1-Chord and 2-Chord Songs for Young Children
The easiest ukulele songs for kids use one chord (C) or two chords (C+G, or C+F). This list of 12 songs — including "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," "London Bridge," and "The Wheels on the Bus" — can be played by a child in their first lesson (C only) through their first month (C+F+G). All songs use standard G-C-E-A re-entrant tuning on a soprano or concert ukulele.
This list supports the Ukulele in the Classroom method by J. Chalmers Doane and James Hill, used in our how to teach ukulele to kids guide. Pair these songs with the right instrument from our best kids ukuleles list and the right size from our ukulele size guide. For adult learners, see our broader beginner ukulele guide.
Table of Contents
- Why Starting With 1 Chord Works
- The 3 Chord Shapes You'll Need
- One-Chord Songs (C only)
- Two-Chord Songs (C + G)
- Two-Chord Songs (C + F)
- Teaching Order & Age Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Starting With 1 Chord Works
When a child plays a one-chord song, they spend 100% of their attention on strumming rhythm and singing — not on finger transitions. This builds the two skills that matter most in the first month: steady tempo and confident singing. Chord transitions come later.
J. Chalmers Doane discovered this in 1970s Canadian classrooms. His method delays the second chord until week 3 or 4, by which point the child's strumming hand is automatic. James Hill's Ukulele in the Classroom Book 1 formalized this approach: weeks 1–2 are C-only, week 3 adds F, week 5 adds G7.
Pro Tip
Play the song with the child. Sing along — even badly. The single most important factor in a child sticking with ukulele is whether an adult sings with them. A duet of two imperfect voices is worth 10 perfect solo performances.
The 3 Chord Shapes You'll Need
All 12 songs below use only three chords: C, F, and G. Here are the finger positions for each, written for a soprano or concert ukulele in standard G-C-E-A re-entrant tuning.
| Chord | Fingers | String / Fret | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1 (ring) | A string, 3rd fret | ★ (easy) |
| F | 2 (index + middle) | E 1st fret, G 2nd fret | ★★ (medium) |
| G | 3 (index + middle + ring) | G 2nd, C 3rd, A 2nd | ★★★ (hard) |
C Chord (1 finger)
Place your ring finger on the A string (1st string, bottom) at the 3rd fret. Strum all four strings. That's a C chord — the easiest ukulele chord.
F Chord (2 fingers)
Place your index finger on the E string (2nd) at the 1st fret, and your middle finger on the G string (4th, top) at the 2nd fret. Strum all four strings.
G Chord (3 fingers)
Place your index finger on the G string at the 2nd fret, your middle finger on the C string at the 3rd fret, and your ring finger on the A string at the 2nd fret. Strum all four strings.
Common Mistake
Don't introduce all three chords at once. The Doane method adds one chord per week. C in week 1, F in week 3, G in week 5. Adding G on day 1 guarantees the child will quit.
One-Chord Songs (C only)
These four songs use only the C chord. A child can play them in their very first lesson — strum C on every beat (or every other beat) while singing.
1. "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" — Age 4+
Chord: C only. Strum: down on each beat.
[C]
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream2. "The Wheels on the Bus" — Age 4+
Chord: C only. Strum: down on each "the wheels".
[C]
The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town3. "Frère Jacques" — Age 5+
Chord: C only. Strum: down-up on each line.
[C] [C]
Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques
[C] [C]
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
[C] [C]
Sonnez les matines
[C] [C]
Sonnez les matines
[C] [C] [C] [C]
Ding, dang, dong.4. "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (single-chord version) — Age 5+
Chord: C only. Strum: down on each beat.
[C]
Mary had a little lamb
Little lamb, little lamb
Mary had a little lamb
Its fleece was white as snowPro Tip
Young children (ages 4–6) often can't switch chords yet. Play all four of these one-chord songs for an entire month before introducing F. Repetition builds confidence.
Two-Chord Songs (C + G)
These four songs use only C and G. The G chord is harder to finger (3 fingers), so save these for after the child has mastered F (week 5+).
5. "The Hokey Pokey" — Age 6+
Chords: C, G. Strum: down on each beat.
[C]
You put your right hand in
[C]
You put your right hand out
[C]
You put your right hand in
[G]
And you shake it all about
[C]
You do the hokey pokey
[G]
And you turn yourself around
[C] [G] [C]
That's what it's all about!6. "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" — Age 6+
Chords: C, G. Strum: down on each beat.
[C]
Old MacDonald had a farm
[G] [C]
E-I-E-I-O
[C]
And on that farm he had a cow
[G] [C]
E-I-E-I-O
[C]
With a moo-moo here
[G]
And a moo-moo there
[C]
Here a moo, there a moo
[G] [C]
Everywhere a moo-moo7. "If You're Happy and You Know It" — Age 6+
Chords: C, G. Strum: down-up on "if you're happy".
