Nursery number favourites to 5 F lw
Five
little fingers
Five
little fishes
Five
little friends in a flying saucer
Five
little gingerbread men in a row
Five
little gingerbread men lying on a tray
Fi ve
little icicles
Five
little leprechauns
Five
little men made out of snow
Five
little monkeys bouncing on the bed
Five
little monkeys swinging in a tree
Five
little monkeys walked along the shore
Five
little owls on a moonlit night
Five
little piggies
Five
little piggies (2)
Five
little robins on a sycamore tree
Five
little shamrocks
Five
little speckled frogs
Five
little teddy bears
Five
little turkeys
Five
little worms on the garden lawn
Last updated: 14/08/2023 08:01
The songs below are compiled, illustrated and sometimes
adapted
by
Dany Rosevear
Return to the ‘Singing games for
children’ home
To listen to music from these songs click on 🔊
To watch the author
sing a song click on the title at:
© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved
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are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the
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|
Five little fingers 🔊
A classic hand
play. For more challenge sing ‘Ten little fingers’. 1. Hold up five fingers and wiggle them. 2. Dance fingers on lap or a
surface. 3. Tap fingers on lap or a surface. 4. Shake fingers. 5. Cross
fingers at wrist and make them fly. 6. Place fingers to cheek and close eyes. |
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Five little fingers, my
little fingers, fat little fingers, so! La lala la la, la lala la la,
la la la la la! Dance little fingers my little
fingers, fat little fingers, so! La lala la la, la lala la la,
la la la la la! Tap little fingers, my little
fingers, fat little fingers, so! La lala la la, la lala la la,
la la la la la! Shake little fingers, my little
fingers, fat little fingers, so! La lala la la, la lala la la,
la la la la la! Fly little fingers, my little
fingers, fat little fingers, so! La lala la la, la lala la la,
la la la la la! Sleep little fingers, my
little fingers, fat little fingers, so! La lala la la, la lala la la,
la la la la la! |
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Five little fishes 🔊
Watch out
little fish – here comes shark! A simple ‘one less’ number hand play. 1. Put up number of fingers. 2. Place one hand on
top of the other hand with thumbs out and moving like fins. 3. Palms of hands
open and shut. 4. Grab at fish. Continue with four and down to zero. Last
line: Point fiercely at audience. |
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Five little fishes, Swimming in the sea, Along came a great big Shark… And ate one for his tea! Four little fishes… Three little fishes… Two little fishes… One little fish, Swimming in the sea, Along came a great big Shark… And ate it for his tea! No little fishes, Swimming in the sea Along came a great big Shark
who said, "Did you eat my
tea?" |
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Five little
friends in a flying saucerO
An updated version of ‘Five little men in a flying saucer’. Count fingers down in this nursery favourite that encourages
subtracting numbers from five. At the end of the song introduce the concept
of nought.
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Five little icicles 🔊
A Winter, cold
weather hand play. Learn ordinal numbers. Music adapted
and arranged by Dany Rosevear. 1. Hold five fingers downward. 2. Push back one
finger and rub arms. 3. Push back next finger and wiggle fingers. 4. As
before, put hands to heart. 5. As before, point to the sky. 6. As before,
throw out hands. 6. Wiggle fingers downwards and then spread out. 7. Curl
fingers slowly up into fist. |
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Five
little icicles hanging in a row. The first one said, "It's cold, you
know." The second one said, "We're shiny and
bright." The third one said, "We're a beautiful
sight." The fourth one said, "Just look up
there!" The fifth one said, "Where oh, where?" The sun shone down. It melted the snow. The five little icicles said, "Here we
go!" |
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Five little gingerbread men in a row O
Put felt gingerbread men on a board
and remove one at a time. Or even better make five gingerbread men biscuits
and eat with friends. Verse 1: Hold up five fingers, wave from side to side. Shake finger
and head. Hand Make binoculars with hands to the eyes, touch head then toes.
