Language Learning with SongsLanguage Learningwith Songs
Start free

“Kleines Boot” — Little Boat Song in German for Kids

In “Kleines Boot” (The Little Boat), kids sing key German words like das kleine Boot, das Meer, die Wellen and schaukeln, going back and forth between English and German, so the meaning is never a mystery. It's a beginner song from Unit 27: Bedtime Lullabies, 4:43 long, made for ages 2–8.

  • 🇩🇪 German
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unit 27 · Schlaflieder
  • ⏱ 4:43
  • 🔒 Premium

Listen

🔒 “Kleines Boot” is a Premium song

The lyrics and translation are free to read below. To play the song, start a 7-day free trial: it unlocks all 134 songs in every language. Cancel anytime.

Start 7-day free trialor play the free songs first

“Kleines Boot” lyrics with English translation

Every line as it's sung, with its meaning beside it. German is shown in teal.

Song lyrics with translation. German lines are shown in teal.
SungMeaning
The little boat — das kleine Boot
Das kleine Boot — the little boat
On the sea — auf dem Meer
Auf dem Meer — on the sea
Waves — die Wellen
Die Wellen — waves
Rock gently — schaukeln
Schaukeln — rock gently
Hin und her, hin und herBack and forth, back and forth
Back and forth, back and forthHin und her, hin und her
Slowly — ganz sacht
Ganz sacht — slowly
Sleep, little one — schlaf, mein Kind
Schlaf, mein Kind — sleep, little one
The little boat — das kleine Boot
Schaukel, schaukel, hin und herRock, rock, back and forth
The wind — der Wind
Der Wind — the wind
Soft wind — sanfter Wind
The sand — der Sand
Der Sand — the sand
Warm on the shore — warm am Strand
The lighthouse — der Leuchtturm
Der Leuchtturm — the lighthouse
Far away — weit entfernt
Slowly — ganz sacht
Ganz sacht — slowly
Sleep, little one — schlaf, mein Kind
Schlaf, mein Kind — sleep, little one
The little boat — das kleine Boot
Schaukel, schaukel, hin und herRock, rock, back and forth
The waves — die Wellen
Die Wellen — the waves
Ganz sacht, ganz sachtSo gently, so gently
Slowly, slowlyLangsam, langsam
Sleep — schlaf
Schlaf — sleep
Hin und her, hin und herBack and forth, back and forth
The little boat rocks gently thereDas kleine Boot schaukelt sanft
Hmm, hmm — ganz sachtHmm, hmm — so gently
Hmm, hmm — schlafHmm, hmm — sleep
Hmm, hmm — hin und herHmm, hmm — back and forth
Hmm, hmm — das kleine BootHmm, hmm — the little boat

Key German words in this song

The 10 words and phrases this song is built around.

GermanEnglish
das kleine Bootthe little boat
das Meerthe sea
die Wellenthe waves
schaukelnrock gently
der Windthe wind
der Sandthe sand
der Leuchtturmthe lighthouse
ganz sachtslowly
hin und herback and forth
schlafsleep

How to use this song with your child

  1. 1

    Listen for “schlaf”

    “schlaf” (sleep) is sung on 7 lines of this song. Ask your child to clap or raise a hand every time they hear it; by the end they will be saying it with the song.

  2. 2

    Pause between the call and the answer

    The song moves back and forth between English and German. On a second listen, pause after an English line and let your child try the German answer before the song sings it.

  3. 3

    Make it a routine

    At 4:43, play it once a day at the same moment for a week. Rock a teddy to sleep in time with the music.

More lullaby songs in German

All German lullaby songs, words and tips →

“The Little Boat” in other languages

The same song, written for each language we teach.

134 German songs, 32 topics, one joyful habit

Lyrics and translation on every song, progress tracking and no ads. Start with 6 free songs, no card needed.

Start free — no cardHow German for kids works