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

Activity 6: Circle Games

Activity time: 10 minutes

Preparation for Activity

  • Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made.

Description of Activity

Gather in a circle on the floor.

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!

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 the player to choose the action, such as run, walk, hop, or jump.

If You're Happy and You Know It

Sing "If You're Happy and You Know It," leading the children in the actions noted after each line:

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. [clap-clap]

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. [clap-clap]

If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. [clap-clap]

If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet. [stomp-stomp]

If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet. [stomp-stomp]

If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet. [stomp-stomp]

If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" [hoo-ray!]

If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" [hoo-ray!]

If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" [hoo-ray!]

If you're happy and you know it, do all three. [clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!]

If you're happy and you know it, do all three. [clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!]

If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

If you're happy and you know it, do all three. [clap-clap, stomp-stomp, hoo-ray!]

Variation: Sing this welcome song to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It" (from Channels to Children: Early Childhood Activity Guide for Holidays and Seasons, copyright 1982):

Good morning, [child's first and last name],

How are you?

Good morning, [child's first and last name],

How are you?

How are you this special day?

We are glad you came to play.

Good morning, [child's first and last name],

How are you?

It Isn't Any Trouble

Sing "It Isn't Any Trouble" to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic":

It isn't any trouble just to s-m-i-l-e.

It isn't any trouble just to s-m-i-l-e.

So smile when you're in trouble.

It will vanish like a bubble,

If you only take the trouble just to s-m-i-l-e.

Variations: Instead of "s-m-i-l-e," substitute "g-i-giggle-e":

It isn't any trouble just to g-i-giggle-e. [giggle]

It isn't any trouble just to g-i-giggle-e. [giggle]

So laugh when you're in trouble.

It will vanish like a bubble,

If you only take the trouble just to g-i-giggle-e.

Or, substitute "ha-ha-ha-ha-ha":

It isn't any trouble just to ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. [laugh]

It isn't any trouble just to ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. [laugh]

So laugh when you're in trouble.

It will vanish like a bubble,

If you only take the trouble just to ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.

Add some Halloween songs.

When the Spirit Says "Do"

Try "When the Spirit Says 'Do,'" Hymn 1024 in Singing the Journey. Replace "do" with other words, such as fly, dance, laugh, and shout, and invite children to act out each word with their ghosts.

Hookey Spookey Game

Sing to the tune of "The Hokey Pokey;" from Channels to Children: Early Childhood Activity Guide for Holidays and Seasons, 1982:

Put your right hand in, take your right hand out.

Put your right hand in, and you shake it all about.

Do the hookey, spookey and everybody shout,

"That's what it's all about! Boo!"

Gather in a circle. Everyone does the motions for the first two lines. As the third line is sung, each person turns around. As the fourth line is sung, each person slaps their thighs twice, claps their hands twice, and raises their hands above their head. Repeat substituting other parts of the body for "right hand."

Variation: Put your ghost in, take your ghost out...

Including All Participants

If you have a child for whom jumping and standing is difficult, you may consider substituting "clapping," "stepping," or "wiggling" as options for the songs.