29 Classic Hand Clapping Games for Kids (+Videos and Printable Lyrics)
Looking for those hand clapping games you used to play as a child? This list has them all! These hand-clapping rhymes and songs are fun for kids of all ages, from simple rhymes like Pat-A-Cake to more advanced rhymes and clapping techniques.
These hand clap games are perfect to teach your children, students, or camp attendees. And the best part is, once you teach them, they can entertain themselves for hours – and teach their friends too!
I included videos to make learning quick and easy…and you can grab the free printable with the lyrics to all the hand-clapping songs too!
Benefits of Hand Clapping Games
The act of singing a song and clapping your hands may not seem like it would do much, but there is actually quite of bit of evidence that hand clapping, singing and following a particular rhythm or beat actually has tremendous benefits.
A few benefits of playing hand clap games and rhymes include:
- Improved cognitive skills including spelling and handwriting
- Increased coordination
- Crossing midline (which is important in developing a dominant side of the body)
- Memory
- Rhythm
- Sequencing (the ability to recall the order in which things happen)
- Social Skills
- Emotional regulation
- Teamwork
- Collaboration
- Self confidence
And these benefits are not just for children. In the same study that showed the cognitive advantages that hand clap rhymes gave to children they saw similar results in adults.
So grab a child or friend and start playing!
The Magic of Hand Clap Song and Rhymes
Can you remember what you ate for lunch last Tuesday?
No….I didn’t think so.
But can you remember the hand clap games that you played as a child?
Yep, thought so!
I am serious – hand clapping songs and rhymes ARE magic.
I have experienced them as a child, a mother and a school teacher and there is just something about clapping games that transcend time, age, gender (I promise you…boys like them too) and cultures.
You don’t need any supplies or equipment.
Just your hands and a friend – the stuff childhood is made of!
Hand clapping games are perfect to keep kids occupied while:
-Standing in line
-Riding in the backseat of the car
-Waiting for a performance or movie to start in a theater
These simple songs and rhymes also help to teach rhythm, counting, rhyming and hand-eye coordination.
Infact, research shows that:
Young children who play hand-clapping games are better spellers, have neater handwriting, and better overall writing skills.
They are also great ice breakers for events with kids because they get people working together right away.
I don’t think any parent, teacher or camp counselor can ever have too many hand clapping games in their repertoire – so if you want a simple, free and fun game to play keep reading!
You can find the printable list of all the lyrics at the bottom of this post!
Fun Hand Clapping Games for Kids
Your kids are going to have so much fun learning these hand clapping songs and teaching them to their friends....just like you did when you were a kid!
Tic-Tac-Toe Hand Clap
Tic tac toe, give me an x give me an O.
Three times around the world
Rock Paper Scissors shoot
Rock beats scissors
Paper beats rock
Scissors beats paper
I win you loose
Now you get a big fat bruise
(and give them a touch with your pinky)
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!
Apple on a Stick
Apple on a Stick
Apple on a stick,
Makes me sick,
Makes my heart beat 2-fourty six
Not because you’re dirty,
Not because you’re clean
Just because 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…
Sally Was A Baby Hand Clapping Game
Sally was a baby, a baby, a baby,
Sally was a baby, she went like this: Wah wah!
Sally was a toddler, a toddler, a toddler,
Sally was a toddler, she went like this: Wah Wah! Suck My Thumb!
Sally was a child, a child, a child,
Sally was a child, she went like this: Wah Wah! Suck my Thumb! Give me a piece of chewing gum!
Sally was a teenager, a teenager, a teenager
Sally was a teenager, she went like this: Wah Wah! Suck my Thumb! Give me a piece of chewing gum! Hush UP I’m on the phone!
Sally was a mother, a mother, a mother,
Sally was a mother, she went like this: Wah Wah! Suck my Thumb! Give me a piece of chewing gum! HUSH UP I’m on the phone! Do this, do that!
Sally was a grandmother, a grandmother, a grandmother,
Sally was a grandmother, she went like this: Wah Wah! Suck my Thumb! Give me a piece of chewing gum! Hush up I’m on the phone! Do this, do that! Oh! My aching back!
Miss Mary Mack Hand Clapping Game
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 50 cents, cents, cents
To see the elephants, elephants, elephants
Jump over the fence, fence, fence.
They jumped so high, high, high
They reached the sky, sky, sky
And they didn’t come back, back, back
‘Til the 4th of July, ly, ly!
Pat-A-Cake
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man
Bake me a cake as fast as you can
Pat it and roll it and mark it with a B
And put it in the oven for baby and me
A Sailor Went to Sea - Hand Clap Warm Up Song
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.
DOUBLE DOUBLE THIS THAT - HAND CLAPPING GAMES
Double double this this,
Double double that that,
Double this, double that,
Double double this that.
