Handy-Dandy, Riddledy Ro Lyrics
Hide something small in one hand, stack your fists and ask: high or low? The guesser wins the prize if they pick the right hand.
Handy-Dandy, Riddledy Ro
Handy-dandy riddledy ro,
Which will you have, high or low?
Printed from https://nurseryrhymes.co/handy-dandy-riddledy-ro/
- Type
- Action Songs
- Tune
- Chanted guessing game
- Best for ages
- 2 to 7 years
Hand Motions and Actions
| When you sing | Do this |
|---|---|
| Handy-dandy riddledy ro | Hide a small object in one fist and stack your fists one on top of the other. |
| Which will you have, high or low? | Hold still while the guesser picks the top or bottom fist. |
What Does Handy-Dandy, Riddledy Ro Mean?
One player hides a small object, like a button or a sweet, in one hand and stacks the fists. The other player chooses high or low. A right guess wins the object, a wrong one loses a turn. "Riddledy ro" is nonsense that adds to the mystery.
History and Origin
James Orchard Halliwell described the game in Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales (1849). He also noted that handy-dandy is mentioned in Shakespeare's King Lear, which shows how old the game is. The Scottish version is Neevie-Neevie-Nick-Nack.
Learning Activities
- Play it: hide a button and let your child guess high or low.
- Swap roles: let your child hide the object and try to trick you.
- Keep score: play five rounds and count the right guesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play handy-dandy?
Hide an object in one fist, stack your fists and let the other player guess high or low.
Is it mentioned by Shakespeare?
Yes. Handy-dandy appears in King Lear.