Singing songs and reciting rhymes can be a fun way to teach toddlers and preschoolers about their bodies, whether you’re doing a My Body theme, or just developing body awareness through play.
Singing songs is also great for building vocabulary, memory and listening skills.
Here are 17 of the best body parts songs for kids.
1. Shake My Sillies Out
Start with this fun song to get a whole-body workout and get kids to shake those sillies out. This song makes a good brain break, when you want kids to re-focus:
We’re gonna shake, shake, shake our sillies out!
Shake, shake, shake our sillies out!
Shake, shake, shake our sillies out!
And wiggle our waggles away.
We’re gonna clap, clap, clap our crazies out!
Clap, clap, clap our crazies out!
Clap, clap, clap our crazies out!
And wiggle our waggles away!
We’re gonna jog, jog, jog our jitters out!
Jog, jog, jog our jitters out!
Jog, jog, jog our jitters out!
And wiggle our waggles away
We’re gonna stretch, stretch, stretch our stretchies out!
Stretch, stretch, stretch our stretchies out!
Stretch, stretch, stretch our stretchies out!
And wiggle our waggles away
The original is by Raffi but there are various fun versions such as the version above.
2. Tommy Thumb Where Are You?
This fun finger rhyme about the ten fingers is also great for strengthening the finger muscles:
Tommy Thumb,
Tommy Thumb,
Where are you?
Here I am,
Here I am,
How do you do?
Repeat the verse with Peter Pointer (index finger), Toby Tall (middle finger), Ruby Ring (ring finger), Baby Small (small finger) and all the fingers together.
3. Hokey Pokey
Have fun teaching parts of the body with the popular Hokey Pokey. Try this version by The Wiggles:
You put one hand in, you put one hand out,
You put one hand in and you shake it all about.
You do the hokey pokey and you turn around.
That’s what it’s all about.
Whoa, the hokey pokey,
Whoa, the hokey pokey,
Whoa, the hokey pokey,
That’s what it’s all about.
Repeat the opening verse, with the following body parts:
Two hands, one foot, two feet, one elbow, your head, and finally, your whole body.
4. Open, Shut Them
The Wiggles’ version of the simple rhyme has some fun movements:
Open, shut them,
Open, shut them,
Give a little clap.
Open, shut them,
Open, shut them,
Put them in your lap.
Creep them creep them,
Creep them creep them,
Right up to your chin.
Open wide your little mouth,
But do not let them in.
5. Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
This classic preschool song about body parts is a favourite with kids:
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
And eyes, and ears, and mouth, and nose.
Head, shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes.
6. We All Clap Hands Together
This song introduces simple body movements and you can make up new movements as you go:
We all clap hands together,
We all clap hands together,
We all clap hands together,
And have a happy time.
We all stamp feet together,
We all stamp feet together,
We all stamp feet together,
And have a happy time.
We all nod heads together,
We all nod heads together,
We all nod heads together,
And have a happy time.
We all turn around together,
We all turn around together,
We all turn around together,
And have a happy time.
We all clap hands together,
We all clap hands together,
We all clap hands together,
And have a happy time.
7. Me!
This is a cute body song by Super Simple Songs:
This is my head.
These are my eyes.
This is my nose.
These are my ears.
This is my mouth.
These are my teeth.
This is my chin.
These are my cheeks.
Sing along with me.
La, la, la, la, la.
Jump along with me.
Wiggle along with me.
Point along with me.
Head!
Eyes!
Nose!
Ears!
Mouth!
Teeth!
Chin!
Cheeks!
This is my neck.
This is my chest.
This is my back.
This is my stomach.
These are my shoulders.
These are my arms.
These are my hands.
These are my fingers.
Sing along with me.
La, la, la, la, la.
Jump along with me.
Wiggle along with me.
Point along with me.
Neck!
Chest!
Back!
Stomach!
Shoulders!
Arms!
Hands!
Fingers!
These are my legs.
These are my knees.
These are my feet.
These are my toes.
Sing along with me.
La, la, la, la, la.
Jump along with me.
Wiggle along with me.
Point along with me.
Legs!
Knees!
Feet!
Toes!
Sing along with me.
La, la, la, la, la.
Jump along with me.
Wiggle along with me.
This is me!
8. If You’re Happy and You Know It
For this fun action song, follow these movements or introduce your own:
If you’re happy and you know it,
Clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it,
Clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it,
If you’re happy and you know it,
Clap your hands.
Repeat the verse with these movements:
Tap your toe, nod your head, stamp your feet, etc.
9. The Skeleton Dance
Teach kids about the bones of the human body with this super fun movement song:
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dancing bones.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dancing bones.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dancing bones.
Doin’ the skeleton dance.
The foot bone’s connected to the leg bone.
The leg bone’s connected to the knee bone.
The knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone.
Doin’ the skeleton dance.
The thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone.
The hip bone’s connected to the backbone.
The backbone’s connected to the neck bone.
Doin’ the skeleton dance.
Shake your hands to the left.
Shake your hands to the right.
Put your hands in the air.
Put your hands out of sight.
Shake your hands to the left.
Shake your hands to the right.
