Here are 31 ocean songs for preschoolers with full lyrics, the tune each one is sung to, and the motions that go with it. Nearly all of them borrow a melody you already know, such as “Frere Jacques” or “The Farmer in the Dell,” so you can teach one at circle time this morning without learning anything new yourself.
The songs are grouped by how you will use them: counting songs for one-to-one correspondence, fish and sea creature songs for vocabulary, movement songs for burning off energy, and fingerplays for settling a group back down. Each song ends with a one-line note on the best age or the motion to pair with it. Seven videos are embedded where they fit, so you can hear a tune before you lead it, or let children watch the actions once before they try them.
First comes a short guide to building a week-long ocean theme around these songs, then the songs themselves, then answers to the questions teachers ask most often.
- How to build an ocean theme around these songs
- Counting ocean songs
- Fish songs
- Whale and dolphin songs
- Octopus, crab and starfish songs
- Movement and swimming songs
- Fingerplays and quiet ocean songs
- Frequently asked questions
How to build an ocean theme around these songs
Start with the water. A blue sensory bin or water table with plastic fish, a few shells and some scoops turns a song into something children can act out with their hands. Put the bin out on Monday and sing “Fish Are Swimming” beside it. By Wednesday children will sing it on their own while they play, and that is where the vocabulary sticks.
Use the counting songs for one-to-one correspondence. “Five Little Sea Creatures” and “5 Little Fishes” count down from five. Give each child five fish cut from card, or pick five children to be the fish, and take one away at each verse. Touching a fish while saying its number is the skill you are teaching. Once five is easy, “Once I Saw An Octopus” counts to eight on fingers. For more practice, these number songs for preschool work the same way.
Teach the animal names before the song, not during it. Show a picture or a plastic figure of each creature in the lyrics: lobster, octopus, starfish, sea horse, hermit crab. Name it, have children say it, then sing. A child who already knows the word “beluga” can join in on “The Whales.” A child meeting the word for the first time inside a fast verse will hum through it.
Let them swim across the rug. “Take Me Out to the Ocean,” “Fishy Pokey” and “Swimming In The Sea” all work best standing up with room to move. Pick a starting wall and a finishing wall, then have children swim, side-step like a crab or leap like a whale from one to the other. Three or four minutes is plenty.
Follow a high-energy block with a quiet song. After the swimming, sit everyone down for “Eight Arms” or “Once I Saw An Octopus.” Both are fingerplays with a fixed ending, so children know when they are done. “Sea Gull Song” works the same way. If you need more transition songs, these circle time songs fit any theme.
Stretch the theme across a week without repeating the same three songs. Give each day a focus: fish on Monday, whales and dolphins on Tuesday, octopus and crabs on Wednesday, counting on Thursday, and a Friday review where children pick their favorites. Add a day of beach songs if the weather is warm, or pull in a few summer songs to bridge into the next unit.
Counting ocean songs
Five Little Sea Creatures
Added: 03-31-1999
Original Author: Unknown
Five little sea creatures
On the ocean floor;
The lobster walked away
Now there are four.
Four little sea creatures
Living in the sea;
The octopus crept away
Now there are three.
Three little sea creatures
Wondering what to do;
“Good-bye,” said the starfish
Now there are two.
Two little sea creatures
Not having much fun;
Off swam the sea horse
Now there is one.
One little hermit crab
Sad and all alone,
Back came the starfish,
Back came the sea horse,
Back came the octopus,
Back came the lobster,
Then all five went home.
Give five children a creature card each and have them sit when their animal leaves, then stand again in the last verse.
5 Little Fishes
Added: 07-27-2000
Original Author: Unknown
5 little fishes swimming near the shore
1 took a dive and then there was 4
4 little fishes were swimming out to sea
One went for food and then there was 3
3 little fishes said now what should we do?
One swam away and then there were 2
2 little fishes we are having great fun
One took a plunge and then there was 1
1 little fish said I like the warm sun
Away she went and then there were none!
Good for threes learning to count down; put five felt fish on a board and take one off each verse.
5 Little Fish
Added: 07-27-2000
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “5 little monkeys (teasing the alligator)”
5 little fish swimming in the sea
Teasin’ Mr. Shark
You can’t catch me, You can’t catch me!
along came the Mr. Shark as quiet as can be
Snap! The little fish right out of the sea.
4 little Etc…
One little fish swimming in the sea
Teasin’ Mr. Shark
You can’t catch me, You can’t catch me!
along came the Mr. Shark as quiet as can be
Snap! The little fish right out of the sea.
