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Clap Your Hands: 16 Clapping

Games for Children's Choir
(/posts/2016/clap-your-hands-16-
clapping-games-for-childrens- (/about)

choir) I'm Ashley—church musician,

music educator, writer, and

creative entrepreneur. Here, I

share creative ideas and practical

Remember those clapping games we used to play
as kids? Between the silly (or nonsense) lyrics and
the fast-paced sequence of claps, taps, snaps, and
crosses, clapping games provided hours of
entertainment.
resources to help you in your
ministry, teaching, and creative
work. Learn more...
(https://www.ashleydanyew.com/
about)

It might seem like just fun and games, but there's

actually more to it than that. Clapping games can (htt (htt (htt (htt (ma

be beneficial to children's development.

Dr. Idit Sulkin has conducted research Search

(http://in.bgu.ac.il/humsos/art/DocLib/Pages/Scient
ific-Publications-
warren/27_BrodskySulkin_2011.pdf) on the topic of
children's hand-clapping games, noting:

"These activities serve as a developmental

platform to enhance children’s needs —
emotional, sociological, physiological, and
(/courses)
cognitive. It’s a transition stage that leads
them to the next phases of growing
up.” (source ONLINE COURSES
(http://www.wired.com/2010/09/clap-your-
Develop the skills you need to
hands-for-brainpower/)) 
lead and teach creatively and

confidently with mini online

Clapping games are a great way to incorporate rhythm and movement into your choir rehearsals while training courses designed

reinforcing gross motor skills, rhythmic concepts (such as steady beat and subdivision), coordination skills, specifically for church musicians

and the concept of sequencing (source (http://www.missjaimeot.com/why-you-should-teach-your-child- and directors.

clapping-games/)).
Learn more and enroll >>

If you're working with a younger group, try modifying the clapping sequence to fit their ability level (scroll (https://www.ashleydanyew.com/c

down to the bottom of this article (http://www.livestrong.com/article/545980-hand-clap-games-for- ourses)

toddlers/) for a few helpful tips).

/
Try using clapping games as:

1. A gathering activity (https://ashleydanyew.com/posts/2016/fun-easy-gathering-activities-for-childrens-

choir) before rehearsal as children arrive
2. A movement break (https://www.ashleydanyew.com/posts/2016/10-movement-activities-for-childrens-
choir/) or quick change-of-pace activity during rehearsal
3. To (unbeknownst to them) prepare or reinforce a rhythmic concept from one of your anthems

R E A D Y T O P L AY ? EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Here are sixteen clapping games to introduce to your choir: Creative ideas and helpful

resources sent straight to your

inbox each month. (Plus, get this

8x10" hymn art print for free

when you sign up!)

16 Clapping Games for Children’s SIGN UP

( H T T P S : / / W W W. A S H L E Y D A N Y E W.C
T H E-B E A U T Y-P R I N
Choir
Rhythmic Speech
These clapping games reinforce rhythmic concepts through the use of rhythmic speech (words spoken in a

 
particular rhythm) and performing a hand-clapping sequence with a partner.

D O U B L E T H I S , D O U B L E T H AT

Also known as "Double Ice, Double Cream," among other variations, this is a fun partner game for younger
and older elementary children. Watch a video demonstration (http://funclapping.com/song-list/double-this-
double-that/).

C O N C E N T R AT I O N 6 4
D I G I TA L S H E E T
After the intro, name a category and (in time) say as many things as you can that fit the category without MUSIC
repeating something you or your partner said. See a video example here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Printable sheet music for SATB
v=OOzCDcWgGEQ). Music would make a great category! (rhythm, anthem, hymn, melody, harmony, meter,
choir, handbells (12-21 bells), and
etc.)
instrumentalists for all seasons of

the church year. Buy now >>

(/music)

Songs
These clapping games reinforce coordination skills as children sing (often silly songs) and perform rhythmic
clapping sequences.

A SAILOR WENT TO SEA SEA SEA

This traditional children's song features a simple hand-clapping sequence to do with a partner interspersed (https://learn.ashleydanyew.com/organize-

with cumulative movements that go along with each verse (see, chop, knee, snap, jump). See these video your-church-music-program)

examples (http://funclapping.com/song-list/a-sailor-went-to-sea/) for a few variation ideas.

BINGO ONLINE WORKSHOP

Step-by-step video instruction +

A fun hand-clapping sequence to go along with the familiar children's song! See a demonstration here
eBook, plus digital templates and
(http://funclapping.com/song-list/bingo/).
worksheets to help you organize

B O B O S K I WAT T E N your church music program from

top to bottom. Learn more and

I mentioned this song in this post (https://ashleydanyew.com/posts/2015/15-singing-games-for-childrens-
enroll >>
choir), but thought I'd include it again here because of the clapping component. Each verse has a sung
(https://learn.ashleydanyew.com/
section and a spoken section and an opportunity to add a variation (face, eyes, elbows, knees, lips, etc.) to
organize-your-church-music- /
i t th t ti th h W t h i t dd t ti
incorporate the next time through. Watch an animated demonstration
program)
(https://thesingingclassroom.com/sample-content) (from The Singing Classroom
(https://thesingingclassroom.com/)).

MISS MARY MACK

A great partner activity, this silly song and action-packed clapping sequence is fun for one and all. Here is a
video example (http://funclapping.com/song-list/miss-mary-mack/).
(http://www.doxologypress.etsy.com)

G R E E N S A L LY

Similar to Miss Mary Mack (some of the same lyrics, in fact), this more traditional (and accessible) clapping BROWSE THE
game makes a fun gathering activity or change-of-pace during rehearsals. Watch here ARCHIVES
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mDd7bHh8OE&list=PLPHHiFSteCa8LHdg8CI6c9SzocaCgOi_v).

