'In and out the dusty bluebells'

[cameroonmama]

Can anyone give me a reminder of how you play/sing this? As far as I can remember you all join hands in the air in a circle and someone goes in and out and then tip taps on someone else's shoulder. They then become the leader, how and when does it stop and what exactly are the words?

And while we are here, does anyone have any other suggestions for a couple more of these more 'traditional' party games/songs?

Oooh I used to love the Dusty Bluebells but sorry can't remember for the life of me how it goes!

How about The farmer's in the den? ....can't think how that one ends up either though (something about all patting the dog?!)

Just googled and instructions for Dusty Bluebells here!!

right, off to google farmers in the den now!

In and out of the dusty bluebells
In and out of the dusty bluebells
In and out of the dusty bluebells
Who will be my leader?

At this point the child stops and the nearest one becomes leader, they hold hands and carry on weaving through.

WHY are the bluebells dusty?

Farmers in the Den here!!

Am on a roll now! Any more!

In and out the Scottish bluebells
In and out the Scottish bluebells
In and out the Scottish bluebells
Follow me

Pat a little doggy on his shoulder
Pat a little doggy on his shoulder
Pat a little doggy on his shoulder
Follow me

Can't remember how to play it though, sorry.

We used to do The Big Ship Sails Through The Alley Alley Ho as well.

Oh yes its dusky isn't it!?

we did ....
in and out the bonny bluebells
in nd out the bonny bluebells
pat a little doggy upon its shoulder
pat a little doggy upon its shoulder
a 1 a 2 a 3 follow me .....

Turkey you are on great form

Bit of a lame ending to the old bluebells though don't you think??

do u still need to kow how to play it?

check out this one, its very complicated

C'mon Turkey, more ideas, more ideas! Quite appropriate name you have given the party is taking place in the vast grounds of a turkey farm

Janeite how do we do the Big Ship Sails on the Alley Alley Oh?

I vaguely remember something about 'pitter-patter pitter-patter on my shoulder' and tapping on one another's shoulders...?

We used to sing 'won't you be my partner?'

I now know how to play it but it seems of a bit of a dull ending when everyone is part of a long chain, I suppose with a group of 4 year olds it will just end up with them all running around shouting anyhow

Check out this website here, scroll down for "Oranges and Lemons" and "I wrote a letter to my mum and on the way I droppped it!"..both circle games I used to love....ooh this has given me a brill idea for DD's next B'day! Thanks Cameroonmama!

Love the tug of war at the end of oranges and lemons!! Imagine that one with 4 year olds!

oooo yes oranges and lemons and the letter game, thanks Turkey that's brilliant. We live simple lives in Africa you see, back to basics here