Now Mr. Shark is lonely can’t you see. .
Five children swim in front of a seated “shark” who snaps one out each verse; keep the snapper gentle.
Five Cranky Crabs
Added: 06-26-2000
Original Author: Unknown
Five cranky crabs were digging on the shore.
One swam into a net and then there were four.
Four cranky crabs were floating in the sea.
One got tangled up in seaweed then there were three.
Three Cranky crabs were wondering what to do.
One dug a deep, deep hole. Then there were two.
Two cranky crabs were warming in the sun.
One got scooped up in a cup. Then there was one.
One cranky crab was smarter than his friends.
He hid between the jagged rocks.
That’s how the story ends.
Hold up five fingers and fold one down each verse, then crab-walk to the rocks on the last line.
Three Little Fishies
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
The words to this song are under copyright (music by Saxie Dowell, 1939, words by Josephine Carringer and Bernice Idins) and are not reproduced here. Sing it from a licensed recording or songbook.
The nonsense chorus is the hook; children who cannot follow the story still join in on “Boop Boop.”
Fish songs
I’m a Fish
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Little Teapot”
I’m a little fishy, I can swim
Here is my tail, here is my fin.
When I want to have fun with my friends,
I wiggle my tail and dive right in!
Best for threes: wiggle hips on “wiggle my tail” and clap both hands together on “dive right in.”
Fish Are Swimming
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Frere Jacques”
Fish are swimming, fish are swimming,
In the sea, in the sea,
A-splishing and a-splashing,
A-splishing and a-splashing,
Look and see, look and see.
Sing it beside the water table with flat-hand fish swimming through the air.
My Fishy Song
Added: 02-2002-09
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “The More We Get Together”
If I could be a fishy,
A fishy, a fishy
If I could be a fishy
What kind would I be?
A swordfish, a guppy,
A goldfish, a molly,
If I could be a fishy,
I would be a (child fills in the blank)
Let each child fill in the blank with a fish name from the morning’s picture cards.
Catch a Fish
Added: 04-05-2002
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Row, Row, Row your boat”
Catch, catch, catch a fish,
Hook it on your line.
Reel it, reel it, reel it,
This one will be mine.
Mime casting and reeling; it doubles as a transition into a magnetic fishing game at the sensory bin.
Slippery Fish
Added: 06-01-2004
Original Author: Unknown
The words to this song are under copyright (Charlotte Diamond, 1985) and are not reproduced here. Sing it from a licensed recording or songbook.
Stack animal cutouts one over the other as you go so children can see who eats whom.
Whale and dolphin songs
The Whales
Added: 04-29-2001
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “I’m a little teapot”
I’m a humpback whale,
I’m very strong.
I leap about
And sing a song.
I like to eat my fill
In the Northern Sea.
But in the winter,
South I flee.
I am a beluga,
I’m all white.
From head to tail
I’m quite a sight.
You can hear me singing
Way up north,
Playing and swimming
Back and forth.
I’m a mighty orca
Black and white.
In the sea
I’m a beautiful sight.
I’m not very big,
But I am sleek.
I hunt for my food
Cause I have teeth.
Three verses for three whales; show a picture of each before you sing so children know the humpback from the orca.
I’m A Big Whale
Added: 04-29-2001
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Clementine”
I am swimming, I am swimming,
I am swimming in the sea.
I’m a big whale and I’m swimming
I am swimming in the sea.
I am singing , I am singing,
I am singing in the sea.
I’m a big whale and I’m singing,
I am singing in the sea.
I am spouting, I am spouting,
I am spouting in the sea.
I’m a big whale and I’m spouting,
I am spouting in the sea.
Slow and repetitive, so young threes can join in by the second verse.
Dolphin Family Song
Added: 7-22-02
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Adam’s Family Theme”
When they get into the notion
They jump out of the ocean
With tail fluke locomotion,
The Dolphin family
Swim in the sea, eee eee
Swim in the sea, eee eee
Swim in the sea
Live in a pod
Swim in the sea, eee eee
I bet you didn’t suppose
Their blow hole was their nose
And in and out the air goes
The Dolphin family
Swim in the sea, eee eee
Swim in the sea, eee eee
Swim in the sea,
Live in a pod
Swim in the sea, eee eee
Snap fingers on “eee eee”; fives will want to talk about the blowhole verse.
