Singing and sharing classic nursery rhymes with children can create lasting memories and enhance their early learning experiences, which is why we have compiled a list of our top 30 nursery rhymes.
This article is part of our Favourite 100 Nursery Rhymes Series and this article contains rhymes 21 through to 30!
To see the first 10 best nursery rhymes for children take a look at our list here! or use the buttons to see the previous or next 10 in the list!
If you are after more resources such as a video so you can hear the rhyme sung simply click on the links provided with each nursery rhyme and you will be taken to another page on our website with all the helpful information you are after!
21. Hey Diddle Diddle
This rhyme brings whimsy to the animal kingdom, introducing children to a fantastical world where cows jump over moons and cats play the fiddle. It encourages imagination and creativity.
Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon,
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the Spoon
Click here for more resources on Hey Diddle Diddle
22. BINGO
“Bingo” is a spirited and interactive nursery rhyme that encourages children to engage with spelling and repetition. As the song progresses, each letter of “Bingo” is replaced with claps, adding an element of fun and skill development to this timeless favorite.
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
And Bingo was his name-o.
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(clap)-I-N-G-O
(clap)-I-N-G-O
(clap)-I-N-G-O
And Bingo was his name-o.
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(clap)-(clap)-N-G-O
(clap)-(clap)-N-G-O
(clap)-(clap)-N-G-O
And Bingo was his name-o.
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-G-O
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-G-O
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-G-O
And Bingo was his name-o.
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-O
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-O
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-O
And Bingo was his name-o.
There was a farmer who had a dog,
And Bingo was his name-o.
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)
(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)-(clap)
And Bingo was his name-o.
Click here for more resources on Bingo
23. Baby Shark
“Baby Shark” has taken the world by storm with its catchy melody and playful actions. It’s an excellent choice for teaching young children about sea creatures while also promoting movement and coordination.
Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Baby Shark
Mommy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Mommy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Mommy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Mommy Shark
Daddy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Daddy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Daddy Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Daddy Shark
Grandma Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Grandma Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Grandma Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Grandma Shark
Grandpa Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Grandpa Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Grandpa Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo
Grandpa Shark
Let’s go hunt, doo-doo, doo-doo
Let’s go hunt, doo-doo, doo-doo
Let’s go hunt, doo-doo, doo-doo
Let’s go hunt
Run away, doo-doo, doo-doo
Run away, doo-doo, doo-doo
Run away, doo-doo, doo-doo
Run away (ah!)
Safe at last, doo-doo, doo-doo
Safe at last, doo-doo, doo-doo
Safe at last, doo-doo, doo-doo
Safe at last (phew)
It’s the end, doo-doo, doo-doo
It’s the end, doo-doo, doo-doo
It’s the end, doo-doo, doo-doo
It’s the end
Click here for more resources on Baby Shark
24. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
This rhyme teaches kids about counting and the consequences of not listening to their caregivers. It’s a playful way to reinforce safety rules while engaging in imaginative storytelling.
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Four little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Three little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
Two little monkeys jumping on the bed
One fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said
“No more monkeys jumping on the bed!”
One little monkey jumping on the bed
He fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said
“Put those monkeys right to bed!”
No little monkeys jumping on the bed,
None fell off and bumped their head,
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said,
“Put those monkeys back in bed!”
Click here for more resources on Five Little Monkeys Jumping on The Bed
25. London Bridge is Falling Down
A historic rhyme that sparks curiosity about architecture and history. Children sing about the challenges of building and rebuilding London Bridge, fostering an understanding of engineering concepts and the importance of resilience.
London Bridge is falling down
Falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down
My fair Lady
Build it up with iron bars
Iron bars, iron bars
Build it up with iron bars
My fair Lady
Iron bars will bend and break
Bend and break, bend, and break
Iron bars will bend and break
My fair lady
Build it up with gold and silver
Gold and silver, gold and silver
Build it up with gold and silver
My fair lady
London Bridge is falling down
Falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down
My fair lady
Silver and gold will be stolen away,
Stolen away, stolen away,
Silver and gold will be stolen away,
My fair lady.
Set a man to watch all night,
Watch all night, watch all night,
Set a man to watch all night,
My fair lady.
Suppose the man should fall asleep,
Fall asleep, fall asleep,
Suppose the man should fall asleep?
My fair lady.
Give him a pipe to smoke all night,
Smoke all night, smoke all night,
Give him a pipe to smoke all night,
My fair lady.
