Thanksgiving Fingerplays and Songs

Start planning for Thanksgiving and fall fun now, with these thematic fingerplays and songs!

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians

*Use fingers/hands for counting

1 little, 2 little, 3 little Indians
4 little, 5 little, 6 little Indians,
7 little, 8 little, 9 little Indians
10 little Indian children.

Each little Indian saw a black bear

Jumped in a boat they all had to share.

Each little Indian got away quickly,

Then each little Indian built a teepee. (Form hands like a triangle)

Repeat first verse of 1 little, 2 little,...


Thankful, Thankful

*To the tune of Twinkle Twinkle

Thank you, thank you sun so bright,
Thank you, thank you stars at night.
Thank you for my family
Thank you for all that I see.
Thank you, thank you every day,
I give thanks when I pray.


Gobble Gobble Turkey

*To the tune of Bah Bah Black Sheep

Gobble gobble turkey,
Are you running away?
Yes sir, yes sir, I don't wish to play.
First I will run, then I will hide,
I don't wish to be baked or fried.
Gobble gobble turkey,
Are you running away?
Will you be back on Thanksgiving Day?


I'm a Little Pilgrim

*To the tune of I'm a Little Teapot

I'm a little pilgrim, yes I am,
My name is Lucy and my brother is Sam.
We love our new home, oh yes we do,
We help and live in the colony too.


American Indians

*To the tune of Ten Little Indians

Indians plant their corn each year
Indians plant their corn each year
Indians plant their corn each year
In the fertile ground.

Indians like to spear for fish
Indians like to spear for fish
Indians like to spear for fish
In the clear blue lakes.

Indians like to paddle their canoe
Indians like to paddle their canoe
Indians like to paddle their canoe
On the streams and rivers.

Indians like to make their moccasins
Indians like to make their moccasins
Indians like to make their moccasins
Out of animal skin.

Indians like to tell native stories
Indians like to tell native stories
Indians like to tell native stories
Sitting by the fire.

Indians like to sleep in teepees
Indians like to sleep in teepees
Indians like to sleep in teepees
All through the night.

*You may prefer Native Americans in lieu of Indians for singing these songs.