Slap thighs for ‘crunch’, clap hands for ‘munch’, then put hands to mouth on
‘uh oh!’ Verse 2: As before but on the third line make binoculars, then
forefingers run down cheeks to represent tears. Last line: slap thighs, clap,
then throw up hands and shrug shoulders. |
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Five little gingerbread men in a row, Not gonna eat one no, no, no! But they look so sweet from head to toe Crunch, munch...uh oh! Continue until... No little gingerbread men in a row; Wasn't gonna eat one, no, no, no. But they looked so sweet that it's sad to tell Crunch, munch... oh well! |
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Five little gingerbread men lying
on a tray 🔊
‘Catch me if
you can!’ goes the refrain from the classic story, one that every child
should hear. At the end of the song comes the conundrum: eat, play or sing! Place fingers of one hand onto the open hand of the
other hand. Make one finger run away. Put hands to mouth to shout, make
finger run, look proud and point to self. Continue with four and down to
zero. |
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Five little gingerbread men
lying on a tray, One jumped up and ran away. Shouting, "Catch me,
catch me, catch me if you can! I run really fast, I’m the
gingerbread man, The gingerbread man, the
gingerbread man, I run really fast, I’m the
gingerbread man! Four little gingerbread men
lying on a tray… Three little gingerbread men
lying on a tray… Two little gingerbread men
lying on a tray… One little gingerbread man
lying on a tray, He jumped up and ran away…. No more gingerbread men lying
on a tray, They all jumped up and ran
away. Oh, how I wish they had
stayed with me to play. Next time I'll eat them before
they run away! |
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Five little leprechauns 🔊
A subtraction
rhyme A leprechaun
is a little bearded man from Irish folklore; dressed in a green coat he is
reknowned for his mischeivous ways. Find out more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprechaun |
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Five little leprechauns
knocked at my door, One chased a rainbow, then
there were four, Four little leprechauns, oh
so wee, One picked a shamrock, then
there were three. Three little leprechauns
hiding in my shoe, One found a toadstool, then
there were two. Two little leprechauns
dancing in the sun, One went in search of gold,
then there was one. One little leprechaun on the
run, He shined his shoe buckles
and sat in the sun. |
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Five little men made out of snow O
This traditional song has several tunes but I love this one by Nancy
Stewart. This song can simply be played using the fingers and hands or with a
group of children where one child drops down each time to become a puddle. 1. Hold up five fingers. 2. Pretend to put on hat and tie bow. 3. Make
sun with a big movement and make it shine. 4. One finger wiggles downward. 5.
Shrug shoulders and throw out palms of hands. |
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Five little men made out of snow, Each with a hat and a big red bow, Out came the sun and it stayed all day, One little snowman melted away! SPOKEN And he said, “Oops, I’m a puddle!” Four little men made out of snow… And so on. No little men made out of snow, None with a hat and a big red bow, Out came the sun and it winked my way, Put on your wellies, it’s time for puddle play! |
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Count fingers down in this nursery favourite that encourages
subtracting numbers from five. At the end of the song introduce the concept
of nought.
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Five little
monkeys bouncing on the bed O
Another simple subtraction song using numbers to five. It can also be
used with the numbers to ten counting back in twos. I have added a new final
verse to include ‘ no little monkeys’ For a more vigorous workout have children jumping up and down in large
hoops with one child jumping out of the hoop at the end of each verse and
then all jumping back in on the last verse.
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This song is usually chanted and the monkeys come to a sorry end; the
one below has a happier outcome – perhaps! Versions from the Americas usually have the monkeys teasing an
alligator. Hold up five fingers for each
monkey. With fingers pointing downwards swing hands to and fro. Tickle the
back of one hand. Shake finger from side to side. Make hands open and close
moving forwards. Make a big ‘snip snap’. Put hand to mouth.
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Count back from five using your fingers.
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Five little owls on a moonlit night
🔊
Keep score and
learn to subtract with this night time song. Music by Dany
Rosevear. Put one finger down each time to show ‘one less’.
