Itsy Bitsy Spider lyrics
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.
Actions to do together
- Touch your thumb to the other hand’s first finger, then twist and swap to climb up.
- Wiggle your fingers downwards for the rain.
- Sweep both arms out to the sides for “washed the spider out”.
- Make a big circle over your head for the sun, then climb again.
What children learn
- Finger coordination, ready for holding a crayon
- Weather words: rain, sun, dry
- Trying again when things go wrong
The story behind the rhyme
This finger rhyme has been sung for more than a hundred years. In the UK, Australia and many other places it’s known as “Incy Wincy Spider”; in the US and Canada it’s usually “Itsy Bitsy”.
Its message is a lovely one for little ones: the spider gets washed out, waits for the sun, and simply tries again.
Questions parents ask
Is it Itsy Bitsy Spider or Incy Wincy Spider?
Both. It’s the same rhyme: “Itsy Bitsy” is more common in North America, and “Incy Wincy” in the UK, Australia and elsewhere.
What are the Itsy Bitsy Spider hand actions?
Climb by touching thumbs to fingers and swapping, wiggle your fingers down for rain, sweep your arms out, then make a big sun over your head.
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