see also: http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/circus/crafts.htm

 

The circus is coming to town,                                           

There’ll be a long parade.                                                  

The circus is coming to town,                                           

There’ll be pink lemonade.                

The circus is coming to town,                                           

There’ll be a big, brass, band.                                           

The circus is coming to town

There’ll be a popcorn stand;

The circus is coming to town,

There’ll surely be a clown.                                                

The circus is coming to town,                                           

With a clown and a merry-go-round.                               

The circus is coming to town,                                           

With a dog and pony show.                                             

The circus is coming to town,                                           

Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!                                                

 

While the band is playing,                                                

Back and forth I go.                                                            

High above the people,                                                      

Sitting far below.                                                                 

While the crowd is cheering,                                            

I sway from side to side.                                                    

Now my act is over,

Down the pole I slide.

                --The Tightrope Walker                                                     

 

He flies through the air                                                      

With the greatest of ease.                                                 

The daring young man                                                       

On the flying trapeze.                                                         

His moves are all graceful,                                 

All girls does he please,   

And my love he has stolen away.                                  

 

Pick your feet up,

And step 2-3-4,

You’re in the big parade.

Wave your arms up

And step 2-3-4

You’re in the big parade.

Back 2-3

And forward again.

Just look at the friends you’ve made.

Wave your hands

To the fans in the stand.

You’re in the Big Top,

You’re in the Big Top,

You’re in the big parade.

 

I'm a great, big, floppy clown,

I bend up, and I bend down.

I can smile, and I can frown.

I’m just a great, big, floppy clown.

When I get tired of flopping, and I want to sleep,

I can fall down in a great, big heap!

 

This little clown is fat and gay,

This little clown does tricks all day.

This little clown is tall and strong,

This little clown sings a silly song,

The fifth little clown is wee and small--

But he can do anything, anything at all!

 

(Sing to: This Old Man)

The circus clown,

Came to town,

Wearing __________ all around.

There were _____ on his head,

And _____ on his toes,

He wears _____ wherever he goes.

(Substitute: shapes, colors, numbers, whatever)

 

Funny clowns, funny clowns,
Jump around, jump around.
Sometimes making faces,
Sometimes running races.
Funny clowns, funny clowns,
Funny clowns, funny clowns.
Spin around, spin around,
Sometimes with a big nose,
Sometimes with big toes,
Funny clowns, funny clowns.

 

Oh, dear, what can the matter be?

Dear, dear, what can the matter be?                                 

Oh dear, what can the matter be?                     

Johnny’s so long at the fair.                                             

 

I'd like to be a circus clown,

And make a funny face, (make face)

And have all the people laugh at me,

As I jump around the place.

 

I'm a little clown, short and fat,

Here is my tummy, here is my hat!

I like to wear a smile and a big red nose,

Funny shoes, and funny clothes.

 

Draw a circle round & big,                                      (Draw circle in air)

Add a few hairs as a wig;                                        (Touch hair)

Make a circle for a nose;                                         (Draw circle around nose)

Now a smile, broad and wide;                                 (Trace smile)

Put an ear on either side;                                        (Touch ears)

Add some eyes, but not a frown;                            (Touch eyes)

Now you have your very own clown.

 

The trumpets blow, the bugles play,

The circus is coming to town today!

With a big elephant and a jolly old clown,

A really live circus is coming to town.

With lions and tigers and monkeys too.

It’s hard to believe that it’s really true!

The animals roar and chatter and scream,

It seems like a wonderful, magical dream.

 

Last night I went to the circus and saw lots of clowns,

One had a great big smile, the other, a sad, sad frown.

There was one with curly red hair, and one with sparkly blue,

I started counting them one by one, and then, two by two.

I counted, I counted--one, and two, and three,

I counted, I counted-- four and five clowns in the ring.

Last night, I went to the circus, and saw lots of clowns.

One tried to run as fast as he could but his pants kept falling down.

One was dressed like a little baby, had diapers and a bottle too.

I started counting them one by one, and then, two by two.

I counted, I counted—six seven and eight,

I counted, I counted—nine and ten clowns in the ring.

                                --Doug & Gary

 

Five circus wagons, painted, oh, so gay,

Came into town with the circus today.                            

The first one held a lion,                                                    

That gave a great, big roar.                                               

The second held a tiger,                                                    

That was crouched down on the floor.                           

The third one held an elephant,                                        

Drinking from a pail.                                                           

The fourth one held a monkey,

Swinging by his tail.

The fifth one held a panther,

With a coat of fur so black.

I wonder when this circus

Will be coming back?

Five circus wagons, painted oh, so gay.

Came into town with the circus today.

 

The sun is a shining to welcome the day,

Heigh-ho come to the fair.

The folks are a-singing,

They’re happy and gay,

Heigh-ho come to the fair.

All the stalls on the green

Are as fine as can be

With trinkets & treasures

For you and for me.

So, it’s come then, again, young folk and old,

To the fair in the pride of the morning.

So deck yourself out in the finest array.

Heigh-ho come to the fair.

 

PUTTING UP THE BIG TOP

Everybody circle round,                                         

Lift the canvas off the ground.                               (Make tent with hands)

Pull & pull & watch it rise,                                      (Mime pulling ropes)

The Big Top grows before our eyes.                     (Make larger tent with hands)

Everybody circle round,

Form a ring upon the ground.                                (Make ring with fingers; point to ground)

Now we’re set to watch the show,                        (Shade eyes)

Circus acts both high & low.                                 (Point high & low)

 

The Clown Song

 

Flannel Board

Carl the Clown

 

Games:

The Lion Tamer Says... 

Tight Rope Walk: Use a balance bean or masking tape on floor. Children can pretend to be walking on a tight rope high in the air.

Sammy the Seal's Balancing Act (Flannel participation)

 

Extras: Circus Peanuts (marshmallow); Parades; tickets; popcorn

             Be mindful of food and latex allergies.

 

Books:

The Circus, Heidi Goennel, c.1992

Lyle & Humus, Jane Baskin Zalben, c.1974

More offerings-CIRCUS

More CARNIVAL PROGRAMS