Itsy Bitsy Spider Gipsy: Our New Nursery Rhyme for Babies & Toddlers
Meet Gipsy — the brave little spider who never gives up! Discover the full lyrics, step-by-step actions, the educational benefits of nursery rhymes, and fun creative activities for little ones aged 0–6.
Itsy Bitsy Spider Gipsy climbs again!
Our brand-new adaptation of the beloved nursery rhyme is here — sing, dance and laugh with your little ones!
Watch on YouTubeMeet Gipsy: the spider who never gives up
If you have little ones at home, you certainly know the world-famous nursery rhyme about the spider climbing up the waterspout. At Boom Lala Boom, we wanted to give her a name — a personality of her own. That's how Gipsy was born: a brave, spirited little spider who never stops trying, rain or shine. A wonderfully simple but powerful role model for the youngest learners.
Today, we're thrilled to share our new video, and to give you everything you need to make the most of it with your family or classroom.
- Itsy bitsy spider went up the waterspout.
- Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
- Out came the sunshine and dried up all the rain
- And itsy bitsy spider re climbed the spout again
Why nursery rhymes matter more than you think
Nursery rhymes are far more than catchy tunes — they are powerful developmental tools recognised by early childhood educators worldwide. Singing Itsy Bitsy Spider Gipsy with your child is an act of learning wrapped in joy.
Language Development
Repetitive rhythms and rhyming patterns strengthen phonological awareness — a key predictor of reading success in early childhood.
Resilience in Melody
Gipsy falls, then climbs again. This simple message teaches perseverance and a growth mindset in the most natural, memorable way possible.
Nature Awareness
Rain, sunshine, the waterspout — everyday elements that open the door to conversations about weather, seasons and the natural world.
Memory & Sequencing
The repetitive musical structure helps the developing brain remember, anticipate and sequence — a core cognitive skill in babies and toddlers.
The story behind Gipsy: more than just a spider
The original "Itsy Bitsy Spider" — also known as "Incy Wincy Spider" in the UK — is one of the most iconic nursery rhymes in the English-speaking world, with roots going back over a century. Our version gives the spider a name and an identity. By calling her Gipsy, we instantly create an emotional connection: she becomes a character children can root for, empathise with, and learn from.
This aligns perfectly with current trends in early childhood content: recurring characters with distinct personalities drive stronger engagement, better emotional learning, and deeper attachment in children aged 0–6. Gipsy is playful, brave, and unstoppable — and every child can see a little of themselves in her.
💡 Did you know? The Itsy Bitsy Spider is one of the most-sung nursery rhymes in the world — it appears in dozens of languages, including French (La Petite Araignée), Spanish, Japanese and Swahili. Gipsy is her 21st-century, globally-minded cousin!
How to sing and sign Itsy Bitsy Spider Gipsy
The hand actions that accompany the song are just as important as the words themselves. They develop fine motor skills, bilateral coordination and imitation in babies and toddlers. Here's how to bring Gipsy to life with your hands:
🕷️ The spider climbs
Alternate your thumbs and index fingers against each other to make the spider's legs climbing — the classic waterspout action that kids absolutely love!
🌧️ Down came the rain
Spread your arms wide and flutter your fingers downward like falling raindrops. Add a dramatic sound effect — "Splissssh!"
😢 Washed the spider out
Let one hand sweep slowly outward, with a little dramatic expression of disappointment. Children love playing with emotions!
☀️ Out came the sunshine
Raise both arms overhead in a wide arc to make a big shining sun. Big smile required! This is the moment of positive reinforcement.
💪 Gipsy climbs again!
Repeat the climbing action with renewed energy and joy — celebrate Gipsy's perseverance! Clap together at the end.
Creative activities to extend the magic of the song
Bring Gipsy off the screen and into your home or classroom with these simple, engaging activities:
Draw Your Own Gipsy
Invite children to draw or paint their own version of Gipsy. How many legs? What colours? What does her web look like? Imagination rules!
Build a Spider Web
Weave yarn between chair legs or sticks to create a giant, tactile spider web. A fantastic fine motor and sensory activity for toddlers.
Weather Watcher
Each morning, look out the window together: is it sunny or rainy for Gipsy today? A simple, joyful daily ritual that builds weather vocabulary.
Boom Lala Boom: songs that grow with your child
At Boom Lala Boom, every song is designed to be more than a melody. We create coherent worlds, loveable characters and content that supports the holistic development of children from 0 to 6 years old. Itsy Bitsy Spider Gipsy is a perfect example of this philosophy: simple on the surface, rich in developmental layers beneath.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss a new song, and explore our website to find dozens of activities, games and resources for parents and educators.
🕷️ The video is live right now!
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Watch Itsy Bitsy Spider Gipsy on YouTube →