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The Ants Go Marching is a lively and rhythmic nursery rhyme that follows a group of busy ants marching one by one, two by two, all the way up to ten. Children love this rhyme because of its repeating pattern, catchy tune, and fun actions that invite them to sing along and move their bodies. Each verse introduces a new number and a playful activity, which keeps young listeners engaged and excited to guess what comes next. For early learners, this rhyme gently supports counting skills, listening, and memory through repetition. Parents and teachers often use it during playtime or circle time because it naturally combines music, movement, and learning. Its cheerful rhythm helps children build confidence while enjoying a simple, joyful singing experience.
The Ants Go Marching Song Lyrics
This classic counting rhyme is loved for its steady rhythm and repetitive pattern, and the The Ants Go Marching words make it easy for children to sing along and remember each verse.
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah.
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb.
And they all go marching down,
To the ground, to get out of the rain.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
…two…tie her shoe…
…three….climb a tree…
…four…shut the door…
…five…take a dive…
…six…pick up sticks…
…seven…pray to heaven…
…eight…check the gate…
…nine…check the time…
…ten…say “The End!”
Other Versions of the Ants Go Marching Song
Over the years, this popular counting rhyme has inspired a few playful variations that keep children engaged while adding small twists to the familiar tune.
1. Different Number Verses Version
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah,
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah,
The ants go marching one by one,
They stop to jump and have some fun,
And they all go marching down to the ground to get out of the rain.
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah,
They stop to clap and shout “woo-hoo”,
And they all go marching down to the ground to get out of the rain.
2. Shortened Classroom Version
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah,
They stop to suck their thumbs and run,
And they all go marching down to the ground to get out of the rain.
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah,
They stop to tie their little shoe,
And they all go marching down to the ground to get out of the rain.
3. Action-Based Version
The ants go marching one by one, stomp, stomp, stomp,
They march so fast, then stop and jump,
They spin around, then touch the ground,
And march away without a sound.
4. Animal-Themed Version
The ducks go waddling one by one, quack, quack, quack,
They waddle along in a happy track,
They splash in puddles, have lots of fun,
Then waddle back home when the day is done.
Gestures – How to Teach The Ants Go Marching to Kids
Using actions with this rhyme makes learning lively and helps children remember the words through movement and play. Simple gestures also improve coordination, listening skills, and rhythm while keeping kids happily engaged.
- Ask children to march in place by lifting their knees gently to match the marching rhythm of the song.
- Show them how to hold up one finger, two fingers, and so on to represent the counting in each verse.
- Encourage kids to pretend to do the action in the lyrics, such as sucking a thumb, tying a shoe, or climbing a tree.
- Have children cup their hands over their heads to act like rain falling when the song mentions getting out of the rain.
- Let them crouch down low to the floor at the end of each verse to show the ants going down to the ground.
- Finish by asking everyone to stand up and march together again, reinforcing the rhythm and ending the song with energy.
History & Quick Facts
The Ants Go Marching is a traditional children’s rhyme that is closely linked to the American Civil War–era song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” whose tune was written by Patrick Gilmore in 1863. Over time, the marching melody was adapted into a playful counting song for children, with lyrics that focus on ants marching and performing simple actions. The rhyme does not have a single known author, as it evolved through oral tradition and classroom use rather than formal publication. It became popular in schools, homes, and camps because its repetitive structure, counting pattern, and marching rhythm make it easy for young children to sing, remember, and act out together.
Interesting Facts
- The rhyme uses a marching tune, which makes it perfect for adding walking and movement activities for kids.
- Each verse focuses on counting numbers, helping children practice early math skills in a fun way.
- The song is often sung with different actions, allowing teachers and parents to change verses to keep kids engaged.
- The Ants Go Marching is popular in preschools and playgroups around the world because it encourages group participation.
- The rhyme has been translated into several languages, showing how widely loved it is across cultures.
- Many versions of the song exist, making it a flexible learning tool that grows with a child’s creativity and imagination.
Suitable Age & Learnings
The Ants Go Marching is best suited for young children aged 2 to 6 years who enjoy songs with actions, repetition, and counting. It is especially engaging for toddlers and preschoolers who are developing early learning and movement skills.
- Counting Skills – Children learn to count in order as each verse introduces numbers one by one in a simple and memorable way.
- Listening and Memory – Repeated lines and actions help kids listen carefully and remember words and sequences.
- Gross Motor Development – Marching, crouching, and acting out movements support balance, coordination, and body control.
- Language and Vocabulary – Words like march, ground, rain, and action phrases help expand everyday vocabulary.
- Following Instructions – The rhyme teaches children to follow simple directions by matching actions to lyrics.
- Social and Group Play – Singing together encourages turn-taking, cooperation, and confidence in group settings.
FAQs
1. What is the rhyming scheme of The Ants Go Marching?
The rhyme mainly follows an AABB pattern, with repeated lines and a recurring refrain that makes it easy for children to remember and sing along.
2. Why is The Ants Go Marching good for early learning?
The song supports counting, listening, and coordination skills by combining numbers, repetition, and simple actions that children can follow.
The Ants Go Marching is a timeless nursery rhyme that brings together music, movement, and learning in a joyful way for young children. Its simple lyrics and steady rhythm make it easy for kids to follow along while building confidence through repetition. The playful actions encourage active participation, helping little ones stay engaged and energized. Parents and teachers can easily adapt the rhyme with new actions or verses to match a child’s interests and learning stage. Beyond entertainment, the song supports early skills like counting, listening, and coordination. Overall, this cheerful rhyme creates shared moments of fun, learning, and connection that children fondly remember as they grow.
