Tumblelight Garden · for parents and caregivers

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Piko's big floppy leaf hat flops over his eyes, so he touches his knee instead of his head! Push up the hat and touch along: the traditional action song, plus an original chant, verses and bridge, for ages 2–5.

Actions: Chorus: touch your head, shoulders, knees and toes (twice), then point to your eyes, ears, mouth and nose, then head, shoulders, knees and toes again. Chant: clap three times on 'One, two, three', twice, then roll your arms faster and jump up on 'WHOA!'. Verse 1: cover your eyes with one hand, tap your knee, then lift your hand away on 'surprise!'. Verse 2: pat your head, shrug your shoulders, bend your knees and wiggle your toes. Bridge: bend down very slowly, rise up tall, crouch, then jump on 'WHOA!'. Verse 3: blink, cup your ear, sing with a big mouth and sniff like a flower. In the 'Again!' round the song plays a little faster: keep up!

Words of the song: traditional (public domain). 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes' was documented as early as 1912 and is sung to the tune of 'There Is a Tavern in the Town' (William Henry Hills, 1883). The chant ('Touch-a-touch! One, two, three!... WHOA!'), verses, bridge and story are original to Tumblelight Garden.

Chorus

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!
Touch-a-touch! One, two, three!
Touch-a-touch! One, two, three!
Faster, faster... WHOA!

Verse 1

Floppy hat on Piko's head,
Flop! It covers both his eyes!
Touch your head? He taps his knee!
Push it up... surprise!

Verse 2

Head is up on top of me,
Shoulders here on either side,
Knees can bend and toes can wiggle,
Touch them all and smile wide!

Chorus

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!
Touch-a-touch! One, two, three!
Touch-a-touch! One, two, three!
Faster, faster... WHOA!

Bridge

Slow, slow, head and toes,
Bend down low, and up it goes!
Ready, steady, here we go,
Faster, faster... WHOA!

Verse 3

Eyes can blink and ears can hear,
Mouth can sing a happy song,
Nose can sniff the clover flowers,
Touch them all and sing along!

Chorus

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes!
Touch-a-touch! One, two, three!
Touch-a-touch! One, two, three!
Faster, faster... WHOA!

Outro

Touch-a-touch... WHOA!
Head, shoulders, knees and toes!