

19. Old MacDonald Had a Farm Lyrics

Old Mac Donald 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 Mac Donald had a farm.

E I E I O

(Continue with other farm animals and sounds, such as pig, horse, sheep, ducks, etc)

20. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe Lyrics

One two buckle my shoe.

Three four shut the door.

Five six pick up sticks.

Seven eight lay them straight.

Nine ten a big fat hen. 

21. One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Once I Caught A Fish Alive Lyrics

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 he bit my finger so.

Which finger did he bite?

This little finger on the right. 

22. Pat a Cake Lyrics

Pat a cake, pat a cake bakers man.

Bake me a cake as fast as you can.

Roll it and pat it and mark it with a B.

But it in the oven for baby and me.

23. Rain Rain Go Away Lyrics

Rain rain go away.

Come again another day.

Little Johnny wants to play.

Rain rain go to Spain

Never show your face again. 

24. Rock-a-Bye, Baby

Rock-a-bye baby, on the treetops,

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock,

When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,

And down will come baby, cradle and all.

25. Row, Row, Row Your Boat Lyrics

Row, row, row your boat

gently down the stream. 

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

life if but a dream.

26. The Wheels on the Bus Lyrics

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. 

The horn on the bus goes beep beep beep, beep beep beep, beep beep beep.

The horn on the bus goes beep beep beep, all through the town. 

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. 

The babies on the bus go waa waa waa, waa waa waa, waa waa waa.

The babies on the bus go waa waa waa, all through the town.

The kids on the bus go up and down, up and down, up and down.

The kids on the bus go up and down, all through the town.

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. 

27. Three Blind Mice | Nursery Rhymes Songs

Three blind mice,

three blind mice,

See how they run,

see how they run.

They all ran after the farmer’s wife

who cut off their tails with a carving knife.

Did you ever see such

a sight in your life,

as three blind mice?

28. Three Little Kittens Lyrics (Traditional Rhymes)

Three little kittens,

they lost their mittens,

and they began to cry.

“Oh, mother dear,”

we sadly fear, 

that we have lost our mittens.

 

29. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Lyrics

Mothers and caregivers often associate this popular nursery rhyme with little baby rhymes. It is great for that, but is also great for preschool and kindergarten aged children.

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.

30. Where is Thumpkin | Nursery Rhymes Songs

This nursery rhyme song for kids is a great way to incorporate fine motor skills, as the kids use hand muscles to hold up one finger at a time.

Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin?

Here I am! Here I am!

How are you today, sir?

Very well, I thank you

Run away, Run away

Where is Pointer? Where is Pointer?

Here I am! Here I am!

How are you today, sir?

Very well, I thank you

Run away Run away

Where is Tallman? Where is Tallman?

Here I am! Here I am!

How are you today, sir?

Very well, I thank you

Run away, Run away

Where is Ringman? Where is Ringman?

Here I am! Here I am!

How are you today, sir?

Very well, I thank you

Run away, Run away

Where is Pinkie? Where is Pinkie?

Here I am! Here I am!

How are you today, sir?

Very well, I thank you

Run away, Run away 

I hope you’ve enjoyed these nursery rhymes songs for kids! 

31. Little Miss Muffet

This one, along with many other traditional nursery rhymes, is a fun way to teach young children about emotions.

For example, most nursery rhymes have a moment of suspense, fear, or excitement.

With Little Miss Muffet, you can discuss what it would feel like to be frightened by a spider. Not only does this connect to emotions, it’s a great way to build vocabulary, as well.

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.

32.  Humpty Dumpty

This is one of the most popular nursery rhymes for a good reason!  Young people cling to the catchy melody and rhyme while evoking compassion for an egg that falls off a wall.  

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. 

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. 

All the King’s horses, and all the King’s men,

Couldn’t put Humpty together again.

More Famous Nursery Rhymes

Looking for more popular nursery rhymes to build language skills and cognitive development?  

After all, the benefits of nursery rhymes are astounding, and lend themselves to our popular culture of imagination and laughter.  

• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
• London Bridge
• All Around the Mulberry Bush
• Old McDonald
• Little Bo-Peep
• Little Jack Horner
• Goosey Goosey Gander
• This Little Piggy
• Star Light, Star Bright

Printable Nursery Rhymes for Kids

As your kids learn the best nursery rhymes songs, use these printable nursery rhymes to start teaching concepts of print. A simple way to model concepts of print is to point to the words as you sing or recite a classic rhyme.  

Keep these printable rhymes together in a special binder to make a personalized poetry notebook, and revisit them frequently.

Popular rhymes such as the ones shown on this post are great practice for rhyming words.

If you’re looking for more of the popular English Nursery rhymes, such as There Was an Old Woman, Hey Diddle Diddle, Three Little Pigs, and Hickory Dickory Dock, check out my other blog post, 37 Favorite Nursery Rhymes for Kids.

Before you go, here are a few popular blog posts you will enjoy:

30 Best Nursery Rhyme Books for Kids

15 Nursery Rhymes Sequencing Printables

10 Tips for Choosing Nursery Rhymes and Poems for Kids

Popular Nursery Rhymes Songs