Recently, I’ve had a couple of people ask me about simple Christian songs to sing with preschoolers. Songs that don’t need a CD player, or a major in music, to sing.
Having taught Sunday school for many years and having been a teacher at two Christian preschools, I have gathered a number of solid Christian songs with great actions for engaging children.
These songs work excellent for transitions, such as moving from play time to story time, or if your children have to wait. Children 1-6 years old are likely to appreciate these songs. Some of them are best sung standing up, providing an opportunity to get some wiggles out, while others help calm and settle the class.
Beyond that, these songs are excellent teaching tools for hiding timeless truths in children’s hearts. While I don’t remember the stories I was taught in Sunday school when I was 4, I still remember the songs, several of which are on this list.
Please note: The sample videos I have included were chosen for the clarity of the song and actions. I am not associated with any of them and have not done extensive research into the groups who posted them. Also, while I tried to find videos similar to how I prefer to sing these songs, some actions and/or words may vary from the versions I have recommended for you.
1. Read Your Bible, Pray Every Day
(Tune: I Will Make You Fishers of Men)
A great energy outlet song. Children stand up and crouch down and stretch super high! While there are other verses for this song, I prefer to only use the words I have included below and then sing the song again faster, and faster!
Read your Bible, pray every day,
Pray every day, pray every day.
Read your Bible, pray every day,
And you’ll grow, grow, grow,
And you’ll grow, grow, grow,
And you’ll grow, grow, grow,
Read your Bible, pray every day,
And you’ll grow, grow, grow,
Actions:
Read your Bible – Hold hands together, then open like book
Pray every day – clasp hands in praying posture
Grow – Start very low, then become a little taller each time you say “grow”. For the last time you say “grow” stretch on tippy toes with arms extended above head.
2. Happy All The Time (In-right, Out-right)
Another excellent stand up song. I heard this song in grade 10, when helping with a kid’s program, and knew I’d heard it before. I finally remembered I’d learned it in Sunday school when I was 4 years old. It was one of my favourites.
I’m in-right, out-right, up-right, down-right,
Happy all the time.
I’m in-right, out-right, up-right, down-right,
Happy all the time.
Since Jesus Christ came in, and cleansed my heart from sin,
I’m in-right, out-right, up-right, down-right,
Happy all the time.
Actions:
In-right, out-right, up-right, down-right – Point in each direction as you say it.
Happy all the time – Clap on every other beat (happy all the time)
Jesus Christ came in – Point to sky, then point to self
Cleansed my heart from sin – motion with both hands as though swatting something away
3. My God is so Big
This classic song includes simple truths children can begin to grasp, yet such profound truths that even as an adult I cannot fully wrap my mind around them. Depending on how you sing it, this song can be an active, shake-some-wiggles-out song or a quieter sit down song.
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty,
There’s nothing my God cannot do.
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty,
There’s nothing my God cannot do.
The mountains are His, the rivers are His,
The stars are His handy work too.
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty,
There’s nothing my God cannot do.
(optional) For you!
Actions:
God – point up
Big – spread arms wide (optional: do a star jump, then jump back in when doing “strong”)
Strong – make muscles with both arms up
Mighty – make muscles with one arm up and one arm down
Nothing my God cannot do – wag finger to say “no”
Mountains – touch fingers together above head making triangular point
Rivers – move hands back and forth wiggling fingers
Stars – alternate opening and closing hands
For you – point to someone
4. God Made Me
I saw another preschool teacher using this song and enjoyed it so much I wanted to do it with my own class. This is a quieter song with powerful truths simply told.
God made me, God made me,
In my Bible book, it says that,
God made me.
God loves me, God loves me,
In my Bible book, it says that,
God loves me.
Other verses:
God helps me
God keeps me
Actions:
God – point up
Me – point to self
Bible – hold hands together and open like a book
Made – stack fists on top of each other (resembling sign language “make”)
Loves – make heart with hands
Helps – cup hands as though receiving something
Keeps – hug self
5. He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
Another timeless classic. What a beautiful reminder that God is in control. Pick and choose which verses you want to use, or make up your own.
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.
He’s got the itty bitty baby in His hands,
He’s got the itty bitty baby in His hands,
He’s got the itty bitty baby in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.
