The cold winter months often inspire preschool teachers and parents to introduce lessons and activities about hibernating animals. What better way to teach little ones about this winter phenomenon than with fun songs? Songs stick in young minds and the catchy melodies make the learning enjoyment more memorable.
In this post, we have compiled an extensive list of original hibernation songs for preschool-aged children. From singing about the different animals as they prepare for their long winter’s nap to tunes about waking up in spring, these song lyrics cover all aspects of hibernation. Teachers can incorporate these into circle time, transitions between activities, or just for fun singalongs. Parents can also use these songs to entertain and educate kids at home.
With favorites like “The Bear,” “Little Bear,” and “Waking,” these hibernation songs for preschoolers use common nursery rhyme melodies that kids already know and love. The repetitive lyrics drill home the hibernation concepts through the delight of music. Scroll down below to get the lyrics to over 23 original hibernation songs for your preschool classroom or home.
Top Hibernation Songs Lyrics:
Hibernation Song
Explore the peaceful slumber of bears and the migration of birds in this educational melody. It’s a wonderful way to engage young minds with the concepts of hibernation and seasonal migration, presented in a child-friendly format.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Are you sleeping”
Bear is sleeping, bear is sleeping
In the cave, In the cave.
I wonder when he’ll come out. I wonder when he’ll come out.
In the spring, In the spring.
Birds are flying, birds are flying
In the sky, in the sky.
I wonder when they’ll come back, I wonder when they’ll come back,
In the spring, in the spring.
Mr. Bear
A humorous and lively tune that delves into the life of a bear preparing for hibernation. It’s a fantastic way to make the concept of animal hibernation accessible and enjoyable for young learners.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “If you’re Happy and you know it”
Mr. Bear says all he wants to do is sleep,
Now that winter’s here and snow is very deep.
He has curled up in his den
And we probably won’t see him
Till the spring when all he’ll want to do is eat!
Lot’s of Bears are Hibernating
A playful and educational tune about the hibernating habits of bears. Its familiar rhythm and engaging lyrics make learning about winter animal behaviors both easy and fun for preschoolers.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Lots of bears are hibernating,
Hibernating, hibernating,
Lots of bears are hibernating, sleeping in their dens.
Bears are Sleeping
A gentle and soothing melody that introduces the concept of animal hibernation. Perfect for a calm classroom activity, it helps young children understand how animals rest and rejuvenate during winter.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Frere Jacques”
Bears are sleeping, bears are sleeping,
In there dens, in their dens,
Soon it will be spring, soon it will be spring
Wake up bears! Wake up bears!
Where is Bear?
An interactive and playful song that involves a search for hibernating animals. It’s a great way to engage children in learning about hibernation through a fun and memorable classroom activity.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Where Is Thumbkin.”
Where is bear? (substitute any hibernating animal)
Where is bear?
Here I am.
Here I am.
How are you this winter?
Very tired, thank you.
Go to sleep.
Go to sleep.
Bear Is Sleeping
A cozy and repetitive song that’s perfect for introducing young learners to the concept of hibernation. Its soothing lyrics are ideal for quiet classroom moments focused on nature and wildlife.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Frere Jacques”
Bear is sleeping. Bear is sleeping.
Let it snow! Let it snow!
Sleeping all the winter, sleeping all the winter.
Snug and warm, snug and warm.
(substitute resting, napping, snoring.)
Hibernation
An educational and catchy tune that explores different animals’ winter habits. This song is a valuable resource for explaining hibernation in a fun and memorable way to preschoolers.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Alouette”
Hibernation. Time for Hibernation.
Hibernation. Time to go to sleep.
In the winter where’s the bear?
Sleeping in its log or lair.
Where’s the bear? Log or lair. OH!
In the winter where’s the frog?
Sleeping by a pond or log.
In the winter where’s the snake?
In the mud beneath the lake.
In the winter where’s the bat?
In a cave is where its at.
We just talked about hibernation and bears.
Two good books are;
Every Autumn Comes The Bear
Time to Sleep.
Waking
A poetic melody that beautifully illustrates the end of hibernation. It’s ideal for teaching about the cycle of seasons and the reawakening of nature in spring in a way that captivates young minds.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle, twinkle little star”
Grizzly, polar and black bear,
Growing thicker winter hair,
Curled up snugly winter through,
‘Til the spring comes calling you.
