Hickory Dickory Dock - Nursery Rhymes by Monkey Pen

"Hickory Dickory Dock," an iconic nursery rhyme, describes a mouse who runs away with time. A small mouse would climb a big old clock until each time the clock struck a number and sent him sliding down! A timeless tale enjoyed worldwide. 

This verse first made its debut in print around 1744 and has remained a timeless favourite ever since! 

It is so rhythmic, so short, and so easy to learn that little children find it so much easier to recite and commit it to memory. 

 What children (and grown-ups) enjoy about it   

Words that rhyme include dock, clock, and one down; all three words can be fun to say aloud.   

Reciting and recalling rhymes helps build confidence and assist with memory recall. 

Kids can perform as the mouse, the clock, and even count the chimes. 

It's also helpful in singing and even learning to tell the time. 

 Fun facts about Hickory Dickory Dock 

Hickory Dickory Dock first appeared in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book in 1744. 

 It was first heard as a counting-out rhyme for children in the same way as "Eeny meeny miney mo." 

 The funny words "Hickory, Dickory, Dock" could come from a counting system from Northern England. 

 There is a story about the astronomical clock in Exeter Cathedral, where there were mice that climbed the ropes to the clock, but clever cat doors were built to keep them out.   

You can change the part that says "the clock struck one" to "two," "three," and so on, and create your version with a baby, a bird, or even a dinosaur running up the clock!   

 Ways to Enjoy Hickory Dickory Dock at Home   

ü Act it out: Give your child the role of the mouse or the clock. Make sure to make the tick-tock sounds!   

 Count with a clock: Set up a clock, real or a toy, and listen to the chimes.   

 Draw and colour: Illustrate the mouse scaling the clock and make the pictures.   

 Play instruments: Each chime can be matched with tapping a drum or ringing a bell. 

 Read and sing with us: Go to Monkey Pen's nursery rhymes page to listen to the rhyme and sing along! 

 Colour and Learn with Easy Printable   

At Monkey Pen, you can download and print the "Hickory Dickory Dock" rhyme coloring sheets. It combines coloring "Hickory Dickory Dock" and singing it while practicing the rhyme. The coloring and singing activities are double the fun! 

Smile and rhyme! 

What time is it? 

The time is Hickory Dickory Dock time! Laugh, sing, and join the little mouse on their big adventure, all found on Monkey Pen's nursery rhymes page. The fun starts now! 

This rhyme is great fun and will teach children all about numbers, clock time, and rhythm all at the same time! Timeless yet sweet and never out of style; sing it together with family, friends, or even grandma!  Check out our library of free children’s books and nursery rhymes for free.