If there is one thing I have learned as a mom, it is this. Preschoolers are not meant to sit still for long. And honestly, that is okay. Some of our best learning moments happen when little bodies are moving, jumping, clapping, and laughing.
Movement songs saved so many of our days. When energy was high or attention was low, these songs helped my son get his wiggles out while still learning. I also have to admit, I love them too. Anything that gets kids moving and smiling feels like a win.
I am a big fan of Ms. Rachel and The Wiggles, but I also mix in a few classic favorites. Here are ten preschool movement songs we truly love, with full lyrics and video links so you can sing and move along.
10 Preschool Songs With Movement and Actions
1. Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
This song never fails. We always end up singing it faster and faster.
Lyrics
Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose
Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes
Video: The Wiggles
2. If You’re Happy and You Know It
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,
And you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands
(clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet
If you’re happy and you know it,
And you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet
(stomp stomp)
If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hooray!”
If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hooray!”
If you’re happy and you know it,
And you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, shout “Hooray!”
(hoo-ray!)
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three
If you’re happy and you know it,
And you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three
(clap clap, stomp stomp, hooray!)
Video: Super Simple Songs
3. Shake Your Sillies Out
I’ve gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away!
I’ve gotta clap, clap, clap my crazies out
Clap, clap, clap my crazies out
Clap, clap, clap my crazies out
And wiggle my waggles away!
I’ve gotta jump, jump, jump my jiggles out
Jump, jump, jump my jiggles out
Jump, jump, jump my jiggles out
And wiggle my waggles away!
I’ve gotta yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out
Yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out
Yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out
And wiggle my waggles away!
I’ve gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away!
Video: Super Simple Songs
4. Walking Walking
Walking, walking, walking, walking
Hop, hop, hop
Running, running, running, running
Now we stop
Video: SuperSimplePlay
5. HokeyPokey
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 (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
That’s what it’s all about
You put two hands in
You put two hands out
You put two hands 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 (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
That’s what it’s all about
You take one foot in
You take one foot out
You take one foot 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 (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
That’s what it’s all about
You put two feet in
You put two feet out
You put two feet in and you shake them all about
You do the hokey pokey and you turn around
That’s what it’s all about
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
That’s what it’s all about
You put your elbow in
You put your elbow out
You put your elbow 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 (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
That’s what it’s all about
You put your head in
You put your head out
You put your head 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 (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
That’s what it’s all about
You put your whole body in
You put your whole body out
You put your whole body 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 (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
Whoa, the hokey pokey (the hokey pokey)
That’s what it’s all about
Video: The Wiggles
6. Hop Little Bunnies
See the bunnies sleeping till it’s nearly noon
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
They’re so still. Are they ill?
Wake up soon
Wake up little bunnies!
Hop little bunnies, hop hop hop
Hop little bunnies, hop hop hop
Hop little bunnies, hop hop hop
Hop hop hop and stop
I’m tired! Let’s go back to sleep
See the bunnies sleeping till it’s nearly noon
Shall we wake them with a merry tune
They’re so still. Are they ill?
Wake up soon
Ding ding ding! That’s the alarm clock!
We need to wake up and skip!
Skip little bunnies, skip skip skip
Skip little bunnies, skip skip skip
Skip little bunnies, skip skip skip
Skip skip skip and stop
Let’s hop again!
Hop little bunnies, hop hop hop
Hop little bunnies, hop hop hop
Hop little bunnies, hop hop hop
Hop hop hop and stop
Video: Ms. Rachel
7. Heel Together
Heel together, heel together,
Toe behind together, Toe behind together,
Toe behind together, Toe behind together,
Heads and shoulders knees and toes
Round and round and round we go
Where you stop, no one knows
Video: Ready Set Dance
8. Ready Set Dance Warm Up Song
9. Open Shut Them
Open shut them
Open shut them
Give a little clap!
Open shut them
Open shut them
Lay 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!
Now we’re going to sing the song a little bit faster
Here we go!
Open shut them
Open shut them
Give a little clap!
Open shut them
Open shut them
Lay 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!
Video: The Wiggles
10. Baby Bumblebee Song
I’m bringing home a baby bumble bee
won’t my mommy be so proud of me
I’m bringing home a baby bumble bee
Ouch! It stung me!
I’m squishing up the baby bumble bee
won’t my mommy be so proud of me
I’m squishing up the baby bumble bee
Ew! It’s yucky!
I’m wiping off the baby bumble bee
won’t my mommy be so proud of me
I’m wiping off the baby bumble bee
Look, mommy! All clean!
Video: Ms. Rachel
A little mom note
Do not worry about getting every move right. Some kids jump when they should clap. Some spin when everyone else stops. That is part of the fun. These songs are about movement, confidence, and joy, not perfection.
If your house or classroom feels a little loud and busy, turn on a movement song. Let them move. Let them laugh. Learning sneaks in when we least expect it.
For more preschool songs, you may want to check out our other posts.
