Nursery rhyme bedtime


9 Nursery Rhymes About Sleep for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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Here are some great bedtime nursery rhymes with lyrics to sing with your little ones. 

Some of them have long verses with soothing words that are best read to them, if you’d like to lull them off to sleep. 

Remember that even rhymes for sleep have all the same educational benefits as singing nursery rhymes, such as developing auditory perception and other pre-reading skills.

They are also great for developing vocabulary.

1. Go To Bed Late

This tiny rhyme is a fun one to teach your toddlers and preschoolers if they are resisting going to bed. Here’s hoping it convinces them!

Go to bed late,
Stay very small

Go to bed early,
Grow very tall.

2. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

By Jane Taylor [source]

This is the first bedtime rhyme many children learn so your kids will probably already be familiar with it, but did you know there are several verses to this song?

Why not attempt the rest of this song and see if your child can sing along to another verse or two.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.

When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon.
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

Then the traveller in the dark,
Thanks you for your tiny spark.
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.

In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep.
For you never shut your eye,
‘Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the traveller in the dark.
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
How I wonder what you are.

3. Star Light, Star Bright

Here is a song that will make your little ones sleepy, and they can sing along too.

Star light
Star bright
First star I see tonight
Wish I may
Wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight

Here is the tune by Super Simple Songs

4. Rock-a-Bye Baby

This is a classic lullaby, sung by parents all over the world.

Rock-a-bye baby
on the tree top.
When the wind blows
the cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks,
the cradle will fall.
And down will come baby,
Cradle and all.

5. Hop Little Bunnies

This song might wake your kids more than put them to sleep, but it is just the cutest and your toddler will love singing it and jumping to the beat.

See the bunnies sleeping, 
Till it’s nearly noon.
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
They’re so still,
Are they ill?
Wake up little bunnies.

Hop little bunnies,
Hop hop hop, hop hop hop,
Hop hop hop.
Hop little bunnies,
Hop hop hop hop hop hop.

See the bunnies sleeping,
Till it’s nearly noon.
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
They’re so still, 
Are they ill?
Wake up little bunnies.

Jump little bunnies, 
Jump jump jump, jump jump jump, 
Jump jump jump.
Jump little bunnies, 
Jump jump jump jump jump jump.

In the third verse, the bunnies can skip.

Listen to the tune here

6. Bed In Summer

By Robert Louis Stevenson

This clever little poem is all about going to bed in summer, when the birds are still awake and it’s light outside, and you’d rather still be playing.

In winter I get up at night,  
And dress by yellow candle-light.  
In summer, quite the other way,  
I have to go to bed by day.  

I have to go to bed and see,         
The birds still hopping on the tree.  
Or hear the grown-up people’s feet,  
Still going past me in the street.  

And does it not seem hard to you,  
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,  
To have to go to bed by day?

Watch Mogo recite this cute rhyme.

7. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

This action song is also a cute rhyme to sing before bedtime. [source]

Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, show your shoe,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, I love you.
(Give child a hug)

Teddy bear, teddy bear, go up stairs,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say your prayers.
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the light,
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say good night.
(Lay head on hands)

8. The Evening is Coming

This is a beautiful lullaby to sing to your children.

The evening is coming, the sun sinks to rest,
The crows are all flying straight home to their nest.
“Caw” says the crow as she flies over head,
“It’s time little children were going to bed!”

Here comes the pony, his work is all done,
Down through the meadow, he takes a good run.
Up go his heels and down goes his head,
It’s time little children were going to bed.

Play the tune here

9. Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite

This is not really a bedtime song for kids, but it’s one of my favourites and I often just sing the first verse. It was first recorded by The Spaniels in 1953. [source]

Good night sweetheart, well it’s time to go
Good night sweetheart, well it’s time to go
I hate to leave you but I really must say
Oh good night sweetheart, good night

This is a great version

I hope you’ve enjoyed these bedtime songs for kids! Here are more preschool songs.

Source:

Parragon. 2017. A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes. Paragon Books: Bath.

