Sing and Learn: Itsy Bitsy Spider Lyrics and Fun Activities for Kids

It’s no secret—babies and toddlers are huge fans of The Itsy Bitsy Spider song. And for good reason! The hand gestures are fun, the nursery rhyme is catchy, and it’s easy to sing along with. But did you know that singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider with your child is educational, too? This cute nursery rhyme provides children with a ton of developmental benefits for the early age. From refining their motor skills to learning the importance of perseverance, this seemingly simple song benefits little learners in so many ways. Let’s take a deeper look at its significance and hidden teaching tools!

Itsy Bitsy Spider Nursery Rhyme

In most English-speaking countries including the US, Australia, and the UK, the Itsy Bitsy Spider (or Incy Wincy Spider in some areas) is a well-known children’s nursery rhyme about a tiny spider climbing up a water spout and being washed out by the rain before the sun comes out so he can do it all over again. It’s a fun and interactive song that allows little ones to practice their motor skills with hand movements that match the lyrics.

First published in 1910, the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” was originally written for a more mature audience. Its original lyrics and title were the “Blooming, Bloody Spider”—not quite kid-friendly. Even more interestingly, some believe the song’s meaning was a commentary on classicism and the American Dream at the time. However, eventually, the song transformed into what we know it as today: an uplifting nursery rhyme that little ones adore. 

The Itsy Bitsy Spider is now a beloved song recognized worldwide, and helps children practice skills that help prepare them to read. First, kids learn that stories like the Itsy Bitsy Spider are structured with a beginning, middle, and end. Plus, such songs help stimulate the mental processes as the child notices, thinks about, and identifies words that rhyme. The added benefits come with sound recognition - alliteration and new words introduce the child to novel sounds and concepts. Finally, repeat singing, speaking, and listening helps increase fluency.

Itsy Bitsy Spider Lyrics

The Itsy Bitsy Spider is a simple enough story, but compelling. Our little spider braves the elements and uses his strength to achieve his goal. Even when he fails, he tries again. These lyrics present many valuable character traits that encourage children to emulate. This story positively illustrates perseverance, hard work, and resilience. Plus, the lyrics are easy to learn and understand:

The Itsy Bitsy spider
Climbed up the water spout
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

Itsy Bitsy Spider Song

Did you know that there are several versions of the Itsy Bitsy spider in dozens of languages? For example, in the Spanish version, Araña Arañita, a toad is introduced right at the end for a fun twist. In the Chinese version, 蜘蛛, two spiders try to climb the water spout together. 

If you want to make it more interesting for your child, this video has them both: the visual story of the brave spider and the song:

This song is barrels of fun for babies and toddlers! Both educational and interactive, it’s all about using their hands and making shapes. By the way, the Itsy Bitsy Spider nursery rhyme is included in Cali’s Books’ Patty Cake sound book. The same sound book include these classic tunes your little one will love:

• Patty Cake
• Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star
• If You're Happy and You Know It
• Itsy Bitsy Spider
• Old Mcdonald Had a Farm
• A Tisket-a-Tasket

Engaging Activities with Itsy Bitsy Spider

Did you know there are activities you can do alongside the Itsy Bitsy Spider song? From creative crafting to coloring and games, you can make your child’s learning experience even more interactive with these fun activities. Here are a couple of fun one for you to try at home:

Itsy Bitsy Spider Roll/Waterspout

• Empty paper towel roll
• Glue
• String
• Paper
• Scissors
• (Optional) markers, stickers, googly eyes etc.

• Draw a spider and cut it out of paper (any size will do, as long as it isn’t more than half the size of the paper towel roll).
• Add googly eyes, color them in, and add any optional decorations to make your spider totally unique!
• Pull a string through your paper towel roll (make it a little longer than the length of the roll).
• Once the string is in, glue each end to the top and bottom of your spider. Let it dry. 
• As you sing, pull the string up to make it look like your spider is climbing up the water spout, and down to make it look like he’s falling down.

Itsy Bitsy Spider Water Table Play

• Tub
• Plastic pitcher of water
• Water bottle with both ends cut off
• Pipe cleaner spider

• Cut the top and bottom of your water bottle.
• Set up your tub on a flat surface.
• Have your toddler place the spider inside the water bottle, and pour the pitcher of water through the water bottle.

Itsy Bitsy Spider Sensory Bottle

• What you’ll need:
• VOSS Plastic bottle or similar
• Clear Glue
• Plastic Spider
• Blue Glitter
• How To:

• Add your spider on a VOSS plastic bottle (or similar).
• Fill the bottle 3/4 of the way with warm water.
• Fill the remainder 1/4 of the bottle with clear glue or clear soap (hand or dish soap works fine). The glue or soap will make the confetti and spider fall slower than if you just do water.
• Add a small quantity (about a tablespoon) of confetti (or glitter)
• Close the bottle and shake to allow the glue water and confetti to mix.

Conclusion

It might feel like you’ve been singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider a million times, but stay strong! Repetition is an important part of early childhood development, and it helps your little one learn.

What else can you do? Introduce more nursery rhymes into your child’s daily routine - this helps them discover new words and build their vocabulary. Rhymes can help kids articulate better, and provide them with pitch practice, volume, and inflection. And, of course, nursery rhyme knowledge provides an excellent foundation for literacy.

Ready to sing with your little one? Begin your toddler’s Itsy Bitsy Spider journey with a sound book now! You can find this beloved nursery rhyme in our Patty Cake sound book.