The "Themed Storytimes" Page consists of songs, lap bounces, fingerplays, and activity songs with props that fit a certain theme.
For recommendations on toddler and picture books for storytimes, please refer to the Personal Shelf Page of this website.
Giddy Up Song: Body Parts Theme
Giddy-up, giddy-up ride to town (bounce child)
Giddy-up, giddy-up, up and down
Giddy-up fast (bounce quickly)
Giddy-up slow (bounce slowly)
Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up (bounce child)
WHOOAAHH (dip child to side and dip between legs)
Smooth Road: Body Parts or Counting Theme
A smooth road (x3) (child going back and forth on caregiver’s lap)
A bumpy road (x3) (bouncing up and down)
A rough road (x3) (child bouncing on and going back and forth on caregiver’s lap)
A hole!!! (child falls between caregiver’s legs)
She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain: Animal Theme
She’ll be coming around the mountain when she comes, ye haw (lift baby up) (x2)
She’ll be coming round the mountain she’ll be coming round the mountain
She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes, ye haw (lift baby up)
Round #2: “She’ll be riding six white horses when she comes, woo there” (turn baby to the side)
Round #3: “We’ll all have chicken and dumplings when she comes, yum yum” (pat baby on tummy)
Round #4: “We’ll all go out to meet her when she comes” (kiss, kiss on the head of the baby)
Two Little Boats: Boat or Summer Theme
Two little boats were on the sea (hold baby on lap)
All is calm as calm can be
Gently the wind begins to blow
Two little boats rock to and fro (rock gently)
Loudly the wind begins to shout
Two little boats are tossed about (bounce fast)
Gone is the wind, the storm, the rain (stop bouncing)
Two little boats sail on again.
Grand Old Duke of York: Body Parts Theme
The Grand Old Duke of York He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up to the top of the hill (lift baby up in the air)
And he marched them down again! (bring baby down to the floor)
And when they're up, they're up. (lift baby up in the air)
And when they're down, they're down. (bring baby down to the floor)
And when they're only half-way up, (hold baby waist high)
They're neither up nor down! (lift baby up in the air and bring baby down again)
Oh he marched them to the left. And he marched them to the right.
Then he marched them round and round And marched them out of sight.
Roly-Poly Pumpkin: Fall Theme
(Itsy Bitsy Spider Tune) (have kids rock side to side then fall between the parents legs on “stop”)
The roly-poly pumpkin went rolling down the hill
Once he started rolling, he couldn’t stay still
He rolled and he rolled until he hit a rock
Then the roly-poly pumpkin rolled to a stop.
Baby Put Your Pants On: Body Parts & Counting Theme
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3
Leg to the left, leg to the right
Wiggle and jiggle and pull 'em up tight.
Leg to the left, leg to the right
Wiggle and jiggle and pull 'em up tight.
Baby put your pants on, pants on, pants on
Baby put your pants on, 1, 2, 3
Second Round: “Baby put your shirt on…”
Third Round: “Baby put your socks on…”
Fourth Round: “Baby put your shoes on…”
Fifth Round: “Baby put your hat on…”
Acka Backa and Clop, Clop: Animal Theme
Acka backa soda cracker Acka backa boo.
Acka backa soda cracker up goes you.
Acka backa soda cracker
Acka backa boo
Acka backa soda cracker
I love you!
Clop, clop, clop, clop, clop
Go and never stop.
Hop along my little pony
Where it's smooth and where it's stony.
(Make clicking noises)