Routines are essential for classrooms and households, and they are also an opportunity learn language. One of the easiest ways to get the most language learning out of routines is with music, so try these Spanish clean-up songs to transition kids to their next activity and leave things in order.
Greeting and good-bye songs are also important to classroom routines. You can find 7 of our favorite Spanish greeting songs here and 5 Spanish good-bye songs here.
Check out our favorite Spanish songs for kids organized by theme.
Spanish Clean-Up Songs for Little Ones
There are many Spanish clean-up songs titled A guardar. They tend to have the same tune with slightly different words.
A guardar
This is the simplest version of A guardar. It’s the one I taught my kids and use in my preschool classes. The words are A guardar, a guardar, cada cosa en su lugar. Sin tirar, sin romper, que mañana hay que volver.
There is another version I really like because kids sing “guardas tú, guardo yo.” I love songs that give me an easy way to reinforce regular verb forms!
The lyrics for this version are
A guardar, a guardar, cada cosa en su lugar.
Despacito y sin romper,
Que mañana hay que volver.
Guardas tú, guardo yo y la sala se ordenó.
You can find various artists who sing the song this way, but I like this slow version by Sari Cucien.
Hay que guardar by Miss Rosi
This is one of the other Spanish clean-up songs that works well for preschool. It’s calm with lots of repetition, and it includes the verbs jugar and trabajar. You can hear this song by Miss Rosi below.
Ahora que ya terminamos de jugar y trabajar, ahora ya llegó el momento, el momento de guardar.
Ahora que ya terminamos de jugar y trabajar, ahora ya llegó el momento, el momento de guardar.
Porque hay que guardar, porque hay que guardar, hay que guardar todo en su lugar.
Porque hay que guardar, porque hay que guardar, hay que guardar todo en su lugar.
Limpia limpia
This is one of the Spanish clean-up songs for preschoolers that uses the high-frequency verb limpiar. It’s also a great choice because it is super simple. I like that it includes todos, because I often find myself reminding kids that everyone has to help pick up. The words are: Limpia limpia, guarda todo en su lugar. Limpia, limpia, todos deben cooperar.
This 10-second song is from Barney. The video below plays it in a 30 minute loop. It is convenient if you are using the song directly from the video several times during the day, but I suggest this song in moderation! It would drive everyone crazy long before 30 minutes!
More Spanish Clean Up Songs
I think these songs can be used with slightly older students in the early grades. Of course, it depends on your group. In general, I’ve found that when I use music for transitions and kids are busy, there aren’t too many complaints.
Cada cosa en su lugar by Plim Plim
I like this song by Plim Plim because it has simple words and a fast rhythm. It starts with a clapping sequence to get everyone ready and participating.
A guardar. A ordenar. Cada cosa en su lugar.
Vamos a guardar cada cosa en su lugar.
Vamos a ordenar cada cosa en su lugar.
Vamos a guardar cada cosa en su lugar.
Vamos a ordenar si terminamos de jugar.
Vamos a guardar Sí Vamos a ordenar. Woo!
A guardar. A ordenar. Cada cosa en su lugar.
Vamos a guardar cada cosa en su lugar.
Vamos a ordenar cada cosa en su lugar.
Vamos a guardar cada cosa en su lugar.
Vamos a ordenar si terminamos de jugar.
¡A limpiar! by Calico Spanish
Calico uses a classic melody and avoids the little-kid tunes in some Spanish clean-up songs that drive older kids crazy. It’s a great compromise. The lyrics are in the description of the video.
A limpiar by Rockalingua
Like all of Rockalingua’s song, you can listen to A limpiar on their website and also download a free sheet with the lyrics and pictures. I love this song because it is especially geared toward elementary Spanish classes. It includes the verbs limpiar, reciclar, recoger, and ordenar. It also includes several good-bye expressions. Best of all, it is appropriate for older kids.
Do you have favorite Spanish clean-up songs? Or favorite songs for other classroom or home routines? Please share with teachers and parents by leaving a comment below. Thank you!
