11 Songs and Rhymes for Babies and Toddlers

Nobody warned me that once you have a child you have to suddenly start singing and be good at Nursery Rhymes! I’ve had to borrow some books from the library to learn the words of rhymes that I knew as a child but had forgotten since then.

I have been so amazed at how quickly my little one picked up trying to do the actions and copy the sounds. Watching her singing/speech develop has been so awesome.

1. Pat a Cake

2. Round and Round the Garden (my little one used to giggle at about 4 months old when she was sung this)

3. The Wheels on the Bus (a particular favourite in our house as the actions keep our little one occupied so she doesnt try to crawl/sprint off the changing mat. She started doing the sounds when she was about 9 months old)

4. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

5. Baa Baa Black Sheep (My little one started signing this week and can get as far as “Baa baa blaaaa sssss”)

6. The incy wincy spider

7. I’m a little teapot

8. Old Macdonald had a farm (We sing this on the way to Nursery. Great to keep my little one occupied when she’s in her car seat)

9. If you’re happy and you know it

10. Wind the bobbin up

11. Row, row, row your boat

Row, row, row your boat, extra lyrics:

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
If you see a crocodile
Don’t forget to scream

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the river
If you see a polar bear
Don’t forget to shiver

Row, row, row your boat
Gently to the shore
If you see a lion
Don’t forget to roar

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the creek
If you see a little mouse
Don’t forget to squeak

Row, row, row your boat
Across the reservoir
If you see a farmer
Stop and say ooo-arrr

Row, row, row your boat
All across the puddle
If you see your mummy there
Give her a lovely cuddle

Row, row, row your boat
In your bubble bath
If you see a spider/ tall giraffe
Don’t forget to laugh

Row, row, row your boat
Gently to the beach
If you see a dinosaur
Don’t forget to screech

Row, row, row your boat
Gently up the brook
If you catch a little fish
Let it off the hook

  • Row, row, row your boat
  • Gently to the lake
  • If you see something green
  • It’s probably a snake (Mr NHM made this one up! lol)

Row, row, row your boat
Out into the bay
If you see a pirate ship
Sail the other way

Rock, rock, rock your boat
Gently to and fro
Watch out, give a shout….
into the water we go… SPLASH!