Nursery rhymes for toddlers have been passed down for generations, and they still hold a special place in early learning. These simple songs use rhythm, repetition, and storytelling to make language easier for young children to absorb.
I often notice how quickly toddlers pick up words and actions when songs are part of daily routines.
Rhymes also bring families together, turning playtime, car rides, and bedtime into fun learning moments. Apart from entertainment, they support memory, social skills, and motor development in natural ways.
This guide includes classic rhymes, age-appropriate picks, playful activities, and even modern streaming options.
Why Nursery Rhymes are Important for Toddlers
Nursery rhymes for toddlers are simple songs that play a big role in early learning. The rhythm and repetition make it easier for children to pick up words, sounds, and patterns.
These rhymes also introduce basic ideas like animals, numbers, and daily routines through short and memorable stories. Singing them often turns learning into something fun and natural.
They offer key benefits too. Rhymes build vocabulary, improve memory, and help toddlers recall words with ease. Group singing supports social interaction, while action songs encourage movement and coordination.
Gentle lullabies bring comfort and security, making routines like bedtime smoother. In this way, nursery rhymes become more than entertainment; they are building blocks for growth and connection.
Old Nursery Rhyme Songs
Many classic songs have been shared for generations. These nursery rhyme songs are still loved today and continue to help toddlers learn through simple words and tunes.
1. 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 people on the bus go up and down.
Up and down.
Up and down.
The people on the bus go up and down,
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 signals on the bus go blink, blink, blink.
Blink, blink, blink.
Blink, blink, blink.
The signals on the bus go blink, blink, blink,
All through the town!
The motor on the bus goes zoom, zoom, zoom.
Zoom, zoom, zoom.
Zoom, zoom, zoom.
The motor on the bus goes zoom, zoom, zoom,
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 parents on the bus go shh, shh, shh.
Shh, shh, shh.
Shh, shh, shh.
The parents on the bus go shh, shh, shh,
All through the town!
The mummy on the bus says, I love you.
I love you, I love you
The daddy on the bus says, I love you, too.
All through the town
Why it works for toddlers: Repetition makes it easy to learn. The actions (wipers, doors, horn) keep children moving. Fun for group singing at playtime.
2. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
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.
Why it works for toddlers: Calming, short, and soothing. Perfect for bedtime routines and helping toddlers relax.
3. Baa Baa Black Sheep
Lyrics:
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.
Why it works for toddlers: The rhyme is easy to remember and introduces counting and sharing.
4. Itsy Bitsy Spider
Lyrics:
The itsy bitsy spider climbed 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 climbed up the spout again.
Why it works for toddlers: Finger motions make it interactive. Builds fine motor skills and keeps toddlers engaged.
5. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Lyrics:
Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that 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 that farm he had a duck. E-I-E-I-O.
With a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
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 horse. E-I-E-I-O.
With a neigh neigh here.
And a neigh neigh there.
And a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
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 sheep. E-I-E-I-O.
With a baaa baaa here.
And a baaa baaa there.
And a neigh neigh here.
And a neigh neigh there.
And a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
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 cow. E-I-E-I-O.
With a moo moo here.
And a moo moo there.
And a baaa baaa here.
And a baaa baaa there.
And a neigh neigh here.
And a neigh neigh there.
And a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
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 turkey. E-I-E-I-O.
With a gobble-gobble here,
And a gobble-gobble there,
And a moo moo here.
And a moo moo there.
And a baaa baaa here.
And a baaa baaa there.
And a neigh neigh here.
And a neigh neigh there.
And a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
E-I-E-I-O.
Why it works for toddlers: Teaches animal names and sounds. Fun repetition makes it easy for kids to join in.
6. Humpty Dumpty
Lyrics:
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.
Why it works for toddlers: Simple, short rhyme with storytelling.
7. Row Row Row Your Boat
Lyrics:
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
Why it works for toddlers: Easy tune with rocking motions.
8. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
Lyrics:
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.
Why it works for toddlers: Builds body awareness through action.
9. Hickory Dickory Dock
Lyrics:
Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down.
Hickory dickory dock.
Why it works for toddlers: Introduces numbers and rhythm.
10. Mary Had a Little Lamb
Lyrics:
Mary had a little lamb,
Little lamb, little lamb.
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow.
Why it works for toddlers: Teaches storytelling in rhyme form.
11. Five Little Ducks
Lyrics:
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.
Why it works for toddlers: Teaches counting down and animal sounds.
12. London Bridge is Falling Down
Lyrics:
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.
Why it works for toddlers: Group play song with movements.
