Hand Games for Infants and Toddler

Interactive Ways to Amuse Your Child

Aug 2, 2006 Teresa Simpson

Hand games to play with your infant or toddler including familiar favorites and new games alike.

Two of the first things a baby discovers are his hands. He clasps them, puts them in his mouth, and explores the world with them. It is not surprising then, that he continues to be fascinated with them well into his toddler years. Take advantage of this fascination and use hands (yours and baby's) to entertain, teach, and amuse your child. Here are some hand games to play with baby. Some you may know, others may be new to you. Some may be more interesting to baby than others so try them out and see which ones he likes. Most importantly, have fun!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout. (Touch the index finger of each hand to the thumb of the opposite hand, making a spider and "walk" it upward)

Down came the rain and washed the spider out. (Bring your hands from above your head, down to your lap, wiggling your fingers to show rain)

Up came the sun and dried up all the rain, (Make a half-circle with your arms above your head)

and the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again. (Again, make the spider with your hands and "walk" it upward)

Momma's Got...

Momma's got ten fingers. (Wiggle your fingers in front of baby's face)

Baby's got ten toes. (Wiggle baby's toes)

Momma's got a tummy. (Rub your tummy)

Baby's got a nose! (Touch baby's nose)

Little Bunny Foo-Foo

Little Bunny Foo-Foo hopping through the forest, (Make bunny ears with your first two fingers and have the bunny "hop" past baby's face)

scooping up the field mice (Use one hand to scoop up the other)

and bopping them on the head. ("Bop" the scooped up hand)

Pat a Cake

Pat a cake, pat a cake, baker's man.

Bake me a cake as fast as you can. (Clap baby's hands together to the rhythm of the rhyme)

Roll it, (Roll baby's hands around each other)

and pat it and mark it with a B,

and put it in the oven for baby and me! (Continue to clap baby's hands together to the rhythm of the rhyme)

Bumble Bee, Bumble Bee

Bumble bee, bumble bee straight from the farm. (Use your index finger to make circles in the air coming closer and closer to baby)

Bumble bee, bumble bee under your arm! (Use index finger to tickle baby under the arm)

This Little Piggy

This little piggy went to market. (Wiggle baby's first toe)

This little piggy stayed home. (Wiggle baby's second toe)

This little piggy had roast beef. (Wiggle baby's middle toe)

This little piggy had none. (Wiggle baby's fourth toe)

This little piggy cried wee wee wee all the way home! (Wiggle baby's pinky toe)

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The copyright of the article Hand Games for Infants and Toddler in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Teresa Simpson. Permission to republish Hand Games for Infants and Toddler in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.