Classic Nursery Rhymes | Triple W’s Ultimate Guide

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are…” By Jane Taylor

This soothing lullaby has been comforting children for centuries. Its gentle melody and simple lyrics make it the perfect bedtime song. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of the night sky.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are!

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

When the blazing sun is gone,

When he nothing shines upon,

Then you show your little light,

Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

Then the traveler in the dark

Thanks you for your tiny spark,

How could he see where to go,

If you did not twinkle so?

In the dark blue sky you keep,

Often through my curtains peep

For you never shut your eye,

Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark

Lights the traveler in the dark,

Though I know not what you are,

Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

2. Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, By Mother Goose

And, well, we all know what happened next! This classic rhyme teaches kids about the consequences of being careless. It’s a fun, memorable story that also sparks conversations about safety and caution.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty together again.

3. Baa Baa Black Sheep

This rhyme is a delightful way to introduce children to farm animals and the idea of sharing. It’s simple, rhythmic, and perfect for singing along.

4. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream…” This interactive rhyme is a favorite for its engaging motions and catchy tune. It’s perfect for playtime and teaches kids about the joys of teamwork and gentle perseverance.

Row row row your boat.
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.
Life is but a dream.

Row row row your boat.
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.
Life is but a dream.

Row row row your boat.
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.
Life is but a dream.

Row row row your boat.
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.
Life is but a dream.

5. Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill went up the hill, but things didn’t go quite as planned. This rhyme, though a bit dramatic, is a staple in every nursery rhyme collection. It’s short, sweet, and teaches kids about the ups and downs of life—literally!

Jack and Jill went up the hill,
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down, and broke his crown.
And Jill came tumbling after.         
By Mother Goose

6. Hickory Dickory Dock
“The mouse ran up the clock…” This charming rhyme introduces children to the concept of time in a fun and engaging way. The playful imagery of a mouse and a clock is sure to capture their imagination.

Hickory dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the clock,

The clock struck one

The mouse ran down

Hickory dickory dock.

 

Hickory dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the clock,

The clock struck two

The mouse turned blue

Hickory dickory dock.

 

Hickory dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the clock,

The clock struck three

He drank his tea

Hickory dickory dock.

 

Hickory dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the clock,

The clock struck four

Look at him snore

Hickory dickory dock.

 

Hickory dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the clock,

The clock struck five

He went to hide

Hickory dickory dock.

 

Hickory dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the clock,

The clock struck six

He licked his lips

Hickory dickory dock

 

7. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
With a moo moo here and an oink oink there, “Old MacDonald” is a must-know for every parent. This rhyme is not only fun but also educational, helping children learn about different animals and the sounds they make.

Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a pig. E-I-E-I-O.
With an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
Here an oink.
There an oink.
Everywhere an oink oink.
Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.

Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a duck. E-I-E-I-O.
With a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.

Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a horse. E-I-E-I-O.
With a neigh neigh here.
And a neigh neigh there.
And a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.

Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a sheep. E-I-E-I-O.
With a baaa baaa here.
And a baaa baaa there.
And a neigh neigh here.
And a neigh neigh there.
And a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.

Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a cow. E-I-E-I-O.
With a moo moo here.
And a moo moo there.
And a baaa baaa here.
And a baaa baaa there.
And a neigh neigh here.
And a neigh neigh there.
And a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.

Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a turkey. E-I-E-I-O.
With a gobble-gobble here,
And a gobble-gobble there,
And a moo moo here.
And a moo moo there.
And a baaa baaa here.
And a baaa baaa there.
And a neigh neigh here.
And a neigh neigh there.
And a quack quack here.
And a quack quack there.
And an oink oink here.
And an oink oink there.
Old MacDonald had a farm. E-I-E-I-O.
E-I-E-I-O.

8. Mary Had a Little Lamb
“Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow…”

By Sarah Josepha Hale

This sweet, melodic rhyme tells a story of friendship and loyalty between a girl and her lamb. It’s a gentle reminder of the kindness and companionship we all need.

Mary had a little lamb,

Its fleece was white as snow;

And everywhere that Mary went

The lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day,

Which was against the rule;

It made the children laugh and play

To see a lamb at school.

And so the teacher turned it out,

But still it lingered near,

And waited patiently about

Till Mary did appear.

Why does the lamb love Mary so?

The eager children cry;

Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know,

The teacher did reply.

9. Itsy Bitsy Spider
The “itsy bitsy spider” climbing up the water spout is a childhood classic. This rhyme is great for teaching children about perseverance and not giving up, even when things get tough.

The itsy bitsy spider went up the waterspout
Down came the rain
And washed the spider out
Out came the sunshine
And dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again

 

10. London Bridge Is Falling Down
“London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down…” This playful, historic rhyme is often sung as a game, with children holding hands and creating a “bridge.” It’s a perfect example of how nursery rhymes can be both educational and entertaining.

London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.

Build it up with silver and gold,
Silver and gold, silver and gold,
Build it up with silver and gold,
My fair lady.

Gold and silver I have none,
I have none, I have none,
Gold and silver I have none,
My fair lady.

Build it up with needles and pins,
Needles and pins, needles and pins,
Build it up with needles and pins,
My fair lady.

Pins and needles bend and break,
Bend and break, bend and break,
Pins and needles bend and break,
My fair lady.

Build it up with wood and clay,
Wood and clay, wood and clay,
Build it up with wood and clay,
My fair lady.

Wood and clay will wash away,
Wash away, wash away,
Wood and clay will wash away,
My fair lady.

Build it up with stone so strong,
Stone so strong, stone so strong,
Build it up with stone so strong,
My fair lady.

Stone so strong will last so long,
Last so long, last so long,
Stone so strong will last so long,
My fair lady.

 

Why These Rhymes Matter
Nursery rhymes are more than just fun songs. They play a crucial role in early childhood development by building language skills, improving memory, and fostering imagination. Plus, the repetitive nature of these rhymes helps with learning new words and concepts in a way that’s enjoyable and engaging for kids.

Final Thoughts from Triple W
These top 10 classic nursery rhymes are not just songs—they’re pieces of history that have been passed down through generations. Sharing them with your children creates a beautiful connection to the past while nurturing their growth and development. So, next time you’re looking for a way to entertain or soothe your little one, try singing one of these timeless tunes. Happy rhyming!

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At Triple W, we believe in making parenting a joyful journey, filled with laughter, learning, and love. Stay tuned for more guides, tips, and stories that will help you navigate the wonderful world of parenthood!

Disclaimer for “Classic Nursery Rhymes | Triple W’s Ultimate Guide”

The content provided in this blog post by Triple W is for informational and educational purposes only. While we strive to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date, we do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the content. Nursery rhymes mentioned here are traditional, public domain works, and any interpretations or suggestions offered are based on general knowledge and public use.

Triple W is not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use or application of the information provided in this post. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to use their own judgment and discretion when sharing nursery rhymes with their children. Additionally, we do not endorse any particular version or adaptation of these rhymes.

By using this blog, you agree that Triple W will not be held liable for any losses or damages related to the use of the information provided.

-Saumitra Chandra Pandey