Eeny Meeny Miny Moe: A Classic Rhyme for Choosing (or Teasing!)
A simple children’s rhyme traditionally used to choose someone in games or activities.
Description
“Eeny Meeny Miny Moe” is a classic counting-out rhyme used by children for generations. It’s a lighthearted way to randomly select someone from a group, often for games or activities like tag. The rhyme is chanted while pointing at each person in turn, and the person on whom the final syllable lands is the chosen one. Be aware that some versions of the rhyme contain outdated and potentially offensive language, so it’s best to stick to the more common version presented here.
Categories
- Children’s Rhyme, Selection Tool
How to Play:
- Number of Players: Multiple Players (intended for groups)
- What You’ll Need: Nothing! Just your voice and a group of people.
- Gameplay:
- Gather the players in a circle or huddle together.
- One person starts chanting the rhyme while pointing at each player in turn:
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers let him go, Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.
- The chant continues until the final syllable (“moe”) is spoken. The player being pointed to at that moment is the one who is “out” or chosen.
Winning Criteria:
(Not applicable for this rhyme) Eeny Meeny Miny Moe is used for selection, not winning.
Estimated Playtime: Very Short – Takes less than a minute.
Make it Your Own:
- Change the Rhyme: There are many variations of the rhyme. You can use a different version you or your friends might be familiar with, or even create your own!
- Themed Selection: If playing a specific game, consider incorporating the theme into the rhyme. For example, for a pirate game, you could change it to “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, Walk the plank and make him go!”
- Use it for Other Decisions: While traditionally used for choosing someone to be “it” in a game, Eeny Meeny Miny Moe can be a lighthearted way to make a small group decision, like who gets to pick the next movie to watch.
Ready to Play Eeny Meeny Miny Moe?
Eeny Meeny Miny Moe is a simple and fun rhyme that’s been used for generations. While it might not be the most sophisticated selection method, it adds a touch of whimsy and tradition to choosing someone in games and activities. So next time you need to pick someone out in a playful way, give this classic rhyme a try!
Tags
Children’s Game, Playground Rhyme, Random Selection
Similar Games:
- Rock Paper Scissors: A hand game using gestures to determine a winner.
- Drawing Straws: A selection method where the shortest straw “wins.”
- Counting Out Games: Many children’s games use counting rhymes for random selection, like “One Potato, Two Potato.”