Then you come out of your den,
To see the world’s all new again.
Getting Ready
An informative song explaining how animals prepare for winter. It’s a great educational tool for teaching young children about the natural world and the importance of preparation and adaptation.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mulberry Bush”
The bears are fattening in the fall,
In the fall, in the fall,
The bears are fattening in the fall,
Before their winter sleep.
They’re eating berries from the bush,
From the bush, from the bush,
They’re eating berries from the bush,
Before their winter sleep.
add other verses:
They’re catching salmon from the brook…
They’re digging roots up from the ground…
They’re stealing honey from the bees…
The Bear
An imaginative song using simple hand gestures to tell the story of a bear’s life through the seasons. This creative and interactive approach is a favorite for teaching about hibernation and seasonal changes.
Original Author: Unknown
Here is a cave,
(make a fist)
Inside is a bear.
(put a thumb inside fist)
Now he comes out
To get some fresh air.
(pop out thumb)
He stays out all summer
In sunshine and heat.
He hunts in the forest
For berries to eat.
(move thumb in circle)
When snow starts to fall,
He hurries inside
His warm little cave,
And there he will hide.
(put thumb back inside fist)
Snow covers the cave
Like a fluffy white rug.
Inside the bear sleeps
All cozy and snug.
(cover fist with other hand)
Big Brown Bear
A catchy melody that explores the theme of hibernation. This song is an excellent tool for engaging preschoolers in learning about how animals adapt to the colder months.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “London Bridge is Falling Down”
Big Brown Bear Has Gone to Sleep
Big brown bear has gone to sleep,
Gone to sleep, gone to sleep,
Big brown bear has gone to sleep,
Now that winter’s coming.
Little robin fly away…
Little squirrels gathering nuts…
Frogs and toads have gone the sleep…
Little rabbit changes coats…
Little Bear
A sweet and calming tune perfect for a classroom activity focused on nature and wildlife. It gently teaches children about the hibernation of bears in an age-appropriate and engaging manner.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Are You Sleeping”
Are you sleeping
Are you sleeping little bear
You will sleep all winter
Through the cold, cold winter .. .little bear
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping. . .little bear
You will wake in springtime. . .in the warm, warm springtime
Little bear, little bear!
Sleepy Hedgehogs
Engage preschoolers with “Sleepy Hedgehogs,” a charming song that teaches about the hibernation of hedgehogs. It’s a delightful way to introduce the concept of hibernation, encouraging curiosity about how different animals adapt to winter.
Sung to: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Hedgehogs sleeping, under leaves,
In the garden, where nobody sees.
Curled up tight, all winter night,
Dreaming under the moonlight.
When the spring flowers start to grow,
Wake up hedgehog, time to go!
Turtles’ Winter Nap
“Turtles’ Winter Nap” is a wonderful song for teaching kids about aquatic hibernation. The song’s simple, catchy tune makes learning about how turtles survive the winter both fun and memorable.
Sung to: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Turtles sleep in winter, in the pond so deep,
Underwater, quietly, in a winter sleep.
When the sun is back, and the water’s warm,
Up they come, hello! Winter’s gone!
Snug as a Bug
Preschoolers will love “Snug as a Bug,” a lively song about how insects survive the winter. This tune is a fantastic tool for explaining hibernation in insects in an engaging, child-friendly way.
Sung to: “The Wheels on the Bus”
The bugs in the ground sleep all winter long,
All winter long, all winter long.
The bugs in the ground sleep all winter long,
Snug in the earth below.
Ladybugs huddle, under the leaves,
Under the leaves, under the leaves.
Ladybugs huddle, under the leaves,
Dreaming of summer days.
Bats in the Cave
Teach children about the hibernation of bats with “Bats in the Cave.” This educational song is perfect for illustrating how bats spend their winters, engaging young minds with its catchy rhythm.
Sung to: “B-I-N-G-O”
In a cave where it’s dark and cold,
Hibernate bats, brave and bold.
B-A-T-S, B-A-T-S, B-A-T-S,
And bats are sleeping now.
They hang upside down all through the day,
Waiting for winter to pass away.
Sleeping bats, sleeping bats, sleeping bats,
Until the spring arrives.
