Sweet Orange, Sliced Lemon
A traditional Mexican ring game in which the circle sings "Naranja dulce" while a few children in the middle choose someone to greet, march with them and say goodbye. It works on rhythm, marching and friendly greetings that respect how each child wants to be greeted.
How to play
- Hold hands in a circle with three children in the middle. The teacher teaches the Spanish song ("Sweet orange, sliced lemon, give me the hug I ask of you") (2 min).
- Circle while singing; on "dame un abrazo" (give me a hug), each child in the middle picks someone from the circle and gives the greeting that friend chooses: hug, high five or elbow bump (3 min).
- Keep going with the verse that ends "play the march"; pairs march inside the circle with high knees while the circle keeps the beat (4 min).
- On the goodbye verse ("Goodbye, ma'am, I'm off to my little house in Sololoy to eat tacos"), the middle children wave goodbye and rejoin the circle, and the chosen ones stay in the middle (2 min).
- Last round, everyone goes to the middle: we march together and finish with a big group hug or hands up high (1 min).
Rules
- Everyone chooses how they want to be greeted.
- We march to the beat of the song, no running.
- Everyone gets a turn in the middle at some point.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, sing only the first verse; the teacher in the middle greets several children and everyone marches in place.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, three children in the middle and the whole song.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, five children in the middle, and each pair invents a way to march (tiptoes, like soldiers, like horses).
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a child in a wheelchair can be in the middle, with the chosen friend pushing the chair during the march.
- Autism or touch sensitivity: a no-touch greeting (hand on heart or a wave) is always a valid choice.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher keeps the march with visible claps and signals each new verse with a gesture.
Learning goals
- March to the rhythm of a song.
- Greet classmates while respecting how they want to be greeted.
- Learn a traditional ring game from Mexico.
Teacher tip
This is one of the most sung children's ring games in Mexico; some families say "Sololoi" or "to eat tamales." Before starting, agree on the three greetings with gestures so the chosen child can show theirs without talking.
PatioLab has "Sweet Orange, Sliced Lemon" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for Elementary
"Al Pasar la Barca" Parachute Rowing
Sitting around the parachute, children row by pulling the fabric toward them and letting it go toward the middle to the rhythm of the traditional Spanish song "Al pasar…
"Corro de la Patata" Parachute Circle
Children circle with the parachute while singing the traditional Spanish song "Al corro de la patata" (Potato Circle), and on "achupé, achupé" everyone sits down…
"El Patio de Mi Casa" Parachute Song
Children sing the traditional Spanish ring song "El patio de mi casa" while circling with the parachute and lowering it to the ground on "agáchate" (squat down).
"Que Llueva" Parachute Rain
Using the traditional Spanish children's song "Que llueva, que llueva" (Let It Rain), children make rain, clouds and sun with the parachute, and some hide underneath as…
«A la Zapatilla por Detrás»: The Slipper Behind Your Back
Sitting in a circle with eyes covered, one child walks around the outside with a slipper singing the traditional Spanish rhyme «A la zapatilla por detrás» («the…
«A Tapar la Calle»: The Chain That Blocks the Street
Half the class forms a hand-in-hand chain that walks forward singing the traditional Spanish song «A tapar la calle» («Block the street so nobody passes»), while the…