Lemonade, Crunchy Ice
Lemonade, Crunchy ice
Beat it once
Beat it twice
Turn around (Turn around)
Touch the ground (Touch the ground)
Kick your boyfriend out of town!
Freeze! Defrost! Tell your boyfriend to get lost.
Miss Susie had a Steamboat (Rated PG)
Miss Susie had a steamboat
The steamboat had a bell
Miss Susie went to heaven
The steamboat went to
Hello operator please give me number nine
And if you disconnect me I’ll kick you from behind
The refrigerator there was a piece of glass
Miss Susie sat upon it and cut her little
Ask me no more questions
Tell me no more lies
The boys are in the bathroom zipping up their
Flies are in the meadow, the bees are in the park
Miss Susie and her boyfriend are kissing in the
Dark is like a movie a movie’s like a show
A show is like a tv screen and that is all I know
I know my ma, I know my pa, I know my sister with the 80 acre alligator bra
Peas Porridge Hot
Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold,
Pease porridge in the pot, nine days old;
Some like it hot, some like it cold,
Some like it in the pot, nine days old.
Say Say Oh Playmate
Say, Say, oh playmate,
Come out and play with me
And bring your dollies three
Climb up my apple tree
Slide down my rain barrel
Into my cellar door
And we’ll be jolly friends
Forever more, more, more.
So sorry, playmate
I cannot play with you
My dolly’s got the flu
Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
Ain’t got no rain barrel
Ain’t got no cellar door
But we’ll be jolly friends
Forever more, more, more.
Hand Clapping Game "Bim Bum"
This one is fun and super challenging, even for older kids!
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.
Hand Clapping Game "Sevens"
Another fun and challenge hand-clapping pattern. It focuses on hand movements over silly songs, which makes it great for the older kids. And since it doesn’t involve slapping the hands of your partner, it can even be played alone.
Concentration
Concentration (clap, clap, clap)
Sixty-four (clap, clap, clap)
No repeats (clap, clap, clap)
Or hesitations (clap, clap, clap)
I’ll go first (clap, clap, clap)
You’ll go last (clap, clap, clap)
Category is: Leader States Category ie: Vegetables (clap, clap, clap)
Each player must then say the name of an item that matches the category without messing up the rhythm.
Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky
There are many different versions, but here is a common rendition:
Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky,
Where the bull frogs jump from bank to banky,
With a hip, hop, hippity, hop,
Leap off a lily pad and go KERPLOP!
Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky,
Where the bull frogs jump from bank to banky,
With a flip, flop, flippity, flop,Leap off a lily pad and go KERPLOP!
Down by the banks of the hanky panky
Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky
With an eep, ipe, ope, op,Eek-ock-a-diddly and go KERPLOP!
Rockin Robin Hand Clap Challenge
This one is an absolute blast! See if your group can keep the rhythm for the entire song!
He rocks in the tree tops all day longHoppin’ and a-boppin’ and singing his song. All the little birdies on Jaybird StreetLove to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet
Rockin’ robin, rock rockRockin’ 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 crowFlappin’ their wings singing go bird go
Rockin’ robin, rock rockRockin’ robin’Blow rockin’ robin’ Cause we’re really gonna rock tonight.
Pretty little raven at the bird-band standTold them how to do the bob and it was grandThey started going steady and bless my soulHe out-bopped the buzzard and the oriole
He rocks in the tree tops all day longHoppin’ and a-boppin’ and singing his…
Grandma Grandma Sick in Bed
Down down baby, down by the roller coaster
Sweet, sweet baby, I’ll never let you go,
Shimmy, shimmy cocoa pops, Shimmy shimmy pow!
Shimmy, shimmy cocoa pops, Shimmy shimmy pow!
Grandma grandma, sick in bed, Called the doctor and the doctor said;
Let’s get the rhythm of the head – ding dong!
Let’s get the rhythm of the head – ding dong!
Let’s get the rhythm of the hands – clap, clap!
Let’s get the rhythm of the hands – clap, clap!
Let’s get the rhythm of the feet – stomp, stomp!
Let’s get the rhythm of the feet – stomp, stomp!
Let’s get the rhythm of the – hot dog
Let’s get the rhythm of the – hot dog!
Put it all together and what do you get?
Ding dong, clap clap, stomp stomp, hot dog! Put it all backward and what do you get? Hot dog, stomp stomp, clap clap, ding dong!
Clap Clap song
This classic is a great group hand-clapping game, that’s perfect for a classroom, pre-school, or youth group.
Bo Bo Ski Watten Tatten
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
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.
Quack Diddly Oso
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…!
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!
