Welsh language resources for children · EYFS and KS1
9 Free Welsh Nursery Rhyme Printables with English Translations
Bring traditional Welsh songs and verses into your home, nursery or classroom with this collection of nine free Welsh nursery rhyme printables. Every resource includes the Welsh words, a clear English translation or meaning guide, child-friendly learning ideas and a dedicated one-page A4 poster to download or print.
Welsh nursery rhymes—often described using the Welsh word hwiangerddi—offer a gentle way for children to hear the patterns and sounds of Cymraeg. A short repeated verse can be far less intimidating than a formal lesson. Children can listen, copy an action, join in with one familiar word and gradually build the confidence to say a whole line.
This roundup gathers all of Prydain’s completed bilingual Welsh rhyme resources in one place. The collection includes horses, dogs, a cat, a robin, a jackdaw, a cuckoo, a little house, a family song and a calming lullaby. That variety makes it useful for animal topics, music sessions, bedtime routines, seasonal displays, Welsh-language activities and everyday home learning.
Free printable Welsh nursery rhymes for children
Gee Ceffyl Bach
Gee Little Horse
This friendly horse rhyme is a lively starting point for toddlers and young learners. Its movement theme suits bouncing, knee-riding actions and imaginative play. The bilingual page includes traditional Welsh words, an accessible English meaning and a clean horseshoe-themed A4 design.
Open the Gee Ceffyl Bach printableDau Gi Bach
Two Little Dogs
Animal-loving children can meet two little dogs while practising Welsh rhythm and repeated language. The page works well for early counting, descriptive vocabulary and simple colouring. Its original geometric puppies give children a friendly visual focus without using licensed characters.
Open the Dau Gi Bach printableDacw Mam yn Dwad
There Comes Mother
This familiar Welsh children’s song has a strong family theme and a memorable repeated pattern. Use it for singing, listening, anticipation and simple movement. The resource places the Welsh verse beside a literal English guide and includes an original star-and-dash poster.
Open the Dacw Mam yn Dwad printableSuo Gân
Traditional Welsh Lullaby
Suo Gân is the calmest choice in this printable collection. The page is designed for bedtime, quiet nursery moments and gentle music learning. It includes Welsh lyrics, an English meaning, pronunciation support and a soothing moon-and-stars A4 poster.
Open the Suo Gân printableGwcw Fach
Little Cuckoo
Connect Welsh-language learning with birds, trees, spring and outdoor observation. This nature-themed rhyme page includes a bilingual verse, Welsh vocabulary and suggestions for listening and creative play. The printable uses an original branch frame suitable for a classroom nature area.
Open the Gwcw Fach printablePwsi Meri Mew
Welsh Cat Rhyme
This playful cat rhyme is particularly appealing for younger children and pet-themed learning. Its short phrases can support listening, repetition and Welsh-to-English matching. The accompanying activity sheet features an original geometric cat face that children can colour or decorate.
Open the Pwsi Meri Mew printableRobin Goch
Robin Redbreast
A useful Welsh rhyme for winter activities, garden birds and seasonal classroom displays. The page introduces the traditional verse with a fresh English translation and simple vocabulary notes. Its crisp geometric border and tiny original robin illustration keep the poster clear and printer-friendly.
Open the Robin Goch printableMi Welais Jac y Do
I Saw the Jackdaw
A funny jackdaw, a rooftop, a white hat and two wooden legs create an easy-to-remember picture. This rhythmic Welsh rhyme is ideal for clapping, actions and call-and-response singing. The activity poster uses alternating squares and circles around the bilingual text.
Open the Mi Welais Jac y Do printableTŷ Bach Twt
The Tidy Little House
This homely rhyme introduces useful Welsh words for a house, door, wind and morning. It fits home-learning themes, shape activities and imaginative small-world play. The bilingual A4 poster is framed by an original house made from rectangles, a triangular roof and simple circular details.
Open the Tŷ Bach Twt printableWhich Welsh rhyme printable should you choose?
| Learning theme | Suggested printable | Simple activity |
|---|---|---|
| Animals and movement | Gee Ceffyl Bach or Dau Gi Bach | Move like the animal and copy the rhythm. |
| Family and familiar people | Dacw Mam yn Dwad | Wave, point and sing as someone approaches. |
| Bedtime and calm routines | Suo Gân | Listen quietly and follow the printed Welsh words. |
| Nature and birdwatching | Gwcw Fach, Robin Goch or Mi Welais Jac y Do | Look for birds outdoors and make a simple tally. |
| Pets and early vocabulary | Pwsi Meri Mew | Draw or colour a cat and label one feature. |
| Homes, shapes and routines | Tŷ Bach Twt | Build a house from basic paper shapes. |
How Welsh nursery rhymes support early learning
Rhymes give children a reason to repeat the same sounds without the repetition feeling like a test. A child may initially join in only with an animal noise, a final word or an action. After hearing the song several times, that small contribution often grows into a phrase. The predictable rhythm also helps adults know when to pause and allow a child to respond.
