If You’re Happy and You Know It
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap clap)
If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands (clap clap)
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)
Repeat verse with these options:
If you’re mad and you know it stomp your feet (stomp stomp)
If you’re sad and you know it shed a tear (rub eyes, make “boo hoo” sounds)
If you’re happy and you know it jump for joy (jump up) or shout hurray (“Hurray!”)
This song lets toddlers really express themselves, as loudly as they want! Plus it teaches about feelings, and appropriate responses, because I think we’d all rather our angry toddlers learned to stomp their feet instead of, say, biting us.
London Bridge
London bridge is falling down
Falling down
Falling down
London bridge is falling down
My fair lady
Take the key and lock her up
Lock her up, lock her up
Take the key and lock her up
My fair lady
The grownups (or two tallest) stand opposite one another and make a bridge with their arms, pressing palms. The kids pass under the bridge, over and over. Whoever happens to be crossing under the bridge when it’s time to sing “lock her up” gets trapped in a big hug and released at the end. Our family loves to play this before bedtime (for the free hugs), though it does rile them up a bit.
Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
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!
While singing, point to each body part. Try speeding up each round, increasing the degree of difficulty, and the fun.
Do Your Ears Hang Low?
Do your ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie them in a knot?
Can you tie them in a bow?
Can you throw them over your shoulder like a continental soldier?
Do you ears hang low?
If Dr. Seuss wrote a toddler song, it would probably sound something like this. With endless options for hand gestures and dance moves — and loads of other verses on the internet — there’s no end to the silly good times.
Photo: Getty
