Ladybugs' Picnic

Ladybugs' Picnic is a clip from Sesame Street that demonstrates the number 12. The story follows the events of the ladybugs' picnic, including sack races, knock-knock jokes, and roasting marshmallows around the fire.

The clip was believed to be made in 1971 and its earliest known appearance on Sesame Street was December 11, 1972. The clip was animated and produced by Bud Luckey with lyrics by Donald Hadley. A remake of the song featured vocals by Jerry Nelson.

Bud Luckey produced several shorts for Sesame Street, including The Alligator King, Martian Beauty, and The Old Lady Who Lived In a Nine. In 1992 he moved to work at Pixar, designing the character of Woody for Toy Story as well as working on every Pixar feature film release, and sang on the 2004 Oscar nominated short Boundin'.

The song was released on the 1975 album The Count Counts! The Count's Countdown Show from Radio 1-2-3. It has been referenced various times on Sesame Street over the years and the song was used in a Heinz Salad Cream created for the UK in 2007.

One two three
Four five six
Seven eight nine
Ten eleven twelve
Ladybugs
Came to the ladybugs' picnic

One two three
Four five six
Seven eight nine
Ten eleven twelve
And they all played games
At the ladybugs' picnic

They had twelve sacks so they ran sack races
And they fell on their backs and they fell on their faces
The ladybugs twelve
At the ladybugs' picnic

They played jump rope but the rope it broke
So they just sat around telling knock-knock jokes
The ladybugs twelve
At the ladybugs' picnic

One two three
Four five six
Seven eight nine
Ten eleven twelve
And they chatted away
At the ladybugs' picnic

They talked about the high price of furniture and rugs
And fire insurance for ladybugs
The ladybugs twelve
At the ladybugs' picnic
Twelve!