Jack in a Box : Action Song

Jack in a Box is one of those short action songs that small children can’t get enough of. They just love the idea of hiding in the box at the beginning and the end of the song, and then bouncing up and down in the middle.

A really good way to play this kids action song is with a Swanee/slide whistle, . This is brilliant for illustrating ‘up and down’, ‘high and low’, and also ‘fast and slow’ or with all sorts of different effects.

Jack In A Box

I’m Jack in a Box, I curl on the floor,

smaller and smaller than ever before,

If I open my lid, you’d better take care,

without any warning I jump in the air!

I’m Jack in a Box, jumping Jack in a Box,

you’ll scream when I give you a fright,

I’m Jack in a Box, jumping Jack in a Box,

Just watch as I vanish from sight!

- First everyone curls up small as if hiding in a box.
- On the words ‘open my lid’ , gesture lifting up an imaginary lid above your head.
- On ‘jump in the air!’ everyone springs up and sways from side to side.
- Bounce around on the next 3 lines.
- Then curl back down into your ‘boxes’ and tap your heads to close the lids.

Singing a funny little song about a clown in a box springing up and down, is an instant mood changer or distraction, and songs like these become firm favourites that can be sung over and over.

If you can get hold of a large cardboard box, after something has been delivered, don’t throw it away. Little ones will delight in climbing inside, and then springing out and surprising everyone as you sing the song!