Plainsies Clapsies
Throw the ball up and catch it. Throw the ball up, clap hands, catch it, and so on. The game may be structured to last until a single player misses, while the class sings, or in other ways.
Closet Key
Players form a ring with hands behind them. Verses 1 – 2: One player (“It”) with a key walks around the outside of the ring and places the key in someone’s hands, while leading the singing. “It” rejoins the circle and the player with the key becomes the new “It.”Variation 1: There is a person […]
Bow Wow Wow
Students stand in a one circle, each facing a partner. Sing the song and do motions. The game continues until all students return to original partner.Bow wow wow = stomp, stomp, stompWhose dog art thou? = wag finger at partner 3 timesLittle Tommy Tucker’s dog = hold both hands with partner & trade placesBow wow […]
Naughty Kitty Kat
One student is the “kitty cat” and sits in the middle of the circle. Another student is the “old man” or “old lady,” who stands outside of the circle.Students sing the song once as they walk around the circle and bend their knees on the rests.Students sing the song a second time as they stand […]
Lemonade
Version 1 = One student sings the solo and the rest of the class sings the “class” part. While singing, the soloist pretends to pour lemonade into students who are holding cups in their hands. On the last word, the person who the soloist is standing closest to becomes the new soloist. Version 2 = […]
A Tisket A Tasket
Formation: Students sit in a circle on the floor.One student (“It”) carries a basket and walks around behind the other students as everyone sings the song. At the end of the song, “It” puts the basket behind a student, then runs around the circle while the other student picks up the basket and chases the […]
Cut the Cake
Formation – Students standing in a circle with one student (“It”) standing outside of the circle Phrase 1 – Students in the circle clap on the steady beat. “It” walks around outside of the circle for the first 3 phrases. Phrase 2 – Students shake (in place) Phrase 3 – Students hold hands Phrase 4 […]
Ducks & Geese
Formation: One student is the Wolf, who hides. Another student is the Farmer. The rest of the students stand in a group facing the Farmer.The Farmer sings the “Call,” and the rest of the students sing the “Response.” On the word “tail,” the students run toward the Farmer (you could designate an area near the […]
Dance Thumbkin Dance!
This is a similar finger motion game to Where is Thumbkin. Children love novelty and consistent structure. It’s part of why they love to hear and watch the same stories over and over. This will give them an opportunity to explore new motions with their fingers and is great for providing early improvisation skills. Click […]
Oliver Twist
Gather the children in a circle formation in an open area.Sing the lyrics of the song “Oliver Twist”. “Oliver Twist, you can’t do this,” Choose one child to stand in the center of the circle. This child will create a simple, fun movement that the other children can imitate. For example, they could spin around, […]