Three Little Kittens

Lyrics and Activity Pages

Three Little Kittens is an English language nursery rhyme, probably with roots in the British folk tradition.

The poem is usually attributed to American poet Eliza Lee Cabot Follen. The poem was first printed in 1833 in Britain in Follen's Little Songs for Little Boys and Girls.

The rhyme is a simple story of three kittens who lose their mittens and are told they will not get pie. They, then, find their mittens... and are rewarded with pie. Unfortunately, eating pie soils the mittens and the kittens have to wash them.

I used this rhyme to teach children that there are consequences for their actions. Sometimes the consequences are good and sometimes not so good.

There are several verses to this rhyme. Typically kids are taught the first verse only, but all verses are included here in case you wish to share.

Then, scroll to the bottom to find coloring sheets to accompany this rhyme.

Three Little Kitten Lyrics

Three little kittens they lost their mittens,
And they began to cry,
Oh, mother dear, we sadly fear
Our mittens we have lost.
What! lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!
Then you shall have no pie.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
No, you shall have no pie.

The three little kittens they found their mittens,
And they began to cry,
Oh, mother dear, see here, see here,
Our mittens we have found!
Put on your mittens, you silly kittens,
And you shall have some pie.
Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r,
Oh, let us have some pie.

The three little kittens put on their mittens,
And soon ate up the pie;
Oh, mother dear, we greatly fear
Our mittens we have soiled.
What! soiled your mittens, you naughty kittens!
Then they began to sigh,
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
Then they began to sigh.

The three little kittens they washed their mittens,
And hung them out to dry;
Oh! mother dear, do you not hear,
Our mittens we have washed!
What! washed your mittens, then you’re good kittens,
But I smell a rat close by.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
We smell a rat close by.

Here's some coloring pages to accompany the rhyme...

_________________________________________________________________

More simple fun for kids...

_________________________________________________________________

back to nursery rhyme main page

back to home page