Clean-Up Songs for Kids That Actually Work
Teaching kids to clean up after themselves is a valuable life skill to instil early on. Singing clean-up songs can turn a chore into an enjoyable daily routine, both at home and in the classroom.
Some of these are short enough to teach kids the lyrics and sing together, and others are best played in the background.
1. Clean Up, Clean Up
This is the most common kids' clean-up song, and probably one you have heard already. It’s easy for kids to learn and is a go-to for home and preschool clean-up time.
Lyrics:
Clean up clean up everybody everywhere.
Clean up clean up everybody do your share.
Clean up clean up everybody everywhere.
Clean up clean up everybody do your share.
Clean up clean up everybody everywhere.
Clean up clean up everybody do your share.
2. Clean Up!
Make tidying up fun with this preschool clean-up song by Super Simple Songs. It's another one that’s fairly easy to teach kids. The verses are short and repetitive.
Lyrics:
Repeat this verse 4 times:
Clean up, clean up.
Everybody, let’s clean up.
Clean up, clean up.
Put your things away.
Clean up! Clean up! Clean up!
Put your things away.
Pick up your toys.
Pick up your books.
Pick up your shoes.
Put your things away.
Repeat this verse twice:
Clean up, clean up.
Everybody, let’s clean up.
Clean up, clean up.
Put your things away.
3. Five-Minute Clean-Up Song with Countdown
This tidy-up song by Plexkits is best for playing in the background at home or in the classroom.
If you can, project the timer onto a screen or show the video playing on your mobile while tidying. A countdown clock can be motivating and gives children a clear end point for clean-up time.
It also has a fun, catchy tune that kids can learn and sing on their own without the music.
4. The Clean-Up Song
This song by The Kiboomers is a really fun version that involves clapping.
It’s easy to learn and is a fun, new alternative to teach your kids if you’re getting tired of just singing the usual clean-up songs.
Lyrics:
Clap, clap
Now it's time to clean up (clap, clap)
Now it's time to clean up
We had a lot of fun and now that we're done (clap, clap)
Now it's time to clean up
Now it's time to clean up (clap, clap)
Now it's time to clean up
Girls and boys have put away the toys (clap, clap)
Now it's time to clean up
Now it's time to clean up (clap, clap)
Now it's time to clean up
We had a lot of fun and now that we're done (clap, clap)
Now it's time to clean up
5. Clean Up Song
This cute song by the Singing Walrus is also best played in the background while kids are tidying up. Tell your kids that when the song is finished, they can stop tidying and go out to play.
The song also uses lots of useful action words such as pick up, put away and tidy up.
Lyrics:
Every time it's time to go
There is one thing you should know
It's time to clean up
Time to tidy up
Before you're ready to walk away
There is one thing you should say
It's time to clean up
Time to tidy up
I like to play, and when I'm done
It's time to clean up
I like to read, and when I'm done
It's time to tidy up
I like to eat, and when I'm done
It's time to clean up
I like to draw, and when I'm done
It's time to tidy up
Toys (Put the toys away)
Books (Put the books away)
Crayons (Put the crayons away)
It's time to clean up
Plates (Put the plates away)
Cups (Put the cups away)
Snacks (Put the snacks away)
It's time to tidy up
Every time it's time to go
There is one thing you should know
It's time to clean up
Time to tidy up
Before you're ready to walk away
There is one thing you should say
It's time to clean up
Time to tidy up
I like to build, and when I'm done
It's time to clean up
I like to glue, and when I'm done
It's time to tidy up
I like to cut, and when I'm done
It's time to clean up
I like to cook, and when I'm done
It's time to tidy up
Blocks (Put the blocks away)
Glue (Put the glue away)
Sheets (Put the sheets away)
It's time to clean up
Scissors (Put the scissors away)
Pots (Put the pots away)
Pans (Put the pans away)
It's time to tidy up
Every time it's time to go
There is one thing you should know
It's time to clean up
Time to tidy up
Before you're ready to walk away
There is one thing you should say
It's time to clean up
Time to tidy up
6. Clean Up
This song by ELF Learning is also quite an easy version to teach kids to sing. Play it in the background a few times until your children learn the words.
Lyrics:
Time to clean up everyone.
Let's pick up our things.
Clean up.
Everybody clean up.
Clean up.
Everybody clean up.
Clean up.
Everybody clean up.
Time to clean up.
Pick up.
Everybody pick up.
Pick up.
Everybody pick up.
Pick up.
Everybody pick up.
Time to pick up.
Pick up the toys.
Put them away.
Pick up the blocks.
Put them away.
Pick up the books.
Put them away.
Put your things away.
Pick up the toys.
Put them away.
Pick up the blocks.
Put them away.
Pick up the books.
Put them away.
Put your things away.
7. Tidy Up Song
This is another tidy-up song by Little Baby Bum.
Lyrics:
Tidy, tidy, tidy up
And tidy up some more
Tidy, tidy, tidy up
Take your toys up off the floor
When things get messy
G-up, g-up, g-up
Collect up all your toys
And tidy, tidy up
Tidy, tidy, tidy up
And tidy up some more
Tidy, tidy, tidy up
Take your toys up off the floor
When things get messy
G-up, g-up, g-up
Collect up all your toys
And tidy, tidy up
Pick your toys and put them in the box
Put them on the shelves
Put them in their proper place
Tidy, tidy, tidy up
And tidy up some more
Tidy, tidy, tidy up
Take your toys up off the floor
8. Even Bears Have To Clean Their Caves
The Bear Clean Up Song, by Sarah Harris, is one of the cutest songs about cleaning up! Play it in the background while the kids tidy.
Lyrics:
When your room is kinda messy
And things are out of place
Don't get into a tizzy
Put a smile on your face
When it feels overwhelming
Like it's a job too big
There's a little song I sing
That you can sing with me
Even bears have to clean their caves
Before they can hibernate
So I'll pretend that I'm a bear
And clean my room from here to there
ROAR!
Even bears have to clean their caves
Before they can hibernate
So I'll put my toys away
Until my room's in tip-top shape
'Cause even bears
Have to clean their caves
ROAR!
When your room is kinda messy
And things are out of place
Cleaning up is easy
With a smile on your face
When it feels overwhelming
I know just what you need
It's the special song I sing
That makes it fun to clean
Even bears have to clean their caves
Before they can hibernate
So I'll pretend that I'm a bear
And clean my room from here to there
ROAR!
Even bears have to clean their caves
Before they can hibernate
So I'll put my toys away
Until my room's in tip-top shape
'Cause even bears
Have to clean their caves
ROAR!
Yeah, even bears
Have to clean their caves!
These are just a few fun clean-up songs for preschoolers and toddlers.
Looking for more songs to make everyday routines easier? Try these hand-washing songs or explore these transition songs for preschoolers, including songs for greetings, sitting down, lining up and moving between activities.
