It is Almost Halloween

"It is Almost Halloween" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".

It is almost Halloween,
So let's all draw a spooky scene
Like ghosts floating through the air
Or a vampire (if you dare!).
It is almost Halloween,
So let's all draw a spooky scene!

Bonus activity: Have children suggest other spooky scenes to draw and list them on the blackboard, such as:
a haunted house
a witch flying across the moon
a mummy
a scary-faced pumpkin,
then give children crayons and paper and let them choose a spooky scene to draw.

I'm a Little Witch

"I'm a Little Witch" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot".

I'm a little witch and I can fly
On my broomstick very high.
Every year on Halloween,
I sweep the moon and stars all clean!

Mary, Mary, You Look Scary:A Halloween Nursery Ryhme

(Note: Mary, Mary You Look Scary is a Halloween version of the classic nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary".)

Mary, Mary,
You look scary
In your new costume-
With your pointed hat,
Your jet-black cat
And your old straw broom!

Bonus questions to ask students:

What is Mary dressed as?

Can you guess which holiday Mary is celebrating?

A Dentist For Halloween

I think I'll be a dentist
This year for Halloween
And scare the trick-or-treaters
Into keeping their teeth clean!

Bonus activity: Explain to children that they should brush their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed to guard against cavities. Brushing at night is especially important, as you're asleep for 8-10 hours, giving bacteria lots of time to destroy your teeth.

Goodbye, Winter

"Goodbye, Winter" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques".

Goodbye, winter,
Goodbye, winter.
Hello, spring,
Hello, spring.
Tulips in my backyard,
Tulips in my backyard,
Are blossoming,
Are blossoming!

Bonus activity: Take children outside for recess on an early spring day and sing this song. Ask children how they know that the seasons have changed and that spring has arrived. Is the air warmer? The grass greener? Are flowers blooming? Are butterflies flitting about?

I Love Jelly

"I Love Jelly" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques".

Bonus activity: Set up a jelly-tasting station where you prepare toast for the children. Include the usual favorites like grape and strawberry as well as offbeat flavors like jalapeno and pomegranate. Include several sugar-free jellies for children with special dietary needs. Prepare a piece of toast for each child. Cut each piece of toast into 4 squares. Then let each child choose 4 flavors of the jelly he or she would like to try and give him or her a ballot to fill out. Tally the votes at the end of the session and write the results on the blackboard. Was grape the favorite flavor? Any votes for jalapeno? Discuss why or why not.

I love jelly,
I love jelly,
On my toast,
On my toast.
(Strawberry) is the flavor,
(Strawberry) is the flavor,
I love most,
I love most!

The Ostrich

"The Ostrich" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Oh, did you know the ostrich is the world's largest bird?
It lives in Africa in a small group called a herd.
An ostrich cannot fly; instead, it gallops on two legs.
A female ostrich lays enormous eggs!

Bonus activity: Print out this ostrich coloring sheet for each child and have him or her color it. Explain to children that ostriches are 7-9 feet tall and tower over the average human being!

Hawaii

"Hawaii" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Hawaii is a group of islands formed by volcanic activity.
Honolulu is Hawaii's capital city.
In 1959, Hawaii became America's 50th state.
It's tropical climate and tranquil waters make Hawaii great!

Bonus activity: Explain to children that, in spite of its beautiful beaches, Hawaii is home to Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. Ask children if they would enjoy living in Hawaii. Why or why not?

Giant Pandas

Giant pandas live in China.
They can swim and climb trees, too.
They're black and white and furry
And they love to eat bamboo!

Bonus activity: Print out this giant panda coloring sheet for each child and have him or her color it.

Verbs

"Verbs" is an activity song for children. Start the lesson by saying, "Today, we're all actors and the classroom is our stage". Then, sing the following song:

Verbs are action words like
Run (have children run in place) and jump (have children jump up and down) and shout (have children cup their hands around mouths and pretend to shout).
Let's think of more action words
That we can all act out!

Ask each child if he or she can think of an action word then have all of the children perform that action. If children need help, suggest:

Rake,
Bake.
Walk,
Talk.
Sigh,
Cry.

Words don't have to rhyme!

It's Thanksgiving

"It's Thanksgiving" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "Oh, My Darling Clementine".

It's Thanksgiving, it's Thanksgiving,
It's Thanksgiving-time to eat;
Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes,
Pumpkin pie...yum, what a treat!

Bonus activity: Ask children if they were preparing Thanksgiving dinner, which foods they would prepare. Would they prepare traditional dishes, such as turkey, mashed potatoes and pie? Or nontraditional dishes like tofu turkey and carob chocolate pie? Or, would they simply order a pizza? Ask why the child chose that particular menu fare. Was it love of tradition, special dietary needs, ease of preparation?

It is Sunny

"It is Sunny" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques".

It is sunny,
It is sunny.
I am glad!
I am glad!
Lookin' at those gray skies,
Lookin' at those gray skies,
Made me sad,
Made me sad!

Bonus activity: Ask children how they feel weather affects their moods. Do they feel cheerful on sunny days? Sad on rainy days? How do they feel when it's snowing?

I Love Summer

"I Love Summer" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques".

I love summer,
I love summer-
Yes, I do!
Yes, I do!
I love swimming at the beach,
I love swimming at the beach
And building sandcastles, too,
And building sandcastles, too!

Bonus activity: Go around the room and ask each child what his or her favorite summer activity is.

Abraham Lincoln

"Abraham Lincoln" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Abraham Lincoln was our sixteenth president, you see-
His Emancipation Proclamation set millions of slaves free
And though he was assassinated
Abe's spirit shines today
On every penny that is minted in the U.S.A..

Bonus activity: Abraham Lincoln had a humble beginning, born to poor farmers in a one-room cabin in Kentucky. Do you think Abe Lincoln would approve of his profile being on the penny? Discuss why or why not.

This Old Elf

"This Old Elf" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "This Old Man".

This old elf,
He builds toys.
He builds toys for girls and boys.
With a great big hammer
And a great big wrench
He builds toys at his workbench!

Bonus activity: Ask children if they can think of some other tools an elf might need to build toys.

Are We There Yet?

"Are We There Yet?" is a children's song, sung to the tune of "Oh, My Darling Clementine".

Are we there yet,
Are we there yet?
Oh, please, please say we are!
It is boring,
It is boring,
In the backseat of this car!

Bonus activity: Planning a long road trip? Give children a pencil and a drawing pad. Ask them to illustrate what the backseat of their dream car would look like. Would it have a swimming pool, an ice cream stand, a movie theater? Remember, dreams have no limits!

Welcome to Piggyback Songs

Welcome to Piggyback Songs, your source for children's learning songs and activities.