Squirrels in the Trees
“Squirrels in the Trees” is an educational song that teaches about how squirrels prepare for winter. It’s an engaging way for preschoolers to learn about animal behavior and adaptation in a fun and catchy tune.
Sung to: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Squirrels gather nuts for food, for food, for food,
Squirrels gather nuts for food, to eat in winter time.
In the trees, they’ll stay all snug, all snug, all snug,
In the trees, they’ll stay all snug, until the springtime comes.
Frogs in the Mud
With “Frogs in the Mud,” kids can learn about how frogs hibernate. This song is a fantastic way to introduce young children to different types of hibernation in a simple and fun manner.
Sung to: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
Frogs are sleeping in the mud, in the mud,
In the cold winter, they don’t make a thud.
They will wait till winter’s done,
For the warmth of the springtime sun.
The Sleepy Skunk
This playful and educational song about skunks in winter. It’s an excellent resource for teaching preschoolers about hibernation in a way that’s both fun and informative.
Sung to: “I’m a Little Teapot”
I’m a little skunk, black and white,
Sleeping in my den, out of sight.
When the cold winds blow, I’m snug you see,
Wake me up when it’s springtime, please!
Dormouse Dream
This soothing song that introduces children to the hibernation of dormice. It’s perfect for teaching about wildlife in a calm and gentle manner, ideal for quiet classroom moments.
Sung to: “Hush, Little Baby”
Dormouse sleeping in the tree,
In a nest so comfy and free.
Dreaming away the winter days,
Till spring sun’s gentle rays.
The Cozy Groundhog
Engage preschoolers with “The Cozy Groundhog,” a catchy tune about groundhogs during winter. This song is an enjoyable way to explain hibernation and spring’s arrival to young children.
Sung to: “Hokey Pokey”
The groundhog sleeps in the winter,
In a burrow, deep and warm.
When spring comes, he’ll wake up,
And pop out to see the storm.
He’ll look for his shadow, you see,
That’s what it’s all about!
The Sleepy Fox
This is a delightful song that teaches about the lesser-known winter habits of foxes. It’s a great way to introduce young learners to different animal behaviors in winter.
Sung to: “London Bridge is Falling Down”
Fox in the snow, sleeps so deep, sleeps so deep, sleeps so deep,
Fox in the snow, sleeps so deep, all through the winter.
Winter’s Nap
“Winter’s Nap” is a gentle song perfect for teaching about various animals and their winter habits. It’s a great tool for introducing the concept of hibernation in a comprehensive yet simple way.
Sung to: “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
In the winter, animals sleep, E-I-E-I-O,
With a snore-snore here, and a snore-snore there,
Here a snore, there a snore, everywhere a snore-snore,
In the winter, animals sleep, E-I-E-I-O.
With over 10 original song lyrics focused on hibernation concepts, this collection is a great resource for preschool teachers and parents alike. From preparation to awakening, these lively tunes cover all aspects of an animal’s winter slumber. Set them to familiar nursery rhyme melodies that kids love to sing over and over. Use these hibernation songs for preschoolers to liven up lessons and activities about this winter phenomenon.
The catchy lyrics and repetitive verses will help young learners grasp ideas like:
- How animals prepare for hibernation
- Safe places animals sleep
- When hibernating animals wake up
Songs turn early education into playtime fun. Download the complete lyrics above to add some musical delight to your hibernation studies this winter!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I best use these songs in my preschool classroom?
Use the songs as part of your morning circle time routine focused on the current season. Also incorporate them into lesson transitions when you need to get the kids focused back on the hibernation theme.
What melodies work with the song lyrics?
All of the hibernation song lyrics are designed to be sung to the tune of classic nursery rhymes like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” “Frere Jacques,” and “The Mulberry Bush.” Kids will easily recognize the familiar melodies.
Can parents use these too?
Absolutely! Parents can sing these songs one-on-one or to groups for entertainment and as tools for teaching the preschoolers in their lives about hibernation concepts through playtime fun.
Do I need to provide musical accompaniment?
Nope! Since all songs use common nursery rhyme melodies, teachers or parents can lead a cappella singalongs. The repetition will help kids memorize the lyrics.
Can I share these song lyrics online or print copies?
Yes, these hibernation song lyrics can be freely shared digitally or printed for educational purposes thanks to their public domain original authors. Please credit appropriately.