Ten in the Bed is a classic preschool counting song that’s perfect for helping young children practice counting backwards while encouraging movement, participation, and plenty of laughter! This simple song is easy to learn and quickly becomes a favorite because children love predicting who will “roll over” next.
Whether you’re teaching preschool music, leading circle time, or looking for a fun counting activity for your classroom, Ten in the Bed is a wonderful addition to your lesson plans.
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- 🎵 Hello Songs
- 👋 Goodbye Song
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- 🎼 Printable Sheet Music
🎵 A Favorite Classroom Activity
One of my favorite ways to teach Ten in the Bed is with a simple blanket and a pile of stuffed animals.
Spread a blanket on the floor to become the “bed” and place 10 stuffed animals on top. As you sing each verse, invite one child to choose which stuffed animal will roll over and fall out of bed next.
The best part? Everyone gets to make a dramatic “CRASH!” together every time an animal tumbles to the floor!
Besides being hilarious, it’s wonderful practice for counting backwards from 10. The children naturally begin helping one another remember which number comes next, and because they’re working toward a common goal—getting every stuffed animal out of bed—it becomes a fun cooperative game.
It’s amazing how a blanket and a few stuffed animals can turn a familiar song into one of the highlights of music class!
🎼 Free Printable Sheet Music
I’ve created a free printable copy of the sheet music for Ten in the Bed that you can use in your own classroom.
⬇️ Download the free printable sheet music below.
Click here to download the sheet music for Ten In The Bed.
🐵 Pair It with a Monkey Theme
I love using Ten in the Bed as part of my Five Little Monkeys preschool music lesson. Since both songs focus on counting backwards, they fit together perfectly and help reinforce early math concepts through music and movement.
The complete lesson also includes:
- 🎵 Songs and fingerplays
- 🎹 Piano readiness activities
- 🥁 Instrument exploration
- 📖 Story connections
- 💃 Movement gamesTen In The Bed
- 🖨️ Printable teaching materials
Explore the Five Little Monkeys Preschool Music Lesson Plan
🎵 Looking for More Preschool Counting Songs?
If your students enjoyed Ten in the Bed, you might also like:
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