England (recorded by folklorist James Orchard Halliwell, mid-19th century; parallels in Scandinavia and Netherlands)
Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
Also known as Here We Go Looby Loo (variant), Mulberry Bush
A circle singing game where each verse calls for a different action everyone acts out together.
3+ playersAges 2-6In or outCalmSmall spaceNo kit
The rules
How to play
1
Players hold hands in a circle and skip around singing 'Here we go round the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush, here we go round the mulberry bush on a cold and frosty morning.'
2
On each new verse, 'This is the way we wash our hands / clap our hands / brush our hair', everyone stops circling and acts out that action together.
3
The group leader adds new actions each round.
4
Works best as an open cooperative game with no elimination.
Keep it fair
Let each child take a turn suggesting the next action in the verse, this stops dominant kids controlling the game and keeps everyone engaged.
Good for building
coordinationrhythmimitationcooperation
What you need
Nothing at all, just the kids.
More to play
