Nursery Rhyme Games

Add nursery rhyme games to baby showers and theme parties...

Ah, yes.. Nursery Rhymes...

Just hearing one recited can bring back such warm childhood memories. It's hard to imagine ever forgetting any of those catchy rhythmic lyrics, yet it is amazing how often we do.

Find out how many nursery rhymes you and your friends truly remember by playing one of these nostalgic nursery rhyme games.

Guess the Nursery Rhyme Animal

Read aloud these short descriptions of nursery rhyme animals and have your guests decide who they are.

Nursery Rhyme Charades

Charades is a popular party game in which teams present words, phrases, titles and, in this case, nursery rhyme lyrics in dramatic form. Prepare a basket with several pieces of paper containing portions of nursery rhymes on them.

Players are divided into two teams and then take turns drawing from the basket and acting out the chosen rhyme using their hands, body, and facial expressions to communicate. A member from team 1 draws and acts out the rhyme for team 1 to guess. Next, a member from team 2 draws and acts out the rhyme for team 2 to guess.

Set a definite time limit of 2 to 3 minutes per rhyme before you start the game. Any team that guesses their nursery rhyme in the allotted time gets 10 points. If their team fails to guess in the allotted time the opposing team gets 5 points. Play an even amount of rounds. If there is a tie, play another round or call it even.

Any team members may do the acting in any order. Don't force those who are shy or uncomfortable with acting to do so. Allow them to relax and enjoy themselves by guessing instead.

A great site for nursery rhyme lyrics is Nicky's Nursery Rhymes.

Nursery Rhyme Pictionary

Players are divided into two teams. Teams take turns having one team member draw a chosen word or phrase and having the others guess what it is in a set amount of time. Teams also rotate who does the drawing so that everyone gets a turn at drawing and guessing.

For Nursery Rhyme Pictionary teams will draw a nursery rhyme title from a basket(prepared ahead of time) and try to draw pictures which suggest the title printed on the slip of paper. The pictures must not contain any numbers or letters. The other people on the team call out words which they think the drawing is supposed to represent. If they guess the nursery rhyme title within the specified time interval, they get 10 points. A small hour(minute)glass or an oven timer come in handy for keeping track of the time.

Normally, when one team is playing, the other team sits back and watches the opposition try to guess the title within the time limit. However, if a team's own players cannot guess their title in the allotted time you may want to offer one guess to the opposing team. If they guess correctly give them 5 points.

Compile your own list of nursery rhyme titles or use our Printable Nursery Rhyme Pictionary List. If you prefer to make a list of nursery rhyme phrases instead, another good resource for lyrics is Enchanted Learning Nursery Rhymes.

Name That Nursery Rhyme

If you remember the game "Name That Tune" and you are gifted pianist or have a computer that is within earshot of your party you might want to try a game of Name that Nursery Rhyme. Divide your guests into two teams and play a few notes (you'll probably have to practice)of a popular nursery rhyme. If neither team can guess the nursery rhyme play it again, adding a few more notes each time till one team guesses. Give a team 5 points if they get it the first time, 4 the second, 3 the third, 2 the fourth and 1 for anything else. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

You can find nursery rhymes set to music at Nicky's Nursery Rhymes and Indian Child Nursery Rhymes.