Counting songs are a fun way for children to practise counting forwards and backwards and build early number skills. Rhythm and repetition help make number sequences easier to remember.
Here are 10 fun counting rhymes for kids, with videos and lyrics. Some are old favourites and others are newer rhymes.
1. The Ants Go Marching
The ants go marching one by one Hurrah, hurrah The ants go marching one by one Hurrah, hurrah The ants go marching one by one The little one stops to suck his thumb And they all go marching down to the ground to get out of the rain Boom boom boom
Repeat the verses, changing the number of ants and the action line:
The ants go marching two by two The little one stops to tie his shoe
The ants go marching three by three The little one stops to climb a tree
The ants go marching four by four The little one stops to shut the door
The ants go marching five by five The little one stops to take a dive
The ants go marching six by six The little one stops to pick up sticks
The ants go marching seven by seven The little one stops to pray to heaven
The ants go marching eight by eight The little one stops to roller skate
The ants go marching nine by nine The little one stops to check the time
The ants go marching ten by ten The little one stops to shout, “The End!”
2. Ten Green Bottles
Ten green bottles Hanging on the wall Ten green bottles Hanging on the wall And if one green bottle Should accidentally fall There'll be nine green bottles Hanging on the wall
Nine green bottles…
Eight green bottles…
Repeat verses until there are no green bottles left:
One green bottle Hanging on the wall One green bottle Hanging on the wall If that one green bottle Should accidentally fall There'll be no green bottles Hanging on the wall
3. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
One, two Buckle my shoe Three, four Shut the door Five, six Pick up sticks Seven, eight Don't be late Nine, ten Do it over again!
4.Five Little Ducks
Five little ducks went out one day Over the hill and far away Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack" But only four little ducks came back 1, 2, 3, 4
Four little ducks went out one day Over the hill and far away Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack" But only three little ducks came back 1, 2, 3
Continue counting down until:
One little duck went out one day Over the hill and far away Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack" But none of the five little ducks came back
Sad mother duck went out one day Over the hill and far away Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack" And all five little ducks came back
5. Ten in a Bed
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…
There were eight in the bed…
Repeat verses until there is only one left in the bed:
Looking for simple, ready-to-go play ideas? The Learning Through Play Activity Pack gives you quick, low-prep activities with real developmental benefits — ideal for busy parents. 👉 Have a look inside
6. Five Fat Sausages
Five fat sausages sizzling in a pan The grease got hot - and one went "BANG"!
Four fat sausages sizzling in a pan The grease got hot - and one went "BANG"!
Three fat sausages sizzling in a pan The grease got hot - and one went "BANG"!
Two fat sausages sizzling in a pan The grease got hot - and one went "BANG"!
One fat sausage sizzling in a pan The grease got hot - and it went "BANG"!
No fat sausages frying in a pan.
7. Five Little Speckled Frogs
Five little speckled frogs Sat on a speckled log Eating some most delicious bugs. YUM! YUM! One jumped into the pool, Where it was nice and cool, Then there were four speckled frogs! GLUB! GLUB!
Four little speckled frogs…
Three little speckled frogs…
Repeat verses until there are no speckled frogs left:
One little speckled frog Sat on a speckled log Eating some most delicious bugs. YUM! YUM! He jumped into the pool, Where it was nice and cool, Then there were no speckled frogs!
8. One, Two, Three, Four, Five
One, two, three, four, five, Once I caught a fish alive. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, Then I let it go again. Why did you let it go? Because it bit my finger so. Which finger did it bite? This little finger on my right.
Five little snowmen standing in a line One, Two, Three, Four, Five So fine Melt in the sunshine with a sigh We'll see you next year Bye Bye!
Four little snowmen standing in a line One, Two, Three, Four So fine Melt in the sunshine with a sigh We'll see you next year Bye Bye!
Repeat verses until there are no snowmen left:
One little snowman standing in a line One So fine Melt in the sunshine with a sigh We'll see you next year Bye Bye!
10. Rabbits
Rabbits rabbits 1 2 3 Will you come and play with me? Camels camels 4 5 6 Why do you have a hump like this? Monkeys monkeys 7 8 9 Will you teach me how to climb? When I have counted up to ten The elephant says now start again.
Those are 10 of my favourite counting rhymes, but there are many more to choose from!
There are also more action songs, counting rhymes and fingerplays included in the Free Activity Pack below so don’t forget to sign up for that too!