Click here for more resources on London Bridge Is Falling Down
26. A Sailor Went to Sea
A Sailor Went to Sea”. This delightful song introduces children to the world of seafaring adventures. It encourages curiosity about the sea and its many wonders.
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea,
To see what he could see, see, see.
But all that he could see, see, see,
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea.
A seahorse!
A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what she could see see see.
But all that she could see see see
was a seahorse swimming in the sea sea sea.
A jellyfish!
A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what she could see see see.
But all that she could see see see
was a jellyfish swimming and a seahorse swimming in the sea sea sea.
A turtle!
A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what she could see see see.
But all that she could see see see
was a turtle swimming, and a jellyfish swimming, and a seahorse swimming in the sea sea sea.
An octopus!
A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what she could see see see.
But all that she could see see see
was an octopus swimming, and a turtle swimming, and a jellyfish swimming, and a seahorse swimming in the sea sea sea.
A baby shark!
A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what she could see see see.
But all that she could see see see
was a baby shark swimming, and an octopus swimming, and a turtle swimming, and a jellyfish swimming, and a seahorse swimming in the sea sea sea.
A blue whale!
A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what she could see see see.
But all that she could see see see
was a blue whale swimming, and a baby shark swimming, and an octopus swimming, and a turtle swimming, and a jellyfish swimming, and a seahorse swimming in the sea sea sea.
I recommend heading the resource page for this rhyme that gives you the lyrics to the Australian/British version with a video of The Wiggles singing as it is a great one for co-ordination and memory as each time you sing the verse you add on a new nonsense word and action. Click here for more resources on A Sailor Went to Sea
27. If You’re Happy and You Know It
This classic rhyme combines music, movement, and emotional expression. It’s an excellent tool for teaching children about feelings and the importance of emotional well-being.
f you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
(Everyone claps twice)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
(Everyone claps twice)
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
(Everyone claps twice)
For the preceding verses, replace clap your hands with other actions.
The most common replacement actions are:
Stomp your feet!
Slap your knees!
Snap your fingers!
Nod your head!
Turn around!
Shout hooray!
Do all three!
Shout hooray!
Click here for more resources on If You’re Happy and You Know It
28. This Old Man He Played One
“This Old Man” is not only catchy but also helps children learn to count and practice basic arithmetic. Each verse counts up from one to ten, making it an educational and rhythmic experience.
This old man, he played one,
He played knick-knack on my thumb;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played two,
He played knick-knack on my shoe;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played three,
He played knick-knack on my knee;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played four,
He played knick-knack on my door;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played five,
He played knick-knack on my hive;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played six,
He played knick-knack on my sticks;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played seven,
He played knick-knack up in heaven;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played eight,
He played knick-knack on my gate;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played nine,
He played knick-knack on my spine;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
This old man, he played ten,
He played knick-knack once again;
With a knick-knack paddywhack,
Give the dog a bone,
This old man came rolling home.
Click here for more resources on This Old Man He Played One
29. Alice the Camel (Also known as Sally the Camel)
“Alice the Camel” is a real wizz banger that makes kids everywhere as well as parents and carers laugh! It is a whimsical rhyme that engages kids in a countdown from five to one, helping them learn numbers and sequencing.
Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice the camel has five humps.
Alice, the camel, has five humps.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
Alice the camel has four humps.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
Alice the camel has three humps.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
Alice the camel has two humps.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one hump.
Alice the camel has one hump.
So ride, Alice, ride.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Alice, the camel has no humps.
Alice the camel has no humps.
Alice the camel has no humps.
‘Cause Alice is a horse, of course
Click here for more resources on Alice the Camel
30. Ten in the Bed
Our final rhyme in this list is “Ten in the Bed” which teaches subtraction and counting in reverse as children sing about a bed that gets less crowded with each verse. It’s a fun way to reinforce numerical concepts.
There were ten in the bed,
And the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over, and one fell out.
There were nine in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over, and one fell out.
There were eight in the bed
and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over, and one fell out.
There were seven in the bed
and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over, and one fell out.
There were six in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over, and one fell out.
There were five in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over, and one fell out.
There were four in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over, and one fell out.
There were three in the bed
and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over, and one fell out.
There were two in the bed
And the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they both rolled over, and one fell out.
There was one in the bed
and the little one said,
“I’m lonely… [sigh].”
Click here for more resources on Ten In The Bed