# Five Little Ladybugs

"Five Little Ladybugs" is a counting-down rhyme in which five ladybugs fly away one at a time — five to four to three to two to one to none — a gentle way to practise counting backwards.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Sung in | English |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | traditional counting rhyme; author unknown |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | playful, traditional, counting |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/five-little-ladybugs/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (en)

Five little ladybugs climbing up a door,
One flew away then there were four.

### Verse 2 (en)

Four little ladybugs sitting on a tree,
One flew away then there were three.

### Verse 3 (en)

Three little ladybugs landed on a shoe,
One flew away then there were two.

### Verse 4 (en)

Two little ladybugs looking for some fun,
One flew away and then there was one.

### Verse 5 (en)

One little ladybug sitting in the sun,
She flew away and then there were none.

## How to sing it

1. Hold up five fingers as the five ladybugs.
2. On each "one flew away", flutter a finger off like a ladybug taking flight.
3. Count how many are left each time, down to none.

## Common questions

**What is "Five Little Ladybugs" about?**

Five ladybugs who fly off one by one — climbing up a door, sitting on a tree, landing on a shoe — until, one flight at a time, there are none left. It is a simple counting-down rhyme, a first taste of subtraction.

**What does "Five Little Ladybugs" teach?**

Counting backwards and "one less". As each ladybug flies away, children take one from the count and say how many remain, which makes the idea of taking away easy to see.

**Who wrote "Five Little Ladybugs"?**

No author is recorded. It is a traditional preschool counting rhyme, one of many "five little …" songs handed down and adapted in nurseries.

## Sources

- [Preschool Education — Five Little Ladybugs (bug songs for kids)](https://preschooleducation.com/songs/bug-songs-for-kids/)