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Lullabies and Bedtime Nursery Rhymes

Children love when their parents sing lullabies for them - regardless of your singing voice. It will anyway make them feel safe and relaxed! So you have no excuses - enjoy singing lullabies for your kids!

Are your baby awake? See here for perfect nursery rhymes for babies!

Did you know. .. that lullabies can be found in every human culture?

All That Pretty Horses Beautiful lullaby that is recommended by NurseryRhymes.org.
   
Baa Baa Black Sheep This lovely nursery rhyme can very well be used as a lullaby, if you sing it gently.
   
Brahms Lullaby This beautiful lullaby is a true classic!
   
Bye Baby Bunting Popular lullaby. Bye Baby Bunting has been used as a lullaby for generations.
   
Cheeks of Rose Cheeks of Rose, Tiny Toes (also called Our Baby). Cute nursery rhyme and lullaby
   
Cradle Song Lullaby published in 1603 that is used in The Beatles' song Golden Slumbers.
   
Early to Bed This is not actually a lullaby, but a rhyme about going early to bed.
   
Hush, Little Baby A beautiful lullaby that makes the child (and you) sleepy in no time...
   
   
Rock-a-bye Baby Popular lullaby that is over 240 years old!
   
Sleep, Baby, Sleep Beautiful, traditional lullaby that is sung in different versions. We give you the most common versions - enjoy!
   
To Bed, To Bed Old nursery rhyme written in Great Britain. This rhyme is perfect singing while preparing for bed, but it can also be used as a lullaby.
   
Ten in a Bed This is not a classic lullaby, but it can be used as one if you sing it gently.
   
Ten Little Fingers Popular rhyme about the body. It can also be used as a lullaby.
   
The Skye Boat A beautiful Scottish folk song that is used as a lullaby all over the world.
   
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star A beautiful lullaby that is highly recommended by NurseryRhymes.org.
   
Wee Willie Winkie Why not sing the cute nursery rhyme about Willie Winkie before sleep?


Nursery rhymes before bedtime

Nursery rhymes before bedtime read

Ai, bye, bye, bye,
You little dog, don't bark!
Don't moo, cow!
And the rooster, don't cry!
Our baby will sleep,
Will close his eyes.
* * *

On a duvet cover,

On a sheet

Not on the edge -
On the middle

They put a naked man

They wrapped a strong man.
* * *

Bye-bye, sleep, Katyushka,

My merry bunny,

Close your eyes bunny,

Bye-bye-bye-bye.
* * *

Here they are in the crib
Pink heels.

Whose heels are these -
Soft and sweet?

Goslings will come running,

They will pinch their heels.

Hide quickly, don't yawn,
Cover with a blanket!
* * *

It's evening outside the window,

And there's a month in the sky...0009 Dog - in a kennel.
Well, the sun will wake up,
The kid will smile at his mother.

It will be a fun day.

Grow your baby healthy.
* * *

Bye-bye-tales

Seagulls have arrived.

They began to flap their wings

Put our Katya to sleep.
* * *

The night has come,

The darkness has brought,

The cockerel dozed off,

The cricket sang,

It's late, son,
Lie down on the barrel,
Bye-bye, fall asleep . ..
* * *

We walked, we played
And we were a little tired.

To gain more strength,
We need to get some sleep.
You will close the eyes,

and you will dream of a fairy tale:

About the cat Murlyku,

Cunnnel-Kurlyku,

Lisonka-Khruteli,

Mouse-Robul,

Bunny Cross

and a buzzer-mushka,

About bumblebee-hooter,

Trouble-squirrel,

About sweet-bear.

Sleep, my baby! (for girls)
Sleep, my dear,

Gain strength! (for boys)
* * *
There is a dream at the cradle -
Bye, bye.

Whose eyes here wanted to sleep -
I know, I know.

You don't three with your fists, close it,
Sleep shakes the cradle.
Go to sleep.
* * *

Little bunnies

They wanted bainki,

They wanted bainki,

Because bunnies.

