The ukulele is a great instrument for young kids because it’s easy to learn. In addition, there are many songs that are easy to play on the ukulele. Often parents motivate kids to learn to play the guitar or piano, but they don’t really consider this small, great instrument. As for size, it’s perfect for small hands.
But a ukulele is also a great option for parents who like to play a few songs for their children. Telling a bedtime story is great, but imagine what it would be like if you could play a lullaby for your child?
The best and easiest songs for children are nursery rhymes. They are short, have an easy rhythm, use only simple chords, and many children already know the lyrics. If your child wants to play the ukulele, he should should know at first how to hold the instrument, how to strum, and some basic chords. As a ukulele teacher, you can integrate these songs into your ukulele lessons.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
The ABC Song
Are you sleeping?/ Frère Jacques
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Happy Birthday To You
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is not only a beautiful song for young kids but also the best-known lullaby in the US. The melody of this song comes actually from the French song “Ah! vous dirai-je, maman“. The lyrics are from a poem, called “The Star”.
It requires a few more chords and consequently quicker chord changes than most of the nursery rhymes for kids on the ukulele but it’s definitely worth learning it for any parent. Visit our ukulele lesson to learn get all details about Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Chords for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Here are the ukulele chords for the song. You need the chords C, F and G7. You can also replace the G7 with a basic G chord if you like.
Tabs for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
If you like to fingerpick the melody on your ukulele, you should try these tabs. It’s also pretty easy for beginners.
The ABC Song
The Alphabet song uses the same melody as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. However, we use a different chord progression for this one to better emphasize the individual parts. Simple down strums on each chord are actually enough to make this song sound nice.
This is a great song for kids learning the ukulele in preschool. It’s also a great alphabet exercise and makes learning fun. Visit our lesson page for the ABC Song on the ukulele.
Chords for The ABC Song
Here are the ukulele chords for the ABC Song. You only need the basic chords C, F and G.
Tabs For the ABC Song
If you like to fingerpick the melody on your ukulele, you should try these tabs. It’s very similar to the one from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Are you sleeping? / Frère Jacques
Are You Sleeping is one of the easiest songs to learn on any instrument. So it should be one of the first songs to learn on the ukulele. It’s actually a French song called Frère Jacques, and it’s been translated into almost every language in the world. It’s one of the most popular nursery rhymes in the world.
The easy version of the song only requires one chord. Most beginners play this song on their first day of ukulele lessons. Visit our lesson page to learn Are You Sleeping on the ukulele.
Chords for The ABC Song
Here are the ukulele chords for the ABC Song. You only need the basic chords C, F and G.
Tabs For the ABC Song
If you like to fingerpick the melody on your ukulele, you should try these tabs. It’s very similar to the one from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Baa Baa Black Sheep is a short nursery rhyme with the same melody as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or The ABC Song. It’s easy to sing and easy to play on the ukulele.
This song requires the three basic chords of G, C and D. These are usually the first chords you will learn and they are absolutely essential for many other songs played on the ukulele. Visit our lesson page to learn Baa Baa Black Sheep on the ukulele.
Chords for Baa Baa Black Sheep
Here are the ukulele chords for Baa Baa Black Sheep. You only need the basic chords G, C and D.
Tabs For Baa Baa Black Sheep
If you have already tried out the songs Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the ABC Song, then you won’t have any difficulties to play this melody because it’s very similar.
Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday To You was originally a nursery rhyme called Good Morning To All. It was composed by two American kindergarten teachers. Later the lyrics were changed and the song became one of the most popular songs in the world.
Everyone knows the lyrics and if you play an instrument, it’s a must to learn this song. It’s also quite easy to play on the ukulele and imagine you or your child playing it for friends or family members. It will be a great experience. Visit our lesson page to learn Happy Birthday To You on the ukulele.
Chords for Happy Birthday To You
Here are the ukulele chords for Happy Birthday To You. You only need the basic chords G, C and D.
Tabs For Happy Birthday To You
And here are the tabs to fingerpick the melody on the ukulele.
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Old MacDonald Had a Farm is one of the most popular nursery rhymes in preschool and school. Children love the lyrics that integrate the sounds of the animals.
Actually, the song is quite old and has changed a bit over time. It’s also popular in many other countries where it’s used to teach English to children. Thanks to the repetitive pattern of the lyrics, you can integrate endless animal sounds and let your kids be creative. Visit our lesson page to learn Old MacDonald on the ukulele.
Chords for Old MacDonald Had A Farm
Here are the ukulele chords for Old MacDonald. You need the basic chords G, D and C.
Tabs For Old MacDonald had a Farm
And here are the tabs to fingerpick the melody of Old MacDonald on the ukulele.
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary Had a Little Lamb is a great song to learn on the ukulele, especially for beginners. Its simple melody and easy chord progression make it an excellent choice for practicing strumming and finger placement.
The repetitive nature of the melody helps with memorization and rhythm. Learning Mary Had a Little Lamb on the ukulele is a fun way to build confidence and improve essential skills before tackling more complex tunes. The fingerpicking version is also one of the easiest melody that you can learn on the ukulele! Visit our lesson page to learn Mary Had a Little Lamb on the ukulele.
Chords for Mary Had a Little Lamb
Here are the ukulele chords for Mary Had a Little Lamb. You only need the basic chords G, C and D.
Tabs For Happy Birthday To You
Playing the melody by fingerpicking the ukulele string is pretty easy because you only need for different notes! This is by far the easiest nursery rhyme to play!
Wheels on the Bus
The Wheels on the Bus is another great nursery ryhme to learn on the ukulele, especially for young children and beginners. Its simple melody and easy chord progression makes it a good choice as one of the first songs to learn on the ukulele.
The repetitive nature of the melody helps with memorization and rhythm. Learning Mary Had a Little Lamb on the ukulele is a fun way to build confidence and improve essential skills before tackling more complex tunes. The fingerpicking version is also one of the easiest melody that you can learn on the ukulele! Visit our lesson page to learn Wheels on the Bus.
Chords for Wheels on the Bus
Here are the ukulele chords for Mary Had a Little Lamb. You only need the basic chords G, C and D.
Tabs For Wheels on the Bus
Try out to play the song by fingerpicking the melody. Here are the tabs:
