10 Counting Songs for Preschoolers to Count Up and Count Down

Counting is one of the first things preschoolers learn, and songs make it so much easier. When numbers come with a tune, a story and a few fun moves, kids remember them. They also get to practice counting up, counting down and using their fingers, all while having fun.

Below are 10 counting songs for preschoolers from Leigha Marina. Each one has a free cartoon video and full lyrics on the song page. We start with simple songs for counting up, then move to songs that count backward, and end with a calm counting lullaby for bedtime.

Songs for Counting Up

Counting Numbers One To Ten

This song gives every number its own little rhyme. "Then comes three, hiding under the tree." "Then comes four, flying out the door." Kids also learn how some numbers look. Eight is "two circles joined together," and nine "upside down looks like a six." It is a great first counting song for little ones.

Try this: Write the numbers 1 to 10 on paper. Hold up each one as you sing, and ask your child what shape it looks like.

Ten Little Penguins

"One little, two little, three little penguins." This song counts penguins from one to ten, then back down to one. The words repeat, so toddlers can join in fast.

Try this: Line up ten toys and point to each one as you sing.

Once I Caught A Fish Alive

"One two three four five, once I caught a fish alive. Six seven eight nine ten, then I let it go again." In this classic rhyme, the little penguins go fishing. Why did they let the fish go? "Because it bit my finger so." Which finger? "This little finger on my right."

Try this: Count on your fingers as you sing. When the song asks which finger, wiggle the little finger on your right hand.

Counting Numbers 1 To 100

"Let's count together all the way to a 100." This upbeat song counts from 1 to 100 in groups of 20, with a short break between each group. It is a good pick for older preschoolers and kindergarten kids who already know 1 to 10.

Try this: Count one group at a time. On the first day, stop at 20. Each day, add one more group.

Songs for Counting Backward

Counting down is harder than counting up, but these songs make it easy. In each one, a group gets smaller and smaller, so kids can see the numbers go down.

There Were Five In The Bed

Five penguin friends share one bed. "There were five in the bed and the little one said, roll over, roll over. So they all rolled over and one fell out." Then there are four, then three, then two. At the end, there is only one left, and the little one says "I'm lonely."

Try this: Line up five stuffed animals on a pillow. Each time you sing "roll over," let your child roll one off and count how many are left.

Five Little Ducks

"Five little ducks went out one day, over the hill and far away." Each time Mommy Duck says "quack quack quack quack," one less duck comes back. In our version, a penguin dresses up as Mommy Duck. When none of the ducks come back, she goes looking for them, and all five little ducks come home.

Try this: Say "quack quack quack quack" together, then count the ducks that came back on your fingers.

Five Little Penguins Went Out One Day

This is a penguin version of Five Little Ducks. Mommy Penguin calls her chicks for a snack, but one less comes back each time. At the end, Daddy Penguin calls, and all five chicks come back. For more songs like this one, see our list of penguin songs for kids.

Five Little Penguins Sliding On The Snow

"Five little penguins sliding on the snow. One hurt his leg and said, oh no." Mama calls the doctor, and the doctor says "Put that penguin straight to bed." One by one, the penguins get hurt jumping, climbing and running on the ice. It is like Five Little Monkeys, but in the snow, and it teaches kids to play safely.

Try this: Talk about each way the penguins got hurt, and ask your child how to play safely in the snow.

A Counting Song for Bedtime

Little Snowflake Lullaby

"One little snowflake, two little snowflakes, three little snowflakes, falling on my tongue." This soft lullaby counts ten snowflakes as the little penguins play in the snow. It is a calm way to practice numbers at the end of the day. For more songs about snow, see our winter songs for preschoolers.

Bonus: Counting the Days

Days Of The Week

Once kids can count, they can learn that a week has seven days. This song names each one in order, with a fun sound for each: "mo mo mo Monday," "fri fri fri Friday." It is a great song for morning circle time.

Easy Counting Activities for Home and Class

• Finger counting: Use your fingers with every song. Hold them up to count up, and put them down to count backward.
• Snack counting: Give your child a few crackers or grapes. Count them together, then count again as they eat each one.
• Number hunt: Look for numbers on doors, clocks and signs, and sing a counting song when you find one.
• Circle time: Start with Days Of The Week, then sing Counting Numbers One To Ten. Our circle time and clean up songs have more ideas.
• Toy line up: Use stuffed animals for There Were Five In The Bed and Five Little Ducks, so kids can see and touch each number.

You can find all of these and more counting and learning songs for preschoolers on our music page.

Questions About Counting Songs for Preschoolers

What are the lyrics to There Were Five In The Bed?

"There were five in the bed and the little one said, roll over, roll over. So they all rolled over and one fell out." The song repeats with four, three and two. At the end, there is one in the bed, and the little one says "I'm lonely."

What is a good counting song for toddlers?

Ten Little Penguins and Counting Numbers One To Ten are great for toddlers. The words are simple and they repeat a lot.

Which songs help kids count backward?

There Were Five In The Bed, Five Little Ducks, Five Little Penguins Went Out One Day and Five Little Penguins Sliding On The Snow all count down from five.

Is there a song to count to 100?

Yes. Counting Numbers 1 To 100 counts all the way to 100 in small groups, with breaks in between.

Why do counting songs help preschoolers learn?

Songs repeat the numbers again and again with a tune and a story. This makes the numbers easier to remember, and kids can use their fingers and toys to see each number.