I’m a Big Whale
Added 2-02-09
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Clementine”
I am swimming, I am swimming,
I am swimming in the sea.
I’m a big whale and I’m swimming,
I am swimming in the sea.
I am singing, I am singing,
I am singing in the sea.
I’m a big whale and I’m singing,
I am singing in the sea.
I am spouting, I am spouting,
I am spouting in the sea.
I’m a big whale and I’m spouting,
I am spouting in the sea.
The same words as the 2001 version above, sent in by a second contributor; either one works for twos and threes.
Octopus, crab and starfish songs
The Octopus
Added: 02-27-2001
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Little White Duck”
There are eight tentacles
Swimming in the ocean,
Eight tentacles making a commotion
Who could belong to so many feet?
The octopus does and they help him eat.
He has eight tentacles
Swimming in the ocean,
Swim, Swim, Swim.
Wave eight fingers as you sing, and show an octopus picture first so “tentacles” means something.
My Octopus Song
Added: 02-02-2009
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Three Blind Mice”
Octopus, Octopus
In the Sea, In the Sea
To swim they use all 8 of their arms
Their color changes to hide them from harm
They live in the sea, not on a farm
The Octopus
Hold up eight fingers, then cover your face on “hide them from harm.”
We’re Little Orange Crabs
Added: 05-06-2001
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “The Farmer in the Dell”
We’re little orange crabs
Who live down by the sea,
And where we do go
We’re quick as quick can be.
We’re little orange crabs
Who like to run and hide,
And when you see us walking by
It’s always side to side.
Everyone side-steps across the rug on “side to side.”
Sticky, Sticky Starfish
Added: 04-05-2002
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Sticky, sticky little starfish,
How I wonder what you are,
Beneath the sea so cool and blue
Can you see me as I see you?
Sticky, sticky little starfish
Beneath the sea so cool and blue
A quiet song for rest time or the end of the day.
My Starfish Song
Added: 02-02-2009
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mary Had A Little Lamb”
I’m a little brown starfish,
Brown starfish, brown starfish
I’m a little brown starfish
Who lives under the sea
A one-verse song for twos and threes; stretch arms and legs out into a star shape.
Lions of the Sea
Added: 02-19-2002
Submitted By: Angela Vargas
Sung to: “Sing a Song of Sixpence”
Playing in the ocean underneath the sea,
Snuggled in the waves is where we like to be.
We are all the sea lions swimming happily.
Ar Ar Ar Ar! (Doing arms in a flipper flapping motion together in front of the body) Fish for me!
Clap flippers on “Ar Ar Ar Ar” and point to your mouth on “Fish for me.”
Movement and swimming songs
Take Me Out to the Ocean
Added: 09-28-1998
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
Take me out to the ocean
Take me out to the sea
There goes a starfish and sand dollar,
I’m having such fun, I’ve just got to holler
Oh, it’s swim, swim, swim, underwater
Catch a ride on a whale, don’t fear,
For the sea animals are our friends,
Let’s give a great big cheer!
A standing song for fours and fives; finish with both arms up on the last line.
Fishy Pokey
Added: 04-05-2002
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Hokey Pokey”
Put your left fin in
Put your left fin out
Put your left fin in
You shake it all about
You do the fishy pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what its all about
Then do other fishy part, back fin, right fin, head, gills, whole body.
Stand in a circle and follow the fin cue, then swap in the body parts listed at the end.
Three Little Fish
Added: 05-06-2001
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Three Blind Mice”
Three little fish, three little fish
(hold up three fingers)
See how they swim, see how they swim
(make swimming motion with arms)
Round and Round and fast they go
(“swim” fast – sing fast)
Now they are going very slow
(“swim” slow-also sign slow)
Three little fish, three little fish
(hold up 3 fingers again)
Follow the bracketed actions; the fast-then-slow verse teaches tempo and self-control.
Swimming In The Sea
Added: 07-27-2000
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Doo-wa diddy diddy” There I was just swimming in the sea
singing oooo wah diddy diddy dum diddy deeAll the sudden there’s a dolphin next to me
singing ooo wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee She swam fast
she swam fastshe dove deep
she dove deepshe swam fast dove deep
Hey this dolphin’s pretty neat!!do wah diddy diddy dum diddy dee
Dolphin-swimmingCrab-pinching
whale – breachingshark swimming
mermaids plug nose and shimmy down
Add one of the animal actions listed at the end per verse; save the mermaid shimmy for fours and fives.