Dr. Pepper hand clap
‘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…’
Chinese Restaurant
I went to a Chinese restaurant,
To buy a loaf of bread.
They asked me what my name was,
And this is what I said:
My name is
E.I., E.I.,
Nickelye, Nickelye,
Pom pom poodle,
Willy Willy Whiskers.
My name is:
FREEZE!
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.
ABC Hand Clap
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
Chocolate: A Hand Clapping Game!
Choco, choco, la, la
Choco, choco, te, te
Choco, la, choco, te
Cho-co-la-te
The Clapping Song - Clap Pat Clap Slap
Three six nine,
the goose drank wine
The monkey chew tobacco on the streetcar line
The line broke, the monkey got choked
(And) they all went to heaven in a little rowboat
Clap pat
Clap pat
Clap pat
Clap slap
Clap pat
Clap your hand,
pat it on your partner's hand
Right hand
Clap pat
Clap pat
clap your hand,
cross it with your left arm
Pat you partner's left palm
Clap pat
Clap your hand,
pat your partner's right palm
With your right palm again
Clap slap
Clap your hand,
slap your thighs
And sing a little song, go
My mother told me
If I was goody
That she would buy me
A rubber dolly
My aunty told her
I kissed a soldier
Now she won't buy me
A rubber dolly
Creating this list was so much fun! It brought back so many memories from childhood.
It also reminded me how important the “simple things” are to our kids. You don’t need over the top events and activities to have fun with your children.
All they really want is our time and attention.
If you are looking for more ways to connect and have fun as a family be sure to check out these posts too:
Don’t forget to grab your printable copy of the lyrics!
Hand Clapping Games FAQs
How do you play hand clap games?
Most hand clapping games are played with a partner. You either sit or stand facing each other. You then clap a particular rhythm or pattern with your partner as you sing a song. Many hand clap games end when the song ends, but there are others that keep going until one of the players makes a mistake. Each clapping game has different rules and directions, but those are the basic steps for most of them.
Where did hand clapping games originate?
While there are records of particular hand clap games including Pat-A-Cake being played in Europe as early as the 1600’s my guess is that hand clapping games have been around a lot longer than that. You can also be sure that other cultures and tribes around the world who are known for their rhythmic clapping and dancing also participated in hand clapping games for thousands of years.
Are clapping and singing games the same?
Sometimes the two are used interchangeably and sometimes they’re the same – but not always. Clapping games focus on fine motor skills like hand-eye coordination and bilateral coordination. While there is often a rhyme that accompanies the movements and sometimes even a song, the focus is on the clapping. With singing games, while there may be hand movements to accompany it, the focus is on the song.
Is clapping a skill?
Yes, clapping is a skill, not something we are naturally born knowing how to do. Clapping requires fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. That’s why playing these hand clapping games can be so great for kids and why we often teach babies and toddlers Pat-A-Cake. Though it’s fun, it’s actually a way to improve their fine motor skills!
There you have it! The best list of hand clap games from the 80’s, 90’s and even earlier.
Did I miss your favorite? Be sure to include it in the comments below!
I am
Doing a blog on finger plays and would like to refer people to this blog on hand clapping games as a up grade to finger plays. Would that be ok with you? Lisa
Of course! That would be great!
Hello
The blog is really very interesting,the clap activities are fun-loving,,,and educational help too.
I always add claps,wen I m with my daughter’s….
When they windup there toys,,or preparing timetable for next day school,,,,
Or while playing outdoors….
Climbing step with a clap is most enjoyed by my girls.
Thankyou
Thanks! I had forgotten some of these that I learned as a kid! I can’t wait to teach my daughter.
There was one I played when I was little:. Slide down the rain barrel and the cellar door and we’ll be friends forevermore, more, more. There may be more words I’m not remembering. The hand movements were tough!
Yes! I remember that one too. It’s called Say Say Oh Playmate. Isn’t it so fun to think back and try to remember them?
It was a song from the time of the Spanish flu epidemic originally. My granny sang it to me when I was little. A little different lyrics that I remember: Splash in my rain barrel, Slide down my cellar door, And we’ll be jolly friends forever more.”
This is amazing!!!!! Can’t wait to share with my kids!
Does anyone remember the one about McDonalds? 😉 This is the only part I remember:
Icy coke
filet of fish
quarter pounder
French fries
Big mac, filet-a-fish, quarter pounder, French fries, icy cola, thick shake, sundaes, and apple pies
Welcome to McDonald’s
Can i take your order
Big Mac
Fish file
Icy cola
Thick shake
Before it’s time to say goodbye
You should try our apple pie
These hand clapping games are great! Thanks for so many fun ideas to try with my daughter.