Brilliant ! 6 of the ten I learnt as a child in the 60's! So wonderful. Thank you for all of the thinking that has gone into your curriculum ideas.They are so well thought out! I am going to teach them to my grand kids.
I had completely forgotten about some of these songs! My little guy has just been diagnosed as ADD.
He is having trouble with learning at school & I’m trying to think of fun ways to help him at home.
The expectations at school for a four year old to learn are ridiculous anymore! When I was little kindergarten was about learning through play. Not doing worksheets!
Apologies for the late response Emily. I missed this comment. It really is sad how much the focus has shifted onto academics nowadays. At least your son has a mom who is researching fun things to keep him learning!
Hi Priscilla,
Have you downloaded my free mini course yet? You can do so here https://empoweredparents.co/teach-my-preschooler/
There is tons of useful information for you to help with your little one.
Have a great day
Tanja
Thanks so much for letting me know. I can't seem to find it. Is it in this article or on a different page of my website? Are you perhaps referring to the fact that it is spelt on this article with an s? It is just the British spelling that I've used.
You somehow connected with my email and I have been receiving Emails from Empowered Parents. I am a retired math teacher educator who is passionate about the importance of incorporating math into conversations we have with children in the early years. When you have a chance, please go to my website at http://www.powerstartmath.com.
I just requested your Teach-My-Preschooler guide. Also, I live in Birmingham, Alabama. Are you here, too? Please contact me. I would love to meet you. More detailed contact information for me is on my website.
Thank you for your message. I'm actually from South Africa!
I love your website and would encourage my readers to read your articles. I really agree with the opening line of one of your articles:
"Now, remember that our intent is not to push academic, primary work down into preschool but to take advantage of the early years for giving children early, hands-on experiences that will lead to deep understandings of some of the basics before the primary grades."
This pretty much sums up the message I am trying to spread to parents - preparing young preschoolers through play and hands-on experiences. There is too much emphasis nowadays on trying to force young children to learn academic skills they are not ready for. Preschoolers don't learn Maths through worksheets, but through play and the kinds of power-chats you talk about.
Love the rhyming songs. They bring back great memories.
The classic ones are the best!
Absolutely good
Brilliant ! 6 of the ten I learnt as a child in the 60's! So wonderful. Thank you for all of the thinking that has gone into your curriculum ideas.They are so well thought out! I am going to teach them to my grand kids.
Thank you, Isobel! I'm so glad you're enjoying all the ideas.
I had completely forgotten about some of these songs! My little guy has just been diagnosed as ADD.
He is having trouble with learning at school & I’m trying to think of fun ways to help him at home.
The expectations at school for a four year old to learn are ridiculous anymore! When I was little kindergarten was about learning through play. Not doing worksheets!
Apologies for the late response Emily. I missed this comment. It really is sad how much the focus has shifted onto academics nowadays. At least your son has a mom who is researching fun things to keep him learning!
Please, I do need help with my 4 year old. Thanks
Hi Priscilla,
Have you downloaded my free mini course yet? You can do so here https://empoweredparents.co/teach-my-preschooler/
There is tons of useful information for you to help with your little one.
Have a great day
Tanja
Memorize is spelled wrong on the 2nd page FYI Just thought you might want to know.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much for letting me know. I can't seem to find it. Is it in this article or on a different page of my website? Are you perhaps referring to the fact that it is spelt on this article with an s? It is just the British spelling that I've used.
Dear Tanja-
You somehow connected with my email and I have been receiving Emails from Empowered Parents. I am a retired math teacher educator who is passionate about the importance of incorporating math into conversations we have with children in the early years. When you have a chance, please go to my website at http://www.powerstartmath.com.
I just requested your Teach-My-Preschooler guide. Also, I live in Birmingham, Alabama. Are you here, too? Please contact me. I would love to meet you. More detailed contact information for me is on my website.
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for your message. I'm actually from South Africa!
I love your website and would encourage my readers to read your articles. I really agree with the opening line of one of your articles:
"Now, remember that our intent is not to push academic, primary work down into preschool but to take advantage of the early years for giving children early, hands-on experiences that will lead to deep understandings of some of the basics before the primary grades."
This pretty much sums up the message I am trying to spread to parents - preparing young preschoolers through play and hands-on experiences. There is too much emphasis nowadays on trying to force young children to learn academic skills they are not ready for. Preschoolers don't learn Maths through worksheets, but through play and the kinds of power-chats you talk about.
Contact me anytime at tanja@empoweredparents.co
Have a great day
Tanja