Get everyone involved with this Holding Hands Around the World Body Rhythm Partners interactive idea (learning style archives)! Just grab a partner and follow along with this fun pattern using body percussion as you teach Holding Hands Around the World (archives) in singing time this month!
Holding Hands Around the World Body Rhythm Partners
As I ponder the message of this song, I think about the light that radiates from primary children. They will truly be “leading out in every land.” The imagery of covenant children “holding hands around the world” truly inspires me!
For a unique way to encourage collaboration within your primary room, we thought it might be fun to incorporate a partner activity with this song! This rhythm pattern will require partnerships to really work together!
With this fun pattern for the verse and chorus, your primary children will be clapping, stomping, and using other types of body percussion. Let’s jump right in!
How to Play:
Ask a teacher beforehand to help you demonstrate the partner actions. At the beginning of singing time, start by singing through the first verse and chorus of Holding Hands Around the World (lyrics here).
Today we’re going to try some fun actions, but you’ll need a partner! Have everyone stand up and turn to their neighbor.
Demonstrate the first part of the pattern by clapping straight across to your partner twice as you sing “We are children.” Then, spin around as you sing, “Singing all around the world.” Repeat this sequence for the next line.
Then, alternate between left- and right-hand diagonal claps with your partner for lines 3-4 of this song.
Pat your lap as you sing, “We are children,” then have one partner hold their hands up high while the other partner claps upward as you sing, “Glowing with the gospel light.” Repeat this sequence for the next line.
For the chorus, start with a drumroll by patting your knees as fast as you can, alternating left and right. You’ll do this drumroll for the phrases, “We are children” and “like an army.” Follow this action by clapping across to your partner three times for the phrases – “Holding hands around the world” and “with the gospel flag unfurled.”
March in place as you sing, “We are led by His light,” then hug yourself or hug your partner for the line, “We love truth and right.”
Finally, reach both hands out high to create a “castle” shape as you sing, “We are building the kingdom of God.” Way to go, everyone!
Body Rhythm Verse:
- Clap Across 2X – “We are children” / “Happy voices”
- Spin – “Singing all around the word,” “Ringing out the joyful word”
- LH Diagonal Clap – “We are children glowing with the gospel light”
- RH Diagonal Clap – “Standing tall, walking strong, choosing right”
- Pat Lap – “We are children” / “Who believe in”
- High/Low Clap – “Leading out in every land” / “Keeping all the Lord’s commands”
- LH Diagonal Clap – “Like the stripling warriors we go forth in faith”
- RH Diagonal Clap – “For we know that the Lord is our strength.”
Body Rhythm Chorus:
- Drumroll – “We are children” / “Like an army”
- Clap Across 3X – “Holding hands around the world” / “With the gospel flag unfurled”
- March in Place – “We are led by His light”
- Hug yourself or hug partner – “We love truth and right”
- Make a “Castle” or “Roof” – “We are building the kingdom of God”
Extension Activities:
- Switch partners throughout the song! Randomly call out “Switch” 2-3 times throughout the song and quickly find a new partner!
- Swap the body percussion for rhythm/maori sticks!
- See if any partnerships are brave enough to perform the pattern for the entire class! Have a special prize for anyone who wants to try it.
Holding Hands Around the World Body Rhythm Partners Demo Video
If you have any uncertainties at all about this pattern, I’ll clear them up for you in this demonstration video! In this video, I explain all the actions in this pattern and sing through the entire first verse and chorus using the rhythm partner pattern. Just grab the link below and try it out with me a few times!
–> Holding Hands Around the World Body Rhythm Partners Demo Video <–
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this He Cares For Me Body Rhythm singing time activity!
Holding Hands Around the World Body Rhythm Partners Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a 2-page pattern with symbols for each action in this partner rhythm activity!
This activity has extended printables available including a larger 4-page pattern guide and body rhythm partner action cards in 1/4 and full page size. You’ll find these bonus printables included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership when Holding Hands Around the World is the featured song of the month.
Get more out of singing time with the INSTANT Primary Singing membership that includes printable lesson plans, tons of extended printables and an ad-free experience for each featured song of the month, or get immediate access to the entire song list for the year!
Learn more about INSTANT Primary Singing membership options here!
Have questions or need more help, see this FAQ page here.
Jump over to this Holding Hands Around the World Paper Plates idea next for a neat way to focus on the rhythm as you teach this song in primary!
What other fun ways will you use this body rhythm singing time activity in your Primary room?
