Table of Contents
“Three Little Kittens” is a classic nursery rhyme that tells a gentle story about three playful kittens who lose their mittens, feel sad, and then happily find them again. Children love this rhyme because it has a simple storyline, cute animal characters, and a catchy rhythm that’s easy to follow. The emotional ups and downs in the song help kids connect with the kittens and understand feelings like worry, relief, and joy. For parents and educators, this rhyme is a wonderful early learning tool. It supports language development through repetition and rhyming words, while also helping children improve listening skills and memory. Singing along encourages participation, and adding actions makes it even more engaging. Overall, “Three Little Kittens” is a warm, playful rhyme that combines storytelling and music to make learning fun and meaningful for young children.
Three Little Kittens Song Lyrics
A familiar and lovable rhyme that children enjoy singing along to, these Three Little Kittens words follow a simple story full of emotion and repetition that’s perfect for early learners.
Three little kittens they lost their mittens,
And they began to cry,
Oh, mother dear, we sadly fear
Our mittens we have lost.
What! lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!
Then you shall have no pie.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
No, you shall have no pie.
The three little kittens they found their mittens,
And they began to cry,
Oh, mother dear, see here, see here,
Our mittens we have found!
Put on your mittens, you silly kittens,
And you shall have some pie.
Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r,
Oh, let us have some pie.
The three little kittens put on their mittens,
And soon ate up the pie;
Oh, mother dear, we greatly fear
Our mittens we have soiled.
What! soiled your mittens, you naughty kittens!
Then they began to sigh,
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
Then they began to sigh.
The three little kittens they washed their mittens,
And hung them out to dry;
Oh! mother dear, do you not hear,
Our mittens we have washed!
What! washed your mittens, then you’re good kittens,
But I smell a rat close by.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
We smell a rat close by.
Other Versions of the Three Little Kittens Song
This rhyme has been adapted in several child-friendly ways to keep it fresh and engaging for young audiences. Some versions shorten the lyrics for toddlers, while others add actions, repeated choruses, or playful tunes to make group singing easier and more interactive.
Short Action Version of Three Little Kittens
Three little kittens lost their mittens,
Oh my, oh my, they cried.
They searched and searched the whole day long,
With tears falling from their eyes.
Then three little kittens found their mittens,
Oh joy, oh joy, they said.
They thanked their mom and smiled so wide,
And happily nodded their heads.
They washed their mittens, clean and bright,
Hung them up to dry.
Three happy kittens learned their lesson,
And waved a warm goodbye.
Gestures – How to Teach Three Little Kittens to Kids
Teaching this rhyme with actions makes it more fun and helps children remember the words better. Simple movements also support coordination and active participation.
- Hold up three fingers to represent the three kittens, helping children visually connect the number with the characters in the rhyme.
- Pretend to cry by gently rubbing fists near the eyes during the sad lines, allowing kids to express emotions through actions.
- Mime putting on mittens by sliding hands over fingers, which helps children understand the story sequence and key object.
- Act out eating pie with pretend bites, making the happy moment more engaging and fun for young learners.
- Rub hands together to show washing the mittens, reinforcing the idea of cleaning and responsibility in a playful way.
- Stretch arms out wide or clap hands at the happy ending, encouraging celebration and active participation.
History & Quick Facts
“Three Little Kittens” is a traditional English nursery rhyme that dates back to the early 19th century. It is commonly credited to Eliza Lee Follen, an American writer and poet, and was first published in 1827. Over time, the rhyme became popular in children’s books and oral storytelling because of its simple narrative and moral tone. Its playful rhythm and repetitive structure made it easy for children to memorize, helping it remain a favorite across generations.
Interesting Facts
- The rhyme was first published in the 1800s, making it a well-known traditional nursery rhyme passed down through generations.
- It is often sung to a simple, gentle melody that helps young children remember the words easily.
- The story teaches responsibility in a playful way by showing the kittens facing consequences and fixing their mistake.
- Versions of the rhyme exist in many languages, helping children around the world enjoy the same story.
- It is widely used in preschools and kindergartens as part of early music, language, and storytelling activities.
- The kittens’ mittens are a memorable symbol for kids, making the rhyme fun, visual, and easy to recall.
Suitable Age & Learnings
This rhyme is ideal for children aged 2 to 6 years and works well for both home and classroom learning. Its simple words and actions make it easy for young kids to follow and enjoy.
- Builds listening skills through repeated verses and patterns, helping children focus and follow along more easily.
- Encourages emotional understanding by showing feelings like sadness, worry, and happiness in a simple, relatable way.
- Improves memory as children recall the sequence of events and repeat familiar lines from the rhyme.
- Supports vocabulary growth with everyday words like mittens, mother, and pie that are easy for young kids to learn.
- Develops rhythm awareness through rhyme and melody, helping children recognize sound patterns in language.
- Promotes social learning by showing consequences, responsibility, and caring behavior in a gentle story format.
FAQs
1. What is the rhyming scheme of Three Little Kittens?
The rhyme mainly follows an AABB pattern, which makes it easy for children to recognize and remember.
2. What lessons does Three Little Kittens teach?
It teaches responsibility, honesty, and problem-solving in a fun and age-appropriate way.
“Three Little Kittens” is a timeless nursery rhyme that continues to delight children with its sweet story and playful rhythm. It combines music, storytelling, and simple life lessons in a way that feels natural and engaging. Parents and teachers can easily use it to support early learning through singing and actions. With its warmth and charm, this rhyme remains a beloved part of childhood across generations.
Explore Other Rhymes for Kids:
Sight Words for Kindergarten
Three Blind Mice Nursery Rhyme With Lyrics
Five Little Monkeys Nursery Rhyme With Lyrics
Five Little Speckled Frogs Nurser Rhyme With Lyrics
