Nursery rhyme lyrics
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes Lyrics
The words to Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, with simple actions to do together and a little history for curious grown-ups.
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes full lyrics
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!
Traditional, public domain. Many families sing slightly different versions.
Love action songs? Try our Tiger Cub Dance — wiggle, stomp and roar along with Lulu the tiger cub.
Actions to do together
- Touch each body part as you sing it.
- Sing it again faster each time.
- Try leaving out a word and just doing the action.
What your child learns
- Body part names
- Listening and following instructions
- Coordination and getting the wiggles out
Where does Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes come from?
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes is a traditional action song sung in playgroups and classrooms around the world. It is often sung to the tune of the old folk song "There Is a Tavern in the Town".
Questions parents ask
What age is Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes for?
Babies enjoy having the parts touched gently, and toddlers and preschoolers love doing the actions themselves, especially at speed.
How do you play the silent version?
Each round, leave out one word but keep doing the action, until you are singing almost nothing at all.