15 Easy Ukulele Songs for Kids (With Chords)

Music plays a vital role in our lives, bringing joy and connection to people of all ages. Parents who make music a part of their family culture create a rich musical environment for their kids that not only entertains but also nurtures essential developmental skills in them. Just as soothing music can calm and relax babies, songs can create positive emotions like delight and excitement in toddlers, uplifting their mood and fostering creativity. If you’re looking to learn or teach your little ones some nursery rhymes on the ukulele, there are numerous tutorials online for music enthusiasts. Easy ukulele songs for kids are a great way to introduce young learners to music in a fun and engaging way.

Best Children’s Ukulele Songs

Musical experiences in childhood can accelerate brain development, improve social skills and mathematical learning, strengthen memory, and build knowledge about different sounds and their meanings. One of the best ways your child can reap the benefits of music is to learn how to play an instrument. like the ukulele. Here are some of the easy ukulele songs for kids of all ages that they can listen to, play and start their musical journey.

1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

About the Song:

This beautiful song is one of the best-known lullabies in the world. Its lyrics are from the poem called ‘The Star’, and the melody is inspired by the French song ‘Ah! Vous dire-je, maman.’ It needs a few chords and quicker chord changes than most other rhymes for kids.

2. Are You Sleeping?

About the Song:

This easy song is the fastest to learn on the ukulele. It’s a French song called ‘Frere Jacques’ and has been translated into many languages. Only one chord is required. Hence, most beginners can play this song on their first day of learning the ukulele.

3. Baa Baa Black Sheep

About the Song:

This short nursery rhyme has the same melody as ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’. It’s easy to sing and requires the three basic chords G, C, and D. These first chords are essential for learning to play other songs on the ukulele.

4. Old MacDonald Had a Farm

About the Song:

This is one of the most popular rhymes in kindergarten as well as pre-school. It introduces kids to farm animals as its lyrics have been wonderfully integrated with the animals’ sound.

5. London Bridge Is Falling Down

About the Song:

The nursery rhyme might refer to when the Viking leader Olaf Haraldsson pulled the London Bridge down in 1014, inspiring a thirteenth-century Old Norse poem that translated as ‘London Bridge is broken down.’ Its quicker tempo and multiple verses reinforce successful strumming and chord changes. The G7 key is used more frequently for this rhyme.

6. The ABC Song

About the Song:

This song uses the same melody as ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’. However, some different chords are used here for this one, to emphasize the single parts better. Simple down strums on each chord are enough to make this song sound nice. This rhyme also helps kids to memorise the alphabet as they sing along.

7. Row Row Row Your Boat

About the Song:

If you want to spread light, the peaceful yet deeply wise message in this nursery rhyme is perfect. This super-simple version of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat’ only requires one switch from C to G7 and back to C.

8. Three Blind Mice

About the Song:

This all-time favourite rhyme for kids is memorable due to its scandalous knife. The transitions of chords in this song can be a little challenging for beginners, but you can pause strumming the next chord.

9. Mary Had A Little Lamb

About the Song:

This song expresses the tender love and affection between Mary and her per lamb. The lamb used to follow her around wherever she went and instil the love for animals in young kids. Only two chords, like F and C7, are needed to play this song on the ukulele.

10. Clementine

About the Song:

Clementine is an old western folk ballad that is believed to have been inspired by ‘Down by the River Liv’d a Maiden’ by H. S. Thompson. It is about a gold miner’s daughter who stumbles into a river and drowns. American children sit around campfires, perform in school plays, line up at scout meetings, and amuse themselves with cartoon apps before bedtime with this popular song. This two-chord song is fun and easy to play on the ukulele.

11. Itsy Bitsy Spider

About the Song:

A beloved fingerplay nursery rhyme, this song tells the story of a determined spider climbing a waterspout. The simple melody (using just C and F chords) pairs perfectly with hand motions, helping children develop coordination between singing and playing. Its cyclical nature – the rain keeps coming – makes it easy for kids to remember and join in.

12. If You’re Happy and You Know It

About the Song:

This interactive action song has roots in early 20th-century minstrel shows before becoming a children’s classic. Using just C, F and G7 chords, its call-and-response format (“clap your hands,” “stomp your feet”) teaches kids to associate chords with actions. The repetitive structure builds confidence as they anticipate each chord change.

13. Five Little Ducks

About the Song:

This counting rhyme tells a simple story of ducklings leaving and returning to their mother. The predictable C-F-G7 chord progression follows the ducks’ journey, with each verse decreasing in number. The repetitive nature helps children anticipate chord changes while teaching early math concepts through music.

14. Hickory Dickory Dock

About the Song:

One of the oldest English nursery rhymes (first published in 1744), this charming clock song mimics the steady ticking of a clock with its rhythm. The C and G7 chords create a bouncy, pendulum-like motion perfect for beginners. Kids love making the “tick-tock” sounds between verses, which helps them feel the beat.

15. Hot Cross Buns

About the Song:

This classic nursery rhyme and beginner music lesson dates back to the 18th century England, originally sung by street vendors selling the sweet buns. With just three notes (E-D-C) and often played with a single C chord, it’s typically the very first song children learn on instruments. The repetitive structure makes it perfect for teaching basic finger placement and rhythm.

FAQs

1. Can playing ukulele songs help kids overcome a fear of singing in public?

Yes! The ukulele’s small size and cheerful tone create a low-pressure way for shy kids to build confidence. Strumming while singing distracts from self-consciousness, and simple songs ease them into performing.

2. Should kids learn ukulele left-handed if they’re lefties, or is it better to switch?

Let them try both! Left-handed ukuleles exist, but since the instrument requires both hands equally, some lefties adapt fine to standard tuning. Test which feels more natural—their strumming hand matters most for rhythm.

These were some of the simple ukulele songs for kids. Parents develop a stronger bond with their children when they enjoy music together.  It does not matter whether the setting is a quiet room, inside a music class or playtime; listening to music is always fun and fruitfully engages children. When the soft strumming sound on this instrument is played to the well-known tunes of easy children’s songs, your little one is sure to beam the biggest smile that you’ve ever seen. Playing the curated list of some of the easiest songs on the ukulele mentioned above can be the first step towards beginning your child’s music lessons.

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