Games that involve clapping in different sequences while singing silly yet sweet songs are popular among young children. While a great way to pass the time, such hand-clapping games for kids also have proven benefits. Reportedly, hand-clapping games can positively impact a child’s cognitive and socio-motor skills (1). Since these games are usually played in pairs, they are also a great way to develop social skills. As your child becomes familiar with the lyrics and rhythm of the game, you could consider including more players to make it more complex. Read on to learn about some interesting hand-clapping games to introduce to your kids and improve their social and developmental skills.
20 Hand-Clapping Games
1. Pat-a-cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man Bake me a cake as fast as you can Prick it and pat it and mark it with a “b” And put it in the oven for Billy and me Make it with chocolate, make it with cream Make it the prettiest you’ve ever seen Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man Bake me a cake as fast as you can Please Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man Bake me a cake as fast as you can Mix it and stir it and bake it just right Good from the first ’til the very last bite Write his name with lots of care And make pretty flowers here and there Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man Bake me a cake as fast as you can Prick it and price it and mark it with a “b” And put it in the oven for Billy and me. How to play: You can sit on the ground or a chair. Try to make different actions or hand motions as per the words. Gently tap each other’s hands when you sing ‘pat-a-cake’ and clap and sing a little faster when you go ‘as fast as you can.’
2. Double, Double
Double, double, this, this, Double, double, that, that, Double this, double that, Double, double, this, that. How to play: The game involves clapping and fists bumps. Sit or stand facing each other. Use both the hands in synchronization. When you say ‘double,’ do a fist bump. And when you say ‘this,’ do a clap with your palms. Similarly, when you say, ‘that,’ clap with the back of the hand. Once you get the flow, get going faster.
3. Miss Mary Mack
Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack, All dressed in black, black, black, With silver buttons, buttons, buttons, All down her back, back, back She asked her mother, mother, mother, For fifty cents, cents, cents, To see the elephant, elephant, elephant. Jump over the fence, fence, fence. He jumped so high, high, high, He reached the sky, sky, sky, And he never came back, back, back, ‘Till the end of July, July, July. How to play: This hand-clapping game can be played by two children. Start by clapping your hands, then cross your arms and put them on your shoulders, clap your hands again, and finally clap your friend’s hands three times. Repeat the pattern as per the lyrics.
4. Miss Susie
Miss Susie had a steamboat The steamboat had a bell, Miss Susie went to heaven, The steamboat went to… (add a word of your choice) Hello Operator Please give me number 9 If you disconnect me, I’ll kick you from… (add a word of your choice) Behind the refrigerator, There lay a piece of glass, Miss Susie sat upon it, And cut her little… (add a word of your choice) Ask me no more questions, Tell me no more lies, The boys are in the bathroom, Zipping up their…(add a word of your choice) Flies are in the meadow, The bees are in the park, Miss Susie and her boyfriend are kissing In the dark, dark dark How to play: You can perform several hand motions as per the lyrics. If you are a beginner, just sing the song and clap your hands. Clap your hands, clap one hand of your partner, and then clap both hands of your partner. Once you are familiar with the song, make hand movements as per the last word of each line. Repeat and clap faster in the next round.
5. Say, Say, Oh Playmate
Say, say, oh playmate, Come out and play with me. Bring out your dollies three. Climb up my apple tree. Slide down my rainbow Into my cellar door. And we’ll be jolly friends Forever more, one two three four! How to play: The simple hand-clapping game can be played with two or three friends. Start by clapping your hands, and then use both hands to tap your friend’s hands. Repeat and go faster once you get the song.
6. Pepper
‘I drink Dr. Pepper don’t you see It’s the perfect taste for me The original taste you know. It’s raining Peppers everywhere I go….. I’m a Pepper, he’s a Pepper, she’s a Pepper, we’re a Pepper! Wouldn’t you like to be a Pepper too? Dr. Pepper…’ How to play: This hand-clapping game is perfect for two friends. Keep your palms together, then swish each other’s hands, and use your right hand to clap your friend’s right hand. Switch your hands and clap, then tap both hands with those of your friend’s. Repeat.
7. Long Legged Sailor
Have you ever, ever, ever, In your long-legged life, Seen a long-legged sailor, And his long-legged wife? No, I’ve never, never, never, In my long-legged life, Seen a long-legged sailor, And his long-legged wife. How to play: Two friends can play this game. Begin by clapping your hands, and then cross over both hands three times when you say ever, ever, ever. Next, clap each other’s hands and then your own hands. Whenever a word is repeated thrice, cross over your hands three times. Repeat the sequence.
