Cheeky Monkeys Counting Game
Counting songs are one of the best ways to teach toddlers and preschoolers how to count. This free printable Cheeky Monkeys Counting Game is perfect to use alongside the popular song.
Grab your copy of this free printable and teach your little monkeys how to count.
Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Need
- Instructions
- How to Play
- Song Lyrics
- Song Actions
- More Zoo Animal Activities
- You May Also Like
Materials Needed
- The free cheeky monkey counting game printable
- Printer and paper
- Laminating machine (optional)
- Scissors
- Magnetic whiteboard (optional)
How to Make a Cheeky Monkey Counting Activity
1. Download and print the pdf
You can find the link to the free printable pdf below. Just head to the bottom of the post and click the large blue button to get your copy.
2. Laminate the pictures
This is optional. Laminating the pictures just helps to make them more sturdy and reusable.
3. Cut out the pictures
Use a pair of scissors to cut out each of the monkeys and the crocodile.
I also stuck some adhesive magnetic tape to the back of my pictures so that they would stick to my magnetic whiteboard.
4. Make a tree
Once again, this is optional. You don’t have to make a tree, or you can make a tree out of whatever you have on hand.
I made my tree and river out of a magnetic whiteboard and colored paper.
How to Play
1. Set up your scene.
Place the monkeys at the top, hanging in the tree and the crocodile at the bottom, swimming in the river.
2. Count how many monkeys are hanging in the tree.
Count each monkey that is hanging in the tree.
Make sure you point to each one as you count so that your kids can begin to understand that you only count each monkey one time and don’t miss any (one-to-one correspondence).
3. Sing the song.
The lyrics and actions for the cheeky monkey counting song can be found below.
4. Remove one monkey from the tree.
Pick a monkey from the tree and pretend that the crocodile has eaten it. Place the monkey to the side.
5. Repeat until all the monkeys are gone.
Repeat steps 2 – 4 until the crocodile has eaten all of the monkeys.
Song lyrics
These are the song lyrics to the cheeky monkeys song. They’re easy to learn, but if you want to learn the melody, then check out this youtube video to hear it for yourself.
10 Cheeky monkeys swinging in a tree
Teasing Mr Crocodile “You can’t catch me.”
Along comes Mr Crocodile as quiet as can be and…
Snaps one monkey right out of the tree.
Song Actions
Here is a brief description of each of the actions that go along with the cheeky monkey counting song. Many young kids will learn the actions before they learn the words, so I always like to include actions because it allows them to join in and stay focused during circle time.
Line 1: “10 cheeky monkeys swinging in a tree”
Action: Hold up 10 fingers, or however many monkeys are left.
Line 2: “Teasing Mr Crocodile. You can’t catch me.”
Action: Put your hands up to your ears and wave them back and forwards.
Line 3: “Along came Mr Crocodile as quiet as can be and…”
Action: Put your palms together and make them ‘swim’ like a fish.
Line 4: “Snapped one monkey right out of the tree.”
Action: Clap your hands together.
Then start all over again.
More Zoo Animal Activities to Try
If your little monkeys love all sorts of zoo animals than take a look at these other fun play ideas. They’ll get to play and learn with these great ideas.
- Animal Sorting Activity
- Building Animal Towers – STEM Challenge for Kids
- Zoo Bingo (Free Printable for Kids)
- Zoo Pattern Block Mats
- Free Going to the Zoo Printable Book
For more ideas, take a look at these 61 Zoo Activities for Kids.
Are you going to try this Cheeky Monkeys Counting Game with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
