Pat-a-Cake Lyrics

One of the oldest recorded nursery rhymes, first printed in 1698. A clapping game played between a child and parent, perfect for hand coordination. Best for ages 0–4. Pat-a-cake is often the very first baby "game" parents play — gently patting an infant's hands together teaches the earliest version of clapping, a foundational gross-motor and rhythmic skill. By 9–12 months most babies anticipate the rhythm and try to clap along. Occupational therapists love this rhyme because it builds bilateral coordination (using both hands together) and visual-motor tracking. For more baby-and-parent songs, see [bath time baby songs](/blog/bath-time-baby-songs) and [tummy time songs](/blog/tummy-time-songs).

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man,
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Pat it and prick it and mark it with B,
And put it in the oven for baby and me!

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man,
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Roll it up, roll it up,
And throw it in a pan!
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man!