The Itsy Bitsy (or Eensy Weensy) Spider is such a quintessential baby fingerplay, so today was the day to introduce Veronika to this classic. If somehow you don’t know the words, here they are:

The Itsy Bitsy Spider went up the waterspout.

Down came the rain and washed the spider out.

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.

And the Itsy Bitsy Spider went up the spout again.

Persistent little fellow! You can just say the rhyme to your child, but it’s so much more fun with the hand gestures; start your fingers as a creepy crawly spider, then make the fingertips patter down as raindrops:

Then a cupped hand for the sunshine:

For the littlest babies, I like to make the game tactile too. I rubbed Veronika’s tummy as the rain washed the spider out…

…and had the spider creep right up to her chin for a playful tickle at the end!

Big brother Travis adored this game as a baby, but it’s been so long he barely remembered it. He loved re-learning the gestures and making his own spider.

To finish off the activity, I also added a black-and-white spider to Veronika’s collection of images taped around the bassinet.

What’s your favorite fingerplay for babies? Please share in the comments!

Update: If your very young infant seems alarmed by the big hand motions (raindrops coming down always startle Veronika, for example!), then here’s a simpler version: walk your fingers up and down the arm as you say the words, then end with a tickle under the chin.