Yankee Doodle

Yankee Doodle

In this dance, participants stand in pairs in a large circle, holding hands, facing counter-clockwise. The steps danced are walking steps and 'skipping step' (polka steps).

  • 6+ years
  • Group size: 4+
  • Duration: 20 min
  • Dance
  • Mountains, forests and fields
  • Gym / Sports hall
  • Indoor
  • Open space
  • Sled
  • Music
  • Pairs take seven steps forward and turn towards each other on the eighth step, while releasing hands. (1–8)
  • Both take four steps backward, away from each other, and clap on the fourth step. Then they take four steps forward, diagonally to the right, to a new partner. (1–8)
  • Take the new partner's hands and dance eight polka steps ('skipping step') clockwise. Here, one can also just walk around if it's easier. (1–8)

The dance is repeated. The large circle moves counter-clockwise.

Progression (Learning)

It is easiest to learn the dance this way:

  1. Participants stand in a line, in pairs.
  2. Take seven steps forward, and turn towards each other on the eighth step.
  3. Take four steps backward, away from each other, and clap on the fourth step.
  4. Take four steps forward towards your partner, take each other's hands and go around.

Once participants master this with walking steps, they continue practicing with 'skipping step' (polka steps), and then proceed in a circle with partner changes.