Actions:
Whole World – start with both hands at top, bring down tracing a large circle
In His hands – cup hands in front of self
Itty bitty baby – pretend to hold baby and rock from side to side
There are endless other verses including:
The wind and the rain… (Sweep hands from side to side, then move hands up and wiggle fingers while moving hands down)
The sun and the moon… (hold arms above head in circle, then twist arms into crescent)
You and me, brother… (point to boys)
You and me, sister… (point to girls)
The Mommies and the Daddies… (point to parents)
Everybody here… (motion to everyone)
6. The B-I-B-L-E
One teacher I knew always sang this song with the kids before reading a Bible story. It showed that this isn’t just another storybook.
The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God,
The B-I-B-L-E
Bible!
Actions:
B-I-B-L-E – open hands like book (could also nod the beat)
Yes – nod head and do sign language “yes”
For me – point to self
I stand alone on the Word of God – stomp
7. I’m in the Lord’s Army
Little boys love this action song, as do little girls. I remember this being one of my favourites when I was young. I encourage you to explain to your children what it means to be in the Lord’s army. Our life has purpose.
I may never march in the Infantry,
Ride in the cavalry,
Shoot the artillery.
I may never fly o’er the enemy,
But I’m in the Lord’s Army. Yes, sir!
I’m in the Lord’s Army. Yes, sir!
I’m in the Lord’s Army. Yes, sir!
I may never march in the Infantry,
Ride in the cavalry,
Shoot the artillery.
I may never fly o’er the enemy,
But I’m in the Lord’s Army. Yes, sir!
Actions:
March – march in place
Ride – pretend to ride a horse
Shoot – start with one hand at hip and other up high, clap, put hands in opposite positions
Fly – move arms wide and lean side to side as though flying
I’m – point to self
Lord’s army – point up
Yes, sir! – stand straight and salute
If you doubt whether kids enjoy this sing, watch this cute video.
Bonus:
He Died Upon the Cross by Colin Buchanan
This is one of my favourite preschool kids songs, however, it doesn’t sound as good without instruments. Thankfully the song can be bought online as an mp3 file. I highly recommend you buy it and sing it with your children as this song captures the very core of Christianity as seen in 1 Cor. 1:3-4.
The song is available for purchase here (you can choose to only purchase this song #33, or buy the whole CD) https://colinbuchanan.com.au/products/practise-being-godly-cd-mp3-album (Note: prices on website are in Australian dollars. This is not an affiliate link, I just like the song so much!)
He died upon the cross.
He died upon the cross.
He died upon the cross,
For me, for me, for just for me.
One day when I was lost,
He died upon the cross.
He died upon the cross,
For me, for me, for just for me.
Additional verses: (Repeat “One day when I was lost” chorus after every verse)
They laid Him in the grave.
He rose up from the dead.
He’s coming back again.
Actions:
For – hold up four fingers
Me – point to self
Just – (optional for older kids) make “j” with pointer finger and thumb
One day when I was lost – point to self, then tilt head back and put back of hand to forehead as though tired and hopeless
He died upon the cross – point up, then spread arms wide like the cross and let head hang forward
They laid Him in the grave – move both arms downward as though laying something down
He rose up from the dead – move arms upward with hands outstretched
He’s coming back again – motion as though for someone to come closer
Did you enjoy these 7 Simple Christian Songs for Preschoolers? If so, be sure to check out the follow up post titled “Another 7 Simple Christian Songs for Preschoolers.“
Judy E. Williams says:
11/11/21
I use many of these songs with young children.
I, and they, love especially the “Happy, Happy, Happy” song. Do you know who composed it and/or wrote the lyrics? I use it with older infants and toddlers and we “clap” a table with our hands, slowly at first, then faster as we sing it the second time and really fast. Sometimes we sing it soft, then louder and reverse from louder to soft.
The song, “God Made Me” can be sung to the tune “Three Blind Mice.” I especially like to piggyback songs to familiar melodies, easier for me AND the children.
Since young children think so literally I change the words to “The B-I-B-L-E.”
Instead of singing “I stand alone on the Word of God” (don’t want them putting a Bible on the floor and standing on it, I sing “…I love to hear the stories from the B-I-B-L-E.’
S. J. Little says:
Hi Judy, I like how you call the song “Happy, Happy, Happy”. I can picture a toddler asking to sing the “Happy, Happy, Happy” song. I don’t know who came up with the song. It’s one of those songs that has been around for years and has various versions in existence. According to Hymnary.org, the song was published in at least 3 hymnals, with one of them being as early as 1942 (Reference: https://hymnary.org/text/im_inright_outright_upright_downright).
I didn’t know “God Made Me” can be sung to the “Three Blind Mice” tune. Very cool. I also prefer familiar melodies when possible.
I really like your variation for the B-I-B-L-E song! Thanks for sharing.