How to Play “Who’s in the Garden?” – A Fun Guessing Game for Nursery and Primary Classrooms

Who is in the garden. Do you know the game?

Yes — I know the game “Who’s in the Garden?” It’s a classic playground or classroom game, often used with young children, especially in nursery or lower primary classes. It’s a fun way to help kids practice listening, memory, and identification skills.

How it’s typically played:

• Children sit or stand in a circle.

• One child leaves the circle or covers their eyes.

• The teacher or leader silently picks one child to be “in the garden.”

• The chosen child hides behind a curtain, under a table, or simply sits quietly while others chant:

Who’s in the garden?
A little fine girl/boy.
Can you tell us his/her name?

• The child who was outside or had their eyes covered comes back and guesses who’s missing or hiding.

It’s a simple, engaging, and interactive game for early childhood classes.

Kid-Friendly Rap Songs for Classroom Games

(No explicit lyrics, clean, fun beats)

1. “Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Justin Timberlake
   (Pop-rap vibe, super upbeat and danceable)

2. “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
   (Feel-good rap-influenced pop song — kids love it)

3. “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” – Silentó (clean version)
   (Simple beat kids can groove to while playing)

4. “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus (clean version)
   (Catchy, country-rap fusion — fun for kids)

5. “ABC” – The Jackson 5
   (Classic, has a rap-like rhythm and super educational)

6. “Let’s Get Movin’” – KIDZ BOP Kids
   (Upbeat rap track made for kids, with movement cues)

7. “Boom Chicka Boom” – The Learning Station
   (Call-and-response rap-style song great for classroom games)

8. “Move Your Body” – Beyoncé (from Let’s Move! campaign, clean and kid-friendly)

Alternative: Instrumental Hip-Hop Beats

If you’d prefer background beats without lyrics during the game:

• Lo-Fi Hip Hop for Kids (YouTube or Spotify playlists)

• Hip-Hop Instrumental Party Beats (clean)

• Super Simple Songs: Hip-Hop Instrumentals

This keeps the energy fun without distracting the children too much during guessing.

Pro Tip for Lagos Classrooms:

If you want a local flavour, look for clean Afrobeats or Afro-hip-hop instrumentals by artists like Korede Bello’s “Do Like That” (instrumental) or Clean DJ Cuppy instrumentals.

Introduction: Fun Meets Focus in Early Years Learning

If you’re searching for a simple, high-engagement activity that sharpens listening, boosts memory, and builds social skills — look no further than the “Who’s in the Garden?” classroom game. This timeless favorite is especially perfect for nursery and lower primary pupils in Nigerian classrooms.

The best part? No expensive materials required — just a group of eager learners and a dose of creativity. Whether you’re indoors or out, this interactive guessing game brings your class to life while secretly building focus, speech confidence, and emotional intelligence.

Body: How to Play “Who’s in the Garden?”

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Form a Circle: Have the children sit or stand in a circle.

2. One Child Steps Out: Ask one child to leave the room or cover their eyes.

3. Pick the Garden Guest: Silently choose a child from the circle to be “in the garden.”

4. Hide the Chosen One: The “garden guest” hides behind a curtain, under a desk, or simply turns around.

5. Chant Together: The rest of the children chant:

   “Who’s in the garden?
   A little fine girl/boy.
   Can you tell us his/her name?”

6. The Guesser Returns: The child who was outside comes back and guesses who is missing.

7. Swap Roles & Repeat: Take turns until every child gets a chance to guess or hide.

Learning Objectives:

By playing this game, children will:

• Practice visual memory and auditory attention

• Develop confidence in speaking and guessing

• Improve social bonds through cooperative play

• Learn to take turns, observe, and listen attentively

Kid-Friendly Music Ideas for the Game

Adding music makes the experience richer. You can play clean, upbeat background music as the children chant or guess:

Top Clean Songs for Classroom Vibes:

• “Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Justin Timberlake

• “Happy” – Pharrell Williams

• “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” – Silentó (clean)

• “ABC” – The Jackson 5

• “Move Your Body” – Beyoncé (Let’s Move! campaign)

Kid Rap Tracks and Call-and-Response:

• “Boom Chicka Boom” – The Learning Station

• “Let’s Get Movin’” – KIDZ BOP Kids

Instrumental Alternatives:

• Lo-Fi Hip Hop for Kids (YouTube/Spotify)

• Afrobeats Instrumentals – Try Korede Bello’s “Do Like That” (instrumental) or Clean DJ Cuppy beats

Pro Tip for Lagos Classrooms:
Pair the game with a clean Afrobeats playlist to reflect our local rhythm. You’ll engage your learners even more — culturally and cognitively!

Conclusion: Why “Who’s in the Garden?” Belongs in Every Classroom

“Who’s in the Garden?” is more than a game — it’s an early years learning tool disguised as fun. It fosters emotional safety, teamwork, and recall, all while giving children the joy of discovery.

Whether you’re teaching in Lagos, Abeokuta, or Warri — this adaptable activity fits every early childhood setting. Add music, roleplay, or even mini prizes for correct guesses to spice it up!

Evaluation Questions (for Teachers or Parents):

1. What core skills does “Who’s in the Garden?” build in children?

2. Why is turn-taking important in this game?

3. How does the game support language development?

4. What are some music choices that pair well with this activity?

FAQs

Q: Is this game suitable for mixed-age classrooms?
A: Yes! Just adapt the hiding method and song rhythm to suit older or younger learners.

Q: Can I play this without music?
A: Absolutely. Music adds flair but isn’t required. A simple chant works just as well.

Q: How do I keep shy children engaged?
A: Pair them with a buddy, or let them observe first before joining.