Action Songs For Children, Any Ideas?

[Lorina]

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to get some ideas of actions songs that you can do with children... I mean songs other than "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes", "Open Shut Them", "Five Cheeky Monkeys"... I need some new kids songs that I can teach the children...

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!

Cheers ,
L.A

[Lorina]

I've got one more to try!

Five Little Peas

Five little peas in a pea-pod pressed,
One grew, two grew, and so did all the rest.
They grew and they grew ...and did not stop,
Until one day the pod went ...POP!
---------------------------------------------
Line one - Clench all the fingers on one hand.
Line two - Slowly open out the fingers.
Line three - Stretch fingers wide apart.
Line four - -When it says POP! clap loudly

,
L.A

[Melissa Foster]

Hi my daycare children have really enjoyed Tooty Ta
Tooty ta ,tooty ta ,tooty ta ta
Repeat
Thumbs up, thumbs up
Tooty ta ,tooty ta ,tooty ta ta
repeat
Thumbs up,thumbs up
elbows back,elbows back
Tooty ta ,tooty ta ,tooty ta ta
Repeat
Thumbs up,thumbs up
elbows back,elbows back
feet apart,feet apart
Tooty ta ,tooty ta ,tooty ta ta
Repeat
Thumbs up,thumbs up
elbows back,elbows back
feet apart,feet apart
knees together,knees together
Tooty ta ,tooty ta ,tooty ta ta
Repeat
Thumbs up,thumbs up
elbows back,elbows back
feet apart,feet apart
knees together,knees together
bottom out, bottom out
Tooty ta ,tooty ta ,tooty ta ta
Repeat
Thumbs up,thumbs up
elbows back,elbows back
feet apart,feet apart
knees together,knees together
bottom out, bottom out
tongue out, tongue out
Tooty ta ,tooty ta ,tooty ta ta
Repeat
Thumbs up,thumbs up
elbows back,elbows back
feet apart,feet apart
knees together,knees together
bottom out, bottom out
tongue out, tongue out
eyes shut, eyes shut
Tooty ta ,tooty ta ,tooty ta ta
Repeat
Thumbs up,thumbs up
elbows back,elbows back
feet apart,feet apart
knees together,knees together
bottom out, bottom out
tongue out, tongue out
eyes shut, eyes shut
turn around, turn around
Tooty ta ,tooty ta ,tooty ta ta
Repeat
hope you enjoy it ,it is alot of fun

[fchaudari76]

one i used to sing with my toddlers in the middle east that they loved
Wind the Bobbin Up

Wind the bobbin up, wind the bobbin up.
Pull, pull, clap, clap, clap.
Wind the bobbin up, wind the bobbin up.
Pull, pull, clap, clap, clap.
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor.
Point the the window and point to the door.
Clap your hands together,
1 2 3
Put your hands upon your knees.



Wind it back again, wind it back again.
Pull, pull, clap, clap, clap.
Wind it back again, wind it back again.
Pull, pull, clap, clap, clap.
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor.
Point the the window and point to the door.
Clap your hands together,
1 2 3
Put your hands upon your knee

[play2learn]

That tooty tah song is similar to one I sing with my kids!

Singing in the rain

I’m singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feeling
I’m happy again
Hold it! Hold it!
Stand up, Stand Up

A rah tah tah, rah tah tah
Rah tah tah tah
A rah tah tah, rah tah tah
Rah tah tah tah

Repeat first verse add new action each time
Knees together
Elbows in
Bottoms out
Heads back
Tongues out!

[Lorina]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks so much for the action songs ideas! They are great!

Fefe: I started off with the song you suggested a couple of weeks ago with my group of toddlers. At first I was a little apprehensive because sometimes when I try to introduce a new song it doesn't always work out so well... So anyways, I started singing it during group time and incorporated all the actions and my toddlers love it!!!

It's so cute when all my group of toddlers are singing and doing the actions all in sync... "Point to the ceiling and point to the floor" (they all point their fingers to the ceiling and floor... so cute!!). This action song has worked out really well and now is a regular in our music routine.

Also, one of the parents asked me for the lyrics to the song because her daughter (in my group) always sings it at home. The little girl sings and performs the actions at home... The parent was saying that the little gets really annoyed if the actions aren't done the right way! Definitely a favourite!!

Melissa & Playtolearn: I will be trying "Tooty Tah" song out with the group over the next week or so and I'll update you on how that goes...

Thanks Again and I would love to hear more ideas...

Cheers ,
L.A

[catchmeifucan]

hi L.A,

Here’s another song you can try with your kids…

Two little feet go tap, tap, tap,
(tap feet)
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.
(clap hands)
A quick little leap up from my chair,
(stand up quickly)
Two little arms reach high in the air.
(stretch arms high)
Two little feet go jump, jump, jump,
(jump)
Two little fists go thump, thump, thump.
(pound fists)
One little body goes round and round,
(twirl around)
And one little child sits quietly down.
(sit down)

Hope this works out well for you.