We'll sleep a little,
* * *
We'll lie down on our backs.
We will lie down on the back
And let's sleep quietly.
* * *
Bye-bye-bye-bye,
You already drank your tea,
You ate the porridge and played enough,
You got naughty, talked too much,
So now go to sleep,
Bye-bye-bye-bye.
Here she sat down on the gate
Talkative magpie:
Kra-kra-kra-kra!
It's time for the little one to sleep! *
Bayu-bayushki-bayu,
Do not lie down on the edge -
A gray top will come,
He will grab the barrel,
He will grab the barrel,
And drag him into the woods,
And drag him into the woods,
Under the willow bush.
You, top, don't come to us,
Don't wake our Katya!
* * *
Little hares
Wanted bunnies,
Wanted bunnies,
Because bunnies.
We'll sleep a little,
We'll lie down on our backs.
We'll lie down on our backs
And we'll sleep quietly.
* * *
There is a dream at the cradle -
Bye, bye.
Whose eyes here wanted to sleep -
I know, I know.
You are not three with your fists, close it,
Sleep is rocking the cradle.
Go to sleep.
* * *
(pinching fingers)
This finger wants to sleep,
This finger went to bed,
This finger took a little nap,
This finger is already asleep,
This finger is fast asleep,
No one makes noise anymore.
- Ts-s-s...

Bedtime rhymes

Bye-bye, bye,
You are a dog, don't bark!
Don't moo, cow!
Don't cry, cock!
And our boy will sleep,
He will close his eyes.

***

Ah, cradles and cradles,
A deer is walking through the mountains.
On his horns he wears a dream,
He brings it into every house.
He puts a nap in the cradle,
Quietly sings a song:
(we repeat the nursery rhyme).

***

Ai, frets, frets, frets
We are not afraid of water,
We wash ourselves cleanly,
we smile at Mom.
We know, we know, yes-yes-yes
Where are you hiding, water!
Come out, Voditsa,
We've come to wash!
Lean on the palm of your hand
Flow, flow, flow
Be daring -
Baby, wash your face more cheerfully!

***

Lyuli, lyuli, cradles,
Dove-grey bunnies are flying.
Ghouls are flying out, out.
Bring the baby a dream, a dream.
The ghouls will coo,
The baby will sleep soundly.
Ghouls will talk,
How to feed the baby.
They will fly into the forest
And they will find a spikelet there,
They will begin to cook porridge,
They will feed the baby,
White porridge with milk
And a ruddy pie.

***

Little bunnies
Wanted bunnies,
Wanted bunnies,
Because bunnies.
We'll sleep a little,
We'll lie down on our backs.
We'll lie down on our backs
And we'll sleep quietly.

***

The night has come,
The darkness has brought,
The cockerel dozed off,
The cricket sang.
Mom came out,
Closed the shutter.
Fall asleep,
Bye-bye.

***

The night has come,
The darkness has brought,
The cockerel dozed off,
The cricket sang.
Mom came out,
Closed the shutter.
It's late, son,
Lie down on the barrel,
Bye-bye, go to sleep...

***

Oh, baby cradles,
Sweet little cradles,
Sleep sweetly at night
Yes, grow by the hour!

***

The bell rang.
It's time to sleep, little flower.
The sun fell asleep,
The cloud went to bed.
And the magical blue bird
Brought you good dreams.
Mommy will hug you tenderly.
Go to sleep my baby,
My joy!

***

Spider-spider
Spider-web bug
Didn't sleep for seven nights,
Weaved for Katyusha
Dream about the sun-bell
And about mushroom rain,
And about you and me.
Do you want to wander through the forest in a dream?
Try to close your eyes.

***

The cat went into the woods,
I found a belt for a cat,
How to pick up a cradle
Yes, put Vanya,
Vanya will sleep soundly,
Cat - Vanya to rock.

***

Seryozhka played all day,
Let's say thank you, legs.
Thank you, pens.
Every day you are more obedient.
The legs of our Earring are listening:
(pinching fingers)
This finger wants to sleep,
This finger jumped into bed,
This finger has already taken a nap,
This finger has already fallen asleep.
This one is fast, fast asleep,
And he tells you to sleep.
(we pinch our fingers).
This finger wants to sleep,
This finger went to bed,
This finger took a little nap,
This finger is already asleep,
This finger is fast asleep,
Nobody makes noise anymore.
- Shhhh...