[C]
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands
[G] [C]
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands
[C]
If you're happy and you know it
[G]
Then your face will surely show it
[C] [G] [C]
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands8. "Buffalo Gals" — Age 7+
Chords: C, G. Strum: Island Strum (D-DU-UDU).
[C]
As I was walking down the street
[G] [C]
Down the street, down the street
[C]
A handsome gal I chanced to meet
[G] [C]
Under the silvery moonTwo-Chord Songs (C + F)
These four songs use C and F. Since the F chord is easier than G (only 2 fingers), teach these in week 3 — before introducing G.
9. "London Bridge" — Age 5+
Chords: C, F. Strum: down on each beat.
[C]
London Bridge is falling down
[G] [C]
Falling down, falling down
[C] [F]
London Bridge is falling down
[G] [C]
My fair lady(Note: this version simplifies to C and F. Some arrangements add G — see "London Bridge (3-chord)" below.)
10. "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" — Age 5+
Chords: C, F. Strum: down on each beat.
[C] [F]
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
[C] [G] [C]
How I wonder what you are
[C] [G]
Up above the world so high
[C] [G]
Like a diamond in the sky
[C] [F]
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
[C] [G] [C]
How I wonder what you are(Note: the most common 2-chord version uses C and F only. Adding G7 turns it into the 3-chord version.)
11. "Eensy Weensy Spider" — Age 5+
Chords: C, F. Strum: down-up on each line.
[C]
The eensy weensy spider went up the water spout
[F]
Down came the rain and washed the spider out
[C]
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
[G] [C]
And the eensy weensy spider went up the spout again12. "You Are My Sunshine" — Age 7+
Chords: C, F, G. Strum: down-up-down-up throughout. Best for week 6+.
[C]
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
[G]
You make me happy when skies are gray
[C] [F]
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you
[G] [C]
Please don't take my sunshine awayCommon Mistake
Don't push "You Are My Sunshine" too early — it has 3 chords. Wait until week 6 or 7, after the child has solid C and F transitions. Introducing it at week 3 will frustrate them.
Teaching Order & Age Guide
Follow this 6-week progression to introduce the songs in the right order. Each stage unlocks new songs without overwhelming the child.
| Week | Chords Known | Songs Unlocked | Min. Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Row Row Row, Wheels on the Bus | 4+ |
| 2 | C | Frère Jacques, Mary Had a Little Lamb | 5+ |
| 3–4 | C + F | London Bridge, Twinkle Twinkle, Eensy Spider | 5+ |
| 5–6 | C + F + G | Hokey Pokey, Old MacDonald, Happy & Know It, Buffalo Gals | 6+ |
| 7+ | C + F + G + G7 | You Are My Sunshine, full 3-chord songbook | 7+ |
Pro Tip
End every practice by playing one "easy win" — a song the child already knows and can play confidently. This closes the lesson on a high note and makes them want to come back tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 4-year-old really play ukulele?
Yes, with a soprano and the one-chord songs above. A 4-year-old can strum C while a parent sings "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." They won't transition chords, but they will build rhythm and familiarity. Real chord work begins around age 6.
What is the easiest ukulele song for a child?
"Row, Row, Row Your Boat" using only the C chord. A child plays one chord (one finger on the 3rd fret) and strums down on every beat. Total time to first song: 5 minutes.
How many chords should a 6-year-old learn?
Two: C and F. By age 7, add G. By age 8, the full C-F-G set is achievable. Pushing more chords earlier frustrates children and slows progress — the Doane method's one-chord-per-week pace is empirically proven.
Should I use a real ukulele or a toy?
A real ukulele. Toys ($20 Amazon "ukuleles") have unplayable intonation and sharp frets that hurt small fingers. A $50 Makala Dolphin or Kala Waterman is a real instrument a child can learn on for years. See our best kids ukuleles list.
Where do I find more 1-chord and 2-chord songs?
The Ukulele in the Classroom Book 1 textbook by James Hill and J. Chalmers Doane contains 40+ songs organized by chord progression. Free online resources like LiveUkulele.com and Cynthia Lin's YouTube channel also offer beginner song lists.
Continue Learning
- Back to pillar: How to Teach Ukulele to Kids
- Best Ukuleles for Kids & Beginners
- Soprano vs Concert vs Tenor vs Baritone: Size Guide
For more advanced repertoire, see our 3-chord songbook (50+ songs) and our "Heart and Soul" tutorial.
Continue Learning
This article is part of our complete ukulele learning cluster.
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