13. If You’re Happy and You Know It
Lyrics:
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, then your face will surely 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, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet. (Stomp stomp)
If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hooray!” (Hoo-ray!)
If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hooray!” (Hoo-ray!)
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hooray!” (Hoo-ray!)
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three. (clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!)
Why it works for toddlers: Fun actions build coordination and excitement.
14. Ring a Ring o’ Roses
Lyrics:
Ring around the rosie,
A pocket full of posies.
Ashes! Ashes!
We all fall down!
Why it works for toddlers: Great for group play and laughter.
15. 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.
Why it works for toddlers: Short rhyme that introduces simple storytelling.
16. ABC Song
Lyrics:
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?
Why it works for toddlers: Introduces the alphabet in a playful, memorable way.
17. This Little Piggy
Lyrics:
This little piggy went to market,
This little piggy stayed home.
This little piggy had roast beef,
This little piggy had none.
And this little piggy cried, “Wee, wee, wee!”
All the way home.
Why it works for toddlers: Combines rhyme with toe play, making it fun and interactive.
Age-Appropriate Nursery Rhymes
Toddlers enjoy different types of rhymes as they grow. Choosing songs that match their age helps make learning, play, and bonding more effective.
| Category | 1-Year-Olds (Simple, Repetitive) | 2-Year-Olds (Songs with Actions) | 3-Year-Olds (Memory & Storytelling) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedtime Rhymes | Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Baa Baa Black Sheep |
Hush Little Baby Brahms’ Lullaby |
Rock-a-bye Baby All the Pretty Horses |
| Playtime Rhymes | Pat-a-Cake Ring a Ring o’ Roses |
The Wheels on the Bus If You’re Happy and You Know It |
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush |
| Learning Rhymes | Mary Had a Little Lamb ABC Song |
Old MacDonald Had a Farm One, Two, Buckle My Shoe |
Five Little Ducks Ten in the Bed |
| Action Rhymes | Itsy Bitsy Spider Clap Your Hands |
Row Row Row Your Boat Open, Shut Them |
London Bridge is Falling Down Hokey Pokey |
By picking rhymes that suit your child’s stage, you can support their growth while keeping the experience fun and memorable.
Fun Activities with Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhymes become even more engaging when paired with hands-on activities. These simple ideas help toddlers connect words with actions and bring the songs to life.
- Crafts inspired by rhymes: Create star cutouts for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or sheep shapes for Baa Baa Black Sheep. Crafts give kids something visual to link with the song.
- Fingerplay & hand motions: Use finger movements for Itsy Bitsy Spider or clapping for Pat-a-Cake. These motions build coordination and keep toddlers active.
- Storytelling games: Turn rhymes like Old MacDonald Had a Farm into role play. Let children act as farmers or animals to expand the fun.
- Using props (puppets, toys): Soft toys or puppets make rhymes feel like little stories. For example, a bus toy can go along with The Wheels on the Bus.
Adding activities makes nursery rhymes more than songs. They become playful learning moments that toddlers remember and enjoy.
Modern Nursery Rhymes & Streaming Options
Technology makes it easy to enjoy nursery rhymes for toddlers anytime. Parents can use online playlists, streaming platforms, and apps to keep songs part of daily life.
YouTube Playlists (Cocomelon, Super Simple, etc.): Examples: Cocomelon Nursery Rhymes Playlist, Super Simple Songs Kids Songs.
Spotify Collections: Examples: Cocomelon Kids Hits, Baby Sleep Nursery Rhymes, Super Simple Songs Playlist.
Apps for Toddler Music: Examples: Kidloland, Baby Mozart, Spotify Kids.
Conclusion
A nursery rhyme for toddlers does much more than entertain; it lays the groundwork for learning and connection.
The rhythm and repetition help children develop language, improve memory, and gain social confidence. Rhymes with actions build motor skills, while calming songs bring comfort at bedtime.
From classics like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to playful songs with actions, they fit naturally into daily routines. Adding activities or streaming options makes kids even more engaged for young children.
Making nursery rhymes part of everyday life during play, in the car, or before sleep turns simple songs into lasting memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursery rhymes should a toddler know?
There’s no set number. Learning 5–10 familiar rhymes is enough to build memory, rhythm, and early language skills.
When should I start singing nursery rhymes to my baby?
You can begin as early as infancy. Babies respond to rhythm and tone, and by the toddler stage, they start copying words and actions
Do nursery rhymes help with speech delay?
Yes. Repetition and rhythm make words easier to imitate. While rhymes support speech development, children with delays may still need guidance from a speech therapist
