Playsongs blog ~ where we share songs, news and views

Our Playsongs blog regularly features a favourite baby and toddler song or rhyme. We relate stories from our contributors and followers about their favourite songs, and tell you the stories behind the songs.

Sheena

A box of clocks ~ knee bouncer

Rootling through bric-a-brac in a charity shop, I found a box full of clocks in all different shapes and sizes. Nowadays most clocks are...

Sheena

See-saw Margery Daw ~ rocking song or lullaby for a newborn baby

See-saw Margery Daw is one of the best little rocking songs you could wish for. Use it to rock a newborn on your shoulder, or to swing a...

Sheena

Maisie bombaisie ~ name game, tongue twister

Here's an affectionate way to play with babies' names. Fun to use in a group setting, when introducing everyone round the ring, or on...

Sheena

This little pig had a rub a dub dub ~ toe-counting rhyme for baby bathtimes

Here's a little toe-counting rhyme, which is less well-known than This little piggy went to market. Play it the same way, lightly...

Sheena

A finger walk ~ finger play action song

Sit with baby or toddler facing you resting on your raised knees. Walk your fingers up from his toes to his knees and fly your hands like...

Charlie

Five brown conkers (Ten green bottles) ~ autumn counting song

Make a conker rattle with the harvest from the chestnut trees (see Instruments to make and play for suggested method). When your conker...

Sheena

Five little peas in a pea pod pressed ~ finger play action rhyme

A favourite traditional finger play, action rhyme. With very little children, play it very, very slowly to help them manage the actions,...

Sheena

Haet a wummel ~ Orkney tickling rhyme

This Orkney tickling rhyme was demonstrated for us by Ola Gorie, whose many grandchildren have all loved it. It's a bit scary when you...

Sheena

Jack be nimble ~ ankle ride

A great little knee-bouncer. Support a very little baby in your arms and bounce your whole self with an extra bounce on 'JUMP'. Bigger...

Sheena

Bums up, bumblebees ~ overhead lifting game for a baby

These bumblebees at the allotment with their heads buried in a cardoon flower and their bums in the air were just asking for a silly...