Spring is one of the best times of year to bring music into your child’s day. There’s so much happening outside — flowers pushing through, birds coming back, rain showers and sunshine in the same afternoon — and songs are a brilliant way to help young children notice, name, and celebrate all of it.

These springtime preschool songs are simple enough for toddlers and preschoolers to join in with, and most need no instruments or props at all — just willing voices and a bit of enthusiasm.

Why Songs Are So Good for Preschoolers

Before diving into the songs themselves, it’s worth knowing why singing with young children is so valuable. Songs support language development through rhythm and repetition, build memory and sequencing skills, encourage listening and turn-taking, and give children a joyful, low-pressure way to practise new vocabulary.

Spring-themed songs in particular are wonderful for early science conversations — talking about what changes in spring, what flowers need to grow, where the birds have been all winter. Music and learning weave together naturally at this age.

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring

A classic that preschoolers almost always already know, making it a great starting point for spring singing.

It’s raining, it’s pouring, The old man is snoring, He bumped his head and went to bed, And couldn’t get up in the morning.

This one works well as a lead-in to talking about April showers, puddle jumping, and what plants need rain for. Pair it with a rainy day walk in wellies for maximum effect.

Little Seed (Original Action Song)

A simple original song perfect for planting activities and garden-themed play.

I’m a little seed down in the ground, (crouch down small) Waiting for the sunshine to come around, (curl up tight) When the warm rain falls and the sun shines bright, (wiggle fingers like rain) I’ll push up through the soil and reach for the light! (slowly stand up tall with arms rising)

Children love the actions with this one, and it pairs beautifully with any seed planting activity.

The Butterfly Song

A gentle song about the life cycle of a butterfly — one of the most captivating spring topics for preschoolers.

First an egg on a leaf so small, (make a tiny circle with fingers) Then a caterpillar, creeping along the wall, (wiggle fingers like a caterpillar) Then a chrysalis, wrapped up tight, (hug arms around yourself) Then a beautiful butterfly taking flight! (spread arms like wings and flutter)

This works wonderfully alongside books about butterflies or a simple lifecycle craft activity.

Here Comes the Sun

Not the Beatles version — a simpler action rhyme for little ones.

Here comes the sun, shining so bright, (arms above head in a circle) Here comes the sun, filling the world with light, (spread arms wide) Here comes the sun, warm on my face, (hands on cheeks) Spring is here, what a beautiful place! (spin around)

Short, cheerful, and easy for even the youngest preschoolers to follow along with.

The Spring Has Come (Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb)

Using a familiar tune makes new songs much easier for young children to pick up.

Spring has come and flowers grow, flowers grow, flowers grow, Spring has come and flowers grow, all across the land.

Bees are buzzing, birds do sing, birds do sing, birds do sing, Bees are buzzing, birds do sing, welcome back to spring.

You can add as many verses as you like — lambs are jumping, rain is falling, seeds are growing — making it as long or short as you need.

Incy Wincy Spider

A perennial favourite that fits perfectly into spring — after all, spiders come back out in warmer weather and the sun does indeed come out after the rain.

Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the water spout, Down came the rain and washed the spider out, Out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain, And Incy Wincy Spider climbed up the spout again.

The finger actions make this one endlessly engaging for toddlers, and it’s a natural starting point for talking about the weather cycle.

Five Little Ducks

A counting song with a spring feel, perfect for preschoolers who are beginning to explore numbers.

Five little ducks went swimming one day, Over the hill and far away, Mother duck said quack quack quack quack, But only four little ducks came back.

Continue counting down to one, then bring all five back at the end. The predictable structure gives children the confidence to join in, and the counting element makes it quietly educational without feeling like a lesson.

Tips for Singing With Preschoolers

Repetition is the point. Young children want to sing the same songs again and again, and that repetition is exactly how they learn. Try not to move on too quickly just because you’re bored of a song.

Actions help enormously. Adding simple hand movements or whole body actions to songs helps children remember the words and keeps engagement high — especially for children who find sitting still difficult.

You don’t need to be a good singer. Children at this age don’t notice or care. Enthusiastic always beats technically accomplished when your audience is three.

Use songs as transitions. A spring song while putting on wellies for a rainy day walk, or while watering seeds on the windowsill, connects the music to real experiences and makes both more memorable.

Sing outside. There’s something brilliant about singing a song about birds or rain or sunshine while you’re actually outside in it. It grounds the words in direct experience in a way that sticks.