The Itsy Bitsy Spider
by Anonymous
The beloved nursery rhyme, also known as The Spider Song, was first published in Camp and Camino in Northern California (1910) with "blooming, bloody" instead of the more pleasant, "itsy bitsy" version. Add the finger play motions as you sing to make it even more fun, and encourage fine motor skills.
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout. Down came the rain and washed the spider out. Out came the sun and dried up all the rain and the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.
Lyrics and finger play instructions:
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout [alternately touch the thumb of one hand to the index finger of the other]
Down came the rain [with both hands held high, wiggle and move downward to mimic rain falling]
and washed the spider out [sweep the hands from side to side and make a "swoosh" noise]
Out came the sun [raise both hands above head and touch to form a circle for the sun]
and dried up all the rain [wiggle fingers and move upwards]
and the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again. [alternately touch the thumb of one hand to index finger of the other]
Featured in our Pre-K Wordplay! to inspire beginner readers. For another motion-song, enjoy Pumpkins in the Cornfield.
Return to the Anonymous library , or . . . Read the next nursery rhyme; This Old Man
Or read more short stories for kids in our Children's Library