The Incy-wincy spider,
climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain,
and washed poor spider out!

Out came the sun,
and dried up all the rain.
And incy-wincy spider,
climbed up the spout again!

This classic nursery rhyme is loved for its playful rhythm and hand motions, making it a favourite for toddlers and pre-schoolers. It’s often used in early learning to help with coordination, memory, and rhyme awareness.

The Story Behind Incy wincy spider

Known as Incy Wincy Spider in the UK and Itsy Bitsy Spider in the US, this cheerful rhyme is believed to have originated in America during the 1800s. Its first known printed appearance was in a 1910 book titled Camp and Camino in Lower California, where it was affectionately referred to as “that classic, the Spider Song.”

🤭 The Not-So-Sweet Original

The earliest versions of the song were… shall we say… a little more colourful. Here’s a glimpse of the original lyrics:

“Oh, the blooming, bloody spider went up the water spout,
The blooming, bloody rain came down and washed the spider out,
The blooming, bloody sun came out and dried up all the rain,
And the blooming, bloody spider came up the spout again.”

While cheeky and rebellious, that version quickly gave way to the gentler, more child-friendly rhyme we know today—perfect for singalongs and fingerplay games.