Music
classical
Discover: Carnival of the Animals
Best Age
Best Age
wk 0–104
Category
Music
Audio Track & Sing-Along Available in BabyNook
Listen to the full song, vocal melody, and soothing instrumental tracks directly in the BabyNook app.
About this music
Saint-Saëns wrote The Carnival of the Animals (1886) as a playful collection of 14 short movements, each portraying a different animal — from lions and elephants to kangaroos and a famous swan. The suite was so unconventional that Saint-Saëns forbade its public performance during his lifetime, fearing it would damage his serious reputation. Today it is one of the most performed and beloved pieces in children's classical music. Each movement is short, distinct, and full of personality — ideal for capturing a young child's attention.
How to do it (Step by step)
- Listen to several movements and act out each animal.
- Stomp like an elephant, hop like a kangaroo, glide like a swan.
- Ask: 'Which animal do you think this is?'