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

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

Paw Paw Patch, The

I enjoy turning this into an October movement improvisation song for young children by replacing "Paw Paw" with "Pumpkin." It's also a great Appalachian double line dance where students can learn to cast off, or, as I like to call it, "peel the banana."
Source: Ed. by Erdei, Peter.  150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 102

Johnny Get Your Hair Cut

This song is good for practicing four sound to a beat when sung as-is, or for vocal or movement improvisation if singers get to make up actions for other players to do.
Source: Seeger, R. C. American Folk Songs For Children

Here Comes Mrs. Macaroni

In this game, a leader calls to a friend, then all the players sing the beginning letter of the friend's name while the pair link arms and skip around.
Source: Brumfield, Susan.  Over the Garden Wall: Children's Songs and Games From England p.37

Draw Me A Bucket of Water

Though this is a fun and challenging cooperative game to play with older children, I also like to sing this as a parachute game with younger students.  When four students have gone under, they get to hop like frogs "in the bucket."
Source: Jones, Bessie and Hawes, Bess Lomax.  Step it Down: Games, Plays, Songs, and Stories from the Afro-American Heritage pp. 78 - 80

Dinah

When students are learning this song, I have them sing their names in place of "Dinah."  Once it is well-known, it is great for preparing and presenting four sounds to a beat.
Source: Ed. by Bacon, Denise; Erdei, Ida; and Knowles, Faith.  My Singing Bird: 150 Folk Songs

Charlie Over the Ocean

When young students are learning this game, I have them hold an animal bean bag to sing about when they sing, "I caught a..."  Older students can also play this as an active chase game.
Source: Ed. Erdei, Peter. 150 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 14

Bounce

Young students love playing this ball-bouncing game, and it is also perfect for preparing and presenting la.
Source: Ed. Locke, Elanor G.  Sail Away: 155 American Folk Songs to Sing, Read, and Play p. 4