Clapping games are a classic childhood activity that never goes out of style.
They not only provide entertainment, but they also help develop coordination, rhythm, and social skills in young children.
Plus, they’re a great way to get kids up and moving while having fun! In this blog post, we’ve rounded up Fun Clapping Games for Preschoolers.
These games are easy to learn, require no materials, and are perfect for kids to play with their friends, siblings, or parents.
Miss Mary Mack
This classic clapping game is a favorite among preschoolers. To play, children clap their hands together and then tap their knees, followed by clapping their hands together again. Next, they cross their arms and tap their shoulders, and then cross their arms again and tap their hips. Finally, they put their hands up in the air and clap before starting the sequence again. This game is a great way for children to practice their coordination and rhythm.
Down, Down Baby
In this clapping game, children sit in a circle and clap their hands together twice. Then, they swing their hands down and clap them on their knees twice. After that, they clap their hands together twice and then swing their hands up in the air and clap them together twice. The game continues with variations of these movements. This game helps preschoolers develop their hand-eye coordination and listening skills.
Related: 20 Interesting Name Games for Preschoolers
A Sailor Went to Sea
This clapping game is a fun way for preschoolers to practice their memory skills. To play, children clap their hands together and then touch their knees twice. Next, they say the phrase “A sailor went to sea, sea, sea” while making a steering wheel motion with their hands. They then add a new item to the sailor’s journey with each repetition, such as “He brought back a box, box, box” while making a box shape with their hands. The game continues until all of the items have been added. This game is a great way for preschoolers to develop their language and memory skills.
Pease Porridge Hot
In this clapping game, children sit in a circle and clap their hands together twice. Then, they slap their knees twice before clapping their hands together again. They repeat this sequence while singing the nursery rhyme “Pease Porridge Hot” and adding new actions to each verse, such as “stir it, stir it, stir it around” while making a stirring motion with their hands. This game helps preschoolers develop their listening and language skills.
Related: 20 Fun and Exciting Circle Time Games for Preschoolers
Pat-a-Cake
This classic clapping game is a great way for preschoolers to develop their fine motor skills. To play, children clap their hands together and then pat their hands on their thighs twice. They then clap their hands together again and make a clapping motion with a partner while saying “Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man.” The game continues with variations of these movements. This game is a great way for preschoolers to develop their hand-eye coordination and social skills.
Miss Lucy Had a Baby
This clapping game is a fun way for preschoolers to practice their coordination and rhythm. To play, children clap their hands together and then slap their thighs twice. Next, they clap their hands again and slap their knees twice. They then clap their hands again and make a “shhh” sound while putting their finger to their lips. Finally, they clap their hands and make a “wah-wah” sound while pretending to rock a baby in their arms.
Bounce High, Bounce Low
In this clapping game, children sit in a circle and bounce a ball to each other while singing the song “Bounce High, Bounce Low.” They clap their hands together twice before bouncing the ball to the next person and then clap their hands again. The game continues until everyone in the circle has had a turn bouncing the ball. This game helps preschoolers develop their hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills.
Apples on a Stick
This clapping game is a great way for preschoolers to practice their memory skills. To play, children clap their hands together and then touch their knees twice. Next, they say the phrase “Apples on a stick” while making a stick shape with their hands. They then add a new item to the list with each repetition, such as “Make ’em high, make ’em low” while pretending to adjust the height of the apples on the stick. The game continues until all of the items have been added. This game is a great way for preschoolers to develop their language and memory skills.
Slide
In this clapping game, children clap their hands together and then make a sliding motion with their hands while saying “slide.” They then clap their hands again and make a “clap” sound while saying “clap.” The game continues with variations of these movements. This game is a great way for preschoolers to develop their hand-eye coordination and rhythm skills.
Shimmy Shimmy Cocoa Pop
This clapping game is a fun way for preschoolers to practice their coordination and rhythm. To play, children clap their hands together and then touch their shoulders twice. Next, they make a “shimmy” motion with their bodies while saying “Shimmy shimmy cocoa pop.” They then clap their hands again and touch their hips twice. Finally, they make a “clap” motion with a partner while saying “We rock, we rock” before starting the sequence again. This game is a great way for preschoolers to develop their coordination, rhythm, and social skills.
Mississippi Hot Potato
In this clapping game, children sit in a circle and pass a small ball or object around while clapping their hands together. When the music stops, whoever is holding the ball says “Mississippi” and passes it to the next person. The game continues until everyone has had a turn. This game helps preschoolers develop their hand-eye coordination and teamwork skills.
My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
This clapping game is a fun way for preschoolers to practice their memory skills. To play, children clap their hands together and then touch their knees twice. Next, they say the phrase “My Bonnie lies over the ocean” while making a waving motion with their hands. They then add a new action to the verse with each repetition, such as “Bring back my Bonnie to me” while pretending to reel in a fishing line. The game continues until all of the actions have been added. This game is a great way for preschoolers to develop their language and memory skills.
Tic-Tac-Toe Hand Clap
Tic-Tac-Toe Hand Clap is a hand game that can be played by two people. It’s a fun and easy way to pass the time or break up the monotony of a long day. The game involves clapping and making hand gestures to represent the symbols X and O. The objective of the game is to get three in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The game is played by taking turns clapping and making moves until a player gets three in a row. It’s a great way to improve hand-eye coordination and have some fun with friends or family.
Sally Was A Baby Hand Clapping Game
Sally Was A Baby is a traditional hand clapping game that is popular among children and has been passed down for generations. The game involves a rhyme and hand gestures that are performed by two or more players. Here’s how to play:
The players stand facing each other and begin clapping their hands to the beat of the rhyme.
