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Yankee Doodle

Quick Answer

A familiar marching-style rhyme about Yankee Doodle riding into town, sticking a feather in his cap, and calling it ‘macaroni.’ Silly, bouncy, and easy to chant.

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s upbeat, so bedtime works best when read softly like a poem, not sung loudly. The rhythm still feels steady and comforting.

Story at a Glance

RECOMMENDED AGES

2-6 years

READING TIME

1 min

THEMES
gentleeasy to understandeasy to understandclassic taleclassic talegentle
Also available inEspañol

Story Synopsis

“Yankee Doodle” is a well-known traditional rhyme with a jaunty beat. It pictures Yankee Doodle coming to town on a pony, placing a feather in his cap, and calling it ‘macaroni’—a funny old-fashioned word choice that makes kids smile. Some versions repeat the verse with small changes, keeping the rhythm simple and familiar. At bedtime, treat it like a gentle chant instead of a marching song. Read it slowly, with a quiet smile, and let the silliness stay small. You can end by asking your child what they would put in a ‘fancy hat,’ then tuck them in.

Story Excerpt

Yankee Doodle came to town, Mounted on a pony; He stuck a feather in his cap And called it Maccaroni. Yankee Doodle came to town, Yankee Doodle dandy, He stuck a feather in his cap And called it sugar-candy.

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In One Glance

“Yankee Doodle” is a short traditional rhyme with a marching rhythm. It describes a character riding into town, placing a feather in his cap, and calling it ‘macaroni.’ The fun is in the bouncy beat and silly image, which can be read softly as a bedtime chant.

Frequently Asked Questions

A playful rhyme about riding into town and putting a feather in a cap.

No—it's light and silly.

Ages 2–7.

Read it as a quiet chant instead of singing it loudly.