We are happy to report that we’ve come out of it now, but Lindsey and I went through a mean shaker phase back in December. We appreciated your support and kind words and because we lived to tell our tale we’d love to share a few things we learned along the way! A few quick links if you’re a busy beaver we suggest you check out our Egg Shaker Songs playlist and Egg Shaker Songs Pinterest board. If you’re not a busy beaver and feel like sticking around give Lisa’s Shake Shake Shake post a read. She not only shares song ideas, but explains why you should use shakers, which ones and even better…how! Coming to us from Scotland Library Quine has also shared a great list of shaker songs and activities. Finally we love this post from the Massillon Public Library Children’s Department blog which has some delicious food themed songs and tips on how to make your own shakers. Ok we think that’s quite enough reading for now, here are some of our favourite shaker songs!
1. If You’re Happy and You Know It, Give a Shake!
This is a classic and for that reason it’s a great song to warm up with and let your storytimers get used to shaking their shakers.
2. Shake Your Shakers
Speaking of shaking your shaker, this video has one version that is more challenging and one that’s perfect for beginners.
3. 1, 2 Shake It On Your Shoe
A nice break from all that singing, a shaking rhyme we learned from Lisa’s Libraryland!
4. Everyone Can Shake, Shake, Shake
The best part about this song is singing “And now let’s make a stop!” and seeing if the little ones can hold onto their shakers long enough for complete silence.
5. Egg Shakers Up
Another cute song with a challengingly quiet finish!
6. Shake it to the East
Again, it’s as if the people who wrote these songs actually worked with kids and anticipated the wildness that shakers bring!
7. Going to Kentucky
Does the tune sound familiar? Well it should, but we like this one for all its fun vocabulary and milkshakes!
Well that about does it for Shaker Songs! Be sure to check out our Egg Shaker Songs Pinterest board because it’s got videos from ALAMW 2014, Intellidancing, Miss Nina and WCCLS Birth2Six.
We’d love to hear from you: what are your favourite songs to use with shakers? How do you incorporate them into your storytimes?
Hi,
I just want to send out a big THANK YOU!!! To you both for all of the storytime ideas you post. You’re my go-to resource when I want to find new rhymes, songs, or fingerplays to use with our babies & toddlers at the storytime I do at my public library branch here in Los Angeles. You have saved and re-energized me too many times to count.
You’re both amazing!
Amy
Amy, you are just the loveliest! Thank YOU so much for taking the time to stop by and leave us a comment, it means the world to us to hear that the songs and rhymes we’re sharing are being used and enjoyed out there. If there are ever any themes or ideas we’re missing, please let us know and in the meantime thanks for making our week!
I am with Amy!
You ladies help me to shine in Story Time. Often my parents come to me with admiration for the cute songs we do, and I always tell them that most of it is from Jbrary. Honestly ladies, I don’t think I could do as good a job without you.
Thank you a million times!
Your adoring fan, Larissa
Larissa, what a wonderful message to wake up to! Thank you for your words- we love learning and sharing new songs and it’s so nice to hear they’re helpful out there. Be sure to give yourself credit too: anyone can learn a song but sharing it in a way that gets families excited is the real skill! Happy Thursday to you and again thanks for your comments 🙂
Hi,
These are just WONDERFUL!!! Quick question…do you have any recommendation on where to get the egg shakers? I would like to use them with babies and toddlers, and most say not suitable for under 3…any suggestions?
TIA!!!
Ann Marie
Hi Ann Marie, the ones we have are from Oriental Trading and can be found here: http://m.orientaltrading.com/web/browse/processProductsCatalog?mode=Searching&sku=64%2F31
You’re right – they do come with a warning not to be used with kids under age 3 – but they are too big to be swallowed so I think the warning is just in case they break and the beads inside fall out. We’ve never had an issue with them breaking though. If you’re going to use them with babies too, we recommend shakers with a handle. They are easier for the babies to manipulate. These are often listed as maracas such as these: http://m.orientaltrading.com/festive-neon-maracas-a2-12_2067-11-0.fltr?xsaleSku=64/31
We’ve also heard good things about the company West Music: http://www.westmusic.com/.
Hope this helps!
I bought these maracas from West Music for my Book Babies. They are safety tested for infants and toddlers, they are one solid piece and can be washed after they have been in mouths! http://www.westmusic.com/p/remo-kids-make-music-lk-2426-01-maraca-201008
Thanks for sharing these Michelle, they look fantastic and grabby for little hands!
My thanks are all for you! As a newbie to baby story time, I have no idea what I would do without all of your wonderful videos. You ladies ROCK!
Wow! These are so much fun and going to be great with my 3’s and 4’s.