Business
FOUR WHITE HORSES
(/posts/category/Business)
This one may take a little practice, but such a fun activity for a group of four people (older elementary or Children's Choir
youth choir). This video (https://www.youtube.com/watch? (/posts/category/Children%27s+Choir)
v=Aqr44wfy9lA&list=PLPHHiFSteCa8LHdg8CI6c9SzocaCgOi_v&index=2) shows the song and clap sequence a Church Music
few times (including once in slow motion). (/posts/category/Church+Music)

Freelance Music Career

BIM BUM BITTY
(/posts/category/Freelance+Music+Career)

A great change-of-pace activity for elementary and middle school choirs! Three words and a snap-clap Handbells

sequence that can be done with a group of any size. Try it in a faster tempo as your group gets to know it (/posts/category/Handbells)

better! See a video example here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf5EHpf-pMQ). Inspiration

(/posts/category/Inspiration)
DR. PEPPER Personal

(/posts/category/Personal)
A fun (slightly more advanced) hand-clapping game to do with a partner (also used in Bobo Ski Watten - see
Prayers (/posts/category/Prayers)
above). This one accompanies the "I'm a Pepper" song from the 1977 Dr. Pepper commercial
Teaching
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvCTaccEkMI). Watch a video demonstration of the clapping sequence
(/posts/category/Teaching)
here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swe99oRW4wY).
Worship

S AY, S AY, O H P L AYM AT E (/posts/category/Worship)

Youth Choir
This short song has a simple, but fast-moving hand clapping sequence to do with a partner. Here is a quick (/posts/category/Youth+Choir)
demonstration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxxDZQrQdnk). A great gathering activity!

Q U A C K D I D D LY O S O

This is the hand-clapping version of Duck-Duck-Goose. Participants sit in a circle and "pass the clap" around
(using the steady beat of the tune), eliminating one person each round. See a video example here
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvVQvqyW2bw). Alternatively, try playing this with a partner!

Body Movement
These clapping games reinforce rhythm and coordination skills through rhythmic speech, song, and body
movement.

L O N G -L E G G E D S A I L O R

This traditional song has fun movements that correspond to each verse: long-legged, short-legged, one-
legged, etc. See the movements in action in this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGEeJpDbdvk).

B O O M , S N A P, C L A P

Mentioned previously in this post (https://ashleydanyew.com/posts/2015/7-fun-games-for-childrens-choir),

this game, this game works well with pairs. Try having half your group sing a familiar song (duple meter
with 4-bar phrases) and half accompanying with the boom, snap, clap sequence. See a video demonstration
here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyuZlr0AY9U).

JOHN KANAKANAKA /
Clapping, patting, stepping, and partner-changing make this a fun movement activity for older elementary
choirs! Watch a group of 3rd graders singing and doing the movement in this video
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuwrk4bTxr8).

DOWN, DOWN, BABY

This clapping game (from Sesame Street!) includes clapping, stomping, and wiggling and can be done with
several children standing in a circle. I love this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K-FpmUUc7U).

Looking for more ideas?

(https://www.ashleydanyew.com/library/games-for-childrens-choir)

More helpful resources:

15 Singing Games for Children's Choir (https://ashleydanyew.com/posts/2015/15-singing-games-for-
childrens-choir)
Fun Clapping Games (http://funclapping.com/)
10 Movement Activities for Children's Choir (https://www.ashleydanyew.com/posts/2016/10-movement-
activities-for-childrens-choir/)
7 Fun Games for Children's Choir (https://ashleydanyew.com/posts/2015/7-fun-games-for-childrens-choir)
10 Classic Hand-Clapping Games (http://www.todaysparent.com/family/10-classic-hand-clapping-games-to-
teach-your-kid/)
Fun, Easy Gathering Activities for Children's Choir (https://ashleydanyew.com/posts/2016/fun-easy-
gathering-activities-for-childrens-choir)

Read more: 

Tagged: children's choir (/posts/tag/children%27s+choir),

clapping games (/posts/tag/clapping+games), games
(/posts/tag/games), hand-clapping (/posts/tag/hand-clapping),
movement (/posts/tag/movement), rhythm (/posts/tag/rhythm),
singing (/posts/tag/singing)

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COMMENTS (4) Newest First Subscribe via e-mail

Preview POST COMMENT…

mmd zand 2 years ago · 0 Likes

hi dear ashley
I would like to have your 16 clapping .. book .
i really need this book .
pllllzzz

Ashley Danyew 2 years ago · 0 Likes

Hello! Thanks so much for reading and for your comment.

I’d be happy to share my free children’s choir games eBook with you! Click the image at the
bottom of this post, enter your email address, and I’ll send it straight to your inbox. :-)

Enjoy!

Kaisa Tornberg 3 years ago · 0 Likes

I would like to have your Games for children's choir.

Ashley 3 years ago · 0 Likes

Hi Kaisa - Absolutely! The Games for Children's Choir ebook is free for email subscribers -
click the "Yes, please!" button at the bottom of this post to sign up. Thanks for reading!

Newer Post Older Post

Prayers for Choirs: No. 2 (/posts/2016/prayers-for- Infographic: 10 Ways to Seat A Choir
choirs-no-2) (/posts/2016/infographic-10-ways-to-seat-a-choir)

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