Duck Duck Goose Nursery Rhyme Lyrics, Game Instructions & Printable


“Duck Duck Goose” is a popular children’s game often played in groups. It is a simple and active game that is enjoyed by children of various ages.

Instructions on How to Play Duck Duck Goose:

Step 1: Children sit in a circle, and one person, who is designated as “it,” also known as the goose, walks around the outside of the circle in one direction.

Step 2: As they do so they gently tap each seated child on the head. The important part is that they say “duck” with each tap.

Step 3: When the person who is “it” decides to switch from “duck” to “goose,” they choose to say “goose” instead of duck when tapping one child on the head.

Step 4: The chosen child or “goose” gets up as quickly as possible from their seated position to chase the person who was “it” around the circle in the same direction.

Step 5: The goal for the new goose or chaser is to catch the person who tapped them on the head so they can sit back in their seat before the current goose gets to it.

What happens next depends on how you want to play the game:

VERSION 1 ENDING:

If the person who was “it” successfully sits in the empty space left by the new goose before being caught, they remain as “it” for another round and the game continues.

However, if the goose manages to tag the person who was “it” before they sit down, the goose becomes the new “it,” and the game restarts with a new round.

VERSION 2 ENDING:

If the person who was “it” successfully sits in the empty space left by the new goose before being caught, they stay in the seat and the new goose becomes “it” for the next round and the game.

However, if the goose manages to tag the person who was “it” before they sit down, they get to return to their seat and the original goose continues to be it in the a new round.

The game continues with the roles of “it” and “goose” being passed on as each round progresses.

The game typically goes on until everyone has had a turn or until the participants decide to end the game.

Lyrics for Duck Duck Goose

Duck,
Duck,
Duck,
Duck,
Goose!

Videos for Duck Duck Goose

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Samantha

Samantha Bellerose has a Bachelor of Education as well as a Diploma in Performing Arts. She is a mom to four children and is passionate about education and learning. Samantha created Nursery Rhyme Central as the go to place for parents, teachers and carers about all things to do with Nursery Rhymes. She is also the Main Author and creator for websites Dance Parent 101 and Move Dance Learn, where she shares her knowledge and expertise for dance and learning through movement.

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