Two-year-olds do not need to remember every word. You can repeat one verse, slow it down or stop after a favourite action. For the language and connection behind rhyme time, read why nursery rhymes can be useful for toddlers.
1. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Lyrics:
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Easy action: Open and close your fingers like sparkling stars, then make a diamond with both hands.
2. Itsy Bitsy Spider
Lyrics:
The itsy bitsy spider climbed 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.
Easy action: Walk two fingers upward, wiggle fingers down for rain, then make a round sun.
3. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Lyrics:
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
Easy action: Sit facing each other, hold hands and rock gently forward and back.
4. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Lyrics:
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.
Easy action: Hold up three fingers and pretend to pass three soft bags.
5. Hickory Dickory Dock
Lyrics:
Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down,
Hickory dickory dock.
Easy action: Run two fingers up one arm, clap once, then run them down.
6. Humpty Dumpty
Lyrics:
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.
Easy action: Balance a soft toy on your knee and let it tumble gently into your lap.
7. Jack and Jill
Lyrics:
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.
Easy action: Walk two fingers up your arm, then roll both hands gently downward.
Keep familiar rhymes close
Baboo Stories includes familiar nursery rhymes for parents to read or sing in their own voice. The app is free to download; some stories are locked, and an optional monthly subscription unlocks all stories.
8. Pat-a-Cake
Lyrics:
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man,
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Pat it and prick it and mark it with B,
And put it in the oven for baby and me.
Easy action: Clap together, pat your knees, draw a letter in the air, and slide the pretend cake into an oven.
9. One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
Lyrics:
One, two, buckle my shoe.
Three, four, knock at the door.
Five, six, pick up sticks.
Seven, eight, lay them straight.
Nine, ten, a big fat hen.
Easy action: Show the numbers on your fingers and mime each action.
10. Mary Had a Little Lamb
Lyrics:
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.
Easy action: Walk two fingers across your palm and invite your child to make a soft “baa.”
11. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Lyrics:
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,
Here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo-moo.
Easy action: Choose a toy animal for each new verse and copy its sound.
12. London Bridge Is Falling Down
Lyrics:
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.
Easy action: Make an arch with your arms and lower it slowly on “falling down.”
13. Ring-a-Ring o' Roses
Lyrics:
Ring-a-ring o' roses,
A pocket full of posies.
A-tishoo! A-tishoo!
We all fall down.
Easy action: Walk in a small circle, pretend to sneeze, then sit down gently.
14. Hey Diddle Diddle
Lyrics:
Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
Easy action: Pretend to play a fiddle, jump a toy cow over your hand, and make a laughing dog sound.
15. Little Bo-Peep
Lyrics:
Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep
And doesn't know where to find them.
Leave them alone and they'll come home,
Wagging their tails behind them.
Easy action: Hide a toy sheep nearby, look together, then wag one finger like a tail.
A simple five-minute rhyme routine
- Let your child choose between two rhymes.
- Say one verse slowly while they watch.
- Repeat it with one easy movement.
- Pause before a familiar word so they can join if they want.
- Finish with a cuddle, clap or “again later.”
Questions parents often ask
Which nursery rhymes are good for 2-year-olds?
Short, repetitive rhymes with simple movements work well. Start with Twinkle, Twinkle, Row Your Boat or Pat-a-Cake and follow your child's interest.
Do toddlers need to sing every word?
No. Watching, moving, making one sound or joining one repeated word all count as participation.
Can we make up our own verses?
Yes. Add your child's name, a favourite animal or a familiar place. Keep the pattern simple and playful.
Choose a rhyme or short story together
Browse the current Baboo Stories library and choose what fits your child today. Parents stay in charge of the voice, pace and shared moment.
The app is free to download. Some stories are locked, and an optional monthly subscription unlocks all stories.