Little Pioneer Children Movement Actions

Here’s a fun activity to help you teach Little Pioneer Children (archives), just add in these movements to coordinate with each line of the song and they will help the kids remember the words and get out the wiggles at the same time. This Little Pioneer Children Movement Actions singing time idea is perfect for adding in tons of singing repetition and teaching the song for the first time or using it to review the song lyrics.

Little Pioneer Children Movement Actions

Sing through Little Pioneer Children once, before introducing this activity. This helps to refocus and remind the children of the lyrics before adding actions.

Sing the first line of the song and demonstrate the first two actions. Ask the children to stand and follow along with the actions with you as you sing that line.

Demonstrate the next 2 actions and have the children try them as well. Then sing together from the beginning. Continue to make your way through the song showing 2 actions at a time, repeating, then singing from the beginning.

Little Pioneer Children Movement Actions – 1^st Verse:

• Spin – “Little pioneer children” – Spin one time around
• Cup Hands, alternating – “Gath’ring berries for food” – Cup each hand and put the right hand on top of the left, then switch to the left on top.
• Hand as a visor – “See the pioneer children” – Put your right hand up to cover your eyes from the light so you can see better
• Alternate Patting Lap – “Hunting chips for wood” – Pat with your right hand on your right leg, then your left hand, continue with one pat per note
• Shake hands with a neighbor – “Gladly helping each other” – Shake hands with someone next to you
• Hop – “Merry and happy were they” – Hop in place 3 times
• Walk in place – “Walking along, moving along” – Walk in your spot
• Clap – Pat – Clap – “On their way” – Clap, then pat, then clap one each word

Extension Activities:

• Invite your Primary children to help you come up with your own actions. Ask them to pick one or two actions to swap for their own actions and then sing through the song again. Can they remember the new moves?
• Introduce the round – can they follow the round while sticking with their verse specific actions? It will double the fun and challenge of singing a round!

For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Pioneer Day Mormon Trail singing time activity!

Little Pioneer Children Movement Actions Printable Song Helps

This free in-post printable includes a 2-page movement actions guide.

This activity has extended printables including movement actions for the 2nd verse and larger full page action cards. You’ll find these bonus files in the Little Pioneer Children packet in my shop.

Here’s another fun activity to help you teach this song, head over to this Little Pioneer Children Would You Rather activity. Ask the children which of these two activities they would rather do!

What other fun ways will you use this movement actions singing time activity in your Primary room?