Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum In A Dish

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Table of Contents

Overview

Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish is a classic children’s counting-out rhyme and elimination game used to fairly choose who will be “It” in tag games, hide-and-seek, or other playground activities. It’s simple, rhythmic, and adds an element of chance that kids love.

How To Play

Here’s how to play:

Form A Circle—Players stand or sit in a circle, each extending both feet (or sometimes fists) into the center.
Choose A Starter—One player is selected to begin as the “counter” (often the previous game’s “It”).
Recite The Rhyme—The counter taps each fist in rhythm (one tap per syllable) while chanting: “Bubble gum, bubble gum, in a dish. How many pieces do you wish?”
Pick A Number—The player whose foot is tapped on “wish” says a number (usually 1-20, keeping it reasonable for the group size).
Continue Counting—The counter then taps that many additional fists, starting from the next one (counting “1, 2, 3…” up to the chosen number).
Eliminate A Fist—The foot tapped on the final count is “out”—that player removes it from the circle. Repeat the process until only one foot (or player) remains; that person wins, and becomes “It” for the next game.

Multimedia

Check out these videos demonstrating the rhyme and game in action:

Equipment

No equipment needed. This game requires only players and a bit of space to form a circle. It’s perfect for indoors or outdoors with nothing but your hands (or feet).

Tips

Here are tips for playing the game:

If You’re In A Hurry—Opt for the single elimination version of the game (see below).
Add Rhythm—Tapping steadily to the beat helps with counting practice and keeps everyone engaged.
Know Your Limits—In most cases, this picking and choosing method is best for groups of 10 or fewer.

History

The exact origins of Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish are unclear, but it likely emerged in the United States after the invention of modern bubble gum in 1928 by Walter Diemer. The rhyme became a popular counting-out method in American playgrounds and has spread worldwide, often passed down orally through generations of children.

Check out these variations and related games:

Fist Version—Players put their fists in the circle, and the counter taps them instead of their feet for elimination.
Single Elimination—Instead of eliminating fists one by one, the final tapped player after the number count is immediately “It.”
Eeny Meenie Miney Mo—A similar classic counting-out rhyme: “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe…” used for quick selection without the number-picking step.
One Potato, Two Potato—Players extend fists; the counter taps while reciting potatoes, eliminating on “more” until one remains.

Learning

Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish supports development across multiple domains. In the Physical Domain, it encourages body awareness and coordination. In the Cognitive Domain, children practice counting, number recognition, and basic addition as they track taps and chosen numbers. Socially, in the Social-Emotional Domain, it teaches turn-taking, fairness, and handling elimination gracefully in a group setting.