Preschool Circle Time Activity Finder
Click a category to find the perfect song or activity!
These songs are great for starting circle time and greeting each child.
"Good Morning" Song
(To the tune of "Happy Birthday")
Good morning to you,
Good morning to you,
Good morning, dear [Child's Name],
Good morning to you!
*(Repeat for each child or as a group)*
"The More We Get Together"
The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together, the happier we'll be.
For your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends.
The more we get together, the happier we'll be!
"Hello, How Are You?"
Hello, [Child's Name], how are you? (x3)
How are you today?
*(Child can give a thumbs-up, thumbs-down, or share how they feel)*
"If You're Happy and You Know It"
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands...
*(Continue with: stomp your feet, shout hooray, do all three, etc.)*
Perfect for getting the wiggles out and practicing gross motor skills.
"Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes"
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes,
Knees and toes!
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes,
Knees and toes!
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes,
Knees and toes!
*(Start slow and get faster!)*
"The Wheels on the Bus"
The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round...
*(Continue with: wipers go swish, doors go open and shut, people go up and down, etc.)*
"Shake Your Sillies Out"
(By The Learning Station or Raffi)
Gotta shake, shake, shake your sillies out,
Shake, shake, shake your sillies out,
Shake, shake, shake your sillies out,
And wiggle your waggles away!
*(Continue with: clap your crazies out, jump your jiggles out, etc.)*
"Sleeping Bunnies"
See the little bunnies sleeping 'til it's nearly noon,
Shall we wake them with a merry tune?
Oh, how still... Are they ill?
(Whisper) Wake up, little bunnies!
Hop, little bunnies, hop, hop, hop! (x3)
Stop, little bunnies, stop, stop, stop.
*(Repeat with other animals: frogs, kangaroos, etc.)*
Introduce concepts like numbers, letters, and colors.
"Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed"
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor, and the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
*(Continue with four, three, two, one)*
"The Alphabet Song (ABC)"
A-B-C-D-E-F-G...
Now I know my ABCs,
Next time, won't you sing with me?
"Five Little Ducks"
Five little ducks went out one day,
Over the hills and far away.
Mother duck said, "Quack, quack, quack, quack,"
But only four little ducks came back.
*(Continue down to zero, then all five come back)*
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm"
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O!
And on that farm, he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O!
With a moo-moo here, and a moo-moo there...
*(Great for practicing animal sounds)*
Wind down circle time and transition to the next activity.
"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are...
*(Use quiet voices and gentle hand motions)*
"The Itsy Bitsy Spider"
The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout...
*(Good for fine motor skills with fingers)*
"Skinnamarink"
(By Sharon, Lois & Bram)
Skinnamarinky dinky dink,
Skinnamarinky doo,
I love you!
*(A classic, gentle goodbye song)*
"Goodbye Song"
(To the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")
We wave goodbye like this,
We wave goodbye like this,
We wave our hands for all our friends,
We wave goodbye like this.
*(Can also do: We clap goodbye, we stomp goodbye, etc.)*
Engaging, non-song activities for circle time.
Mystery Bag
Place an object in a bag. Have each child feel the object (without looking) and guess what it is.
Weather Watcher
Look out the window and ask a child to be the "Weather Watcher." Ask them: "What's the weather like today? Is it sunny, cloudy, rainy, windy?" You can sing a simple song like, "What's the weather, what's the weather, what's the weather today?"
Show and Tell
A classic for a reason! Have one or two children bring something special to share and ask 2-3 simple questions about it.
"Simon Says" (or "Teacher Says")
A great game for listening skills. "Teacher says touch your nose," "Teacher says stand up," "Touch your toes!" (They shouldn't do it!)
Read a Story
A short, engaging picture book is a perfect centerpiece for circle time.