If there’s one nostalgic aspect of elementary school that many cherish, it’s the fun of hand-clapping games. What made them so delightful? Perhaps it was the thrill of feeling part of an exclusive club. These games are often passed down through generations, usually with slight variations. This means you can introduce them to your child too, as long as they’re ready to learn. Hand-clapping games offer a great screen-free activity and can enhance your child’s coordination skills.
You might be a bit out of practice, but don’t worry—muscle memory tends to kick in once you start. However, a little practice may be necessary on your part. Here are ten fantastic hand-clapping games to enjoy with your little ones this weekend!
1. Patty Cake
Patty Cake, or Pat-A-Cake, is one of the simplest hand-clapping games to begin with. It doesn’t involve too many complex movements, making it perfect for toddlers. Just a heads up: the catchy rhyme might stick in your head all day! (Forgot it? No worries. It’s: “Patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can. Pat it and prick it and mark it with ‘B,’ Put it in the oven for baby and me.” You can change the letter to customize it for your child.)
2. Miss Mary Mack
All dressed in black, with silver buttons down her back, this game was a favorite in the ’80s and ’90s and remains a blast today. Start with your hands crossed over your chest, move them to your thighs, clap your hands, then clap your partner’s hands in rhythm. Remembering the entire rhyme is also part of the fun!
3. Miss Suzie
If Miss Mary Mack feels too tame, try the lively Miss Suzie. This amusing hand-clapping game for kids gets pretty close to some cheeky words. You might recall the lyrics: “Miss Suzie had a steamboat. The steamboat had a bell. Miss Suzie went to heaven. The steamboat went to ‘Hello, operator! Please give me number nine. If you disconnect me, I’ll kick you from…’ behind the refrigerator, there was a piece of glass Miss Suzie sat upon it, and it went right up her…”
4. Miss Susie
For a gentler version, consider “Miss Susie called the doctor. Miss Susie called the nurse. Miss Susie called the lady with the alligator purse.”
5. Sevens
When you’re ready to elevate your hand-clapping games, try Sevens. This game emphasizes rhythm and focuses on your partner as you perform each motion. There’s no accompanying song; you start by hitting the table seven times. The next sequence involves two rounds of hit, clap, hit, clap, hit, clap, hit, followed by hit, clap, click, hit, clap, click, and more. It may seem tricky, but with practice, you can master it!
6. Long-Legged Sailor
If Sevens feels too complex, Long-Legged Sailor is a simpler alternative. The rhyme goes: “Have you ever, ever, ever in your long-legged life, met a long-legged sailor, and his long-legged wife? No, I’ve never, never, never, in my long-legged life, seen a long-legged sailor, and his long-legged wife.” During the sailor section, your arms go from clapping to reaching out.
7. A Sailor Went to Sea
For those who struggle with remembering rhymes, this one is straightforward with simple claps. Start by clapping your hands, then clap right hand with your partner’s, followed by your own hands, and then left. At the end, during “the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea,” you’ll clap both hands with your partner throughout the last three words.
8. Lemonade, Crunchy Ice
For a group of kids, Lemonade Crunchy Ice is perfect. After the phrase “lemonade, crunchy ice, beat it once, beat it twice,” kids clap three times. This game has an added twist: after the jingle, they must turn around, touch the ground, and freeze. The first to move after freezing is out. The rhyme is fun to say too: “Sip it once. Sip it twice. Lemonade, crunchy ice. Made it once, made it twice. Turn around, touch the ground. Kick your boyfriend out of town!”
9. Double, Double
As you recite this rhyme, flip your hands back and forth whenever you say “double.” When you say “this” and “that,” your palms should face away. It can get challenging, especially at a faster pace, so focus is key. The lyrics go: “Double, Double. Double, double, this, this. Double, double, that, that. Double this, double that. Double, double, this, that.”
10. Rockin’ Robin
Inspired by a popular 50s song by Bobby Day, this hand-clapping game has evolved into a silly favorite. It can be played by two to four people, or even an odd number. A snippet of the rhyme is: “He rocks in the treetop all day long, hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and a-singin’ his song. All the little birds singin’ in the street, love to hear the robin go tweet, tweet, tweet…”
The Benefits of Hand-Clapping Games
Hand games aren’t just fun; they offer mental health benefits too. For young children, they can aid in learning spelling and improve handwriting skills. Moreover, they serve as excellent stress relievers and mood enhancers. Engaging in these games can also help kids develop better focus and alertness.
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Summary:
Hand-clapping games are a delightful way to bond with your children while enhancing their coordination and focus. From classics like Patty Cake to more challenging options like Sevens, there’s something for every age group. These games offer both fun and developmental benefits, making them a great screen-free activity.