Theatre Games: I've Got a Head Like a Ping-Pong Ball
Sometimes a quick and silly, interactive and physical sing-a-long is just what’s wanted to begin a theatre show, workshop, or party. Here’s a VSC Education Department favorite sure to bring smiles and laughs. We’ve played this with third graders and thirty-third graders. It’s called, “I’ve Got a Head Like a Ping-Pong Ball.” Check out the instructions and accompanying video, and you’ll be ready to lead your own ping-pong party-starter with style and confidence!
1. Gather your participants and, with your best operatic bravado, demonstrate the Ping-Pong Ball song. Ask the crowd to listen carefully, not just because it such a beautiful and meaningful song, but also because they’re encouraged to join in when you sing it again. (The song, with lyrics set to the bouncy, bracing tune of The Wilhelm Tell Overture, is very easy to learn. The crowd will join in with you as they become more familiar.) Sing:
Ohhhhhhh…
I’ve got a head like a PING PONG BALL!
I’ve got a head like a PING PONG BALL!
I’ve got a head like a PING PONG BALL!
Like a PIIIIIING – like a PING PONG BALL!
Like a PING, like a PING, like a PING-PONG, PING-PONG, PING-PONG, PING-PONG, PING-PONG BALL.
Like a PING, like a PING, like a PING-PONG, PING-PONG, PING-PONG, PING-PONG, PING-PONG BALL.
PING! PING, PING! PING, PING, PING, PING, PING! PONG!
(The last verse can have PINGS and PONGS arranged in whatever manner pleases you.)
2. Now that your crowd has gotten to know the song, divide into two groups. One group contains the PINGS. The others are the PONGS.
3. Give the instruction, “Whenever you hear your group’s name, bend your knees and make a little ping pong bounce.” If you have an assistant, it’s great to have them lead the PINGS, as you lead the PONGS. Do a little “PING! PONG!” bounce test to try it out.
4. Now, at a slow tempo o help folks easily sing and follow along, lead the song anew, reminding the PINGS and PONGS to bend at the knees when they hear their respective group names.
5. That was a lot of fun. So now you’ll want to do it again… but FASTER!
6. That was SO MUCH fun! Now you’ll want to do it again… but EVEN FASTER!
7. Repeat the song until everyone is thoroughly ping-ponged and/or you collapse from exhaustion.