You can also show the owls big round eyes by making thumb and forefinger into
circles. Cross hands at wrists to make one owl fly away. Count fingers to
keep score. Make beak with forefingers when calling Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! Flap
elbows to have lots of fun. |
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Five little owls on a moonlit
night, Five little owls are quite a
sight. Five little owls, are you
keeping score? One flew away! And then there
were four. Four little owls as happy as
can be, One flew away then there were
three. Three little owls calling
Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! One flew away! And that left
two. Two little owls having lots
of fun, One flew away and that left
one. One little owl, we are almost
done, He flew away and that left
none. |
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Five little piggies
A farmyard
counting fingerplay for bedtime. Use fingers or
toes for counting. 1. Tap watch. Show fist. 2. Hands cross chest. 3.
With one hand clenched use the other raise one finger at a time and wiggle
it. 4. Put up thumb. |
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"It's time for my
piggies to go to bed." The great, big mother piggy
said, "So I will count them
first to see If all my piggies come back
to me. One little piggy, two little
piggies, three little piggies dear Four little piggies, five
little piggies Yes, they're all here!" |
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Five little piggies 🔊 (2)
Mucky farmyard
fun, a counting hand play. A traditional nursery
number verse adapted and arranged by Dany Rosevear. 1. Hold up five fingers. Roll one hand round the other. Throw one thumb
over your shoulder. Open and close fingers and thumbs on each ‘oink!’ 2. Repeat each time counting down from four to one. 3. Throw palms out to signify no pigs. Place hands
to face and smile sweetly. Wag finger in alarm. Roll arms around vigorously. |
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Five little piggies rolled
around in the mud, Squishy, squashy squish it
felt so good! The farmer then took one pig
out, With an “Oink, oink, oink!”
how that piggy did shout! Repeat verses counting down
from four to one. No little piggies rolled
around in the mud, Each one looked so clean and
good, The farmer turned his back
and then, Those piggies rolled around
in the mud again! |
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Five little robins in a sycamore
tree O
This
delightful finger play rhyme comes from ‘Early Childhood Themes Through the Year’ by Debbie Thompson, Darlene
Hardwick, Theresa Wright. Dany Rosevear
wrote the melody. 1. Hold up five fingers. 2. Hold up thumb then
forefinger 3. Hold up the rest. 4. Point to thumb then forefinger. 5. Point
to subsequent fingers. |
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Five little robins in a
sycamore tree, A father, a mother, And babies three; Father brought a worm, Mother brought a bug, The three baby robins started
to tug; This one ate the bug, This one ate the worm, This one sat and waited for
his turn. |
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Five little shamrocks 🔊
A song for St.
Patrick’s Day. Add one more each time. Find as many shades of green and their
names as possible. Music by Dany
Rosevear. Raise a finger for each shamrock. |
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One green shamrock, in the
morning dew, Another one sprouted and then
there were two. Two green shamrocks growing
beneath a tree, Another one sprouted and then
there were three. Three green shamrocks by the
cottage door, Another one sprouted and then
there were four. Four green shamrocks near a
beehive, Another one sprouted and then
there were five. Five little shamrocks bright
and emerald green, Think of all the good luck
those shamrocks will bring! |
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A big springtime nursery favourite. Get jumping around the room like little frogs for a more energetic
activity than the hand actions below. Make a big splashing sound with a tambourine when the frog jumps into
the pool.
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Five little shamrocks 🔊
A song for St.
Patrick’s Day. Add one more each time. Find as many shades of green and their
names as possible. Music by Dany
Rosevear. Raise a finger for each shamrock. |
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One green shamrock, in the
morning dew, Another one sprouted and then
there were two. Two green shamrocks growing
beneath a tree, Another one sprouted and then
there were three. Three green shamrocks by the
cottage door, Another one sprouted and then
there were four. Four green shamrocks near a
beehive, Another one sprouted and then
there were five. Five little shamrocks bright
and emerald green, Think of all the good luck
those shamrocks will bring! |
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Five little teddy bears 🔊
Many children have more than one teddy nearby to bounce at betime.
