Hand Clapping Games for Kids

If you’re looking for fun games for groups of kids, nothing beats good old-fashioned hand clapping games and songs!  Who would have thought that children’s hand games could address so many different developmental skills at once?

Bilateral coordination, memory and cognitive skills, and cooperative play are all packed into these fun songs and games – and they’ll also take you for a little stroll down memory lane!

Why Hand Clapping Games for Kids are Beneficial

Hand clapping games are traditional games that have been around for generations. These games involve rhythmic hand movements accompanied by songs or rhymes. While kids clapping games are often viewed as simple entertainment, they actually offer numerous benefits for kids.

Hand clap games are a fun and engaging way for kids to develop hand-eye coordination. These games require children to coordinate their hand movements with the rhythm of the song or rhyme. This helps to improve their ability to focus and concentrate, as they must pay close attention to the actions of their hands.

Another benefit of these clapping hand games for kids is that they can help to improve memory and cognitive function. Many of these games involve complex hand movements and rhymes that require children to memorize and recall information. This can help to improve their memory and cognitive function over time.

This list of hand games can also be a great way for kids to develop social skills and self-regulation. These clapping songs and games for kids are often played in groups, which requires children to learn how to interact with their peers in a cooperative way. They also provide an opportunity for children to practice turn-taking and sharing, which are important social skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Whether played at home, in school, or on the playground, childhood handclap rhymes and hand clapping games are a timeless form of children’s play that come with lots of developmental perks!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Free clapping games printable (fill out the form below)

Hand Clapping Games and Hand Clapping Songs With Lyrics

Here are just a few handclap games that are simple enough for a wide age range. Have your kids take a peek at each hand game video and use our hand game rhymes printable as a cheat sheet to remember the words to all of the songs!

Lemonade Crunchy Ice Song

A classic hand clap game from childhood that will bring the memories flooding back!

Lemonade Crunchy Ice #2

I loved this variation of Lemonade Crunchy Ice because it shows a very young child enjoying the activity even though she doesn’t quite have the movements down. It just goes to show how kids can learn to work together regardless of age or ability!

Say, Say Oh Playmate

Another classic clapping game for kids! You’ll remember the lyrics as soon as you hear them in this video!

Pattycake Game

Patty Cake or Pat a Cake is probably the most quintessential of all of the children’s clapping rhymes! This video will give you a reminder of the Pat a Cake hand motions.

Miss Mary Mack Lyrics

The Miss Mary Mack hand movements and lyrics will come right back to you like you’re back on the elementary school playground!

Concentration 64

This fun hand clapping game challenges kids to think of items in a certain category as they clap out a rhythm. You’ll remember the concentration hand game lyrics as soon as you hear them in this video!

Welcome to McDonald’s May I Take Your Order

Here’s another fun clapping game to add into the mix – kids will love perfecting the rhythm as they clap out their favorite McDonald’s order!

Down By the Banks Hand Game Lyrics

Remember this “Down by the banks of the hanky panky” hand game?…another classic song that will come right back to you as you play this fun hand game with your kids! The Down by the Banks game is perfect for playing with a group!

Stell Ella Ola Lyrics

This is a great hand clapping game or hand slapping game option to play with a larger group! Kids will love hand games to play with friends!

I Went to a Chinese Restaurant Lyrics

A Sailor Went to Sea

Another classic, old-fashioned hand clapping song for kids!

Double This Double That

Apples on a Stick

Miss Susie – Hello Operator Clapping Song

Long Legged Sailor

Grab the free printable hand clapping games and hand clapping song lyrics by filling out the form below:

SKILL AREAS ADDRESSED in Clapping Game Songs and Rhymes:

Bilateral coordination, cognitive skills, midline crossing, motor control, posture, social skills

More Fun Hand Games for Kids

Check out these great hand games for motor skills and cognitive skills and these simple finger games for kids!

Clapping Games for Preschoolers

Around the World in 5 Kids’ Games

6 Fun Hand Clapping Games for Kids