Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed Characters

This knitting project is going to be a real treat, a story sack inspired by the beloved children’s rhyme Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. It’s playful, educational, and packed with character, making it perfect for storytelling sessions, nursery play, or just a bit of cheeky fun at home.

You probably know how the song goes:
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mum called the doctor and the doctor said,
‘No more monkeys jumping on the bed!’

It’s a classic for a reason. Children love bouncing on beds, and this rhyme delivers a gentle cautionary tale while teaching them to count backwards. Naughty monkeys are always a hit, and the rhythm of the song makes it ideal for acting out with props.

So what does a knitted story sack need? The essentials are five monkeys, a bed for bouncing, and a doctor with a stern message. Since an adult will be performing the rhyme, I wanted to keep the pieces small and easy to handle. Finger puppets are perfect; they’re lightweight, animated with just a wiggle of the fingers, and ideal for storytelling on the go.

The monkeys will be the stars of the show. I plan to give them proper arms, legs, and tails so they look like real little mischief-makers. To keep things simple, I’ll knit these parts directly into the puppet body; no fiddly sewing required. Their faces will be made separately and stitched on, allowing for expressive features and a bit of character variation.

The doctor puppet will follow the classic image we all picture: white coat, stethoscope, and a no-nonsense expression. While real GPs come in all styles, this iconic look helps children instantly recognise the role in the story.

The bed will be the largest item in the set, but I’m designing it to be hand-sized and knitted in one piece. That means less sewing and perfect for little monkeys to bounce on. I’ll use bold colours and simple shaping to make it visually appealing and easy to knit.

I don’t anticipate any tricky sections in this design, but I’ll be testing each element to make sure it’s fun to knit and easy to use. The goal is to create a joyful, interactive set that brings the rhyme to life and sparks imaginative play.

And when it’s all finished, I might just celebrate with a little bounce on the bed myself; strictly for research purposes, of course.












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