Language Learning with SongsLanguage Learningwith Songs
Start free

“La Barquita” — Little Boat Song in Spanish for Kids

In “La Barquita” (The Little Boat), kids sing key Spanish words like la barquita, el mar, las olas and mécete, going back and forth between English and Spanish, so the meaning is never a mystery. It's a beginner song from Unit 27: Bedtime Lullabies, 2:15 long, made for ages 2–8.

  • 🇪🇸 Spanish
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unit 27 · Canciones de Cuna
  • ⏱ 2:15
  • 🔒 Premium

Listen

🔒 “La Barquita” 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

“La Barquita” lyrics with English translation

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

Song lyrics with translation. Spanish lines are shown in teal.
SungMeaning
Little boatLa barquita
La barquitaLittle boat
La barquitaLittle boat
Little boatLa barquita
On the seaEn el mar
En el marOn the sea
El marThe sea
The seaEl mar
Waves, soft wavesLas olas, olas suaves
Las olasThe waves
Las olasThe waves
Soft wavesOlas suaves
Rock gentlyMécete suavemente
MéceteRock gently
MéceteRock gently
Rock gentlyMécete suavemente
Slowly, slowlyDespacio, despacio
DespacioSlowly
DespacioSlowly
SlowlyDespacio
Back and forthDe un lado a otro
De un lado a otroBack and forth
De un lado a otroBack and forth
Back and forthDe un lado a otro
Duerme, mi amorSleep, my love
Sleep, my loveDuerme, mi amor
The windEl viento
El vientoThe wind
El vientoThe wind
The windEl viento
Sand on shoreArena en la orilla
La arenaThe sand
La arenaThe sand
Soft sandArena suave
Far awayMuy lejos
El faroThe lighthouse
El faroThe lighthouse
The lighthouseEl faro
Little boatLa barquita
La barquitaLittle boat
On the seaEn el mar
En el marOn the sea
Waves, soft wavesLas olas, olas suaves
Las olasThe waves
Rock gentlyMécete suavemente
MéceteRock gently
Slowly, slowlyDespacio, despacio
DespacioSlowly
DespacioSlowly
SlowlyDespacio
Back and forthDe un lado a otro
De un lado a otroBack and forth
De un lado a otroBack and forth
Back and forthDe un lado a otro
Duerme, mi amorSleep, my love
Sleep, my loveDuerme, mi amor
The sea, el mar
The waves, las olas
The wind, el viento
The sand, la arena
The lighthouse, el faro
Little boat, la barquita
Despacio, despacioSlowly, slowly
Duerme, mi amorSleep, my love
Sleep, my loveDuerme, mi amor
Mmm… mmm…
Mmm… mmm…
La barquita… el mar…The little boat… the sea…
Mmm… duerme…Sleep…

Key Spanish words in this song

The 10 words and phrases this song is built around.

SpanishEnglish
la barquitathe little boat
el marthe sea
las olasthe waves
méceterock gently
el vientothe wind
la arenathe sand
el farothe lighthouse
despacioslowly
de un lado a otroback and forth
duermesleep

How to use this song with your child

  1. 1

    Make “la barquita” the word of the day

    This song repeats “la barquita” (the little boat) on 5 lines. Use it once or twice during the day outside the song, and let your child correct you if you get it wrong.

  2. 2

    Pause between the call and the answer

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

  3. 3

    Make it a routine

    At 2:15, play it once a day at the same moment for a week. Close your eyes together when the song says so.

More lullaby songs in Spanish

All Spanish lullaby songs, words and tips →

“The Little Boat” in other languages

The same song, written for each language we teach.

134 Spanish 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 Spanish for kids works