Looking for a fun and educational music activity for young kids? This “5 Speckled Frogs” activity is a tried-and-true classic that blends singing, movement, counting, and imagination – perfect for preschool music time or an easy go-to activity for toddlers.

It is also highly adaptable, easy to tailor into a busy schedule. My kids enjoy it every time we play, and because it appeals to a wide age range – my 11 month old baby, 3 year old toddler, and 5 year old kindergartner all love joining in – it means less work for you.

Why Use “5 Speckled Frogs” for Your Next Activity?

This song is a favorite among early childhood educators for good reason. It’s:

• Repetitive and easy to learn
• Great for teaching basic math (counting down from 5)
• Encourages movement and rhythm
• Engaging for toddlers and preschoolers

Using songs like “5 Speckled Frogs” makes learning interactive and memorable, especially when paired with simple actions and props.

Learning Benefits for Children

Through this activity, children will:

• Practice counting backward
• Improve listening and memory skills
• Build fine and gross motor coordination
• Strengthen their language development through repetition
• Develop rhythmic awareness and a steady beat

Musical games like this one have so many wonderful benefits for your children. If you want to learn more about why music is so important in young kids, check out my earlier post here.

If all of that sounds great to you, then continue reading to learn how to set up and lead this fun frog activity.

How to Lead the “5 Speckled Frogs” Activity

To set up this activity, you’ll need:

• Print of 5 Speckled Frogs coloring page (free to download down below)
• Coloring markers, crayons, or pencils
• Scissors
• Tape
• Something blue for the pond – we like using a blue blanket, but it could be anything!
• Optional: packing tape to “laminate” (or laminator if you already have one)
• Optional: instruments to play along with the song – you can use old containers or bins as drums, pot lids as cymbals, or two wooden spoons as rhythm sticks if you don’t have any.

Step 1: Print out the 5 Speckled Frogs coloring page

You can use any frog picture if you prefer, or use the one I’ve included below for your convenience.

Step 2: Color and cut out the frogs and log

Older kids and toddlers can color the frogs any color they want. Choose a traditional color like green and brown for the frogs and log, or get creative and make the frogs rainbow! After they finish coloring, they can practice cutting with kids scissors, or you can cut it for them.

• Tip: After cutting everything out, you can cover each frog and log with packing tape (one on each side) and cut around it again. This will protect them so they last a bit longer. You’ll also be able to tape them to a board or wall and won’t have to worry about the tape ruining the paper.
• Alternatively, you can use a laminator over the entire sheet and cut them out.

Step 3: Tape the frogs/log to a board or wall

Make a loop with some scotch tape and secure it on the back of each frog. Find a clear wall, a board, or any kind of vertical surface and stick the frogs in any arrangement you want. Stick the log under the frogs so it looks like the frogs are sitting on the log.

You can involve the kids in taping them to the wall – have them count each frog as they’re sticking it on. Do they want to give them names? What kind of weather are the frogs sitting in? Make it more immersive by allowing kids to create an imaginary world for this activity. Any chance you can give kids to make decisions for themselves the better.

Step 4: Gather the rest of the materials

After the frogs and log are up, place your “pond” below or close by. Your kids will be pulling off a frog and tossing it onto the pond. Again, we like to use a blanket, but you can also use a towel, bin, piece of clothing, or you can color your own! If you’re using instruments, hand them to your child(ren) and get ready to sing!

Step 5: Play 5 Speckled Frogs

You’re all set! Watch my quick video if you need to learn the song (or you could also follow along) and have fun making music together! This is how the activity goes:

• Sing: “Five little speckled frogs,
  sat on a speckled log.
  Eating some most delicious bugs. Yum Yum!
  One jumped into the pool…”
• Have your child pull a frog off and toss it into the pool. You can have the frog make a big SPLASH!
• Continue singing: “…where it was nice and cool.
  Now there are… (Count how many frogs are left) …four green speckled frogs. Glub Glub.”
• Repeat for all frogs until the last one – the words change at the end of the song – sing: “Now there are zero green speckled frogs. Glub Glub.”
• Afterward, you can say the frogs have “cooled down” enough and want to go back on their log. Have your child count each frog again starting from 1 as they stick them back to the log.

Let’s Hear From You!

This quick and fun 5 Speckled Frog activity will be sure to engage and delight your child, using imaginative play, music engagement, counting, and fine motor skills.

Have you tried this “5 Speckled Frogs” activity with your kids? What creative twists have you added?

Leave a comment below – I’d love to hear your ideas!

And don’t forget to share this post with fellow parents, teachers, or caregivers looking for fun musical activities!

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Until next time! May your life’s melody lead you toward peace and love.