The Primary song Holding Hands Around the World beautifully reminds us that we are all united by our faith in Jesus Christ. Bring this message to life with these engaging Holding Hands Around the World singing time ideas!
I lead singing time without a professional music background, so I know what it’s like to figure things out as you go. Anyone can make these practical, easy-to-use singing time ideas work!
My favorite idea below is the stations activity—it gives children a fun, hands-on way to engage with the chorus in different ways!
Also make sure to check out these other Holding Hands Around the World singing time ideas as well (click on the link to jump to that section):
This information comes from About the Hymns on the Church’s website.
Author and composer Janice Kapp Perry wrote “Holding Hands Around the World” in response to an invitation from the Primary General Presidency.…Months later, while serving in Chile, Sister Perry listened to the satellite broadcast in Spanish. When the children’s choir performed her song, it was a reminder that no matter what language we speak, we are all united by our faith in Jesus Christ.
Find the sheet music to Holding Hands Around the World on the Church’s website. The lyrics reiterate that no matter what language we speak or where we live in the world, we are all united by our faith:
We are children singing all around the world, Happy voices ringing out the joyful word. We are children glowing with the gospel light, Standing tall, walking strong, choosing right. We are children leading out in ev’ry land Who believe in keeping all the Lord’s commands. Like the stripling warriors we go forth in faith, For we know that the Lord is our strength.
We are children holding hands around the world, Like an army with the gospel flag unfurled. We are led by His light, And we love truth and right. We are building the kingdom of God.
We are children sharing all around the world, Leading other children to the gospel fold. With the strength of youth, we do the Savior’s work. With our hearts and our hands we will serve. We are cov’nant children with a gift to give. We will teach the gospel by the way we live. With each word and action, we will testify: We believe, and we serve Jesus Christ.We are children holding hands around the world, Like an army with the gospel flag unfurled. We are led by His light, And we love truth and right. We are building the kingdom of God.
**Note that the word “there” found several times throughout the song has been changed to “we.” You’ll want to make sure your materials reflect that change.
You may also want to check out the sing along video for Holding Hands Around the World. It’s a great way for you to easily become more familiar with it or to show to your Primary during singing time.
**This sing along video doesn’t reflect the change in the lyrics. The word “there” found several times throughout the song has been changed to “we.”
Find Holding Hands Around the World lyrics in a printable flip chart format so you can easily post the words in your Primary!
Or this Holding Hands Around the World flip chart with pictures is also available to download:
Also available is this flip chart from OCD Primary Chorister. Note that it only contains the first verse:
These printables are also filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > Holding Hands Around the World.
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Set up four interactive stations as children sing Holding Hands Around the World. They’ll LOVE creating different movements that bring this beloved Primary song to life.
Have children design their own international paper chain dolls while listening to Holding Hands Around the World! By the time they finish, they’ll know the song by heart!
This handbell chart utilizes simple chording on the chorus and only requires the 8-note basic handbell set. Make sure to check out more details for using handbells in singing time.
These printables are filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > Holding Hands Around the World.
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This song presentation for Holding Hands Around the World is from the 2006 May Friend magazine:
Teach the chorus first. Divide the children into four groups. Tell the first group to join hands and echo the first phrase back to you after you sing it: “We are children holding hands around the world.” Tell the second group to march in place and extend their arms as if they were holding a large flag and echo, “Like an army with the gospel flag unfurled.” Tell the third group to gesture with their arms toward heaven as they echo, “We are led by His light,” and place their hands on their hearts as they echo, “And we love truth and right.” Ask the fourth group to think of something they do to build the kingdom—help others, bring friends to Primary, pay tithing, etc. Choose one action to mimic as they echo back to you, “We are building the kingdom of God.” Sing the chorus by groups, then exchange phrases and sing again.
Sing the first verse for them in phrases and clap the rhythm. Have them repeat each phrase, clapping and singing with you. Gather or draw simple pictures to illustrate the words: for example, Primary picture 3-65 (children singing in Primary), GAK 600 (The World), a smiley face, a bell, a flashlight. Have one child demonstrate “standing tall,” another child “walking strong,” and another holding a CTR shield for “choosing right.” Or have all the children stand for “standing tall,” march in place for “walking strong,” and hold up their CTR rings for “choosing right.” Have them sit down on the two rest beats. Follow the same approach to teach the second half of the verse.
Another idea is to summarize this Friends Around the World from the Friend magazine. It spotlights 12 children around the world. Sing a phrase of the song in between each child and his or her country.
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Check out these signs for Holding Hands Around the World:
Then make sure to check out my post for more helpful tips for teaching sign language in singing time!
Elaina created a simple puzzle that she shared on the PML FB group. She said:
To learn “Holding Hands Around the World” I cut up this picture so that the children were putting together a music mosaic. Gave the pieces to the teachers and had them pick 1 super singer each time we sang the lyrics.
The verses can feel a bit long and tricky, so let the teachers jump in to help!
Turn it into a fun sing-off between the teachers and children—have the kids sing one phrase, then let the teachers respond with the next. This call-and-response style makes the lyrics easier to learn and keeps everyone engaged!
Plus, the verses naturally lend themselves to this format. For example:
Keep the friendly competition going and see who can sing their parts the best!
How are you teaching Holding Hands Around the World in singing time? Leave a comment with your suggestions and ideas!
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Holding Hands Around the World.
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Singing time just got even easier! With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print! Be prepared for the entire month – every month!
2 thoughts on “Holding Hands Around the World Primary Singing Time Ideas”
My primary is loving this song, we have not yet learned the second verse, I am going to print out the flip chart, use magnets to put it on the board and then I have some fun echo microphones I am going to use for the call and response idea. The kids with the mics will sing the call and the rest of the primary will sing the response. I have 8 mics so we can trade off and give everyone a chance.
What a great idea, thank you for sharing!!
~Camille