For children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, these Welsh songs can support communication and language, expressive arts, physical movement and early literacy. A rhyme about a horse can become a movement game. A rhyme about a house can lead to shape play. A bird verse can prompt an outdoor listening walk. The printable is therefore a starting point rather than the whole activity.
At KS1, the bilingual layout helps pupils compare meaning across two languages. They can match a repeated Welsh word to its English equivalent, count how many times a phrase appears, notice a changed initial letter or place the lines in order. Children do not need a lengthy grammar explanation every time. Regular exposure and curious noticing build a useful foundation.
Ways to use these bilingual Welsh printables
Create a Welsh song of the week. Choose one poster and display it where children can see it. Introduce the title on Monday, add actions on Tuesday, explore two vocabulary words on Wednesday, use an art or nature activity on Thursday and enjoy a complete performance on Friday.
Make a small Welsh-language corner. Place two or three posters beside picture books, puppets, toy animals or simple musical instruments. Rotating the printables according to the season or classroom topic keeps the area familiar but fresh.
Use them for short transitions. A complete rhyme may take less than a minute. Sing one while children gather on the carpet, prepare to go outside or settle after an energetic activity. The consistent routine can help the Welsh words become part of the day.
Take learning outdoors. The three bird-themed pages are natural companions for a garden or park visit. Children can listen for calls, notice colours and count birds without needing to identify every species. The aim is to connect language with a real shared experience.
Invite children to respond creatively. A printed rhyme can inspire a new picture, a shape collage, a simple puppet, a movement sequence or an invented extra character. Keep the original Welsh verse available so that the creative task remains connected to the language.
Printing the A4 Welsh rhyme posters
Open the individual rhyme page and use its red or blue Print Printable button. This opens the poster by itself so that the surrounding article does not create unwanted extra sheets. Select A4 portrait paper and choose actual size or 100% in the print dialogue. Turning off browser headers and footers will remove the date, page title and web address that browsers sometimes add around a printout.
The Download Printable button saves the poster as an SVG file. SVG artwork is made from vectors, so the lines remain clear instead of becoming blurred like a small screenshot. You can retain the file for personal or educational use according to the note on its individual page.
Frequently asked questions
Are these Welsh nursery rhyme printables free?
Yes. Each linked page provides a free one-page A4 poster that can be printed or downloaded directly.
Do the pages include English translations?
Yes. Every resource includes an English translation or meaning guide alongside the Welsh. Where a literal translation would sound unnatural, the page explains the wording in child-friendly English.
Are the resources suitable for non-Welsh-speaking parents?
Yes. The bilingual text, vocabulary notes and activity suggestions are designed to help adults learn with children. Some pages also provide pronunciation guidance.
What ages are these Welsh printables for?
They are primarily designed for children from the EYFS through early KS1, roughly ages two to seven, although older beginners can also use them.
Can teachers use the posters in a classroom?
They are designed for displays, singing sessions, language corners and simple classroom activities. Check the usage note on the chosen printable before distributing copies beyond your setting.
Why are there sometimes different versions of a Welsh rhyme?
Traditional songs are passed between families, schools, performers and regions, so spelling, individual words and extra verses may vary. Each page identifies the version used and avoids presenting a modern adaptation as the only possible form.
Why are there nine printables rather than ten?
This collection contains nine rhymes whose wording could be responsibly checked. A proposed tenth title was not included because reliable traditional lyrics could not be verified.
Keep Welsh songs visible and enjoyable
A Welsh nursery rhyme does not need to become a formal lesson to be valuable. Put one poster on the wall, sing it regularly, add a gesture and let the child become familiar with its sounds. Small, positive encounters can make Cymraeg feel like an ordinary and enjoyable part of home or classroom life.
Bookmark this collection whenever you need free Welsh nursery rhymes with English translations, bilingual EYFS resources or printable Welsh songs for children. You can begin with an energetic animal rhyme, choose a nature verse for the season or finish the day quietly with Suo Gân.