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 listed in Posters for Chalice Children, under Resources in the Introduction.
  • Display 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!

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 player returns to the circle, and the game is repeated with a second player 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.

If You’re Happy and You Know It

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. As the verse is sung, the leader shakes the child’s hand. Repeat with each new child:

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 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.

Variation: 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.

Variation: Sing “ha ha” repeatedly in the first two lines and substitute laughter for the smile or giggle:

Ha, ha, ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha. [laugh]

Ha ha, ha ha, ha 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 laugh. [laugh]

Including All Participants

If any child might find jumping and standing difficult, consider substituting other actions, such as clapping, stepping, or wiggling, or sing the songs from a seated position.