"As a mother and teacher of young children, I've sung 'Old MacDonald' a lot.  While it's a fantastic beginner song, I discovered a universe of other animal sounds that are just as captivating and even richer for learning.   That's why I put together this list of the top 10 animal songs for kids that go beyond the farm. It combines my two interests: child development and music.  I've tried these picks out in my home and classroom, and I'm giving you my expert suggestions on how to make each one into a full learning trip.

Classics with a Twist

1. "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"

Why it works: This is the ultimate starter song for animal sounds and learning the names of farm animals. Its repetitive structure builds memory and confidence, which is why it’s a universal favourite.

Unique insight: Don't just sing the standard animals. Once they get the hang of it, challenge them by adding a new verse with a duck that goes "quack," a rooster that goes "cock-a-doodle-doo," or even a dog that goes "woof-woof."

2. "Five Little Ducks"

Why it works: This song teaches counting backwards from five in a delightful, narrative way. The story of the ducks leaving and returning engages a child's emotions, helping them connect with the lyrics.

Unique insight: For a fun bath time activity, use rubber ducks to act out the song. As you sing, hide a duck behind your back each time one "swims away." When you sing the final verse, bring them all back to the surface.

3. "Baa Baa Black Sheep"

Why it works: A gentle, calming song that introduces the concept of sharing and the purpose of wool. The call-and-response format is excellent for building early communication skills.

Unique insight: Use a soft, fuzzy blanket while singing this to provide a tactile element. It reinforces the concept of a sheep's wool and adds a soothing sensory experience that can make it a great pre-nap song.

Beyond the Farm / Animal Songs For Kids

4. "I Had a Little Turtle"

Why it works: A simple song with easy actions that teaches about animals in a pet-like setting. It's a sweet, gentle melody that introduces children to the idea of taking care of a pet.

Unique insight: We found this song was a fantastic way to practice slow movements. Ask your child to pull their head in like a turtle when you get to the line, "He put his head in his shell." It's a calming, focused activity.

5. "Five Green and Speckled Frogs"

Why it works: Similar to "Five Little Ducks," this song reinforces counting but with an added element of sound effects ("yum, yum!" and "glug, glug!") that makes it a blast for kids.

Unique insight: We love doing this song with puppets. A simple sock puppet frog or homemade finger puppets jumping off a "log" (a shoe box) is a wonderful way to bring the song to life and develop imaginative play.

6. "Down in the Jungle"

Why it works: An action-packed song that introduces exotic animals like elephants, monkeys, and snakes. It's an excellent way to get kids moving and exploring different animal movements.

Unique insight: We took a family trip to the zoo, and this song suddenly took on a new life. Every time we saw one of the animals from the song, we'd start humming it. It made for a great game and a memorable way to connect music with real-world experience.

7. "The Animal Boogie"

Why it works: This interactive song and accompanying book get children up and dancing, imitating different animals like a bear, an elephant, and a bat. It's a fantastic gross motor skill activity.

Unique insight: My kids found it hilarious when I would do the "Animal Boogie" with exaggerated, silly movements. It taught me that sometimes, the best learning comes from simply being goofy and having fun together.

Deep Sea and Beyond

8. "I'm a Little Octopus"

Why it works: While not a classic, this simple song is perfect for a sea-themed day. It introduces a less common animal and teaches counting to eight while getting children to wiggle their arms like tentacles.

Unique insight: During a recent trip to the seaside, we saw some rock pools. Singing this song while looking for creatures made the experience feel like an exciting musical adventure. It turned a simple walk into a treasure hunt.

9. "The Little Mousey Brown"

Why it works: This sweet, simple rhyme is great for little ones. It's short, repetitive, and introduces a small creature in a fun, non-threatening way.

Unique insight: My daughter loves singing this while playing with a toy mouse. The song is a great way to talk about the mouse’s movements and tell a simple story, which is a fantastic pre-reading skill.

10. "The Goldfish Song"

Why it works: The lyrics, "A little fish swims in the water," followed by movements, are very simple and effective for infants and toddlers. It's easy to create hand motions for a fish swimming and a simple clap for the end.

Unique insight: This was my go-to when my baby was getting fussy. Just singing the words and moving my hands like a fish would always calm him down. It taught me that sometimes, the most basic songs are the most powerful.

Conclusion

Animal songs are a great way to teach youngsters about the world, increase their vocabulary, and, most importantly, have fun together. They may take them from the farm to the deep blue sea.  I hope this list helps you find some new favourites to add to your list.

 Don't forget to download your FREE Animal Song Activity Cards so you can have all of these tips in one place!

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I'd love to hear from you now: what animal song do you always play at home? Tell us your favourite in the comments below! "