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
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 Are You Sleeping
Here are the ukulele chords for the ABC Song. You only need the basic chords C, F and G.
Tabs For Are You Sleeping
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 Mary Had a Little Lamb
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:
Row Row Row Your Boat
Row, Row, Row your Boar is another great nursery rhyme 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 Row, Row, Row your Boat 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 Row, Row, Row your Boat.
Chords for Row Row Row Your Boat
For the the song Row, Row, Row your Boat you only need two basic ukulele chords: G and C. Here are the lyrics of the song with the chords:
Tabs For Row Row Row Your Boat
And if you like to fingerpick the melody, check out the tabs:
Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty is a great tune for beginners to learn on the ukulele because of its simple melody and easy chord transitions. The song typically uses just a few basic chords, making it a great introduction to chord changes without being overwhelming. Its steady rhythm helps develop timing and strumming consistency, both essential skills for new players.
Humpty Dumpty is an excellent choice for anyone looking to strengthen their foundation on the ukulele. Visit our lesson page to learn Humpty Dumpty.
Chords for Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpy is a great song to practice quick chord changes on the ukulele. You will need the C, F and G chord in order to play this nursery rhyme.
Tabs For Humpty Dumpty
The song can be also played by fingerpicking the melody. Here are the tabs:
Five Little Ducks
Five Little Ducks is a great song to learn on the ukulele because it combines simple chords with a fun, engaging melody. The song’s repetitive structure helps beginners practice smooth chord transitions while reinforcing rhythm and timing. As the melody gradually counts down from five to one, it also provides a natural way to practise playing at a steady tempo. In addition, the sing-along nature of the song makes it a great choice for group performances or playing with children. Learning Five Little Ducks on the ukulele is a fun way to build confidence and improve basic playing skills. Visit our lesson page to learn Five Little Ducks.
Chords for Five Little Ducks
Five Little Ducks, like many other songs, can be played in many different ways. However, playing it in the key of F sounds really nice. You will need the standard chords F and C. We also add the C7 chord here because it fits really well and to make it a bit more challenging to play.
Tabs For Five Little Ducks
Playing the melody by fingerpicking the individual ukulele strings is especially very interesting for the song Five Little Ducks since we mostly play just open strings, which makes it much easier.
Yankee Doodle
Yankee Doodle is pretty famous tune, especially in the United States since it’s not only a popular nursery rhyme but also used as a patriotic song. You also need some basic chords to play it, which makes it an easy ukulele songs for kids. Visit our lesson page to learn Yankee Doodle.
Chords for Yankee Doodle
Yankee Doodle, like many other nursery rhymes, can be played in many different ways. Playing it in the key of G sounds really good. You will need the standard chords G, D and C.
Tabs For Yankee Doodle
Are you interested in playing the melody by fingerpicking the individual ukulele strings? Then using the ukulele tabs for the song is also you need!
Itsy Bitsy Spider
Itsy Bitsy Spider (also known as “The Incy Wincy Spider” in the UK, Australia and other English speaking countries) is another great song choice when it comes to nursery rhymes for young children who want to learn how to play the ukulele. The song tells the story of a small spider climbing up a waterspout, only to be washed away by the rain before trying again when the sun comes out. The song teaches perseverance and resilience through its simple, repetitive lyrics. Visit our lesson page to learn Itsy Bitsy Spider.
Chords for Itsy Bitsy Spider
Yankee Doodle, like many other nursery rhymes, can be played in many different ways. Playing it in the key of G sounds really good. You will need the standard chords G, D and C.
Tabs For Itsy Bitsy Spider
Itsy Bitsy Spider sounds also pretty nice on the ukulele when fingerpicking the melody and it’s not too complicated for beginners either. Check out the tabs below:
