How do you play "Grandmother's Glasses"?

As a finger-play with quiet, calming actions. You mime Grandma's round glasses and her hat, then fold your hands softly in your lap. The second verse does the same for Grandpa — bigger glasses, bigger hat — who folds his arms and takes a little nap.

What is "Grandmother's Glasses" good for?

Settling down. Because the actions get slower and quieter, ending with folded hands or a pretend nap, it is often used to calm a group of children — a soothing finger-play rather than an energetic one.

Who wrote "Grandmother's Glasses"?

No author is recorded. It is a traditional finger-play passed on in nurseries, with common variations that add a grandpa verse (as here).

United States · sung in English

Grandmother's Glasses

"Grandmother's Glasses" is a gentle finger-play in which the child mimes Grandma's spectacles and hat and her folded hands — then does the same for Grandpa, who folds his arms and takes a little nap.

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Lyrics

These are Grandma's glasses. This is Grandma's hat. And this is the way she folds her hands And lays them in her lap.

These are Grandpa's glasses. This is Grandpa's hat. And this is the way he folds his arms And takes a little nap.

Country of origin: 🇺🇸 United States
Sung in: English
Words by: Traditional
First known: traditional finger-play; author unknown
Best for ages: 2–7
Mood: playful, traditional
Last updated: 25 July 2026

How to sing it

Make circles with your fingers around your eyes for the glasses, and a peaked shape over your head for the hat.
Fold your hands quietly in your lap on "folds her hands / lays them in her lap".
For Grandpa, make bigger glasses and a bigger hat, fold your arms, and pretend to nap.

Meaning and origin

This is a finger-play designed to wind children down rather than wind them up. The child mimes Grandma’s round glasses and her hat, then quietly folds their hands and lays them in their lap; the second verse repeats it for Grandpa, with bigger glasses and a bigger hat, before he folds his arms and takes a little nap. Every gesture is soft and small, and the whole thing slows and quiets as it goes.

That calming shape is exactly why it is so often used at the end of an active session, to bring a lively group gently back to stillness. No author is recorded — it is a traditional finger-play carried down in nurseries — and it exists in several versions, some with only a grandmother, others (like this one) adding a sleepy grandpa. Its quiet ending, with hands folded or eyes closed, does in a few lines what a good bedtime routine does: it settles everyone down.

Common questions

How do you play "Grandmother's Glasses"?: As a finger-play with quiet, calming actions. You mime Grandma's round glasses and her hat, then fold your hands softly in your lap. The second verse does the same for Grandpa — bigger glasses, bigger hat — who folds his arms and takes a little nap.
What is "Grandmother's Glasses" good for?: Settling down. Because the actions get slower and quieter, ending with folded hands or a pretend nap, it is often used to calm a group of children — a soothing finger-play rather than an energetic one.
Who wrote "Grandmother's Glasses"?: No author is recorded. It is a traditional finger-play passed on in nurseries, with common variations that add a grandpa verse (as here).