Skip to main content
Loading Loading
Member Login
  • About UsToggle
      • Our mission
      • Initiatives
        • Safety
        • Inventors & Designers
        • Student center
        • Young Professionals Network
        • Credit Interchange Program
        • Philanthropy
        • The Genius of Play
        • Generations of Play
      • Member directory
      • Member Code of Conduct
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Contact Us
  • EventsToggle
      • Toy Fair New York
      • Preview & Holiday Market
      • Toy Fair Everywhere
      • Private Previews
      • Toy of the Year Awards
      • Toy Industry Hall of Fame
  • AdvocacyToggle
      • Federal
        • Shipping crisis
        • The fight against counterfeits
        • Environmental sustainability
        • Marketing to children
        • U.S. safety standards
        • TOYPAC
      • State
        • Regulations
      • International
        • Global commerce
        • International standards
        • Protecting workers
  • Research & DataToggle
      • Data
        • U.S. sales data
        • Global sales data
        • Economic impact data
        • Population data
      • Reports
        • STEM/STEAM
        • Global market research
        • Industry reports
        • Reports from TrendHunter.com
        • Toy & Play Trends
      • Reading room
        • White Papers
        • President's Letters
  • EducationToggle
      • Webinars
      • Safety Education Program
  • Newsroom
  • Join now
The Toy Association

Pat-a-Cake

(For Ages 0+)

Ingredient:

  • 2 players

Prep Time:

  • 2 minutes

Recipe for Fun!

Pat-a-Cake, Pattycake, or Patty-cake - however you spell it - this sweet song is more than a classic tune - it’s also a fun game to play with babies and toddlers. Young children love all the hand movements, one-on-one attention, and happy lyrics that go along with the Pat-a-cake song. No baby is too young to play, it can be one of your baby’s first games. They will delight in their caregiver singing the song to them and making all the funny gestures that go along with it.

Tip for How to Play Pat-a-Cake with a Baby or Toddler:
When teaching a young child the arm movements that go along with the Pat-a-cake song, it is helpful to go through the song several times hand-over-hand with your child until they get the hang of it. Some families really play up the “roll it” and “pat it” lyrics, making the “l” sound last a long time, and making a lot of patting motions for “pat it”. Feel free to add your own twist that will be special to your family - like a gentle poke in your baby’s tummy or big raised hands at the end of the song.

Pat-a-Cake Song Lyrics:
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man
Bake me a cake as fast as you can!
Roll it, Pat it
And mark it with a “B” for baby and me!

For baby and me
For baby and me!
Pat it and mark it with a “B”
Put it in the oven for baby and me!

How to Play Pat-a-Cake or Pattycake:

  1. For the first 2 lines of the song, each player claps their own hands together, then uses one hand to clap the other player’s alternate hand.
  2. The third line of the song is acted out, as though you and your child are each actively baking a cake.
  3. For the “roll it” portion of the third line, make fists with both hands and bicycle your arms one over the other, like you are rolling a blanket - or dough!
  4. For the “pat it” portion of the third line, you and your child can use a flat hand to make a patting motion - pretending to smash down a ball of cake mix.
  5. The fourth line is a tricky one for pre-readers. Each player draws an invisible “B” in the air with their index finger.
  6. While the final line is being sung, each player first acts out opening and placing an item in the oven, then brings their arms in to rock a pretend baby.

The Benefits of a Game of Pat-a-Cake:
Children’s songs with hand movements like the Pat-a-cake Song are a great way for young children to hone fine and gross motor skills. The song is also a perfect play your way to a deeper connection with your baby, toddler or pre-schooler. Older siblings can also play the role of teacher, and help their younger brother or sister master the hand movements. When older kids play with younger kids, they learn patience, empathy and leadership skills. Plus, it’s a fun game for very young children to bond over. There are also a lot of benefits to singing with children. Playing gives young children the chance to practice with pitch and stretches their vocabulary.

  • Cognitive
  • Communication
  • Social
  • Share

More "Genius" Play Ideas

social

Frosty Toss

Ages 3 years and older
Let's Play!
social

Magic T-Shirt

Ages 5+, requires adult help
Let's Play!
social

Go Fish Card Game

Ages 5 years and older
Let's Play!
social

My Mouse

Ages 5 years and older
Let's Play!
 
 

Follow us on social media

Facebook Linkedin Twitter YouTube

Best Place To Work-NPT

Toy News Tuesday

News. Events. Regulations. Stats. Trends & More. Toy News Tuesday is in-depth industry news delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Sign up today! It’s free!
Subscribe today
  • About us
  • Our mission
  • Initiatives
  • Member directory
  • Member code
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff
  • Contact us
  • Events
  • Toy Fair New York
  • Preview & Holiday Market
  • Toy Fair Everywhere
  • Private Previews
  • TOTY Awards
  • Annual Business Conference
  • Toy Fair Credit Meeting
  • Toy Industry Hall of Fame
  • Advocacy
  • Federal
  • State
  • International
  • Research & Data
  • Data
  • Reports
  • Reading room
  • Education
  • Webinars
  • Safety Education Program
  • Smart Packaging Initiative
  • Newsroom
  • Join now
The Toy Association, Inc.
Privacy Policy
Share on
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Email
  • More options
select
  • Bookmarks
  • Google+
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
  • Yammer
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##