Al Haetz

This is a simple Israeli children's song about the singing of the birds in the trees.  A great K-1 level song for singing the "tzif, tzif, tzif" of the birds on so and mi.

Sources: Einstein, J. and Prensky, F. (1955) Songs of Childhood
Ben-Ezra M. (1958) Israeli Children's Songs Sound Recording New York Folkways Album 7226

Up, Down

This game is great for the primary grades, especially at Halloween.
Source: Trinka, Jill.  The Little Black Bull and Other Folk Songs, Singing Games, and Play Parties. Folk Music Works. 1996. pp. 50-51

Tommy Tinker

I remember singing this song when I went to outdoor camp and acting out the part where Tommy sits on a red-hot clinker (a hot coal)!  It makes for a rousing round when four groups are standing with alarm and crying, "Ma! Ma!"
Sources: Zanzig, Augustus D.  101 Rounds for Singing. Published by World Around Songs Inc. p.19
Stephanie Trinneer from song sung in childhood.

Teddy Bear

This song can be sung as an action or bean bag song with young children and is a great challenge to sing as a rope-turning game.
Source: Trinka, Jill.  The Little Black Bull and Other Folk Songs, Singing Games, and Play Parties. Folk Music Works. 1996. pp. 46-47

Long-Legged Sailor

My students especially like to sing this song either as a chance to act out all the types of legs the sailors have or as a partner hand-clapping game.
Source: Ed. by Bacon, Denise; Erdei, Ida; and Knowles, Faith.  My Singing Bird: 150 Folk Songs

Kye Kye Kule

I was inspired by Kedmon Mapana to use this song as an improvised call-and-response movement game.  The leader calls various parts of the song, and the group must respond by echoing whatever type of voice and movements he or she uses.
Sources: SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level 1
Mapana, Kedmon.  Northwest Kodály Educators March 2012 Workshop: Songs and Games of the Wagogo Children of Tanzania

Just From the Kitchen

Students can add vocal improvisation to this song by singing other foods they might like to eat.
Source: Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax.  Step it Down: Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage pp. 51-52

The Car Song

Kids like to see how fast they can sing this action song.  It's also good for practicing ti ticka in the first eight measures.
Source: Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy pp. 301-302

Bought Me A Cat

This is a great song to add visuals for each animal, and is also fun to sing as an action song.  Source: Ed. Erdei, Peter. 150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 8