You know that moment when you’re standing in your classroom at 7 a.m., coffee in hand, staring at a blank bulletin board, thinking “I need something that’s going to make the kids excited AND look adorable up there”? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Or maybe you’re a parent scrolling through ideas at midnight, trying to find something fun to do with your little one on a rainy Saturday that doesn’t involve a screen. Either way, this Hickory Dickory Dock Craft has you covered.
Why Nursery Rhymes Still Matter (More Than You Think!)
Before we dive into all the crafty goodness, let’s take a quick second to talk about why nursery rhymes are so important. They build phonemic awareness, introduce kids to rhyme and rhythm, and lay the foundation for early literacy, all while being wildly fun to say out loud. Hickory dickory dock, I mean, come on. Even saying it is a good time.
Using a craft to bring a nursery rhyme to life takes that learning to a whole new level. When kids use their hands to create something connected to what they’re learning, the concept sticks. It becomes theirs. And a finished craft they’re proud of? That’s the kind of thing that ends up on the fridge for months.
So What Exactly Is the Hickory Dickory Dock Craft?
This is a hands-on, cut-and-paste activity designed for young learners. The patterns are kid-friendly and totally manageable for little hands, and the prep is super easy for teachers and parents, which, let’s be real, is always a win.
Here’s what you get in the PDF: a photograph of the finished craft so you (and the kids!) know what you’re working toward; step-by-step directions to keep things smooth; ready-to-copy templates that can be printed onto colored cardstock or construction paper and cut out by students; and labeled templates that can be xeroxed onto cardstock, cut by the teacher, and then traced by students, each label tells kids the pattern name, the color, and how many pieces to cut (like: Body – Cut 1 – Red). So helpful!
The end result? An adorable craft that makes the most charming bulletin board display.
What Supplies Will You Need?
Good news, nothing fancy here! You’ll need the printed Hickory Dickory Dock Craft PDF templates, colored cardstock or construction paper, kid-safe scissors, glue sticks or school glue, and crayons or markers for any extra decorating. That’s it! Most of this is probably already sitting in your supply closet.
All the Ways You Can Use the Hickory Dickory Dock Craft
This craft is seriously versatile. In the classroom, use it during a letter study for D or H, as a fine motor skills activity, or set it up as a small group station. Pair it with a worksheet or activity page for a complete mini-lesson. For display, the finished crafts look absolutely adorable grouped together on bulletin boards, doors, and hallway walls. And for special moments, it makes a wonderful reward activity or class party project. Parents, this one’s great for a rainy Saturday at home too!
Two Books to Pair It With
Want to turn this into a full literacy experience? Try one of these:
Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker: Keith Baker takes the classic rhyme and expands it into a full story, with a different animal visiting a grandfather clock at each hour of the day. The illustrations are bright and playful, and it’s a sneaky great way to introduce telling time!
The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock by Jim Aylesworth: Ever wonder what happened after the clock struck one? Aylesworth (a former first-grade teacher himself!) follows that energetic mouse through all twelve hours in rhyming, read-aloud-ready text. The rhymes will have your kids giggling and repeating lines all day long.
Read one before you start crafting, and watch how much more excited the kids are to create their own version of the story.
Want Even More Nursery Rhyme Fun? Check Out the Big Bundle!
If your kids are loving this craft, you’ll want the Nursery Rhyme Crafts BIG Bundle. It includes 23 different nursery rhyme craft activities: Row Your Boat, Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Jack and Jill, and so many more. That’s a whole year’s worth of fun, right there.
Whether you’re a teacher wanting engaging craft stations all semester or a parent who loves themed activities at home, this bundle has everything you need. The crafts make the cutest bulletin boards for any time of year, and with 23 options, you’ll always have something fresh and ready to go. It’s the kind of resource you buy once and reach for again and again.
Ready to make something adorable? Have fun! And if you enjoyed this craft, be sure to check out these others:
The Ultimate Kite Name Craft for Spring Classroom Fun
12 Easy Crafts to Carry Your Classroom Through the Year: Favorites Craft Bundle
If I Were a Bear Craft Activity That Makes Writing Fun and Easy