Tapestry of Faith: Wonderful Welcome: A Program for Children Grades K-1

Activity 4: Singing "make New Friends"

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape

Preparation for Activity

  • Prepare to teach the song, "Make New Friends." You may choose to teach it as a round. If you wish, invite a musical volunteer to lead it.
  • Optional: Write the words to the song on newsprint and post.
  • Optional: Clear a floor space large enough for children to do a simple circle dance.

Description of Activity

Singing this song together affirms being open to new friends and valuing the friends we already have. You may sing it as a round or have the group do a simple circle dance for a more active experience.

Gather children in a circle. Teach the song, line by line:

Make new friends,

And keep the old.

One is silver

And the other's gold.

To sing it as a round, form two groups. The first group starts the song. When they reach the line, "One is silver... ," the second group starts the song. Lead both groups to sing the verse three times.

For a simple circle dance, invite the children to stand in a circle and hold hands. Have them walk clockwise as you start singing the song, and switch directions with each couplet. To end the song and dance, lead everyone to walk to the middle of the circle and raise their arms together on the word "gold."

You may like to also teach this verse:

A circle is round,

It has no end.

That's how long

I want to be your friend.