[sandi28]

Do Your Ears Hang Low

Do your ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie them in a knot?
Can you tie them in a bow?
Can you throw them o'er your shoulder
like a continental soldier?
Do your ears hang low?


Oh Those Bones

Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones, oh those bones,
oh those skeleton bones.
Oh those bones under there!

The foot bone’s connected to the leg bone,
The leg bone’s connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone’s connected to the backbone,
The backbone’s connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone’s connected to the head bone,
Oh, those bones under there!

The head bone’s connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone’s connected to the backbone,
The backbone’s connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone’s connected to the leg bone,
The leg bone’s connected to the foot bone,
Oh, those bones under there!

[Sarame14]

School age children love finger plays. When I present them to school age children especially ones that are close to babysitting age, I tell them that they should learn these because they may come in handy if they ever find themselves having to entertain young children. I also tell them that it will stimulate their brain cells to keep them healthy and slow down old age dementia. I challenge them to see which group or individual can memorize more. Some that involve names of places, like Banbury court is a great way to launch a geography lesson. They seem to especially love the ones that go with the holidays such as five little turkeys sitting on the fence, the first one says I'm so immense, etc. I can't remember it right now and I'm too lazy to go find my book but I'm sure there are lots on line. There are some good rap songs which could be considered action songs for older kids.

Even fifth graders enjoy doing this for a relaxation break, especially if you get chosen to start. Be sure and choose a hyper active one to start.

One More
One child stands up,
One child turns around,
One child claps hands,
And then sits down.

Two children stand up,
Two children turn around,
Two children clap hands,
And then sit down.

[Danielle]

I remember one that we used to do when I was a kid called the hokey pokey
maybe you've heard of it. I think songs like this are very good, it keeps the children active

the lyrics are:

"You put your right foot in,
You put your right foot out;
You put your right foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your left foot in,
You put your left foot out;
You put your left foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your right hand in,
You put your right hand out;
You put your right hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your left hand in,
You put your left hand out;
You put your left hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your right side in,
You put your right side out;
You put your right side in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your left side in,
You put your left side out;
You put your left side in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your nose in,
You put your nose out;
You put your nose in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your backside in,
You put your backside out;
You put your backside in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your head in,
You put your head out;
You put your head in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your whole self in,
You put your whole self out;
You put your whole self in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about."

[LindyT]

Sleeping Bunnies


See the little bunnies sleeping till it’s nearly noon
Come and let us gently wake them with a merry tune
Oh how still, are they ill, wake up soon
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
See the little birdy sleeping till it’s nearly nine
Come and let us gently wake them from their nest of vine
Up we climb, just in time, wake up soon
Flap little birdies, flap, flap, flap
Flap little birdies, flap, flap, flap
Flap little birdies, flap, flap, flap
Flap little birdies, flap, flap, flap
See the little alligator sleeping till it’s noon
Come and let us gently wake them with a merry tune
In we creep, while the alligator sleeps, wake up soon
Snap little alligator, snap, snap, snap
Snap little alligator, snap, snap, snap
Snap little alligator, snap, snap, snap
Snap little alligator, snap, snap, snap
Then Flap little birdies, flap, flap, flap
Flap little birdies, flap, flap, flap
Flap little birdies, flap, flap, flap
Flap little birdies, flap, flap, flap
Then Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop
Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop

Or the easier version of

Hop Little Rabbits

See the little rabbits sleeping ‘til it's nearly noon Can you wake them with a merry tune?
Oh how still
Are they ill?
Wake up soon
Oh, hop little rabbits, hop hop hop Hop little rabbits, hop hop hop Hop little rabbits, hop hop hop Hop little rabbits, hop hop hop
See the little rabbits sleeping ‘til it's nearly noon Can you wake them with a merry tune?
Oh how still
Are they ill?
Wake up soon
Oh, hop little rabbits, hop hop hop Hop little rabbits, hop hop hop Hop little rabbits, hop hop hop Hop little rabbits, hop hop hop
Hop little rabbits, hop hop hop Hop little rabbits, hop hop hop Hop little rabbits, hop hop hop Hop little rabbits, hop and stop

[Danielle]

Just remembered another one also. Found the lyrics on a site and it included the actions with it

"Open, shut them."
(On 'Open', place both hands in front of you,
palms facing away and opening them wide
On 'shut them', clench hands into fists.)


"Open, shut them."
(On 'Open', place both hands in front of you,
palms facing away and opening them wide
On 'shut them', clench hands into fists.)


"Give a little clap."
(Clap hands.)


"Open, shut them"
(On 'Open', place both hands in front of you,
palms facing away and opening them wide
On 'shut them', clench hands into fists.)


"Put them in your lap."
(Fold hands and put them in your lap.)


"Creep them, creep them
Slowly creep them"
(Starting at the tummy,
slowly 'creep' fingers up toward the face.)


"Right up to your chin"
(Gently pull chin downward.)


"Open up your mouth"
(Open up your mouth.)


"But do not let them in."
(Just as it looks like you're going to
put fingers into mouth, quickly run
fingers back down body toward tummy.)

