We Are Dancing in the Forest (Wolf Game)

This game is very popular with my students and can either be a chase or freeze game.
Source:  Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 402

Wallflowers

This circle game from the British Isles has Irish and Scottish variations and seems to refer to a deadly measles outbreak, of which there were many recorded in the 1700s and 1800s.
Source: Locke, Eleanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play.  p. 16
Information about measles outbreaks from the Keighley and District Family History Society website which cites statistics from the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies.

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

Uncle Jessie

This song from the Georgia Sea Islands can be used with all ages with either movement exploration or a partner ring play.
Source: Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax.  Step It Down: Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage. pp. 112-114

Snail, Snail

This is an English children's game in which a leader slowly leads a line into and out of a spiral shape. 
Source: Locke, Eleanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play. p. 4

Rosy, Apple, Lemon, and a Pear

This English folk song about a wedding has various ways for a "bride" or "bridal couple" to move in and out of the circle, often through arches created by the players.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children's Songs and Games from England

Round and Round

My first and second grade students who love to walk in a crouch go crazy for this song that commands, "Down (Mr. or Miss) (So and So), you must go."
Source: Ed. by Locke, Eleanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play.  p. 14

Ring Around the Rosie

I like to sing this song with young children as a parachute game.  They seem to "fall down" more carefully when they are holding the edge.  
Source: Feierabend, John.  The Book of Beginning Circle Games. p. 65
Wikipedia cites reasons for discounting the traditional connection of the song with the black plague.  I like the idea that the "fall down" portion was done as a curtsy.  This could be a good song for older children to practice a bow and curtsy.

Punchinella

A song that gets kids very active with endless possibilities for movement improvisation.
Sources: SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level 1 Addendum
See also: Punchinello as written by Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax. Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage. p. 104-106

Pizza Pizza

Upper elementary students giggle and cringe when they have to choose who their "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" is when they play this very active game, but still request it frequently.  I sometimes only ask them to name a favorite pizza topping.  This way is less controversial, but not as hilarious.
Source: Locke, Eleanor G. Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 6
See Also: Pizza, Pizza Mighty Moe as written by Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax.  Step it Down: Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage. p. 63

Old Mister Rabbit

This song could be used for vocal improvisation in thinking up other foods that Old Mister Rabbit could eat.
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 11

Naughty Kitty Cat

This is the English-language version of a Hungarian folk song.  It's very funny to hear all the ways students can meow as the naughty cat in the song.  Great with a cat puppet or stuffed animal!
Source: Trinka, Jill.  The Little Black Bull pp. 30-31

Lucy Locket

This three-pitch English nursery rhyme song is excellent for preparing and presenting la.
Source: Locke, Eleanor G. Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 5

Love Somebody

I use this song in February as a beat-passing game with a heart-shaped bean bag.  It's great for the practice of four sounds to a beat ("ticka ticka").
Source: Ed. by Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 350

Little Sally Walker (Variation)

My upper-elementary students frequently request this engaging movement improvisation game.
Source: Brown, Nyssa.  January 2010 Northwest Kodály Educators Workshop Notes
collected by Roemer, Kristen. Indiana University

Little Sally Walker

This English children's song is great for prepping and presenting the quarter rest, as well as practicing la.
Source: Feierabend, John.  Beginning Circle Games p. 11

Little Johnny Brown

Use a handkerchief or scarf for one or all the players in this game.  The first half of the song can be used to practice the half note as well as low la
Source: Ed. by Locke, Eleanor.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 154

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

Johnny's Flea

When my students play this chase game in the classroom, we only give "Johnny" a count of 3 to catch the "flea."
Source:  SPU Kodaly Summer Institute, Level II

Hunt the Cows

This is an active movement game, and is also great for practicing the interval of so to do.
Source: Ed. by Eisen, Ann and Robertson, Lamar.  An American Methodology: An Inclusive Approach to Musical Literacy p. 335