The Apple Tree circle game is just right for the last days of Summer. It is often used in playground games as a way of eliminating players so that the last person left can be chosen to start the next game.
There are many lovely traditions to celebrate the turning of the season from Summer to Autumn, but this is also a great game to play during circle time at any time of the year.
If you’re looking for more apple themed music lesson resources, check out my Harvest & Apples Lesson Plan.
The Apple Tree Circle Game Song
Apple tree, apple tree,
Will your apple fall on me?
I won’t cry, I won’t shout,
If your apple knocks me out!
Print The Apple Tree Sheet Music Here
How to Play The Apple Tree Circle Game
You can sing the song in two ways:
The simplest version is where the children sit in a circle and pass an apple around on the beat as they all sing the short song. The child who is holding the apple on ‘out’ must sit out of the circle. The song continues until there is only one player left.
The last person wins the apple or can be chosen one to start the next game. Some children find being ‘out’ rather difficult. I have found that one of the best ways to overcome this is to play this sort of game quite rapidly and frequently, so that everyone experiences the process and no one feels like the odd one out.
Or for slightly older children you can play it as a proper circle game as seen in the video below.
This very simple song uses just So, Mi and La intervals, so it’s a good way to teach the Solfege or Do-Re-Mi degrees of the scale. So, Me and Li are the first intervals to introduce as they are the easiest to pitch. So many nursery rhymes are based on these three notes (Ring-A-Ring-A-Roses is a good example) and they are the easiest and most natural for small children to sing.
The Apple Tree Action Rhyme (for toddlers)
Younger children who might not be ready to play the Apple Tree Apple Tree circle game above will enjoy this simple rhyme with actions. Finger rhymes are brilliant for speech development and building the imagination. These words fit very well to the traditional lullaby Rock a Bye Baby, so you can sing the words too.
Here is the tree with leaves so green,
Here are the apples that hang in between,
When the wind blows, the apples will fall,
And here is a basket to gather them all.
Would it make being out easier on young children if you had a whole bunch of apples and whenever someone ends up out, they get to eat the apple and you get a new one for the next round?
This is a great idea, although depending on how many children and how frequently you play the game you may need a lot of apples!
I usually find that the more frequently you play the game, the easier the kids accept being ‘out’ because they know it’s not for long, and leads to another game or activity that they’re anticipating .
Either way, it’s a good game for teaching a concept that some children do find difficult.
What a great activity! Music is a wonderful way to learn!
What a great song and game! I plan on using it for a transition to handwashing before snack. When the children are “out” they then go wash hands. Thanks for the wonderful idea!
That sounds fun! Now the kids will always love going to wash their hands! 🙂
I am an independent sales rep for a chemical-free cleaning company that happens to be planting 20,000 trees in honor of their 20th anniversary. In honor of this, I am creating a Pinterest board all about trees. I found your activity and could not resist adding it! Thanks for developing a fun activity for littler kids!
Thanks so much for including our Apple Tree Circle Game on your Pinterest board 🙂
This was the most clicked on post from last week’s Kids’ Co-Op. I’ll be featuring it this week. xo P
Thanks Pauline, That makes us very happy! and thanks for featuring us!
So cute! Thank you for sharing this. xo P
Thanks for linking up with us on our Hip Homeschool Hop! Hope to see you again. I love this post! 🙂
Thanks for hosting! and we will definitely be back!
that’s a cute song, I’ve never heard it before. Would love if you linked this up to our #kidsinthekitchen linky this week http://lookwhatmomfound.com/2013/08/comfort-foods-kids-will-love-kidsinthekitchen.html
What lovely songs. When I am willing to admit fall is coming, I’ll share them with my daughter. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Thanks for hosting again Carrie! We’d like the summer to last longer too! 🙂
This is so lovely, I plan to do it with my kids next week. Thanks for linking up to The Weekly Kid’s Co-Op. I am featuring this post on my Kid’s Co-Op post this week at Triple T Mum!
Thanks Amie, really delighted that you’re featuring us! We always find such nice ideas on the Kids Co-op! Hope that your kids enjoy The Apple Tree song!