[Dogsarecool]

Well, there is a new song called "The Fur Gang Groove" It's a cute little song about dogs dancing to a new groove called "The Fur gang groove". Kids really seem to like the song. There is a cute video to watch that goes along with the song, and the words are posted on the furgang groove site. Just search for the furgang groove in the search engines, and I'm sure you will find it. I hope that helps.

[Lorina]

This is a song that one of the preschool room leaders use to sing... It's very good at getting children into counting!

One little finger, one little finger
Two little fingers tap tap tap
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor and lay them on your lap lap lap

Two little fingers, two little fingers
Four little fingers tap tap tap
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor and lay them on your lap lap lap

Three little fingers, three little fingers
Six little fingers tap tap tap
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor and lay them on your lap lap lap

Four Little fingers, four little fingers
Eight little fingers, tap tap tap
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor and lay them on your lap lap lap

Five little fingers, five little fingers
10 little fingers, tap tap tap
Point to the ceiling, point to the floor and lay them in your lap lap lap

As for the actions, children hold up each number of fingers corresponding with the words of the song on each hand and follow the lyrics...

,
L.A

[rachelroo]

hello everyone,
this action song is my all time favourite and loved by all ages of children and keeps them going for a long time.


see the little bunnies sleeping till it's nearly noon,
let us come and wake them with a merry, merry tune,
oh how still.....
are they ill?.....
wake up soon.....
(children are all laying on the floor, pause here and have a drum ready to bang to wake up the bunnies)

WAKE UP BUNNIES!!!

(children stand up and start jumping up and down ,bang drum in time to jumping)

hop little bunnies hop, hop, hop,
hop little bunnies hop, hop ,hop
hop little bunnies hop, hop, hop
hop little bunnies hop, hop, hop
hop little bunnies hop, hop, hop
hop little bunnies hop now.......STOP (children lay back down ready to begin again)

[Lorina]

Hi Rachelroo,

The action song you suggested is very popular with toddlers, helps to release alot of their energy...

I use a slight variation in adding different animals as well. Exactly the same lyrics as you use except, I'll choose one of the following animals as well...

See the little (choose one of the following) "crocodiles", "ducks", "snakes", "monkeys", "elephants" etc. (continue singing the same lyrics as you used)...

WAKE UP.... (whichever animal I selected previously)

Then the children act out the animal. For e.g:

Crocodile: Chomp little crocodiles chomp, chomp, chomp.
Duck: Quack little duckies quack, quack, quack.
Snake: Slither littler snakes ssss,ssss,ssss.
Monkey: Swing little monkeys swing, swing, swing.
Elephant: Stomp little elephants, stomp, stomp.

,
L.A

[ozchez]

With all the action songs that I had I placed them on a box (to resemble a dice) and then allow a child to throw the box and whatever song landed on top was the song that we sung. The children love the idea and find it quite funny when the same song comes up twice or three times in a row. When it seems they are losing interest I change the songs.

[Lorina]

With all the action songs that I had I placed them on a box (to resemble a dice) and then allow a child to throw the box and whatever song landed on top was the song that we sung. The children love the idea and find it quite funny when the same song comes up twice or three times in a row. When it seems they are losing interest I change the songs.

What a great idea! Going to have to give that one a go! Thanks for sharing!

,
L.A

[catchmeifucan]

Had a staff meeting the other night and one of the girls introduce this song to us:

Roll our Hands

Roll your hands so slowly, (roll hands)
As slowly as can be.
Roll your hands so slowly,
Then fold them just like me.

Roll your hands so quickly,
As quickly as can be.
Roll your hands so quickly,
Then fold them just like me.

Clap your hands so softly, (clap hands)
Softly as can be.
Clap your hands so softly,
Then fold them just like me.

Clap your hands so loudly,
Loudly as can be.
Clap your hands so loudly,
Then fold them just like me.

[Stephanie_Louise]

At the centre where I'm doing work experience we sing the baby bumble bee song.
*lyrics*
*clasp hands like you have something in them*
I'm bringing home my baby bumble bee
Won't my Mommy be so proud of me
I'm bringing home my baby bumble bee -
OUCH!! It stung me!!

*pretend your squishing the bee with your hands*
I'm squishin' up my baby bumble bee
Won't my Mommy be so proud of me
I'm squishin' up my baby bumble bee -
EW!! What a mess!!

*pretend to lick hands*
I'm lickin' up my baby bumble bee
Won't my Mommy be so proud of me
I'm lickin' up my baby bumble bee -
ICK!! I feel sick!!

*pretend to be sick*
I'm throwin' up my baby bumble bee
Won't my Mommy be so proud of me
I'm throwin' up my baby bumble bee -
OH!! What a mess!!

*wipe your hands on shirt*
I'm wipin' up my baby bumble bee
Won't my Mommy be so proud of me
I'm wipin' up my baby bumble bee -
OOPS!! Mommy's new towel!!

*pretend to wring out the towel*
I'm wringin' out my baby bumble bee
Won't my Mommy be so proud of me
I'm wringing out my baby bumble bee -
Bye-Bye baby bumble bee!!