We are often asked for Christmas songs recommendations. Today we would like to share a few of our favorites. Whether it be just for fun or for a Christmas program, these songs and fingerplays are sure to get kids singing along…
Five Little Gingerbread
Five little gingerbread lying on a tray,
One jumped up and ran away,
shouting “Catch me, catch me, catch me if you can…
I run really fast, I’m the gingerbread man!”
Continue counting down until there are none left
No more gingerbread lying on a tray.
They all jumped up and ran away!
This is a fun song to use with props. A cookie sheet with felt or paper gingerbread men are a cute visual.
The Mitten in the Snow
Sung to the tune of The farmer in the dell.
The mitten in the snow,
the mitten in the snow
Help us please so we don’t freeze
the mitten in the snow.
A __________ squeezes in,
a__________ squeezes in,
Help us please so we don’t freeze
The mitten in the snow.
A great prop for this song is a large mitten made of felt or fleece. Add your favorite stuffed animals or puppets to the mitten as you sing.
Snowflakes
Sung to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Begin in a standing position, with hands in the air.
Snowflakes, snowflakes dance around,
Dance and spin around in circles.
Snowflakes, snowflakes touch the ground.
Wiggle your fingers, then touch them to the floor.
Snowflakes, snowflakes in the air,
Repeat movements.
Snowflakes, snowflakes everywhere.
Snowflakes, snowflakes dance around,
Snowflakes, snowflakes touch the ground.
The Snowman
Roll the snow into some balls.
Make a rolling motion with your hands.
Make a snowman, oh so tall!
Stand tall and stretch your arms over your head.
Place a hat upon his head.
Pretend to put a hat on your head.
Give him buttons that are red.
Point to the buttons on your shirt.
Use some coal to make his eyes.
Point to your eyes.
You can do it if you try!
Next he needs a carrot nose.
Point to your nose.
Where will we get one of those?
Shrug shoulders and put your hands up.
Make a mouth and he’ll be done.
Use your index fingers to point to your smile.
Making snowmen is such fun!
Ring the Bells
Sung to the tune of “Jimmy crack corn.”
Ring those bells and turn around
Ring those bells and turn around.
Ring those bells and turn around.
For Christmas time is near.
(repeat and change the words to any action)
Ring those bells and stomp your feet.
(Then we ended with…)
Ring those bells quietly.
Ring those bells quietly.
Ring those bells quietly.
For Christmas time is near.
What Goes Twinkle in the Night?
What goes twinkle in the night?
Twinkle, twinkle star so bright.
What goes twinkle in the night?
Twinkle, twinkle candle light.
What goes twinkle in the night?
Twinkling is a beautiful sight.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas!
We wish you a Merry Christmas!
We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!
Let’s all do a little clapping,
Let’s all do a little clapping,
Let’s all do a little clapping,
To spread Christmas cheer!
Repeat “We wish you a Merry Christmas” 3x, then add other action verses such as jumping, stomping, or turning, alternating with “We wish you a Merry Christmas.”
Four Little Bells
Four little bells,
Silver and round,
Each one makes a different sound.
Bell number one…
Ring-a-ling-a-ling!
Bell number two…
Ding-a-ling-a-ling!
Bell number three…
Ding-ding-dong!
Bell number four…
Bing-bang-bong!
Ring-a-ling-a-ling!
Ding-a-ling-a-ling!
Ding-ding-dong!
Bing-bang-bong!
Ten Little Candy Canes
Ten little candy canes,
With stripes of red and white.
I’ll lick, lick, lick, and
Chomp, chomp, chomp!
And one goes out of sight.
Repeat in descending order until there are no candy canes left. Then rub your tummy and say,
Yummy!
The Reindeer Pokey
You put your right hoof in,
You put your right hoof out.
You put your right hoof in,
and you shake it all about!
You do the reindeer pokey,
and you turn yourself around.
That’s what it’s all about!
Continue with left hoof, right antler (using hands on head), left antler, tail, and red nose.
Available on Amazon
Thank you! These are awesome. I love how the props can be made so easily !
Where do you teach? Is that a picture of you with Jungle Jim and the reindeer? I had his son a preschool several years ago?
Hi Ellen,
Yes that is me with Jungle John? or is it Jim:) I live here in Indiana!
Great ideas. What paint did you use for the snowflake picture (5th picture down)?
Thanks.
Hi, Marcia! It is just watered down tempera paint. Here’s the link to the original post:
https://www.teachpreschool.org/2011/12/exploring-things-that-are-not-alike-in-preschool/
These are incredible.. Some reminders of my own childhood.. I think thats thee most special part of this season! This must have taken you some time to prepare as well–Thank you ever so much for sharing in this precious holiday spirit!
Thanks for the great list. I especially loved the “Ring those Bells” song. I love songs that incorporate instruments. I will be trying that one this week!
Corinne – Teach Easy Resources Blog
I share my ideas here
these books that you wrote they are good books and you are welcome
[…] Preschool shares some fun action rhymes in their collection of winter and holiday songs. We really like “The Mitten in the Snow” and […]