I love this collection! I’ve been looking for some of these to share with my 5yo, as I don’t remember most of the ones that my friends and I used to play when we were younger. Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky was always my favorite 🙂
I used to love hand clapping games but I couldn’t remember very many when it came time to teach my kids. Thanks for this great list so I can show them more.
I am interested in the hand clapping songs
Thank you
Love these. I’ll do a few of these with my granddaughter. I remember one that I did in Girl Scouts:
We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one, I’m not scared, what a beautiful day.
My granddaughter has a book with the words, but back in the day someone would recite the words and we’d all do the clap/snap motions. It was fun because as ‘we’ are running from the bear, the clapping/snapping gets faster and faster.
I remember that one too! So much fun!
I love these.
I remember one that ended with diamonds in the snake eyes. I have been wracking my brain. Of how it went….
I can’t wait to teach my 5 year daughter and 5 year old grand daughter!!
I found it! It’s called “There’s a place called Mars”.
It goes:
There’s a place called Mars,
where the ladies smoke cigars.
Every puff they take
is enough to kill a snake.
When the snake is dead,
they put roses on its head.
When the roses die,
they put diamonds in their eyes.
When the diamonds break,
it will be 1968.
My Mother sang “Say, Say, Oh Playmate” with me when I was 4 years old, we continued to enjoy it well into my grade school years. I started singing it with my granddaughter when she was 3 years old, too. She is now 12 years old and has a 2 year old sister and a 3 year old brother. Good things never grow old; the 4 of us delight in singing and clapping “Say…Playmate” together.
Memories like this are exactly why I wrote this post. The simple moments that we remember for a lifetime.
Not last night
but the night before
24 robbers came knockin on my door…
My mother gave me a nickel
My father gave me a dime
My sister gave me a lover boy who kissed me all the time
My mother took away the nickel
My father took away the dime
My sister took away my lover boy and gave me Frankenstein
He made me wash the dishes
He made me wash the floor
When he made me wash his dirty clothes, I kicked him out the door!
This is so funny 😂 love it
I am a pretty little Dutch girl
As pretty as pretty can be
All the boys around my block are crazy over me me me
One day while I was walking
I heard my boyfriend talking
To a pretty little girl with a strawberry curl and this is what he said to her
I L O V E love you, I want to K I S S kiss you
I want to K I S S you on your FACE face face face
We would do the one with the Soldier and his wife. With each verse you do the motions in rhythm with the words.
Have you ever ever ever in your long legged life seen a long legged soldier and his long legged wife? (You would move your hands far apart and keep the rhythm of claping.)
No I’ve never never never in my long legged life seen a long legged soldier and his long legged wife.
Next is, short legged, pigeon toed, cross eyed and knocked knee.
I did this with my sister’s along with some of the others you listed.
Thanks!
What about any many sesapenie oo pa papalini otchi caughtchi liveratchi i love you the spelling I’m sure is not right and there is more to it. Have yall heard that one
Yes!!!! I’ve been recently doing this one with my younger son. Wish I knew all the lyrics.
I haven’t heard that one, but it sounds fun!
Thank you I have 2 and 3 yr grandkids. Perfect age for this. I love these
Thanks for the post, I love it and Thank you Naldo to all those who added to it. Yolanda
I’m a funny little Dutch girl
As funny as funny can Be, be be
And all the boys on the baseball team are crazy over Me, me, me
My boyfriend’s name is Tony
He comes from the land of Bologna
With a pickle on his nose
And a pickle on his toe
Hi ho, hi ho, hi ho ho ho
Does anyone knows this saying Girls go to college to get more knowledge / Boys go to Jupiter to get stupider
Amazing piece of content, Thanks for putting everything under one roof!
You are welcome!
I can’t remember the one that has “far and wide”. I played it with my grandmother. She had taught it to me a short time before we moved far away. Would love to relearn it and teach it to my granddaughter.
I haven’t heard of that one, but I will definitely search for it. I love how these nostalgic rhymes keep our memories alive.
Perfect! I want to print it out.
Hello! Thank you for this great list! I plan to teach these in an after-school program to my elementary students. I’m not seeing the link for all the lyrics. Where can I find that?
I’m having troubles finding the printable lyrics as well.
Hi Elizabeth! Here is the link to get the printable list of lyrics Don’t forget to grab your printable copy of the lyrics!
Thanks for gentrifying my culture. I love when added that part about it “originating in Europe, but other rhythmic cultures participated.” Y’all can’t give us credit for anything?
Hello! I just found you since I just taught 4 yo granddaughter Miss Mary Mack and Miss Lucy had a baby she named him Tiny Tim, She put him in the bath tub to see if he could swim (etc). But I can’t remember the hand movements to The Spades go Two lips together Twilight Forever, Bring Back my love to me. Any suggestions?