Looby Loo – Traditional Singing Game | Playground Games for Kids

Players: 5–60+
Location: Indoors or outdoors
Age Group: Young children

Looby Loo is a lively singing and action game in which players follow instructions in the song by moving different parts of their bodies. It is similar to modern action songs such as The Hokey Pokey.

How to Play

Players stand in a circle holding hands.

They begin by singing:

Here we dance, looby, looby, looby,
Here we dance, looby, looby, light.
Here we dance, looby, looby, looby, loo,
Every Saturday night.

During the chorus, players sway, step, or dance around the circle.

Action Verses

After the chorus, the song calls for a specific body part:

Put your right hand in,
Put your right hand out,
Give your right hand a shake, shake, shake,
And turn yourself around.

Players follow the instructions as they sing:

1. Stretch the named body part into the center of the circle.
2. Pull it back out.
3. Shake it.
4. Turn around or spin in place.

The chorus is then repeated before moving on to another body part.

Suggested Sequence

The song can include:

• Right hand
• Left hand
• Both hands
• Right foot
• Left foot
• Both feet
• Right elbow
• Left elbow
• Both elbows
• Right ear
• Left ear
• Head
• Shoulders
• Knees
• Whole body

Players can invent additional verses to keep the game going.

Modern Version

Many groups now sing:

Put your right hand in,
Put your right hand out,
Put your right hand in,
And shake it all about!

This makes the game familiar to children who know similar circle dances.

Benefits

Looby Loo helps develop:

• Coordination
• Rhythm
• Listening skills
• Body awareness
• Group participation

Historical Note

Looby Loo is one of the oldest traditional circle games in the English-speaking world. Historians believe it may have evolved from ancient communal dances and later became a popular social dance before eventually becoming a children’s playground game.

Why It’s Fun

The game is easy to learn, encourages movement, and can be adapted endlessly with new actions. Younger children especially enjoy the combination of singing, shaking, spinning, and following along with the group’s movements.

Looby Loo – Traditional Singing Game Printable