Nursery Rhymes are creepy, paranatural puzzles scattered throughout Alan Wake 2. You won’t encounter any in Bright Falls until about halfway through the game, but once you have access to the Bunker Woods behind the town you should take the time to seek them out. These Rhymes offer some of the most useful Charms in the game!
Once you have everything you need, it’s time to take a walk in the woods. Be warned, though, as you’ll be entering one of the most dangerous areas in the game, positively swarming with Taken!
You cannot complete these Rhymes without first collecting specific dolls from other areas. You’ll need the Mother and Child Dolls from the Trailer Park in Watery, and the Monster Doll from the Rental Cabins at Cauldron Lake.
Bunker Woods (North)
After Alan’s battle in the woods behind the lodge, you’ll return to playing as Saga. When that happens, look for a shack with a Break Room nearby. Follow the winding path to the top of the cliff to the north.
Walk past the Cult Stash and go to the very eastern edge of the cliff; there’s a Nursery Rhyme to be solved there. Place the Mother Doll on the House and the Child Doll on the Tree.
Follow the trail back to the bottom of the cliff; you’ll find the Lantern Charm in the middle of the path. However, you’ll also encounter a tougher-than-average wolf and a group of Taken lying in ambush.
Equipping the Lantern Charm lets you get one more Flashlight Boost out of each battery.
Billie’s Boat Yard
Once you complete Old Gods, you’ll be able to enter Billie’s Boat Yard near Elderwood Palace Lodge using the Bold Cutters. Check the dock there for a Nursery Rhyme.
Place the Mother Doll on the Sea and the Monster Doll on the Boat. Follow the trail of black liquid that appears back to the shore and to the left.
Fight the group of Taken that attacks, then look near the locked gate to the smaller pier for the Anchor Charm. This useful trinket gives your Flashlight Boost a chance to stun enemies!
Bunker Woods (South)
In Bright Falls, walk along the shore in the woods southeast of the nursing home. The easiest path is to enter Billie’s Boat Yard and follow the path across the bridge. You’ll walk straight into a Nursery Rhyme site.
Place the Child Doll on the Jewelry, the Monster Doll on the Water, and the Mother Doll on the Boat. A pair of powerful Mirror Taken will spawn east of your position, but they won’t notice you right away; soften them up with the Crossbow or Hunting Rifle to make the fight easier.
Once the Taken are gone, look for the Valhalla Nursing Home Charm next to an overturned boat close to the spot where they appeared. When equipped, it increases the healing you receive from Painkillers and Trauma Pads.
Ranger Station
The Ranger’s Cabin on the southern shore of the Bunker Woods can only be entered by using the Screwdriver. Once you’re inside, there’s a Nursery Rhyme in a closet. Place the Child Doll on the House and the Monster Doll on the Candy.
When the puzzle is completed, you’ll hear the doorbell ring; open the door in the office, which is locked from the inside. There’s nobody there, but when you turn around you’ll see footsteps leading upstairs. Follow them to the bathroom; when you reach the end, turn around again to find a new set of tracks leading to the bedroom, where you’ll find a Coffee Mug Charm.
Check the desk to the left of the computer for some extra evidence to put on your Case Board.