Top 15 Punjabi Nursery Rhymes for Kids: Lyrics, Meanings & Videos

Why Music is Perfect for Learning Punjabi

Music is one of the most powerful tools for language learning, especially for children. Punjabi nursery rhymes help kids:

• Develop pronunciation through repetition and melody
• Build vocabulary naturally and memorably
• Connect with culture through traditional songs
• Enjoy learning making it feel like play, not work

Research shows that children who learn through songs retain vocabulary 40% better than through traditional methods alone.

Top 15 Punjabi Nursery Rhymes

1. Lakdi Ki Kaathi (ਲੱਕੜੀ ਦੀ ਕਾਠੀ)

This classic song about a wooden horse is beloved across generations.

Lyrics (Punjabi):

ਲੱਕੜੀ ਦੀ ਕਾਠੀ, ਕਾਠੀ ਪੇ ਘੋੜਾ

ਘੋੜੇ ਦੀ ਦੁਮ ਪੇ ਜੋ ਮਾਰਾ ਹਥੌੜਾ

ਦੌੜਾ ਦੌੜਾ ਦੌੜਾ, ਘੋੜਾ ਦੌੜਾ

English Meaning:

Wooden saddle, horse on the saddle

Hit the horse's tail with a hammer

The horse ran and ran!

Learning Activity: Act out the song with a pretend horse ride!

2. Machli Jal Ki Rani (ਮੱਛੀ ਜਲ ਦੀ ਰਾਣੀ)

A fun song about a fish, the queen of water.

Lyrics (Punjabi):

ਮੱਛੀ ਜਲ ਦੀ ਰਾਣੀ ਹੈ

ਜੀਵਨ ਉਸਕਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਹੈ

ਹੱਥ ਲਗਾਓ ਡਰ ਜਾਏਗੀ

ਬਾਹਰ ਕੱਢੋ ਮਰ ਜਾਏਗੀ

English Meaning:

The fish is the queen of water

Water is her life

Touch her and she will be scared

Take her out and she will die

Learning Activity: Draw fish and label body parts in Punjabi.

3. Aao Baccho Tumhe Dikhayein

A playful song inviting children to explore.

Learning Focus: Animals, nature vocabulary

4. Chunnu Munnu The Do Bhai

About two brothers named Chunnu and Munnu.

Learning Focus: Family relationships, daily activities

5. Nani Teri Morni Ko

A classic about grandmother's peacock.

Learning Focus: Animals, family vocabulary

6. Chanda Mama Door Ke (ਚੰਦਾ ਮਾਮਾ)

Lyrics (Punjabi):

ਚੰਦਾ ਮਾਮਾ ਦੂਰ ਕੇ

ਪੂਏ ਪਕਾਏ ਬੂਰ ਕੇ

ਆਪ ਖਾਏ ਥਾਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ

ਮੁੰਨੇ ਨੂੰ ਦੇ ਪਿਆਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ

English Meaning:

Uncle Moon far away

Made sweet puris with sugar

He ate from a plate

Gave little one a bowl

Learning Focus: Food vocabulary, family terms

7. Ek Chidiya (ਇੱਕ ਚਿੜੀਆ)

A counting song about birds and grains.

Lyrics (Punjabi):

ਇੱਕ ਚਿੜੀਆ, ਅਨੇਕ ਚਿੜੀਆ

ਦਾਣਾ ਚੁਗ ਚੁਗ ਖਾਂਦੀ

ਫੁੜ ਫੁੜ ਫੁੜ ਫੁੜ ਉੱਡ ਜਾਂਦੀ

Learning Focus: Numbers, birds, action words

8. Aasman Mein Suraj

About the sun in the sky.

Learning Focus: Nature, sky, weather vocabulary

9. Rail Gaadi (ਰੇਲ ਗੱਡੀ)

Lyrics (Punjabi):

ਛੁਕ ਛੁਕ ਛੁਕ ਛੁਕ ਰੇਲ ਗੱਡੀ

ਭਾਗੀ ਜਾਏ ਰੇਲ ਗੱਡੀ

ਪਹਿਲਾ ਸਟੇਸ਼ਨ ਅੰਬਾਲਾ

ਦੂਜਾ ਸਟੇਸ਼ਨ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ

Learning Focus: Transportation, city names, sounds

10. Do Chuhe The (ਦੋ ਚੂਹੇ)

About two mice who were very fat.

Learning Focus: Numbers, animals, adjectives

11. Titli Udi (ਤਿੱਤਲੀ ਉੱਡੀ)

Lyrics (Punjabi):

ਤਿੱਤਲੀ ਉੱਡੀ, ਬਸ ਮੇਂ ਚੜੀ

ਬਸ ਨੇ ਬ੍ਰੇਕ ਮਾਰੀ

ਤਿੱਤਲੀ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਈ

English Meaning:

Butterfly flew, got on the bus

Bus applied brakes

Butterfly fell down

Learning Focus: Insects, transportation, actions

12. Bandar Mama (ਬਾਂਦਰ ਮਾਮਾ)

About Uncle Monkey wearing a red coat.

Learning Focus: Colors, clothing, animals

13. Poshampa Bhai Poshampa

A traditional game song played in circles.

Learning Focus: Games, cultural traditions

14. Gol Gol Roti (ਗੋਲ ਗੋਲ ਰੋਟੀ)

Lyrics (Punjabi):

ਗੋਲ ਗੋਲ ਰੋਟੀ

ਰੋਟੀ ਪੇ ਮੱਖਣ

ਮੱਖਣ ਪੇ ਚੀਨੀ

ਚੀਨੀ ਮੀਠੀ

Learning Focus: Food, shapes, cooking vocabulary

15. Akkad Bakkad (ਅੱਕੜ ਬੱਕੜ)

A counting rhyme for games.

Lyrics (Punjabi):

ਅੱਕੜ ਬੱਕੜ ਬੰਬੇ ਬੋ

ਅੱਸੀ ਨੱਬੇ ਪੂਰੇ ਸੌ

Learning Focus: Numbers, counting to 100

How to Use Punjabi Songs for Learning

For Toddlers (2-4 years)

• Play songs during playtime and car rides
• Clap along to the rhythm
• Dance and move to the music
• Repeat key words after the song

For Preschoolers (4-6 years)

• Learn hand motions to go with songs
• Draw pictures of song characters
• Practice singing one line at a time
• Connect songs to real objects

For Early Elementary (6-9 years)

• Read along with lyrics
• Write favorite words from songs
• Create your own verses
• Perform songs for family

Where to Find Punjabi Nursery Rhymes

YouTube Channels:

• Infobells Punjabi
• Kids Planet Punjabi
• Punjabi Rhymes World

Streaming Services:

• Spotify (search "Punjabi kids songs")
• Apple Music
• Amazon Music

Apps:

• Lipi (includes songs with lyrics and activities)

Creating a Music Routine

Morning:

Start the day with an energetic song like "Rail Gaadi"

Mealtime:

Play food-related songs like "Gol Gol Roti"

Bath time:

Water songs like "Machli Jal Ki Rani"

Bedtime:

Gentle lullabies like "Chanda Mama"

Conclusion

Punjabi nursery rhymes are a joyful way to introduce children to the language. The combination of melody, rhythm, and repetition makes learning natural and fun.

Start building your child's Punjabi vocabulary today! Join Lipi for access to our complete collection of Punjabi songs with interactive lyrics and learning activities.