***

A quiet Sleep is walking,
Near our windows,
Sleepy Sandman is wandering,
Near our house
Dream and Sandman are looking -
Are all the guys sleeping . ..

* **

At home - didi - dili - don -
Sandy and Sleep quietly walk.
They walk - they roam at night,
Gently blow on our eyelashes,
So that we in our beds
Sleep soundly, sweetly sweet. V. Stepanov

***

Bainki-Bainki,
Zainki tidied up,
began to pump up the cradle,
Vita Sweet DREMMU,
began to play bunnies in puffs,
began to fill up sweetly.

A bird sits on the sand,
Washes a sock in the river,
Cleans feathers with its beak,
Goes to visit Danechka.
So we got used to the order:
Exactly at nine - all in bed,
On the flank
And silence.

***

Bye-bye, sleep, Katyushka,
My cheerful bunny,
Close the eyes of the bunny,
Bye-bye-bye-bye.

***

Bayu-bayu-bainki,
In the garden of a hare.
Bunnies eat grass,
Little children are told to sleep.

***

Bye-bye-tales,
Seagulls have arrived.
They began to flap their wings,
To put our Katya to sleep.

***

Bye, bye, bye, bye,
Do not bark, little dog.
Don't whine White-lap,
Don't wake our daughter.
It's a dark night, I can't sleep,
Our daughter is afraid.

***

Bye-bye-bye-bye,
You've already drunk your tea,
You ate the porridge and played enough,
You got naughty, talked too much,
So now go to sleep,
Bye-bye-bye-bye.
Here sat down on gate
Talking magpie:
Kra-kra-kra-kra!
It's time for the little one to sleep!"
Pigeons looked through the windows:
"Guli-ghuli - ghouls-ghouls,
Little one needs to sleep,
So that the morning does not oversleep." **

Bay-bayushki-bayu,
Do not lie down on the edge -
A gray top will come,
He will grab the barrel,
He will grab the barrel,
And drag him into the woods,
And drag him into the woods,
Under the willow bush.
You, top, don't come to us,
Don't wake our Katya!

***

The cat went to Torzhok
Buy Katya a pie.
The cat went under the bridge
To catch fish by the tail.
A cat will come to Katya
Tells Katya to sleep.

***

Undress me,
Undress me,
Lay me down,
Cover me,
And I will fall asleep
I myself!

***

Sleep, hare-hare,
Little animal.
What a zyuzika,
Little belly.
There is a bridge over the river.
Paw-tapa-points
Top-top top.
Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo.
Full bellies.
A bridge across the river,
there is a fluffy tail.
And a hare - egoza,
Surprised eyes.

***

Quiet-quiet-quiet-quiet,
Tikhon enters our doors,
Don't call out, don't shout,
But rock and rock.
Tikhon sings a song,
Gives dreams to the children:
“In this dream - a balloon,
In this dream - a dog Sharik,
In this - pigeons are flying,
This is where the kids want to sleep.
Quiet-quiet-quiet-quiet,
Dusk, slumber and peace.
Children are sleeping. Tikhon leaves
To a quiet house across the river.

***

Pine at the gate,
Green at the gate.
Like on that pine tree
The cradle is hung up:
New blankets,
Silk ribbons,
Golden pouch,
A curled hook.
The pine makes noise.

***

You, kitty cat,
Kitty - a gray tail!
You come to us to spend the night,
Download our Dashenka,
Download our Dashenka,
Lull.
How can I tell you, cat,
I'll pay for the work:
I'll give you a piece of cake
And a jug of milk.

***

There is a dream at the cradle -
Bye, bye.
Whose eyes here wanted to sleep -
I know, I know.
You are not three with your fists, close it,
Sleep is rocking the cradle.
Go to sleep.