Put your hands in the air.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle,
wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle,
wiggle, wiggle…wiggle your knees.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dancing bones.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dancing bones.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dancing bones.
Doin’ the skeleton dance.
10. Ten Little Fingers
This is a simple rhyme about parts of the body:
Ten little fingers, ten little toes,
Two little ears and one little nose.
Two little eyes that shine so bright,
And one little mouth to kiss mother goodnight.
11. Simon Says
This fun song by The Wiggles will teach kids about body parts. It’s also great for learning to listen carefully and follow instructions:
Simon says put your hands on your knees.
Simon says put your hands on your hips.
Put your hands on your head.
Whoops!
I didn’t say ‘Simon says.’
Simon says put your hands on your cheeks.
Simon says put your hands on your chin.
Put your hands on your nose.
Whoops!
I didn’t say ‘Simon says.’
Simon says put your hands on your ears.
Simon says to stand on one leg.
Touch your nose with your toes.
Whoops!
I didn’t say ‘Simon says.’
Whoops!
He didn’t say ‘Simon says.’
Whoops!
I didn’t say ‘Simon says.’
12. This is the Way
This popular song teaches kids how we take care of some of our body parts:
This is the way we wash our face,
Wash our face, wash our face.
This is the way we wash our face,
So early in the morning.
This is the way we comb our hair,
Comb our hair, comb our hair.
This is the way we comb our hair,
So early in the morning.
This is the way we brush our teeth,
Brush our teeth, brush our teeth.
This is the way we brush our teeth,
So early in the morning.
This is the way we put on our clothes,
Put on our clothes, put on our clothes.
This is the way we put on our clothes,
So early in the morning.
13. This is the Way We Tap Our Fingers
This version of the previous song uses body percussion to teach what sounds we can make with our body parts:
This is the way we tap our fingers,
Tap our fingers, tap our fingers.
This is the way we tap our fingers,
While we sing our song.
This is the way we click our tongues,
Click our tongues, click our tongues.
This is the way we click our tongues,
While we sing our song.
This is the way we slap our thighs,
Slap our thighs, slap our thighs.
This is the way we slap our thighs,
While we sing our song.
This is the way we snap our fingers,
Snap our fingers, snap our fingers.
This is the way we snap our fingers,
While we sing our song.
14. How Many Fingers on One Hand?
Get kids to count their fingers and toes with this catchy tune from Super Simple Songs:
How many fingers on one hand? (repeat 3 times)
Let’s all count together.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (repeat 4 times)
How many fingers on two hands? (repeat 3 times)
Let’s all count together.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (repeat twice)
Clap, clap, clap your hands. (repeat 3 times)
Clap your hands with me.
Let’s count our toes.
How many toes on one foot? (repeat 3 times)
Let’s all count together.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (repeat 4 times)
How many toes on two feet? (repeat 3 times)
Let’s all count together.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (repeat twice)
Stomp, stomp, stomp your feet. (repeat 3 times)
Stomp your feet with me.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
15. Where is Thumbkin?
Here’s another finger play for young kids:
Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin?
Here I am.
Here I am.
How are you this morning?
Very well, I thank you.
Run away.
Run away.
Repeat the rhyme with each finger: Pointer, Tall Man, Ring Man and Pinkie.
Start with the hands behind the back and bring them out one at a time to the words “Here I am”, wriggle them for the greeting, then send them back behind your back for the words “Run away”.
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16. Five Senses Song
This song by Cocomelon is all about the senses and how the body takes in information via the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and hands:
When I use my eyes, eyes, eyes, I can see the sunshine.
When I use my eyes, eyes, eyes, I can see the sunshine.
When I use my eyes, eyes, eyes, I can see the blue sky.
When I use my eyes, eyes, eyes, I can see the blue sky.
When I use my ears, ears, ears, I can hear the birdies.
When I use my ears, ears, ears, I can hear the birdies.
When I use my ears, ears, ears, I can hear the windchimes.
When I use my ears, ears, ears, I can hear the windchimes.
When I use my nose, nose, nose, I can smell the flowers.
When I use my nose, nose, nose, I can smell the flowers.
When I use my nose, nose, nose, I can smell the muffins.
When I use my nose, nose, nose, I can smell the muffins.
When I use my mouth, mouth, mouth, I can taste bananas.
When I use my mouth, mouth, mouth, I can taste bananas.
When I use my mouth, mouth, mouth, I can taste a lemon.
When I use my mouth, mouth, mouth, I can taste a lemon.
When I use my hands, hands, hands, I can touch my teddy.
When I use my hands, hands, hands, I can touch my teddy.
When I use my hands, hands, hands, I can touch the bubbles.
When I use my hands, hands, hands, I can touch the bubbles.
17. The Elephant Goes
Here’s a cute song about an elephant’s body, with actions:
The elephant goes
Like this, like that.
(Walk on all fours, moving slowly, like an elephant)
He’s terribly big,
(Stand up, reach high with arms)
And he’s terribly fat.
(Arms out to sides, to show how fat elephant is)
He has no fingers,
(Make fist)
He has no toes,
(Wiggle toes)
But goodness gracious,
What a nose!
(Make a trunk with arm)
I hope you’ve enjoyed these songs about the body!
Here are some body parts activities to try with your kids.