Down in the Deep Blue Sea
Added: 06-22-2002
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Shoo-Fly”
Down in the deep blue sea,
Down in the deep blue sea,
Down in the deep blue sea,
What will we see?
We’ll see a swimming fish,
We’ll see a swimming fish,
We’ll see a swimming fish,
That is what we’ll see
We’ll see an octopus …
We’ll see a great big whale…
Let children call out the next creature to see, then everyone acts it out.
A Sailor Went to Sea
Added: 02-02-2009
Original Author: Unknown
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea
To see what he could see, see, see
But all that he could see, see, see
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea!
Tap knee, clap, and salute on each “sea, sea, sea”; the video below shows the pattern.
Fingerplays and quiet ocean songs
Once I Saw An Octopus
Added: 07-21-2001
Original Author Unknown
Once I saw an octopus
In the deep blue sea. (Point downward)
I called, “Mr. Octopus,
Won’t you swim with me?” (Cup hands around mouth)
Then out came his tentacles,
So very long and straight, (extend eight fingers.)
One and two and three and four,
Five and six and seven and eight. (count on fingers.)
A fingerplay that counts to eight; best for fours who already count to five easily.
Eight Arms
Added: 07-21-2001
Original Author: Unknown
Once I saw an octopus,
Deep down in the sea.
(Clasp hands together with thumbs inside.)
Out came her eight tentacles
To play and swim with me.
(Extend and wiggle eight fingers)
The shortest fingerplay on the page; use it as a settle-down right before a story.
Down in the Water
Added: 05-13-2001
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Down by the Station”
Down in the water, early in the morning
See the ocean creatures, swimming all around.
You can see the parents playing with their babies.
Under the sea is where they’re found!
A quiet morning-meeting song; ask which parent and baby they pictured before you sing it again.
Creatures of the Sea
Added: 05-13-2001
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Sing a Song of Sixpence”
Playing in the oceans, underneath the sea,
Snuggled in the waves is where we want to be.
We are all the creatures swimming happily,
This is where we live because we’re creatures of the sea!
Sing it seated with gentle rocking on “snuggled in the waves.”
Sea Gull Song
Added: 03-31-1999
Original Author Unknown
Sung to: “Frere Jacques”
I see sea gulls
I see sea gulls,
At the beach,
At the beach,
Soaring, diving, fishing,
Soaring, diving, fishing,
At the beach,
At the beach.
Other verses:
I hear the ocean,
I hear the ocean,
At the beach,
At the beach,
Crashing, splashing, foaming
Crashing, splashing, foaming,
At the beach,
At the beach.
A calm tune for after outdoor time; let arms glide slowly on “soaring.”
Frequently asked questions
What age are ocean songs best for?
Most of these songs suit three to five year olds. Twos and young threes do best with one-verse songs like “My Starfish Song” and “I’m a Fish.” Fours and fives can handle the counting songs, the eight-finger fingerplays and the multi-verse songs like “The Whales.”
How do I teach ocean animal names to preschoolers?
Introduce each name with a picture or a toy before you sing, and have children say the word aloud. Then sing a song that repeats it, such as “The Octopus” or “We’re Little Orange Crabs.” Put the same animals in the sensory bin so children hear and use the words again during free play. If your group already knows farm and zoo animals, compare: a sea lion has flippers, not legs.
What activities pair with ocean songs?
A water table or blue sensory bin with plastic sea animals is the easiest match. Add a magnetic fishing game for “Catch a Fish,” felt fish on a flannel board for the counting songs, and a taped-off “ocean” on the rug for the swimming songs. Paper-plate crabs and coffee-filter jellyfish make a craft that children can hold while they sing.
How do I use a fish song to teach counting?
Start with five objects children can touch, one per fish in the song. As each verse removes a fish, have a child take one away and count what is left out loud. Once the group can do it with objects, switch to fingers only. “5 Little Fishes” and “Five Cranky Crabs” are the simplest places to start.
What is a fingerplay?
A fingerplay is a short rhyme or song where the hands act out the words, like “Once I Saw An Octopus” with its eight extended fingers. It is done seated, so it works as a settle-down after movement. Fingerplays also build the small hand muscles children will use for holding a pencil.
That is the full set. Pick three or four to start, add a bin of water, and let the rest come in over the week. When the ocean theme is done, the bird songs page covers the sea gulls and pelicans you met at the beach, and the reptile songs page has sea turtles for a tide-pool follow-up.