Go to Sleep ** Now Dance! Fun Music Games

Kids love this easy game formula. I often pull up one of these recordings as a fun game at the end of a lesson, especially if I have come to the end of my lesson plan and we still have a few minutes left.

I have four favorites using different animals: Lions, Rabbits, Ponies, and Pigs.

The easiest of all is "Hop Little Rabbits". The children start by "sleeping" on the floor, and then the music calls for them to "Hop little Rabbits". And then they sleep again. Hop again! etc.... Great stuff.

Hop little Rabbits Julia Plaut

Happy Mouse Presents: Hop Little Rabbits

12 Action Songs for young children played withClassical instruments

"Wimoweh" (The lion sleeps tonight) as brilliantly arranged by Laurie Berkner. Same formula, but when the music speeds up, the kids get up and dance. The lyrics do not tell the kids what to do, so I demonstrate the actions.

Wimoweh (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)

Laurie Berkner, Whaddaya Think Of That?

"See the Pony" is a circle game, as the kids start by galloping, but switch to "Coming home, all tired out". There are several versions of this song available in MP3 format.Here's the one I am using.

See the Pony

Sally's Music Circle, Little Red Caboose

"There was an Old Woman and She Had a Little Pig"
The little pigs curl up & sleep, then "the farmer" (my adult helper) wakes them up one by one, and they roll around, and then they go to sleep again.
I found this variation on a classic folk song in a library book, and cannot find a recording or similar text version on the internet. Apparently, the original song usually involves the death of the pig, and the old woman. Here's a link to that version, so you can see the melody.
I am reasonably certain the library book was:

American Folk Songs for Children, in Home, School and Nursery School: A Book for Children, Parents and Teachers

Ruth Crawford Seeger (Author), Barbara Cooney (Illustrator)