This Crazy Old Witch halloween game is a real old chestnut! You may know a slightly different version, but that is the beauty of these traditional folk songs. People always try new things and add extra ideas along the way!
Below are three methods for playing this halloween game. Choose the one which suits the age group of the kids that you’re teaching and the space that you have available.
And if you’d prefer to avoid singing about witches, you can substitute ‘Crazy Old Witch’ with ‘Old Mother Fitch’ and still enjoy the chasing games.
Crazy old witch, fell in a ditch,
Picked up a penny and thought she was rich!
Witch – “Are you my children?”
Class – ” Yes, we’re your children!”
Witch – “Are you my children?”
Class – ” Yes, we’re your children!’
Witch – “Are you my children?”
Class shouts – “NO! YOU CRAZY OLD WITCH!”
(sing as simple SO-MI chant)
A Simple Circle Halloween Game For Younger Ones
- In this version, everyone can sing as a simple SO-MI chant .
- Place the pennies on the floor in a large circle, one for each child.
- The children stand in a circle, each one in front of a penny and sing the song.
- On the words “fell in a ditch”, they all fall down in the spot.
- When they sing “picked up a penny”, they can pick up their penny and stand back up showing it to everyone.
- Each time they sing “Yes, we’re your children”, they turn around on the spot.
- And when they shout, “No, you crazy witch!”, they quickly sit back down.
This game is a great chance to practice call & response solo singing. However, younger students can sometimes find this quite challenging, and it takes time for them to gain the confidence needed. This is built up gradually by singing together until little ones are comfortable singing the questions and answers on their own.
While they’re learning the song, add some simple rhythm activities like tapping the beat or the clapping the rhythm. Then once you’ve sung it through together a few times ask for a volunteer witch to get the game going.
How To Play The Circle Game Of Chase
- This method is played sitting in a circle.
- One child is chosen to be the witch, and holds a penny in his or her hand.
- The rest of the children close their eyes and put their hands behind their back.
- As they sing the song together, the witch walks around the circle, and then sings “Are you my children?” 3 times – first time P (soft), second time mezzo forte (medium) third time forte (loud) .
- The rest of the children sing back “Yes , we’re your children” twice.
- And after the third time the witch sings the question, she drops the penny into the hands of the child she is nearest to.
- That child opens his or her eyes and shouts “No You Crazy Witch!’ and then chases the witch around the circle back to the child’s original place!
- The game continues with the chaser as the next witch.
How To Play The Chasing Game
- One child is chosen to be the witch and stands across the room, facing the rest of the group.
- The other children walk towards the witch singing the song.
- The witch asks them a question; “Are you my children?”
- Then they reply, “Yes, we’re your children” Which is repeated twice.
- Then, the 3rd time the witch repeats the question, the kids respond by shouting; “NO, YOU CRAZY WITCH!” and then they all scatter around the room, while the witch tries to catch someone.
- The person she catches becomes the next witch and the game is repeated until everyone has had a go.
This halloween game is a great way to listen to each child’s individual singing and pitching skills in a relaxed and stress-free way. The children are far too busy having fun to realise they’re being assessed.
For some more Halloween inspiration, check out our Halloween lesson plan for 30 minutes of musical, spooky fun in a structured lesson. And If you’re a preschool music teacher or homeschooler? You might find my new music lesson plan series useful.
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