If you’ve ever taught a preschool music class, chances are you’ve sung Grey Squirrel! This playful song has been a favorite in music classrooms, camps, and circle times for generations because it’s simple, interactive, and full of opportunities for movement.
My preschoolers especially love pretending to be colorful squirrels as they swish their bushy tails, wrinkle their little noses, and scamper around the room. It’s one of those songs that children happily ask to sing again and again.
Whether you’re teaching an animal theme, a camping theme, a fall lesson, or simply need a fun movement song, Grey Squirrel is always a wonderful choice.
Here are the lyrics:
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel, shake your bushy tail.
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel, shake your bushy tail.
Wrinkle up your little nose, hold a nut between your toes.
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel, shake your bushy tail.
You can download free sheet music for Grey Squirrel below.
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Click here to download Grey Squirrel sheet music.
Teaching Tip:
One of my favorite ways to sing Grey Squirrel is with colorful scarves.
Each child chooses a scarf and tucks it into the back of their waistband (or simply holds it in their hand) to become their squirrel’s bushy tail. After we’ve sung the traditional grey squirrel verse, we pretend the squirrels come in every color imaginable!
We’ll sing:
🟢 Green squirrel…
🟣 Purple squirrel…
🔵 Blue squirrel…
…matching the scarf colors around the room.
The kids LOVE seeing what silly squirrel color we’ll sing about next.
Fun Fact:
This sheet music for Grey Squirrel has been published in a children’s book from The Child’s World as part of their Classic Children’s Songs series. It’s always fun to know this beloved classroom favorite continues to be shared with young children everywhere!
Looking For More Songs About Animals:
- Penguin Dance by Jack Hartman
- Monkey See, Monkey Do
- See You Later, Alligator
- Scamper by Hap Palmer
- Cool Cats by Janet Channon
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