Exploring the wonders of nature through music and movement can be an enriching experience for preschoolers. This collection of 19 forest-themed songs has been thoughtfully curated to engage young children with the sights and sounds of the forest habitat. From animal songs to nature appreciation tunes, these selections encourage active participation, teach new vocabulary, and spark imagination. Whether used at home or in the classroom, this diverse mix of forest songs will educate and entertain preschoolers while nurturing an early appreciation for the natural world.
Also See Winter Animals
A Squirrel Song
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain”
I’ll be gathering all the acorns till they’re gone.
I’ll be gathering all the acorns till they’re gone.
I’ll be gathering all the acorns, gathering all the acorns,
Gathering all the acorns till they’re gone.
(Children make collecting motion with their hands)
And I’ll put them all inside my little home.
I will put them all inside my little home.
I will put them all inside, put them all inside,
Put them all inside my little home.
(children pretend to place nuts in tree house)
And I’ll eat the nuts until the winter’s gone.
I will eat the nuts until the winter’s gone.
I will eat the nuts until, eat the nuts until,
Eat the nuts until the winter’s gone.
(children pretend to eat acorns)
Then I’ll do it all again come next fall.
I will do it all again come next fall.
I will do it all again, do it all again,
Do it all again come next fall.
(children make gathering motion with hands and arms again)
Five Little Squirrels
Original Author: Unknown
Five little squirrels with acorns to store.
One went to sleep and then there were four!
Four little squirrels hunting acorns in a tree.
One fell down, and now there are three!
Three little squirrels wondering what to do.
One got lost, and now there are two!
Two little squirrels tossing acorns for fun.
One got tired, and now there is one!
One little squirrel playing in the sun.
He ran away, now there are none.
Frisky Squirrel
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “The Grand Old Duke of York”
Oh, the frisky little squirrel
He gathers nuts and seeds.
He hides them for the winter months
So he’ll have all he needs.
Refrain:
Oh, up-up-up he goes
And down-down-down he comes.
He runs around – goes up and down.
His work is never done. (repeat refrain)
The Wide Eyed Owl
Original Author: Unknown
There’s a wide-eyed owl,
with a pointed nose,
with two pointed ears,
and claws for his toes.
He lives high in a tree.
When he looks at you
he flaps his wings,
and says, “Whoo, Whoo, Whoo.”
Use actions on each line that is appropriate.
Little Hoot Owl
Original Author: Unknown
Sung To: “Six Little Ducks”
Who flies around in the dark of night?
Who glides on wings o’er silent night?
Who eats his dinner by late moonlight?
It’s a little hoot owl with his owl eyesight!
Who-who, who-who, little hoot owl.
Who-who, who-who, little hoot owl.
Who-who, who-who, little hoot owl.
It’s a little hoot owl with his owl eyesight
Five Little Bears
Original Author: Unknown
Five little bears little bears were dancing on the floor
One fell down and that left four
Four little bears climbed up a tree
One found a bee hive that left three
Three little bears were wondering what to do
One chased a bunny rabbit that left two
Two little bears were looking for some fun
One took a swim that left one
One little bear sitting all alone
He looked all around and then ran home.
Little Skunk
Original Author: Unknown
I stuck my head in a little skunk’s hole,
And the little skunk said, “well bless my sole,
Take it out, take it out, take it out remove it!
Well I didn’t take it out and the little skunk said,
“If you don’t take it out you’ll wish you had.
Take it out, take it out, take it out. PEE YOU!
I removed it!
Stinky Skunk
Original Author: Unknown
I’m a little stinky skunk.
I’m sleeping under someone’s bunk
Nobody wants to sleep with me,
I’m as stinky as can be.
Honk, honk, rattle, rattle, crash, beep, beep.
Honk, honk, rattle, rattle, crash, beep, beep.
Five Little Owls
Original Author: Unknown
Five little owls on a dark, dark night.
Five little owls are quite a sight.
Five little owls. Are you keeping score?
One flies away and that leaves four.
Four little owls as happy as can be.
One flies away and that leaves three.
Three little owls calling, “Who, Who, Who!
One flies away and that leaves two.
Two little owls having lots of fun.
One flies away and that leaves one.
One little owl and we’re almost done!
He flies away and that leaves none!
Grey Squirrel
Original Author: Unknown
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel
Swish your bushy tail!
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel
Swish your bushy tail!
Wrinkle up your funny nose
Hold a nut between your toes
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel
Swish your busy tail!
Foxy Fox
Original Author: Unknown
Sung To: “London Bridge”
I’m a foxy, foxy fox,
Foxy fox, foxy fox.
I’m a foxy, foxy fox,
I am sly and fast.
See the Fluffy Rabbit
Original Author: Unknown
Sung To: “I’m a Little Teapot”
See the fluffy rabbit as it hops,
One ear up while the other one flops.
He’s a gentle fellow with a twitchy nose,
He’s all furry from his ears to his toes.
Forest
Original Author: Unknown
Sung To: “Did You Ever See A Lassie”
If you’re ever in the forest,
The forest, the forest,
If you’re ever in the forest,
You might see some deer.
With antlers on one;
Another might run.
If you’re ever in the forest.
You might see some deer.
Otters
Original Author: Unknown
Sung To: “Did You Ever See A Lassie?”
Did you ever see an otter,
an otter, an otter?
Did you ever see an otter
swimming so fast?
Raccoon Sitting in a Tree
Original Author: Unknown
Sung To: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
Raccoon, raccoon, climbing a tree,
Wearing a mask, you can’t fool me.
Hiding there so I can’t see
What you’re doing in that tree.
Raccoon, raccoon, climbing a tree,
Wearing a mask, you can’t fool me.
What Can That Smell Be?
Original Author: Unknown
Sung To: “Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?”
Oh, oh, what can that smell be?
Oh, oh, what can that smell be?
Oh, oh, what can that smell be?
It must be a skunk, yes sirree.
See the Squirrels
Original Author: Unknown
Sung To: “Brother John”
See the squirrels,
See the squirrels,
Climb the tree,
Climb the tree,
Hiding nuts for winter,
Hiding nuts for winter,
In the tree,
In the tree.
Raccoon
Original Author: Unknown
Sung To: “Kookaburra”
Raccoon sleeps in a hollow tree
While the sun shines on you and me.
Sleep, raccoon.
Sleep, raccoon,
Warm and cozily.
In the darkest part of night
Raccoon has the best eyesight.
Look raccoon,
Look, raccoon,
My, your eyes are bright.
Raccoon hardly makes a sound
When he prowls all around.
Hunt raccoon,
Hunt raccoon,
Find food on the ground.
Squirrels
Original Author: Unknown
Five little squirrels sitting in a tree.
The 1st one said, “What do I see?”
The 2nd one said, “Some nuts on the ground.”
The 3rd one said, “Those are nuts that I found.”
The 4th one said, “I’ll beat you there.”
The 5th one said, “all right, that’s fair.”
So they shook their tails and ran with glee!
To the nuts that lay at the foot of the tree!