Our Family's Secret Handshake

Each child makes up a secret three-move handshake with their grown-up (elbow bump, spin, little hop…), then they wander the room trading handshakes with other families. It warms up the body, links movements together and sets a welcoming mood among all the families.

How to play

1. The teacher shows their handshake with a child: high five, spin around, and a two-foot hop (1 min).
2. Each child-and-grown-up pair invents their own three-move handshake; the child picks at least two of the moves (2 min).
3. Repeat it several times until it comes without thinking, a little faster each time (1 min).
4. Music plays and pairs walk around; when it stops, they meet another pair and teach each other their handshakes (2 min).
5. At the end, all families do their handshake at the same time on the count of three, and we give ourselves a round of applause (1 min).

Rules

• Our handshake has three moves, no more.
• The kid decides what our handshake looks like.
• When the music stops, greet a new family.
• Copy other handshakes carefully, no pushing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: handshake moves can be arms and head only (fist bump, wink, salute).
• Autism: they can greet without touching (an air high five), and are told ahead of time that partners will change.
• Visual impairment: use touch moves (hands, elbows) so they can feel them, and their grown-up guides them to the next pair.

Learning goals

• Link three movements in order.
• Create something of their own with their family.
• Connect cheerfully with other families in the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Music

Teacher tip

This is a great icebreaker for families who don't know each other. If some kids have no grown-up there, they make a trio with another family: a handshake for three works too.

More activities like this

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