World Nursery Rhyme Week

Resource type: Event

Price band: Free

Key stage: KS1, EYFS

Region(s): All of UK

World Nursery Rhyme Week is an annual celebration of nursery rhymes and the important role they play in supporting early childhood development and education. In 2026, World Nursery Rhyme Week runs from 9th – 13th November.

Each year, World Nursery Rhyme Week selects five rhymes and runs a ‘Rhyme a Day’ challenge that invites pre-school settings to encourage their pupils to learn and sing one of the rhymes each day.

The rhymes have been chosen to support development across key areas such as vocabulary, language and literacy skills; numeracy skills; and fine and gross motor development. The 2026 rhymes are:

Hickory Dickory Dock
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Once I Caught a Fish Alive
Doctor Foster Went to Gloucester
Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat
Row, Row, Row Your Boat

To support the challenge, practitioners can register to download a free pack of themed activities and resources, including a certificate of participation for each student.

Cost: Free with registration.

About Music Bugs:World Nursery Rhyme Week was founded in 2013 by Music Bugs, a UK-based network of interactive sensory music and singing classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Further resources:

Watch and listen

Listen to each of this year’s chosen rhymes being sung, and download an accompanying songbook and activity pack from World Nursery Rhyme Week partner Sing with Piccolo Music.
Singalong videos signed by Makaton tutors are also available.
Find a selection of nursery rhyme videos to share with young children on the BBC Teach website.

Teaching and learning

Explore the Bookbug library of rhymes and songs from Scottish BookTrust and find practical tips and advice on how to use rhyme and stories to support young children’s development.
Top up your library with this selection of twelve rhythm- and rhyme-filled picture books specially selected to enhance early speaking and listening skills from Badger Learning.
Download free posters and resources to encourage the use of songs and rhymes to support early language development from the National Literacy Trust, including resources that can be shared with parents.

Professional development

World Nursery Rhyme Week runs a Facebook Planning Group to enable Early Years practitioners to share ideas and activities.
Sign up for Stories, Songs and Rhymes: Building blocks of early childhood development, a self-led online course from Scottish Book Trust that explores how children grow and develop in the early years, and the pivotal role of stories, songs and rhymes in shaping positive outcomes. Cost £30.

More to explore on Literacy Hive

Explore the Children’s Poetry Archive and the Poetry by Heart website to find more poems to engage younger readers.
Browse our library of poetry resources here.