Even in today’s media driven world, the classic nursery rhymes and other songs and rhymes for kids are so important! Today I’m sharing free finger puppets for the song “One Elephant Went out to Play.”
Have you seen my little letter books? In each free printable book I share six rhymes and songs for a particular letter of the alphabet. Today I’m sharing another free printable to help you enjoy rhymes with your toddler.
I’m thrilled to be partnering with the very talented Malia of Playdough to Plato! This week we’re working together to share eight sets of printable finger puppets. This is a great way to enjoy popular rhymes for kids with your toddler or preschooler.
For my first rhyme, I chose “One Elephant Went out to Play.” It’s a fun rhyme to sing, and it’s easy for kids to chime in.
After I assembled the puppets, I snuggled with my Two as we sang the song together. Even his baby sister was entranced (when she wasn’t grabbing the puppets!).
Start with all your fingers bent. Then lift each finger as you add a verse.
Lyrics for “One Elephant Went out to Play”
One elephant went out to play
Upon a spider’s web one day.
He had such enormous fun,
He called for another elephant to come… “Oh, ELEPHANT!”
Two elephants…
Three elephants…
Four elephants…
Five elephants went out to play
Upon a spider’s web one day.
The web went creak, the web went crack.
And all of the elephants went KERSPLAT!
Alternate lyrics:
Our children’s librarian sings “over the hills and far away” instead of “upon a spider’s web one day.” And the last line is usually “And all of the elephants came running back.” But isn’t KERSPLAT more fun? 🙂
Hear the tune:
Here’s my quick amateur video so you can hear the song. While I don’t usually share my kids’ faces on the blog, you can hear my little guy’s voice as he chimes in here and there. (I thought I had pushed the toys out of the way – but apparently not far enough, ha!)
Get your free Elephant Puppet pages!
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Ben KARLIN
I so agree with your comment on the importance of nursery rhymes and other songs and poems. These give our children a shared culture with others as well as providing a foundation for literacy and numeracy to be built on throughout their lives. Another benefit is the demonstration of techniques to learn and remember information.
Sorry this seems like such an overblown response. In these days respecting others despite differences, and lifelong learning are increasingly important. Starting early with our children helps. So does training parents to take time and share with their children although one does tire of “Where Is Thumbkin?” easily and “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” quickly drives one up one’s walls. (But I am serious about their importance.)
Anna Geiger
Agree – it’s hard to overstate the importance of nursery rhymes!
Toni
Awesome! I plan to print and laminate these ASAP. Thank you!
Anna Geiger
Have fun with them, Toni! I think my home laminator would make these a little too thick, but one of those big laminators should work really well.