The rhyme goes as follows: “Sally was a baby, she looked like a pea. I picked her up and rocked her to sleep. I fed her water and I fed her wine. I fed her so much, she popped out her spine.”
After the rhyme is recited, the players will then perform a sequence of hand gestures, which includes clapping, slapping their thighs, and clapping their partner’s hands.
The game continues with the players repeating the rhyme and hand gestures, increasing in speed as they go along.
Sally Was A Baby is a fun and challenging game that improves coordination and rhythm. It’s a great way for children to develop their motor skills and have fun with their friends.
A Sailor Went to Sea – Hand Clap Warm Up Song
“A Sailor Went to Sea” is a popular hand-clap warm-up song that is often used in schools, camps, and other group settings to get kids moving and energized. The song is easy to learn and involves a series of hand-clapping and other movements that are performed in rhythm with the music. Here’s how to play:
The players stand facing each other in a circle, and begin by clapping their own hands together.
The song goes as follows: “A sailor went to sea, sea, sea. To see what he could see, see, see. But all that he could see, see, see. Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea.”
After each line of the song, the players will perform a different hand-clapping movement, such as slapping their thighs, clapping their partner’s hands, or doing a “missed me” motion where they quickly move their hands out of the way.
The game continues with the players repeating the song and adding new hand-clapping movements, increasing in speed as they go along.
“A Sailor Went to Sea” is a fun and lively way to warm up and get kids excited for other activities. It’s a great way to improve coordination and rhythm while having fun with friends.
Say, Say, Oh Playmate
“Say, Say, Oh Playmate” is a classic children’s hand-clapping game that has been enjoyed for generations. It is a fun and interactive way for kids to improve their coordination and rhythm while having fun with their friends. Here’s how to play:
Two players face each other and begin by clapping their own hands together.
The players recite the following lyrics in unison: “Say, say, oh playmate. Come out and play with me. And bring your dollies three. Climb up my apple tree.”
After reciting the first line, the players will perform a series of hand-clapping and other movements, such as slapping their thighs or clapping each other’s hands.
The game continues with the players repeating the lyrics and adding new hand-clapping movements, increasing in speed as they go along.
“Say, Say, Oh Playmate” is a fun and engaging game that encourages teamwork and cooperation among players. It is a great way for kids to bond and have fun while improving their coordination and rhythm.
Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky
“Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky” is a traditional hand-clapping game that is popular among children all over the world. It’s a fun and engaging way for kids to improve their coordination and rhythm while having fun with their friends. Here’s how to play:
The players sit in a circle, and one player starts by slapping their knees twice and then clapping their hands twice.
The players recite the following lyrics in unison: “Down by the banks of the hanky panky, where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky, with a hip, hop, hippity hop, he-e-e-e’sss Alivvveee! Uh-huh!”
After reciting the first line, the player who started the game will perform a series of hand-clapping and other movements with the player sitting next to them, such as slapping each other’s hands or doing a “missed me” motion where they quickly move their hands out of the way.
The game continues with the players repeating the lyrics and adding new hand-clapping movements, increasing in speed as they go along.
“Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky” is a lively and fun game that encourages teamwork and cooperation among players. It is a great way for kids to bond and have fun while improving their coordination and rhythm.
Clap Clap Song
“Clap Clap Song” is a classic hand-clapping game that has been enjoyed by children for generations. It’s a fun and interactive way for kids to improve their coordination and rhythm while having fun with their friends. Here’s how to play:
Two players face each other and begin by clapping their own hands together.
The players recite the following lyrics in unison: “Clap, clap, clap your hands. Clap your hands together. Clap, clap, clap your hands. Clap your hands together.”
After reciting the first line, the players will perform a series of hand-clapping and other movements, such as slapping their thighs or clapping each other’s hands.
The game continues with the players repeating the lyrics and adding new hand-clapping movements, increasing in speed as they go along.
“Clap Clap Song” is a fun and engaging game that encourages creativity and imagination among players. It is a great way for kids to bond and have fun while improving their coordination and rhythm.
ABC Hand Clap
The “ABC Hand Clap” is a fun and educational hand-clapping game that teaches children the alphabet while improving their coordination and rhythm. Here’s how to play:
Two players face each other and begin by clapping their own hands together.
The players recite the alphabet together in unison, starting with the letter “A”.
After reciting the first letter, the first player will perform a hand-clapping motion while saying the next letter of the alphabet.
The second player will then repeat the same hand-clapping motion while saying the next letter of the alphabet.
The game continues with the players repeating the letters of the alphabet and adding new hand-clapping movements, increasing in speed as they go along.
The “ABC Hand Clap” game is a fun and engaging way for children to learn the alphabet while improving their coordination and rhythm. It encourages teamwork and cooperation among players and provides a great opportunity for kids to bond and have fun with their friends.
Patty Cake
“Patty Cake” is a classic hand-clapping game that has been enjoyed by children for generations. It’s a fun and interactive way for kids to improve their coordination and rhythm while having fun with their friends. Here’s how to play:
Two players face each other and begin by clapping their own hands together.
The players recite the following lyrics in unison: “Patty cake, patty cake, baker’s man. Bake me a cake as fast as you can.”
After reciting the first line, the first player will clap their own hands and then clap the hands of the second player.
The second player will then do the same thing, and the players will continue to alternate between clapping their own hands and the hands of their partner.
The game continues with the players repeating the lyrics and adding new hand-clapping movements, increasing in speed as they go along.
“Patty Cake” is a fun and engaging game that encourages creativity and imagination among players. It is a great way for kids to bond and have fun while improving their coordination and rhythm.
