Pre-school Games

for 2--4 Year-Olds

Little ones love group activities, especially pre-school games. So when the homeschool co-op or neighborhood Moms' group has well- planned activities for them, the younger set is eager to participate in their older siblings' parties...and everyone wins!

An adult usually has to choose the leader or a player to begin. "It" can be decided by drawing straws or volunteering. The number of children can vary, so use your judgment. But with participants so young and thus needing lots of attention, two or more pre-school games, led by other Moms, might be run concurrently.

• Follow the Leader

  Beforehand, decide how to change leaders (time limit or certain number of actions).
  

  Adult chooses a child to be the leader.
  The others line up behind him, leaving an arm's length between each.
  

  With the children following behind, the leader starts off.
  He performs different actions which the others try to copy. It can be anything as long as it's not dangerous.

  Jump, hop, skip, wave arms, turn, shout, summersault.
  

  Continue the pre-school game until the youngsters are tired (or you are)!

• London Bridge

  This is an abbreviated version of the "authentic" game, but this pre-school game is more suitable for younger players.

  Two players are selected to be the bridge. Facing each other, they raise their arms, join hands and form a "steeple."
  The other youngsters form a line, hold on to each other's waists and go one by one under the "bridge" chanting all the while.
  

  The last word of the stanza is "lady." At this point, the "bridge" drops down around the one who is passing through.
  

  The bridge swings back and forth with the child during the second verse.

  London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down,
  London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady.

  Shake him up like pepper and salt, pepper and salt, pepper and salt,
  Shake him up like pepper and salt, my fair lady!

  Then, the "prisoner" rejoins the line. A new "bridge" is selected. Continue until everyone has a turn.

• The Farmer in the Dell

  This pre-school game requires at the very least 10 children.

  Adult chooses the Farmer.
  He stands in the middle of the big circle formed by the other youngsters holding hands.
  The circle walks around the Farmer singing the rhyme.

  Follow the directions of the last line of each stanza. For example, in the second, the Farmer points to someone to be his Wife and she joins him in the circle. Then she chooses a player to be the Child, and so on.

  Finally, the Cheese is selected. He stands by himself in the center of the group. He then becomes the Farmer for the next round.

  (At this age, there probably won't be any hurt feelings but just in case...Point out, if necessary, that the cheese gets to be the Farmer in the next round.)

  The farmer in the dell,
  The farmer in the dell,
  Hey-o, the derry-o,
  The farmer in the dell.
  

  The farmer takes a wife,
  The farmer takes a wife,
  Hey-o, the derry-o,
  The farmer takes a wife.

  The wife takes a child,
  The wife takes a child,
  Hey-o, the derry-o,
  The wife takes a child.
  

  The child takes a nurse,
  The child takes a nurse,
  Hey-o, the derry-o,

  The nurse takes a dog,
  The nurse takes a dog,
  Hey-o, the derry-o,
  The nurse takes a dog.
  

  The dog takes a cat,
  The dog takes a cat,
  Hey-o, the derry-o,
  The dog takes a cat.
  

  The cat takes a rat,
  The cat takes a rat,
  Hey-o, the derry-o,
  The cat takes a rat.
  

  The rat takes a cheese,
  The rat takes a cheese,
  Hey-o, the derry-o,
  The rat takes a cheese.

  The cheese stands alone,
  The cheese stands alone,
  Hey-o, the derry-o,
  The cheese stands alone.
  

• Find the Object

  Beforehand, choose the highest number of prizes a child can find.

  Have the little ones wait in a different area.
  Use those plastic Easter eggs, if possible.
  Put a piece of candy in each.
  Hide them.
  Call the children in and let them begin to hunt.
  

  Some will end up with more eggs, but try to make sure that each youngster does discover at least several eggs.

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  Have a great time with these classic pre-school games. They will re-awaken fond memories and establish wonderful new ones.

  More Games for the Little Ones

  Activities for Preschoolers

  Return Home from Pre-school Games

  
  

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