← Back to Under 5s Games
👏
Clap and Say
Clap a rhythm and say a vocabulary word on the beat. Great for phonics.
⏱ 5-10 min⚡ Medium energy👥 Whole class
📚 Vocabulary
• any lesson vocabulary
• phonics words
• numbers
• animals
• colours
🛠 Materials
• No materials needed
• Optional: flashcards to prompt words
📋 How to Play
- Children sit in a circle.
- Establish a simple clapping rhythm — clap, clap, click, click (repeat).
- Practise the rhythm together until everyone is in sync.
- Teacher starts — on the "click click" beats, say a vocabulary word: "AP-PLE"
- The next child must say a different vocabulary word on the next "click click".
- Anyone who misses the beat or repeats a word is out.
- Keep going around the circle — getting faster as children improve.
- Last child remaining wins.
💡 Teacher Tips
✓Start with a slow rhythm — speed up gradually as children gain confidence.
✓Clap to the syllables of the word to reinforce phonemic awareness.
✓This is brilliant for phonics — use CVC words like "cat", "dog", "red".
✓Play without elimination for very young children — just enjoy the rhythm.
🔄 Variations
→Clap the number of syllables in the word instead of a fixed rhythm.
→Use categories — all words must be animals, or colours, or food.
→Add stomping or tapping knees for a more complex rhythm pattern.
Want full 50-minute lesson plans for Under 5s?