The Rhyme That Hands Out Colors

A made-up rhyme gives each child in the circle a color, and then whenever their color is called, those children step into the middle to spin in a little circle. It builds listening for a word, quick reactions, and counting-out games where everyone gets something.

How to play

1. In a circle, the teacher says the rhyme, touching one child on each color: "Red for berries, green for leaves, blue for the sea and yellow for the sun"; each child gets a scarf of the color they landed on and ties it on their wrist or holds it (3 min).
2. The circle turns and the teacher calls a color: children with that color let go, go to the middle, make a little circle and spin while the rest clap; then they go back to their spots (3 min).
3. Call two colors at once: two little circles go to the middle and spin in opposite directions (2 min).
4. A child from the middle becomes the caller and can call "Fruit!" (red and green go) or "Sky!" (blue and yellow go) (2 min).
5. "Color salad!": everyone goes to the middle, makes a very tight circle and gives a circle hug (2 min).

Rules

• The rhyme gives everyone a color: nobody is left without one.
• Only the color that's called goes in.
• In the middle, we spin without bumping.
• We walk back to our spot.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the little circle spins around the child in the wheelchair when their color is called.
• Autism: let the child choose their color if random assignment upsets them.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher holds up a scarf of the color being called.

Learning goals

• React quickly when hearing a specific word.
• Form and break up small circles with different classmates.
• Enjoy a counting-out game where everyone takes part.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Colored scarves: 25

Teacher tip

Stack the scarves in the same order as the rhyme so handing them out is quick. If a color ends up with very few children, pair it with another when you call it.

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