Quick, if you could make one wish, right now, what would it be? We all have wishes we hope come true, but where do you turn to make your wishes? Here are some traditions that Americans have about making wishes.

Make a wish…

On a shooting star.
American’s often make a wish when they see a shooting star in the sky at night. But shooting stars are pretty rare, so it is also a tradition to make a wish on the first star you see in the night sky or the last star you see in the morning sky.

Blowing out birthday candles.
Every year on your birthday you get to make a wish when you blow out the candles on your birthday cake. But keep in mind people often say that you have to keep your wish a secret for it to come true.

Blowing on a dandelion.
In summer and fall the dandelion flowers have turned from yellow flowers to white puffs of seeds. It is a belief of many people that if you make a wish and blow away all the seeds on a dandelion flower, your wish will come true!

Breaking a wishbone.
A wishbone is a bone found in birds. (The real/biological name for this bone is the furcula.) It is common in America to save this bone after cooking a chicken or turkey, let it dry, and once it is dry have two people hold either end, make a wish, and break the bone apart. The person who breaks off the bigger piece will get to have their wish come true.

Now, here is a song, called ‘The Rainbow Connection’, sung by Kermit the Frog. Listen carefully and you’ll hear where Kermit makes his wishes. Hint: it is mentioned above.

Here are the lyrics so you can follow along.

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what’s on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they’re wrong, wait and see.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it’s done so far.
What’s so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it’s probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I’ve heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it.
It’s something that I’m supposed to be.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.