Games to play with baby / Tickle, rocking and knee bouncing rhymes S-Z

Sailing, sailing

See my little hammer

See the little mousie

She didn’t dance, dance, dance

Slowly, slowly, very slowly

Stretch up high

That’s the way the baby grows

The moon is round

This is the way the ladies ride

This little baby

This little cow eats grass

This little froggy

This little froggy (2)

This little piggy went to market

This little wind blows silver rain

Wake up little fingers

Where, oh where are baby’s fingers?

Who is the bees knees?

Whoops Tommy!

Up, up, up to baby’s nose

Last updated: 5/22/2023 9:10 AM

These songs are nursery rhymes and other traditional songs compiled, illustrated and music arranged by Dany Rosevear.

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Sailing, sailing O

This is the chorus of a song composed by Godfrey Marks in 1880. Find out more at: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=3809 .

Jog baby on your lap from side to side in time to the music. Lift up high and plant a kiss on forehead as baby comes down each time you sing ‘Ere Jack comes home again’.

Sailing, sailing over the bounding main,

For, many a stormy wind shall blow,

’Ere Jack comes home again,

Sailing, sailing over the bounding main,

For many a stormy wind shall blow,

’Ere Jack comes home again.

See my little hammer 🔊

A face and foot tapping rhyme.

Melody by Dany Rosevear.

Tap forehead gently with fist, tap nose with finger, tap one foot then the other.

See my little hammer,

See my little nail;

Can you knock it in the wood

To mend the pony’s tail?

Here’s my little hammer,

Here’s my little nail;

I can knock it in the wood

To mend the pony’s tail!

See the little mousie 🔊

A tickle rhyme; let baby anticipate the tickle by moving fingers slowly and repeating several times. Music by Dany Rosevear.

1. Make a circular motion on baby’s hand. 2. Walk up arm with two fingers. 3. Walk round shoulder. 4. Tickle gently under baby’s arm.

See the little mousie,

Creeping up the stairs;

Looking for a warm nest,

There, oh there!

She didn’t dance, dance, dance O

Another baby bouncing or ‘dandling’song; This one comes from The Clancy Brother’s sister Peg. http://martindardis.com/she_didnt_dance.html The tune is also known as CUCANANDY and in Irish ‘Dilín ó deamhas ó deamhas’.

Older children would love to dance round on the floor with a carer and then be lifted up high.

Sit and hold your baby facing you on your lap. Gently bounce her on your knee and sing along to “She didn’t dance …” While singing “So dance her up and up and up…” lift her up to your face and bring her back to your lap.

She didn't dance, dance, dance,

She didn't dance at all today,

She didn't dance, dance, dance,

No, nor yesterday.

Chorus

So dance her up and up and up and up,

And dance her up to the sky,

Dance her up and up and up and up,

And she'll be down by and by.

Oh, she is like a lady, she is like a queen,

She is like a lady off to the fair at Lynn.

So dance her up and up and up and up,

And dance her up to the sky,

Dance her up and up and up and up,

And she'll be down by and by.

He didn't dance, dance, dance,

He didn't dance at all today,

He didn't dance, dance, dance,

No, nor yesterday.

So dance him up and up and up and up,

And dance him up in the sky,

Dance him up and up and up and up,

And he'll be down by and by.

Oh, he is like a gentleman, he is like a king,

He is like a gentleman off to the fair at Lynn.

So dance him up and up and up and up,

And dance him up to the sky,

Dance him up and up and up and up,

And he'll be down by and by.

Slowly, slowly, very slowly O

Develop the concept of fast and slow.

Slowly, slowly, very slowly

Walk fingers up arm.

Creeps, creeps the garden snail.

Slowly, slowly, very slowly

Up the wooden rail.

Quickly, quickly, very quickly

Fingers run up child’s arm.

Runs, runs the little mouse.

Quickly, quickly, very quickly

Round about the house.

Fingers tickle child's underarm.

Stretch up high

This can be played with as a baby play on the lap.

Older children would perform this with big stretching and bending movements on the floor.

1. Reach arms up high. 2. Stretch baby high with toes on lap. 3. Wave hands. 4. Bend to touch toes. 5. Sway baby back and forth. 6. Move baby side to side like a duck.

Stretch, stretch, away up high;

On your tiptoes, reach the sky.

See the bluebirds flying high.

Now bend down and touch your toes;

Now sway as the North Wind blows;

And waddle as the gander goes!

That’s the way the baby grows 🔊

A traditional interactive rhyme for baby.

Melody by Dany Rosevear.

Hold up one hand and then the other. Tap baby’s nose. Point to baby’s mouth. Tap each cheek. Point to baby’s eyes, then ears. Squeeze baby’s toes. Give baby a big hug!

Five fingers on this hand,

Five fingers on that;

A dear little nose,

A mouth like a rose,

Two cheeks so tiny and fat.

Two eyes, two ears,

And ten little toes;

That's the way the baby grows!

The moon is round 🔊

Time for a big smile.

Melody by Dany Rosevear.

Draw a circle round baby’s face. Touch eyes, nose and mouth gently then point to own mouth and draw a smile and give a kiss.

The moon is round

As round can be;

Two eyes, one nose,

And a mouth…

Like me!

This is the way the ladies ride O

A baby play game. A rhyme for babies toes starting with the big toe.

Wiggle each toe in turn along to the little one, then tickle three times up the body to the chin.

This little cow eats grass,

This little cow eats hay;

This little cow drinks water;

This cow runs away;

This little cow does nothing

But sleep in the sun all day.

We’ll chase her, we’ll chase her,

We’ll chase her right away!

This little baby 🔊

A bed time hand play. Can also be played as a lap/ rocking play.

