Nursery rhymes have been a cherished part of childhood for generations, offering a delightful way to entertain, educate, and bond with young children.
These timeless tunes are not only fun to sing but also play a crucial role in early childhood development.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or teacher, introducing these classic nursery rhymes to the little ones in your life can be a joyful experience.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the best 10 nursery rhymes of all time and their lyrics. This article is part of our Favourite 100 Nursery Rhyme Series and you can view the next 10 rhymes here or from the bottom of this list!
And if you are after more resources such as a video so you can hear the rhyme sung, we have provided a link after the lyrics of each rhyme to take you to one of our resource pages with all the helpful information you are after including links to lesson plans and more!
What is the best nursery rhyme for toddlers and kids?
We think the 10 best nursery rhymes for children are Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Humpty Dumpty, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Old MacDonald Had a Farm, Hickory Dickory Dock, Row Row Row Your Boat, Jack and Jill and lastly The Wheels on the Bus.
Want to know what the next 10 best rhymes are? Then read Our Top 20 Best Nursery Rhymes for Children – with Lyrics!
1. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Our number one pick is a soothing lullaby that encourages a sense of wonder and imagination as it explores the vastness of the night sky. This rhyme helps develop a child’s sense of curiosity about the world around them.
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!
For more resources on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star click Here!
2. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Baa Baa Black Sheep is a simple rhyme that introduces young children to the concept of sharing and basic math by discussing division. It also engages their sense of rhythm and rhyme.
Bah, Bah, a Black Sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, old mate, I have,
Three Bags full,
Two for my master’s,
One for my Dame,
None for the Little Boy
That cries in the lane.
Click here for more resources on Baa Baa Black Sheep
3. Humpty Dumpty
A classic tale of perseverance and resilience, Humpty Dumpty faces a great fall and the challenge of being put back together. This rhyme teaches children about consequences and problem-solving.
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.
Click here for more resources on Humpty Dumpty
4. Itsy Bitsy Spider
This is a delightful rhyme that introduces kids to the world of nature and the perseverance of a tiny spider. It encourages fine motor skills as children mimic the spider’s movements.
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout
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.
Sometimes, the words Itsy Bitsy are replaced with Incy Wincy.
Click here for more resources for Itsy Bitsy Spider
5. Mary Had a Little Lamb
Another charming story that fosters empathy and compassion as it tells the tale of a girl and her loyal lamb. It also reinforces the importance of responsibility and caring for animals.
Mary had a little lamb
Little lamb, little lamb,
Mary had a little lamb
Its fleece was white as snow
And everywhere that Mary went
Mary went, Mary went
And everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go
It followed her to school one day
School one day, school one day
It followed her to school one day
Which was against the rules
It made the children laugh and play
Laugh and play, laugh and play
It made the children laugh and play
To see the lamb at school
And so, the teacher turned it out
Turned it out, turned it out
And so, the teacher turned it out
But still, it lingered near
Why does the lamb love Mary so?
Love Mary so, love Mary so
Why does the lamb love Mary so?
The eager children cry
Why Mary loves the lamb, you know
The lamb, you know, the lamb, you know
Why Mary loves the lamb, you know
The teacher did reply
Mary had a little lamb
Little lamb, little lamb
Mary had a little lamb
Its fleece was white as snow
Click here for more resources for Mary Had A Little Lamb
6. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
This fun and interactive song helps children learn about animals, their sounds, and the concept of a farm. It’s perfect for expanding vocabulary and encouraging creativity.
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.
Here a quack.
There a quack.
Everywhere a quack quack.
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.
Here a neigh.
There a neigh.
Everywhere a neigh neigh.
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.
Here a moo.
There a moo.
Everywhere a moo moo.
Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
Continue by adding different farm animals such as a chicken – cluck, Turkey – Gobble, goat – bleat, dog – woof, cat – miaow.
Click here for more resources for Old Macdonald Had a Farm
7. Hickory Dickory Dock
A playful rhyme that introduces the concept of time through a whimsical story about a mouse climbing a clock. It aids in developing numerical awareness and sequencing skills.
Hickory Dickory Dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one
The mouse ran down
Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck two
The mouse went ‘Boo’
Hickory Dickory Dock
You can continue with more numbers and make up actions for the mouse.
8. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Row your Boat is a gentle and repetitive rhyme that encourages cooperation as children sing together and mimic rowing a boat. It’s perfect for enhancing social skills and harmony.
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream
Click here for more resources for Row Row Row Your Boat
9. Jack and Jill
The classic adventure that teaches kids about cause and effect as Jack and Jill go up the hill to fetch a pail of water. It also promotes teamwork and problem-solving.
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.
Up Jack got, and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper,
He went to bed to mend his head,
With vinegar and brown paper.
Click here for more resources for Jack & Jill
10. The Wheels on the Bus
This favorite nursery rhyme is an interactive and lively song that teaches kids about various parts of a bus and introduces the concept of repetition. Children love joining in with the actions, making it a great choice for group activities.
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 Day Long
The doors on the bus go open and shut
Open and shut
Open and shut
The doors on the bus go open and shut
All Day Long
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 Day Long
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 Day Long
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 Day Long
The motor on the bus goes vroom, vroom, vroom
Vroom, vroom, vroom
Vroom, vroom, vroom
The motor on the bus goes vroom, vroom, vroom
All Day Long
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 Day Long
The baby on the bus goes, “Wah, Wah, Wah”
“Wah, Wah, Wah,”
“Wah, Wah, Wah,”
The baby on the bus goes, “Wah, Wah, Wah”
All Day Long
The mommies on the bus go, “Shh, shh, shh”
“Shh, shh, shh”
“Shh, shh, shh”
The daddies on the bus go, “Shh, shh, shh”
All Day Long
The daddies on the bus say, ” I love you”
” I love you “
” I love you “
The daddies on the bus go, ” I love you “
All Day Long
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 Day Long
Click here for more resources for The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
