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Animal Counting Action Songs help children learn and practice counting and develop fine and gross motor skills through actions. The following article provides lyrics to 20 Animal Counting Action Songs. 

This action song is a great way for children to learn to count backwards from 5. It's about 5 monkeys teasing Mr Alligator before Mr Alligator comes and SNAPS each monkey out of the tree! The actions are easy for even toddlers to learn and is a fun way to introduce numeracy.

Counting and Number Songs Posters can be used when singing songs with children. They teach children to count and can be used during circle time.

This counting astronaut rhyme song teaches the concept of ordinal numbers to children. Children can use their fingers to count for each verse and it's a catchy little fingerplay song as it rhymes.

Five cranky crabs were digging on the shore.
One swam into a net and then there were four.


Four cranky crabs were floating in the sea.
One got tangled up in seaweed then there were three.


Three cranky crabs were wondering what to do.
One dug a deep, deep hole. Then there were two.


Two cranky crabs were warming in the sun.
One got scooped up in a cup. Then there was one.


One cranky crab was smarter than his friends.
He hid between the jagged rocks.
That's how the story ends.

Hints and Tips: 

  • Use felt board, puppets, images when singing this song. 

A counting rhyme about Easter eggs being sold. Builds subtraction skills and early math.

A playful Easter counting rhyme with hopping bunnies. Supports numeracy learning and seasonal fun.

It's time to sleep. 
It's time for bed
Get jammies on then lay down my head

But I'm not tired,
Can't fall asleep
What shall I do?
Let's count some sheep!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Now we counted up to 10,
Still not asleep.
Let's count again!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Night Night!
Sleep Tight!

Hints and Tips: 

  • Use flashcards of each number when singing the song. 
  • Create actions for each verse. 
  • Create felts of sheep to count. 

Reference: 
Laugh and Learn "Counting Sheep To Sleep", Fisher-Price, YOUTUBE 27 September 2016

“Johnny Works With One Hammer” is a traditional children’s action song that teaches counting and rhythm through playful movement. It builds from one hammer up to five, with kids adding motions (hands, feet, head) before pretending to sleep at the end

“Ten Fat Sausages” is a classic counting rhyme and action song for young children. It uses repetition and sound effects to make learning numbers fun while building anticipation as the sausages ‘go pop’ or ‘bang’ one by one.

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