Tune by Dany Rosevear.

1. Show one finger, place hands to cheek. 2. Lay finger in palm of opposite hand.

3. Wrap fingers around baby. 4. Rock hands.

This little baby is ready for her nap,

Place her down on her mother's lap.

Cover her up, so she won't peep.

Rock her till she's fast asleep.

This little cow eats grass O

A baby play game. A rhyme for babies toes starting with the big toe.

Wiggle each toe in turn along to the little one, then tickle three times up the body to the chin.

This little cow eats grass,

This little cow eats hay;

This little cow drinks water;

This cow runs away;

This little cow does nothing

But sleep in the sun all day.

We’ll chase her, we’ll chase her,

We’ll chase her right away!

This little froggy

An opportunity to talk about appropriate behaviors.

A rhyme to play with babies’ toes starting with the big toe. Wiggle each toe in turn along to the little one, and then run fingers up the body to the underarm and tickle. Can be played on the hand too.

From “Supplementary Materials for Teacher Aide Training Programs” to supplement the publication "Teacher Aides: Handbook for Instructors and Administrators." published 1968 by the University of Wisconsin.

This little froggy broke his toe.

This little froggy said “Oh, Oh, Oh,”

This little froggy cried and was sad.

This little froggy laughed and was glad.

This little froggy did just as one should,

And hopped to the doctor as fast as it could!

This little froggy (2)

A foot play and tickle rhyme.

Don’t forget to repeat this on the second foot so there is a sense of anticipation before the tickle on the chin.

Wiggle each toe starting with the big one. Hop up to the chin and tickle it.

This little froggy took a big leap,

This little froggy took a small,

This little froggy leaped sideways,

And this little froggy not at all,

And this little froggy went,

Hippity, hippity, hippity hop, all the way home!

This little piggy went to market

A rhyme to play with babies’ toes starting with the big toe. Wiggle each toe in turn along to the little one, and then tickle all the way up the body to the underarm. It has a Roud number 19297.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Little_Piggy .

This little piggy went to the market,

This little piggy stayed home,

This little piggy had roast beef,

This little piggy had none,

And this little piggy went...

‘Wee wee wee’ all the way home!

This little wind blows silver rain 🔊

A lovely finger rhyme by anonymous set to music by Dany Rosevear. This can be sung as a lullaby rocking baby in your arms, like ‘This little piggy’ or as a hand play with preschoolers.

Touch thumb and show falling rain with fingers. Touch forefinger and fingers float down and dance like snow. Touch middle finger hands dance like the wind. Touch ring finger and move hands down. Touch little finger and make a nest with hands, rock from side to side.

This little wind blows silver rain,

This little wind drifts snow.

This little wind sings a whistled tune,

This little wind moans low.

This little wind rocks baby birds,

Tenderly to and fro.

Wake up little fingers 🔊

A waking up rhyme for the morning set to music by Dany Rosevear. It can also be played as a hand play with preschoolers.

For babies: Kiss or squeeze fingers and toes. Pick up and gntly shake. Touch under eyes.

Draw smile on mouth. Give a big cuddle. For toddlers: Wiggle fingers, run on the spot.

Stretch arms up high. Blink eyes. Draw and give a smile. Thumbs up or high fives.

Wake up little fingers;

It is time to start the day.

Wake up little feet,

We want to run and play.

Wake up little bodies

Give those bones a shake;

Blink little eyes,

Smile little lips,

Now we’re all awake!

Where, oh where are baby’s fingers? 🔊

A tickle rhyme to identify parts of the body.

Verse 1. Touch fingers. Touch toes. Tap belly button. Make circles around tummy.

Verse 2. Touch ears. Touch nose, then as before.

Where, oh where are baby’s fingers?

Where, oh where are baby’s toes?

Where, oh where is baby’s belly button?

'Round and round and round it goes.

Where, oh where are baby’s ears?

Where, oh where is baby’s nose?

Where, oh where is baby’s belly button?

'Round and round and round it goes.

Who is the bees knees? 🔊

A baby or toddler bounce. The ‘bees knees’ is something wonderful, the best, a sweetheart.

Music by Dany Rosevear.

1. & 2. Bounce child on lap. 3. Hold hands and push and pull backwards and forwards. 4. Bounce child on lap and then drop between legs. 5. Cuddle child, then tap on nose.

Who is the bees knees,

Bees knees, bees knees,

Who is the bees knees,

Bouncing up and down?

Greta is the bees knees,

Bees knees, bees knees,

Greta is the bees knees,

Bouncing up and down!

(OUCH! It stung me!)

Push me, push me on the swing please,

Swing please, swing please,

Push me, push me on the swing please,

Flying up and down!

Buttercups and daisies,

Daisies, daisies,

Buttercups and daisies,

All fall down!

Ivan needs a big squeeze,

A big squeeze, a big squeeze,

Ivan needs a big squeeze,

To mend a grumpy frown.

Whoops Tommy!

This game is also familiar as ‘Johnny whoop’ or whoops. Use your own toddler’s name when playing this game. Older children will appreciate playing the trick suggested at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Whoop

Young children can improve their coordination by playing this game especially at increase speed!

Gently squeeze each finger of the hand then slide down from the fore finger to the thumb and up then back again.

Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Whoops! Tommy… (thumb)

Whoops! Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy.

Up, up, up to baby’s nose O

A baby play game. A rhyme for babies toes starting at the tummy.

Make first two fingers walk up to the nose and then down to the toes. Lift baby up high then cuddle in arms.

Up, up, up to baby’s nose,

Down, down, down to baby’s toes.

Up, up, up, lift baby high,

Flying, flying in the sky.

Down, down, down my baby goes,

In my lap for hugs like so.

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