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

  • Optional: Teddy Grahams

Preparation for Activity

  • Familiarize yourself with the games and songs listed in Posters for Chalice Children, under Resources in the Introduction.
  • If you're not familiar with "Going on a Bear Hunt," the chant introduced below, see this video on YouTube.
  • 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. 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!

Going on a Bear Hunt!

Have the children repeat each line after you. Keep the beat by slapping alternate hands on your thighs. Chant and do the motions as dramatically as possible:

Going on a bear hunt. [slap hands rhythmically on thighs]

I'm not afraid. [point thumb at your chest]

Got my friends- [point to the whole circle]

What's that over there? [shade eyes, look around]

It's a tall, tall tree. [look up the tree]

Guess we'd better climb it. [put palms out, shrug shoulders]

Climb, climb, climb. [make climbing motions]

What do you see? [shade eyes, look around]

It's some tall, tall grass. [raise hand to show how tall]

Guess we better go see. [put palms out, shrug shoulders]

Climb, climb, climb. [make climbing down motions]

Walk over to it. [make the sound of walking by slapping hands on thighs]

Here's the tall, tall grass. [raise hand to show how tall]

Gotta go through it! [put palms out, shrug shoulders]

Swish, swish, swish. [make gesture of parting grass]

Going on a bear hunt. [slap hands rhythmically on thighs]

I'm not afraid. [point thumb at your chest]

Got my friends- [point to the whole circle]

What's that over there? [shade eyes, look around]

It's some ishy, squishy mud. [grimace and wiggle fingers]

Gotta go through it! [put palms out, shrug shoulders]

Squish, squish, squish. [grimace and wiggle fingers]

Going on a bear hunt. [slap hands rhythmically on thighs]

I'm not afraid. [point thumb at chest]

Got my friends- [point to the whole circle]

What's that over there? [shade eyes, look around]

It's a deep, deep river. [make snaking motion with hands]

Gotta swim across it! [put palms out, shrug shoulders]

Chh, chh, chh. [make swimming motions]

Going on a bear hunt. [slap hands rhythmically on thighs]

What's that over there? [shade eyes, look around]

It's a deep, dark cave. [make big eyes, hang head]

Should we go in? [put palms out, shrug shoulders]

I'm not afraid. [point thumb to chest]

Got my friends. [point to the whole circle]

Let's creep on in. [make crawling motions]

Can't see anything. [shade eyes with hand]

What do I feel? [hold out hand in front of you]

Soft and furry . . . [keep feeling]

Two round ears . . . [feel the ears]

And a cold, wet nose . . . [feel the nose]

And sharp, pointy teeth? [feel a tooth]

"GRRRRR!!!" [growl!]

It's a bear! [scream!]

Perform the next lines quickly:

Run out of the cave. [slap thighs]

Swim across the river. [make snake motion with hands]

Here comes the mud! [grimace and wiggle fingers]

Run some more, [slap thighs]

Through the tall grass. [part grass with your hands]

Run home and lock the door! [twist the lock]

Perform the next lines slowly:

Went on a bear hunt. [slap thighs]

I wasn't afraid. [point thumb to chest]

Had my friends. [point to the whole circle]

Now, time for a rest! [sigh deeply and drop to the floor]

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

End the Circle Games with this traditional chant. Invite children to pair up with their teddy bears. Start by standing in a circle. 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 change faster and faster, until all are tired out.

Optional: Serve Teddy Grahams as a snack for the children and their bears.

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 the snack and there are children in the group with wheat allergies, find a gluten-free alternative to the Teddy Grahams.