Free Welsh rhyme and colouring printable
Dau Gi Bach: Welsh Lyrics, English Translation and A4 Activity Sheet
Dau Gi Bach, meaning “Two Little Dogs”, is a playful traditional Welsh nursery rhyme. Download or print this bilingual activity sheet for a simple Welsh-language session at home, nursery or primary school. The two original puppy drawings can also be coloured in.
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What does Dau Gi Bach mean?
Dau Gi Bach means “Two Little Dogs”. In the familiar opening verse, the dogs set off for the woods with a new shoe on every foot. When they return home, one shoe has disappeared. The small mishap gives the rhyme its humour and provides an easy story for children to remember.
The English text on this activity sheet is a fresh, close translation written to explain the Welsh. It is not intended to replace the rhythm of the original song. Traditional rhymes are passed from person to person, so spelling and wording can differ slightly between recordings, classrooms and regions of Wales.
Welsh lyrics
Dau gi bach yn mynd i’r coed,
Esgid newydd am bob troed;
Dau gi bach yn dŵad adre,
Wedi colli un o’u sgidiau.
Dau gi bach!
English translation
Two little dogs are going to the woods,
A new shoe for every foot;
Two little dogs are coming home,
Having lost one of their shoes.
Two little dogs!
Welsh vocabulary for beginners
| Welsh phrase | English meaning | Child-friendly action |
|---|---|---|
| dau gi bach | two little dogs | Hold up two fingers, then make pretend paws. |
| mynd | going | Move two fingers forwards like walking legs. |
| y coed | the woods | Stretch both arms upwards like trees. |
| esgid newydd | a new shoe | Point towards a shoe. |
| pob troed | every foot | Tap each foot in turn. |
| dŵad adre | coming home | Make a roof shape with both hands. |
| wedi colli | having lost | Open both hands and look puzzled. |
How to use the Dau Gi Bach printable
Read the Welsh verse aloud once while children listen. On the second reading, pause after each line so they can echo it. Add simple actions for the dogs, woods, shoes, home and the missing shoe. The combination of speech, rhythm and movement can make unfamiliar vocabulary easier to recall.
Children can colour the two puppy faces at the bottom of the poster using pencils or crayons. Ask them to give each dog a different pattern, such as spots, patches or stripes. Because the illustrations are made from original circles, triangles and lines, there are no commercial characters or branded images on the worksheet.
For a KS1 literacy session, discuss the small sequence of events: first the dogs leave home, next they visit the woods, and finally they return without one shoe. Children can draw the missing shoe, retell the story in English or copy one short Welsh phrase. This supports ordering, oral storytelling and early bilingual vocabulary without turning the rhyme into a demanding written task.
Ideas for nursery, Reception and home learning
Place four toy shoes or paper shoe shapes beside two toy dogs. Count the shoes together and remove one while the children close their eyes. Ask how many remain and invite them to find the missing shoe. This turns the Welsh rhyme into a simple counting and observation game.
You can also take the activity outside. Look for trees, footprints, dogs being walked safely on leads and different types of footwear. Repeat dau gi bach whenever two dog pictures or toys appear. A very small amount of Welsh used frequently is often more manageable for a beginner family than a long vocabulary list attempted only once.
Non-Welsh-speaking adults do not need perfect pronunciation before joining in. Listen to a trusted recording, practise one line and let the child see that language learning includes trying, listening and trying again. Keep the session light and stop while it is still enjoyable.
Why rhymes help children encounter Welsh
Nursery rhymes package language into short, predictable patterns. Repeated phrases such as dau gi bach give children a dependable point to join in, even when the rest of the sentence is new. The pictures and actions add meaning without requiring a word-for-word explanation every time.
This free Welsh nursery rhyme printable is deliberately spacious and easy to read. Welsh appears first, the English meaning is clearly separated, and the colouring pictures sit away from the text. It can be displayed as a small classroom poster or used as an individual activity sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dau Gi Bach a traditional Welsh nursery rhyme?
Yes. It is widely presented and sung as a traditional Welsh children’s rhyme. There are several versions, including longer verses, so families may remember different words.
Why does ci become gi after dau?
The Welsh word for dog is ci. After the masculine number dau, it undergoes a soft mutation, changing from ci to gi. Therefore “two dogs” is dau gi.
Can children colour the dogs?
Yes. The two puppy faces were designed as unfilled geometric line art, allowing children to add their own colours and patterns.
Can I use this in school?
The sheet is provided for personal, family and classroom use. Please do not sell it or republish the downloadable file on another website.