This teddy bear version provides an alternative to the somewhat contentious
origins of ‘Five little monkeys’ but keeps its great rhythm A simple subtraction song using numbers to five. Older children can
use it with numbers to ten counting back in twos. I have added a new final
verse to include ‘ no little monkeys’ Words and
music by Dany Rosevear inspired by ‘Five little monkeys’. Hold up five fingers, one for each monkey. Each time
the song is sung lower one finger. Tap fingers on the palm of the other hand.
Hold head and look upset. Pretend to phone doctor. Shake forefinger crossly. |
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Five little teddy bears
bouncing on the bed, One fell off and bumped its
head. Mamma bear called the doctor
and the doctor said, “No more little teddy bears
bouncing on the bed!” Four little teddy bears ... Three little teddy bears ... Two little teddy bears ... One little teddy bear ... No
little teddy bears bouncing on the bed, They’re down on the floor with tired little heads, The clock strikes seven and mamma bear says, “Sleepy little teddy bears jump back into bed! ” |
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Five little teddy bears (2) 🔊
A hand play
for a teddy bears picnic and to introduce ordinal numbers. Music by Dany
Rosevear. 1. Hold up five fingers. 2. Pinch forefingers and
thumbs under chin. 3. Form hat with hands over head. 4. Place both hands on
cheek. 5. ‘Drink’ milk. 6. Hug self. |
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Five little teddy bears all
in a row, The first one wears a spotty
red bow. The second one has a hat on
it’s head, The third one sleeps with me
in my bed. The fourth one is drinking
milk from a mug, The fifth one gives me a
great bear hug! |
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Five little turkeys O
A number song for
Thanksgiving or Christmas. Some versions for those with more stamina start at
ten and can easily found on line – or make up your own verses! Melody by Dany
Rosevear. Subtract one
each time from five. |
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Five little turkeys sat in
their pen, “Hide, turkeys, hide!”
said the little red hen. One little turkey hopped
out of the door, And when he was gone,
there were four. Four little turkeys sat in
their pen, “Hide, turkeys, hide!” said
the little red hen. One little turkey climbed
up a tree, And when he was gone,
there were three. Three little turkeys sat
in their pen, “Hide, turkeys, hide!”
said the little red hen. One little turkey flapped
his wings and flew, And when he was gone,
there were two. Two little turkeys sat in
their pen, “Hide, turkeys, hide!”
said the little red hen. One little turkey flew out
in the sun. And when he was gone, that
left one. One little turkey sat in
his pen, “Hide, turkey, hide!” said
the little red hen. The last little turkey
said, “I’m off to have fun!” And when he was gone,
there were none! |
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Five little worms on
the garden lawn O
The number of worms on the lawn go down but those in the magpie’s tum
go up; subtraction and addition in each verse! |
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Five little worms on the
garden lawn, Wriggling around at the
crack of dawn. Along came a magpie, Yum,
yum, yum! Now that little worm is in
her tum. Little worm, little worm, One little worm in a
magpie’s tum. Four little worms on the
garden lawn, Wriggling around at the
crack of dawn. Along came a magpie, Yum,
yum, yum! Now that little worm is in
her tum. Now that little worm is in
her tum Little worms, little
worms, Two little worms in a
magpie’s tum. Three little worms on the
garden lawn, Wriggling around at the
crack of dawn. Along came a magpie, Yum,
yum, yum! Now that little worm is in
her tum. Little worms, little
worms, Three little worms in a
magpie’s tum. Two little worms on the
garden lawn, Wriggling around at the
crack of dawn. Along came a magpie, Yum,
yum, yum! Now that little worm is in
her tum. Little worms, little
worms, Four little worms in a
magpie’s tum. One little worm on the
garden lawn, Wriggling around at the
crack of dawn. Along came a magpie, Yum,
yum, yum! Now that little worm is in
her tum. Little worms, little
worms, Five little worms in a
magpie's tum. |
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