Kids have plenty of time to play video games and watch TV during the school year, so why not take advantage of their boredom this summer by teaching them some fun campfire songs? These songs are sure to be crowd-pleasers, and they’ll also give your kids an introduction to many musical genres that will shape their musical preferences throughout their lives. Best of all, you and your kids can teach these simple, fun songs in less than 30 minutes!
Campfire Songs: Introduction
We all know the classic campfire songs like Kumbaya, and This Land Is Your Land. But there are so many other great camping songs out there! Here are some best campfire songs to teach your kids this summer. The More We Get Together: This cheerful tune is perfect for little ones. Plus, it’s easy to remember and sing along to. She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain: A classic campfire song that’s sure to get everyone singing along. I’ve Been Working on the Railroad: Another classic perfect for a summer campfire.
If You’re Happy and You Know It: This is probably one of the young children’s most well-known campfire songs. And the hits keep coming, for He’s a Jolly Good Fellow: A good choice if you want to let them sit back in their chairs or make them stand up as they clap. Annie Had a Baby One Day: Who knows where these lyrics came from, but this silly song always gets us singing together as we roast marshmallows over an open fire.
What do you sing around a campfire?
When you think of camping, what comes to mind? Roasting marshmallows over an open fire, telling stories around the campfire, and singing songs. Therefore, you can sign camping songs! If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve got some of the best campfire songs to teach your kids this summer. Our list includes traditional campfire favorites like Drowsy Maggie and Fireflies. But there are also new-to campfire songs on our list that are perfect for teaching little ones about nature, like Bumblebee Song and What Do You See? So, grab a pen and paper, get your tent ready, and start singing these best campfire songs with your children today!
Johnny Appleseed – As Raffi sang, Johnny Appleseed was walking alone. He planted apple trees as he went along. I sang his song about apple seeds and cores, Showing apples everywhere for everyone. Silly Milly – A popular sing-along from England: Oh! I am silly, Milly! There’s no one sillier than me! (wiggle hands in front of eyes) I put my hand in my cupboard and forgot it there all day! I opened the door To have tea, And in came my kitchen stuff From out in space.
Classic Campfire Songs for a Camping Trip
No matter how old you are, there’s something special about sitting around a campfire and singing songs. So, if you’re planning a camping trip with your kids this summer, teach them a few classic campfire songs.
Rock the Boat
Rock the Boat is one of those songs that has become a tradition at campfires, and it’s easy for kids to learn. Sing together with your children: Rock the Boat, rock the Boat, roll on down the stream, we’ll all be jolly as we can be. The river is deep, but my heart is shallow. I’m happy to be near you. What do you want to sing? Next time you spend time by a campfire with your family, sing these songs. Not only are they great for teaching children, but they help teach them about different cultures and are great cultural examples.
Why not listen to some famous country music artist like Brad Paisley or Hank Williams Jr? See which one your kids prefer! Rock-A-Bye Baby: To understand what rocking a baby means in song form, let’s start by hearing about a man who rocked his baby girl on a glider when she was born 100 years ago. As she slept peacefully in her mother’s arms, singer and entertainer Al Jolson stepped up to perform in Manhattan’s Winter Garden Theatre.
Down By the Bay
Do your kids like singing? If so, they’ll love learning these campfire songs! Not only are they fun to sing, but they’re also easy to understand. Plus, they’ll help your kids bond with their fellow campers. And Down by the Bay is the best song of campfire songs, plus it’ll teach your kids all about animal noises. Have fun! Chorus: Down by the bay where the watermelons grow, I’d like to be in that land.
I know just what I would do! Next, we have. Ten Little Monkeys: When camping music with children, you can never go wrong with a sing-along. You’ll have everyone’s attention and make lasting memories! And if there’s one song that kids love to learn, it’s Ten Little Monkeys. Most kids are familiar with these little primates through books and games, so knowing their pieces will be effortless. And if they’re not familiar with them?
I Met a Bear
We all know the classic campfire songs like Kumbaya, and I’ve Been Working on the Railroad. But those can get a little boring after a while. Look no further if you’re looking for some new campfire songs to teach your kids this summer! If you’re out in the woods with a group, this simple call-and-response song makes for a fun sing-a-long. Sing the story of what happens when you suddenly stumble across a bear in the woods with nothing to defend yourself. Don’t worry. It has a happy ending. If you’re looking for some new fun camp songs to teach your kids, look no further!
You may have heard similar call-and-response songs like Ghost Busters or Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Kids love that these rhymes get them involved in singing along. In I Met a Bear, it can be fun for parents to play off their fear of bears by acting scared when kids yell back that they met one. Even younger kids will enjoy shouting out answers and stomping their feet during sing-along parts.
Home On the Range
Who doesn’t know this campfire classic? Break out the acoustic guitar and your best country twang while you and the fam-jam belt out this true cowboy classic. Now, repeat once more, with feeling. Home on the range where I belong. Home on the field where I belong. Where I can watch my sheep or listen to a coyote wail, and it makes me want to stay on till Judgment Day.
Then somebody must be whispering in his ear because he disappeared like he was riding up in the sky. If you need anything done, there is not anybody who can do it like me – Old Tex, Another cowboy favourite! Who couldn’t use some help rounding up their herd? Ride them down slow, ride them down fast – make sure they all get back home safe by dark. Ride ’em down slow, ride ’em down fast – make sure they all get back home safe by night!
The Bear Went Over the Mountain
We couldn’t just put one song about bears on this list. Kids love bears, but maybe try to camp in an area where there aren’t any actual bears. They will be much less cuddly than the ones in these songs. If you’re learning a new piece for your kids, it might help them catch on if you sing it with them. Also, don’t forget to make up a second verse and make your substitutions—the changing of lyrics is part of what makes singing fun. It will help teach basic counting skills while also annoying any parents or siblings who happen to be listening.
This Land Is Your Land, and This Land Is My Land
This Land Is Your Land is a popular song written by Woody Guthrie. The song is often taught to children as it is easy to sing and has a simple, catchy melody. Teaching kids about patriotism and pride in their country is also great. You can get the lyrics here. Sing these verses twice with your child: This land was made for you and me! As long as there’s liberty. There’d be peace on earth if I were President of this nation. My first proclamation would be brotherhood! The next song we recommend teaching your kids is Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Ants Go Marching
Well, not the Dave Matthews Band song, but this is the other common earworm. Nd, the ants, go marching one by one. Use this when you’re going on a hike or a walk with your kids; it’s suitable for the youngsters as it teaches them counting skills. You might have the Ants Go Marching song stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Give thanks to us later.
Once you’re all packed and happy, then we’ll bring out the campfire songs. You can learn oldies like 99 Bottles of Beer and Swing Low Sweet Chariot. Even if you don’t know any of these songs, try making up some lyrics about life outside the city and what nature has to offer! Then, when it comes time for fireworks and barbecues, make sure you play those songs!
