Little Drummer Boy Preschool Game

By Charlene Haukom

The Little Drummer Boy meets Simon in this Seasonal Preschool Game. In the game of Simon, players had to follow a pattern of colors. In this preschool game, players will have to follow a rhythm. So pull out your drum (or flip over a plastic bowl) and start tapping your way through the holidays!

What You Will Need

Drum or plastic bowl

How to Play

1. Tap a tune on your drum or bowl. Start out simple, like just one pat.

2. Have your preschooler repeat your tune.

3. Each time your preschooler follows you successfully, make your next tune a little bit harder. Here’s a sample pattern:

One pat with your left hand.
Two pats with your left hand.
Two pats with your left hand, followed by one pat with your right hand.
Two pats with your left hand, two pats with your right hand.
Two pats with your left hand, two pats with your right hand, one pat with your left
Continue on until your preschooler can’t keep up. Then do it again!

Make Little Drummer Boy More Active

This Seasonal Preschool Game can be turned into an Active Preschool Game, and even an Outdoor Preschool Game. Instead of tapping on a drum or bowl, grab a drumstick (like a twig or baton) and run with it! Tap the things you pass. For example, if you are playing outdoors, run to a tree and tap it (lightly) with your drumstick. Your preschooler will have to stay at the starting point while you do this. Once you’ve tapped the tree, your preschooler will run after you (on the same path) and tap just as you did. Next, tap the tree again, then run to porch and tap a step. Signal your preschooler to follow. Now run back to the tree, tap it, then tap the porch step, then run to the mailbox and tap it, too. Keep adding on until your preschooler misses a step.

---

Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.