8. A Sailor Went To Sea
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. A sailor went to chop, chop, chop, To see what he could chop, chop, chop. But all that he could chop, chop, chop Was the bottom of the deep blue chop, chop, chop. Sea, sea, sea. A sailor went to knee, knee, knee, To see what he could knee, knee, knee, But all that he could knee, knee, knee, Was the bottom of the deep blue knee, knee, knee. Chop, chop, chop. Sea, sea, sea. A sailor went to snap, snap, snap, To see what he could snap, snap, snap. But all that he could snap, snap, snap Was the bottom of the deep blue snap, snap, snap. Knee, knee, knee. chop, chop, chop. Sea, sea, sea. A sailor went to jump, jump, jump, To see what he could jump, jump, jump. But all that he could jump, jump, jump Was the bottom of the deep blue jump, jump, jump. Snap, snap, snap. Knee, knee, knee. chop, chop, chop. Sea, sea, sea. How to play: Two friends can enjoy singing and clapping. Start by clapping your own hands, then clap each other’s right hand, clap your own hands, and finally, clap each other’s left hand. Whenever a word is repeated thrice, clap each other’s hands three times.
9. Lemonade Crunchy Ice
Lemonade Crunchy ice Sip it once Sip it twice Lemonade Crunchy ice Beat it once Beat it twice Turn around (Turn around here) Touch the ground (Touch the ground here) FREEZE How to play: It is a short and sweet hand-clapping song and game. Use your right hand to clap down and left hand to clap up. After one up and down clap, clap both hands of your friend, and then clap your hands thrice. Once you are done with the clapping, turn around and touch the ground. And end it by saying ‘freeze’ to each other. The person who moves first loses the game.
10. Apples On A Stick
Apples on a stick, Makes me sick, Makes my heart beat, 2-4-6. Not because you’re dirty, Not because you’re clean, Just ’cause you kissed, A boy behind the magazine. Girls, girls, Wanna have some fun? Here comes Suzy with Her hoop skirt on. She can wibble. She can wobble. She can do the splits. But I betcha ten dollars, She can’t do this. Close your eyes, And count to ten. If you miss you start again. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. How to play: Clench your fists and tap them with those of your friend’s three times. Clap each other’s right hand, up and down. Then, give a handshake with one hand and snap your fingers with the other. Repeat the pattern and enjoy the song.
11. ABC
ABC, As easy as 1, 2, 3. My momma watches MTV. My dada takes care of me. Oh ah I wanna piece of pie. Pie too sweet, I wanna piece of meat. Meat too tough, I wanna ride a bus. Bus too full, I wanna ride a bull. Bull too black, I want my money back. Money too green, I want a jelly bean. Jelly bean not cooked, I wanna read a book. Book not read, I wanna go to bed. Bed not made, I want some lemonade. Lemonade too sour, I wanna take a shower. Shower too cool, I wanna go to school. School too dumb, I wanna suck my thumb. Thumb too dirty, I wanna ride a birdie. Birdie to slow, and that’s all I know. So close your eyes and count to ten. Whoever messes up is a big fat hen! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 How to play: Put your hands together and swish them with those of your friend’s. Now clap your partner’s right hand, up and down. Hold their right hand and snap with your left hand. Repeat the steps until the song ends.
12. Nobody Likes Me
Nobody likes me, Everybody hates me, Guess I’ll eat some, Worrrrrrmmsss. Fat ones, skinny ones, Oochy, goochy gooey ones, Ones that squiggle And squirrrrmmmm. First you cut the head off. Then you suck the juice out. Then you throw the Skin awaaaayyyy. Nobody knows how girls Can live on worms Three times a daaaayyy. Boom ba de ah da….. Boom, boom How to play: The simple hand-clapping game can be played with two or three friends. Begin by clapping your hands and then of your friends. You can add variations by snapping your fingers in between or clapping twice or thrice.
13. Tic Tac Toe
Tic tac toe Give me an X Give me an O Give me three in a row Don’t get hit by a UFO How to play: This clapping game can be played by two people. Keep your hands together and tap your partner’s hands to the right and to the left. Then clap your hands and clap your partner’s hands. Hold each other’s right hands and use your left hand to tap your hip and snap your fingers.
