Magnetic Board Songs

I decided to throw in Five Little Ducks and Five Little Speckled Frogs into our group of songs as well because these were classics while I was growing up. I have a magnetic board that I bring in and the kids help me with the sound effects and counting as well. Five Little Speckled Frogs happens to be requested often (and tears are shed when I don't bring it in!); a favorite!

Here are the lyrics just in case you don't know them:

Five Little Ducks

Five little ducks went out to play
Over the hill and far away
When the Mama Duck said, "quack, quack, quack"
Four little ducks came waddling back.

Verse 2: Four little ducks went out to play...
Verse 3: Three little ducks went out to play...
Verse 4: Two little ducks went out to play...

Verse 5: One little duck went out to play
Over the hill and far away
When the Mama Duck said, "quack, quack, quack"
No little ducks came waddling back.
But when the Daddy Duck said, "QUACK, QUACK, QUACK!"
Five little ducks came waddling back.

Five Little Speckled Frogs

Five little speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs - yum, yum!
One jumped into the pool ("splash") where it was nice and cool
Then there were four speckled frogs. Ribbit, ribbit!

Verse 2: Four little speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log...
Verse 3: Three little speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log...
Verse 4: Two little speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log...

Verse 5: One little speckled frog sitting on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs - yum, yum!
He jumped into the pool ("splash") where it was nice and cool
Then there were no more speckled frogs. Ribbit, ribbit!

Hello, Friends (Hymn 254)

Like with the ribbon shaker, I knew I wanted egg shakers. So I chose the song Hello, Friends for this one. This is not a well known song, but I LOVE it. Simple and cute and has a great meaning.

Props: I took leftover Easter eggs and filled them with dried beans. Then I taped the eggs to the best of my ability to keep the kids from opening them and making a mess at church.
The purpose: Just a prop to keep the kids engaged while singing this great song.
How: The kids either get 1-2 eggs each (depending on the size of the class - remember, I have four different nursery classes) and we shake to the beat of the songs.

This is definitely one of the kid's favorites. A must have in a nursery basket.

In the Leafy Treetops (Hymn 240)

I'll be honest, this isn't my favorite song. However, the kiddos love the props for In the Leafy Treetops, so we keep it going.

Props: We have little fabric birds and flowers on popsicle sticks for each verse of this song.
The purpose: To recognize the beauty of nature and the creations.
How: We make the birds "fly" and the flowers "nod" during each verse.

Luckily for me, these props were handed down from the last Nursery Song Leader. I took it and ran with it.

I Am Like a Star (Hymn 163)

I use these handouts for both I Am Like a Star and sometimes even Twinkle Twinkle. I started off using a flashlight as well, but decided it isn't necessary (and it doesn't get dark enough to appreciate the flashlight).

Props: Printed off these cute stars on a pentagon shape onto colored scrapbook paper. Then I glued and taped them onto popsicle sticks.
The purpose: A reminder of how special we are and how our own light can shine.
How: Each child sits down reverently on their carpet square and raises/waves/twists the star handout.

I Want to Be a Missionary Now (Hymn 168)

I had never even heard this song before until my husband started singing it with my kids. I love I Want to Be a Missionary Now now. :)

Props: On pinterest I found the idea for these drums. I took the empty, stripped cans that I used in a Knock 'Em Down circus game and: 1) cut the ends off of balloons and taped them tightly to the top, then 2) recovered them with scrapbook paper.
The purpose: To imitate a missionary's footfall with the beating of a drum.
How: Sometimes we march and drum, sometimes we sit and drum while singing.

A Happy Helper (Hymn 197)

I had to use the traditional ribbon shakers somehow, and this is the song I chose to use them with: A Happy Helper. Great song, not well known. Mind you, I also occasionally use them with Do As I'm Doing as well.

Props: Various ribbons taped onto popsicle sticks.
The purpose: Just to keep the kids engaged while singing.
How: Pass out the ribbon shakers and get singing!

The kids really love the traditional ribbon shaker. Got to use them for at least one song!

Smiles (Hymn 267)

You just HAVE to use Smiles when singing with the Nursery.

Props: I use "grandpa" handouts for each child, all colored differently.
The purpose: To help encourage the kids to make a choice to be happy no matter what.
How: While we sing our song, we constantly try and help our "grumpy grandpas" to be happier by flipping the grandpa upside down or right-side up.