***

Like in our lair
Three barrels of honey,
Bear cubs have
Sweet paws…
The first dream - buckwheat,
And the second - flower,
And when the month comes out -
Linden dream.
Sleepyheads and sweets,
Minions-badass,
Bear children -
Lullabies under the ear!

***

Silence by the pond,
Water does not splash,
Reeds do not rustle,
My baby falls asleep!

***

Bayu - bayu - bayushok,
Daughter will lie down on fluff,
On a feather bed.
My daughter will sleep soundly.
I will sing to my daughter,
I will rock the cradle.
There is a dream at the cradle -
Bye, bye.
Whose eyes here wanted to sleep -
I know, I know.
You are not three with your fists, close it,
Sleep is rocking the cradle.
Go to sleep.

Here they are in the crib
Pink heels.
Whose heels are these -
Soft and sweet?
Goslings will come running,
They will pinch their heels.
Hide quickly, don't yawn,
Cover with a blanket!

***

The distant forest stands like a wall,
And in the forest, in the wilderness of the forest,
an owl sits on a bough,
sleep-grass grows there.
They say sleep-grass
Knows sleepy words.
As he whispers his words,
The head immediately sinks.
Today I'm at the owl's
I'll ask for this herb.
Let the grass sleep for you
Say sleepy words.
And the window is evening,
And there is a month in the sky...
A baby is sleeping in a crib,
A horse is sleeping in a stall,
A squirrel is in a hollow,
A dog is in a kennel.
Well, the sun will wake up,
The kid will smile at his mother.
It will be a fun day.
Grow your baby healthy.

***

So in our lair
Three barrels of honey,
Like our children -
Sweet paws... .
Sleepyheads and sweets,
Minions-badass,
Bear children -
Lullabies under the ear!

***

Sleep walks around the windows,
Sleep walks near the house.
- Sandman, where can we sleep?
Sandman, where to sleep?
- Where the hut is warm,
Where the child is small,
We will spend the night there,
Rock the cradle!
Bye-bye, bye-bye,
- Katya, close your eyes!

***

Bye-bye, bye-bye,
Salmon, swim!
Salmon fish, swim,
wait for Alekseyka.
Alekseyka will grow up,
She will go to the sea with her father.
He will catch salmon,
He will feed his mother.

***

Bye-bye, bye-bye,
Grandfather Mamai came to us,
Grandfather Mamai came to us,
He asks: "Give Masha back!"
But we will not give Masha,
It will be useful to us ourselves.

***

Oh, you are my darling,
White pillow!
If you live together,
Then you don't need to go to the cinema!
I lay down, fell asleep, watch a movie,
After all, they will show it anyway!
Oh, you are my darling,
White pillow!

***

Bayu - bayushki - bayu,
Do not lie down, Katya, on the edge,
A gray top will come
And grab Katya by the barrel.
For the barrel, for the right one,
For the barrel, tired.
Katya will close her eyes,
Calmness will take her,
Calmness will take her,
Katya will be stronger and fall asleep!

***

Our legs told us today:
"We are so tired today,
We jumped so much today,
That we don't want to do it anymore,
To be jerked again.
We want to lie down, relax,
To start again tomorrow let's hit the road".
And the pens said:
"We were also very tired,
We dressed, fed and washed
And they also drew.
Do you know how tired we are?"
And each finger said:
"I'm tired too!
I also worked, I helped!
Hold a spoon and wash your eyes!
Let us sleep now!"
And the ears suddenly whispered:
"And we are tired too!
We spent the whole day
Listening attentively to everyone.
We learned so much:
We would be glad,
If we could sleep!"
And the eyes said:
"Oh, how tired we are!
So tired that they pinched!
We saw so much today,
And now we want to sleep,
Let's close us!"
And the little mouth said and yawned:
"I'm tired too,
I chewed, I bit and screamed.
Let's rest soon,
so that tomorrow again
"Good morning" to say!"
And the tongue murmured:
"And how much I told,
He smacked, chugged and growled,
I was also very tired!"
And only the nose said:
"I'm not tired!
You all lie quietly,
Rest and sleep!
And I will guard you
And breathe and breathe calmly.


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