14. Rockin’ Robin
He rocks in the tree tops all day long Hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and singing his song All the little birdies on Jaybird Street Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet Rockin’ robin, rock rock Rockin’ robin’ Blow rockin’ robin ’Cause we’re really gonna rock tonight Every little swallow, every chick-a-dee Every little bird in the tall oak tree The wise old owl, the big black crow Flappin’ their wings singing go bird go Rockin’ robin, rock rock Rockin’ robin’ Blow rockin’ robin ’Cause we’re really gonna rock tonight Pretty little raven at the bird-band stand Told them how to do the bob and it was grand They started going steady and bless my soul He out-bopped the buzzard and the oriole He rocks in the tree tops all day long Hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and singing his… How to play: The game can be played with two or four players. If there are four players, you need to stand forming a circle. Begin clapping your hands and then clap each other’s hands sideways. Next, high-five your friend standing opposite to you, while the other two friends will have to bend slightly and clap each other’s hands. Repeat the pattern and enjoy the song.
15. Bobo Ski Watten
Bobo ski waten taten Eh, eh, eh eh boom boom boom Bobo ski waten taten Eh, eh, eh eh boom boom boom Itty bitty waten taten Bobo ski waten taten Bobo ski waten taten Freeze, freeze, American cheese Please don’t show your______ to me How to play: Keep your hands together and swish your partner’s hands. Clap your partner’s right hand, up and then down. Next, clap your partner’s left hand and snap your fingers. Repeat the sequence.
16. Four White Horses
Four white horses on a river. Hey, hey, hey, up tomorrow. Up tomorrow is a rainy day. Come on, join in our shadow play. Shadow play is a ripe banana. Hey, hey, hey, up tomorrow. Up tomorrow is a rainy day. How to play: This hand-clapping game can be played by four friends. Clap the hands of your friends standing beside you, and then clap the hands of the friend standing opposite to you. Clap once on the side and twice in front. You can even tap your feet in rhythm and make the game exciting.
17. Bim Bum
Bim bum bim bum, biddy biddy bum, Biddy bum, biddy biddy bum, bim bum. Bim bum, biddy biddy bum, Biddy bum, biddy biddy bum, bim bum. How to play: Sit or stand, and begin by tapping your thighs when you say ‘biddy.’ Then, snap your fingers at ‘bum’ and clap your hands at ‘bim.’
18. Quack Diddlee Oh So
Quack diddlee oh so, quack quack, quack Senorita, rita, rita, rita Delore, delore, delora-lora lore One, two, three, four Quack diddlee oh so, quack quack, quack Senorita, rita, rita, rita Delore, delore, delora-lora lore One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine…! How to play: It is a group hand-clapping game. Four or five of you can sit or stand in a circle, with the palms of your hands facing up. Place your right hand on the left hand of the person sitting left to you. Start singing and hitting the other person’s right hand and continue the cycle. Finally, when the song is about to end at ‘nine,’ if the person whose hand is about to be hit takes their hand out of the way, the other person goes out.
19. John Kanaka
I heard, I heard the old man say, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! Today, today is a holiday, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay Too-rye-ay, oooh, too-rye-ay John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! We’ll work tomorrow but no work today. John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! We’ll work tomorrow and we’ll earn our pay, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay Too-rye-ay, oooh, too-rye-ay John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! We’re bound away for ’Frisco Bay, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! We’re bound away at the break of day, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay Too-rye-ay, oooh, too-rye-ay John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! We’re bound away around Cape Horn, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! We’ll wish to Christ we’d never been born, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay Too-rye-ay, oooh, too-rye-ay John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! Oh haul, oh haul, oh haul away, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! Oh haul away and make your pay, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay Too-rye-ay, oooh, too-rye-ay John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! And we are Liverpool born and bred, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! We’re strong in the arm but we’re thick in the head, John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay Too-rye-ay, oooh, too-rye-ay John Kanaka-naka too-rye-ay! How to play: It is a group hand-clapping game that can be played with any number of children. Form two circles, with the ones in the inner circle facing outwards, and those in the outer circle facing inwards. Tap the thighs, clap your hands, and then clap each other’s hands. After two rounds, the ones in the outer circle should move two steps to their right, and those in the inner circle should move two steps to their left. Continue until the song ends.
20. Down Down Baby
Down, down, baby Down, down the roller coaster Sweet, sweet, baby I’ll never let you go Shimmy, Shimmy cocoa pop Shimmy, Shimmy pow Shimmy, Shimmy cocoa pop Shimmy, Shimmy pow! I like coffee I like tea I like another boy And he likes me Up and down and side to side All around and shake it little ride P-O-P spells POP! How to play: It’s a simple hand-clapping game for two. Start by tapping your thighs and clapping your hands. Then clap each other’s hands. Snap your fingers and shake hands. Continue the same sequence until you say ‘pop.’
