When you’re little, waiting is THE WORST THING EVER! If you’ve played one too many games of I Spy, try singing a song next time. Here’s two songs from different countries that you can try.

A Ram Sam Sam – Morocco (go to Wikipedia to hear midi and read about the game)

A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam
Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam
A ram sam sam, a ram sam sam
Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam
A rafiq, a rafiq
Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam
A rafiq, a rafiq
Guli guli guli guli guli ram sam sam\

Part of the fun of this song is starting to sing it slowly and each time getting faster and faster. It leads to lots of giggles, but it might earn you some funny looks in the checkout line! This might be a good one if you have to wait in the car, since you can play the game with hand movements while sitting.

Kye Kye Kule- Ghana (go to Mama Lisa’s to see video)

1. Leader: Kye kye kule*
Group: Kye kye kule

2. Leader: Kye kye Kofi sa
Group: Kye kye Kofi sa

3. Leader: Kofi sa langa
Group: Kofi sa langa

4. Leader: Kaka shi langa
Group: Kaka shi langa

5. Leader: Kum Aden Nde**
Group: Kum Adende
Kum Adende
Kum Adende, hey!

Because “Kye Kye Kule” (said chay chay koolay) is a call and response song, children can repeat what you just said, so they can sing it even if they don’t know it. Because each verse goes with a part of the body (1. Head 2. Shoulders 3. Hips 4. Knees 5. Toes), kids can touch each body part (think “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” but without the little ones always being behind!) after you show it to them and as they sing it back. This is a great song to help shake the sillies out!

Do you have songs that you sing to help make waiting easier? To which songs and games do your children respond best? If you’ve got a sure-fire boredom-buster, please share!