Tapestry of Faith: Chalice Children: A Program about Our Unitarian Universalist Community for Preschoolers

Activity 6: Circle Games

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Box of adhesive bandages
  • Optional: Teddy Grahams

Preparation for Activity

  • Familiarize yourself with the games and songs listed in Posters for Chalice Children, under Resources in the Introduction.
  • Display any posters you have made.

Description of Activity

Gather in a circle on the floor, with the teddy bears.

Play the games and sing the songs. Encourage the children to teach the bears the Chalice Children songs and games. Keep the pace brisk to help the children stay focused.

Welcome, Chalice Children

Ask children to stand, as they are able, in their places. Sing "Welcome, Chalice Children" to the tune of "Little Rabbit Foo-Foo":

Welcome, Chalice Children,

We are Unitarians.

Jump into the circle,

Jump, jump, jump.

Welcome, Chalice Children,

We are Universalists.

Jump into the circle,

Jump, jump, jump.

Welcome, Chalice Children,

My name is [leaders' and children's names, in turn].

Jump into the circle,

Jump, jump, jump.

Alternate verses:

We are Chalice Children!

Welcome to our circle!

We are Chalice Children!

Clap, clap, clap!

We are Unitarians!

We are Universalists!

Welcome to our circle!

Clap, clap, clap!

We are Chalice Children!

Let's all welcome [name of a child in the group]

Welcome to our circle!

Clap, clap, clap!

Make New Friends

Make new friends, but keep the old,

One is silver and the other is gold.

A circle is round, it has no end.

That's how long I'm going to be your friend.

Find a Friend at Church

"Find a Friend at Church" is sung to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell." Have the children gather in a circle. Have one child walk around the outside of the circle while the first two lines of the song are sung. The child then chooses a friend. The two friends hold hands and skip around the circle while the remainder of the verse is sung. The first child returns to the circle, and the game is repeated with a second child walking outside the circle. Continue until all have had a turn to choose a friend:

I'll find a friend at church.

I'll find a friend at church.

Heigh ho, the derry oh,

I'll find a friend at church.

We'll skip around the room.

We'll skip around the room.

Heigh ho, the derry oh,

We'll skip around the room.

Variation: Instead of "skip," ask each child to choose an action, such as run, walk, hop, or jump.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

End the Circle Games with this traditional chant, which children can do with their teddy bears. Start by standing in a circle, and lead the children in the actions noted after each line:

Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around. [children and bears swirl around]

Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground. [children and bears touch the floor]

Teddy bear, teddy bear, show your shoe. [children and bears show their shoes]

Teddy bear, teddy bear, I love you! [children and bears run around, then return to the circle]

Repeat the chant faster and faster, until all are tired.

Ask if anyone would like to put a bandage on their bear to help the bear get better. Distribute the adhesive bandages and help children unwrap them. Have them return the bears to their beds for a nap. Optional: Serve a snack of Teddy Grahams while the bears sleep.

Including All Participants

If any child might find jumping and standing difficult, substitute other actions, such as clapping, stepping, or wiggling, or sing the songs from a seated position. If you plan to serve a snack and any children in the group have wheat allergies, find a gluten-free alternative to the Teddy Grahams.