The Wheels on the Bus Go Round

Chairs in rows become a bus as we sing the traditional "The Wheels on the Bus," acting out each verse: wheels, wipers, doors, horn, babies and parents. It builds expressive movement, rhythm and arm coordination.

How to play

1. Set chairs in rows of two and sit down—we're the passengers! (2 min).
2. The teacher shows a move for each verse: rolling arms, wiper arms, opening-closing hands, a nose horn… (2 min).
3. Sing all verses seated; on "round and round" stand and walk once around your chair (4 min).
4. Switch seats at the end of each verse, like riders getting on and off (2 min).
5. Final round: the bus slows down, stops, and everyone falls asleep like the babies (2 min).

Rules

• Every passenger has a seat.
• Walk around your chair, no running.
• Switch seats when the driver says so.

Variations

Adaptations

• A child in a wheelchair brings their own seat and can be the driver calling the stops.
• For blind or low-vision children, teach gestures first by guiding their hands.
• Autistic children can keep the same chair and skip switching seats.

Learning goals

• Act out actions with the body.
• Keep the song's rhythm with arms and hands.
• Learn a traditional English song.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Chairs or hoops: 25

Teacher tip

Put a driver's chair up front and rotate drivers. No chairs? Hoops on the floor work as seats.

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