11 Hand-Clapping Games 90s Kids Loved (That Still Rock Today!)
Recess in the 90s Was Built Different !
In the 1990s, our version of “multiplayer gaming” was sitting cross-legged with a best friend, chanting weird rhymes and playing clapping games
in rhythm until the school bell rang.
These games were more than fun-they built friendship, memory, rhythm, and coordination. So whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just a nostalgic 90s kid, this post brings you 11 hand-clapping classics-with full instructions-ready to pass on.
1. Miss Susie Had a Steamboat-My favorite clapping game
The Rhyme:
Miss Susie had a steamboat,
The steamboat had a bell,
Miss Susie went to heaven —
The steamboat went to… Hello operator!
How to Play:
- Sit or stand facing a partner.
- Start a steady clap rhythm:
- Clap your own hands
- Clap both your partner’s hands
- Repeat
- Recite the rhyme with your partner in sync.
- Try to speed up with each round.
- The fun comes from rhymes that almost sound inappropriate, but never are.
Best for:
Ages 6+, fast learners, laughter-filled moments.
2. Cinderella Dressed in Yella
The Rhyme:
Cinderella, dressed in yella,
Went upstairs to kiss her fella…
Made a mistake and kissed a snake
How many doctors did it take?
How to Play:
- Face your partner and do a clap-thigh-clap rhythm.
- Recite the rhyme together.
- At the end, start counting numbers aloud (1, 2, 3…) while continuing the clapping.
- Whoever messes up the rhythm or forgets a number is out.
Best for:
Counting practice, playground tournaments.
3. I Like Coffee, I Like Tea
The Rhyme:
I like coffee, I like tea,
I like the boys and the boys like me.
Yes, no, maybe so,
You’re not my darling anymore.
How to Play:
- Use a simple rhythm: clap your own hands, then your partner’s, back and forth.
- Say the chant in rhythm with the clapping.
- After the rhyme, play a short “yes/no/maybe” game by pointing randomly and letting the other person answer.
- You can also use it as an elimination game in larger groups.
Best for:
Friendship games, lunch breaks, quick fun.
4. Apple on a Stick
The Rhyme:
Apple on a stick,
Makes me sick,
Makes my heart go 2-4-6…
How to Play:
- Face your partner and use a clap-clap-cross (like crisscrossing your arms and tapping shoulders) rhythm.
- Say each line dramatically.
- After the original chant, kids can make up their own verses.
- Keep the rhythm going as long as possible without laughing or stumbling.
Best for:
Creative kids, rhyming skills, silly fun.
5. Down Down Baby (Roller Coaster Game)
The Rhyme:
Down down baby, down by the roller coaster
Sweet sweet baby, I’ll never let you go…
How to Play:
- Form a circle or face a partner.
- Begin with hand movements:
- “Down down baby” → hands go down
- “Sweet sweet baby” → hands on heart
- “Shimmy shimmy coco pop” → wave side to side
- Clap in rhythm while saying the chant.
- Add gestures for each part, making it a dance-like routine.
Best for:
Group games, birthday parties, PE warm-ups.
6. Miss Lucy Had a Baby
The Rhyme:
Miss Lucy had a baby,
She named him Tiny Tim,
She put him in the bathtub
To see if he could swim…
How to Play:
- Face a partner, clapping each other’s hands as you recite.
- Add dramatic gestures:
- Splash for “bathtub”
- Sneeze sound for “he drank up all the water”
- Act sick for “he swallowed all the soap”
- Kids love turning it into a mini play!
Best for:
Storytime clapping, role-playing, younger kids.
7. A Sailor Went to Sea Sea Sea
The Rhyme:
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea
To see what he could see, see, see…
How to Play:
- Clap normally during regular words.
- Every time you say “sea,” use your hand to make a wave motion.
- Start slow, then increase speed with each verse.
Best for:
Preschoolers, rhythm training, action songs.
8. Double Double This This
The Rhyme:
Double double this this,
Double double that that
Double this, double that
Double double this that!
How to Play:
- Use hands to tap:
- Both fists together = “double”
- Point to self/partner = “this” / “that”
- Go in sequence and repeat faster each round.
- Any mistake? Start over!
Best for:
Fast reflexes, coordination games, mini challenges.
9. Say Say Oh Playmate
The Rhyme:
Say, say, oh playmate,
Come out and play with me,
And bring your dollies three…
How to Play:
- Clap gently in rhythm.
- Sing slowly and clearly—this one’s sweet and emotional.
- It’s great as a bonding game or a calm-down routine after high-energy activities.
Best for:
Wind-down time, emotional literacy, preschoolers.
10. I Went to a Chinese Restaurant
The Rhyme:
I went to a Chinese restaurant
To buy a loaf of bread, bread, bread…
How to Play:
- Begin with a clap-back rhythm.
- Make funny faces or actions at the end of each rhyme.
- Add gestures for “bread,” “tissue paper,” and more.
- End with a goofy “This is what they said, said, said…” and a silly face or sound.
Important: Use inclusive or updated lyrics as some old versions are outdated.
11. Miss Mary Mack (Remix Version)
The Rhyme:
Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack
All dressed in black, black, black
With silver buttons, buttons, buttons
All down her back, back, back…
How to Play:
- Face partner and do a clap-cross-thigh-slap pattern.
- Say the rhyme with rhythm.
- Continue with made-up verses-that’s what 90s kids did best!
Best for:
Kids who love creativity, storytelling, and speed.
Why These 90s Clap Games Still Rock Today ?
These games:
- Require zero screens or equipment
- Teach rhythm, coordination, and focus
- Strengthen social bonds and confidence
- Are nostalgic for parents and fun for kids
My Final Thoughts: Why I’ll Always Love These Games
Growing up in the 90s, these hand-clapping games were more than just a way to pass time—they were tiny rituals of joy, friendship, and imagination. We didn’t need screens, apps, or fancy toys. We had our voices, our hands, and each other.
Now, as a parent/teacher/adult (you can customize this), I find so much value in sharing these games with today’s kids. They may live in a digital world, but their hearts still light up with the same laughter when they chant silly rhymes and fumble through a fast-paced clap.
So let’s keep these traditions alive. Let’s pass them down-not just as games-but as little pieces of who we were.
If you’re reading this and smiling at a forgotten rhyme you once knew by heart, I hope you’ll take five minutes today to clap it out with someone you love.
Trust me-some joys are timeless.
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