London Bridge Snake Game
A traditional singing game from Mexico, close cousin of London Bridge, where a line of students passes under a bridge made by two classmates, who trap one player when the song ends. Students practice rhythm, moving in a line and cooperating in growing teams.
How to play
- Pick two students to stand face to face holding hands up high to make a bridge. Secretly, one chooses to be "melon" and the other "watermelon." Everyone else lines up holding the shoulders of the person in front.
- The line walks under the bridge singing the traditional rhyme "A la víbora de la mar" (or "London Bridge is falling down") and snakes around the space to come back to the bridge.
- When the song ends ("...my fair lady!" or "...será melón, será sandía"), the bridge gently lowers their arms and traps whoever is underneath.
- The trapped player quietly picks melon or watermelon and lines up behind that bridge partner, holding their waist.
- Repeat until the whole line is split into two teams (about 10 minutes). The line can walk, skip or tiptoe as the teacher calls out.
- Finale (3 min): the two teams, each linked in a chain, try to have their last player tag the other team's last player without letting go.
Rules
- The bridge lowers their arms slowly and never brings them down hard.
- The line keeps hands on shoulders while passing through.
- Nobody tells which fruit each side of the bridge is.
- Safety: in the finale, if a chain breaks, stop and reconnect; no hard pulling.
Variations
Easier
The line walks slowly and the bridge always calls "coming down!" before lowering.
Standard
A snaking line with different ways of moving and two growing teams.
Harder
Use two bridges at once; the line must pass through both, alternating.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student is part of the bridge from a seated position, raising one arm with a partner, while the line passes beside them.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher signals the end of the song by raising both arms high.
- Shyness: the student starts as part of the bridge, which is a less exposed role.
Learning goals
- Move in a line in time with a song.
- Cooperate to build a growing team.
- Learn a traditional singing game from Mexico and Latin America.
Teacher tip
Teach the song ahead of time, or use the London Bridge tune that students already know. It's a nice way to connect with families of Mexican heritage in your class.
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