Music games for kids are a great way to teach them about the different genres of music. Music is certainly relaxing, and many consider it food for the soul. Exposing your child to different kinds of music, whether rock, classical, hip-hop, or pop, could inspire them to pick it up as a hobby and possibly a career too. Music can positively impact children’s minds, as research suggests. In fact, musical training may enable a child’s brain to develop faster (1). It can also add more fun and frolic to the regular games they play every day. We have compiled below a list of some musical games for kids that will keep them engaging while helping them explore their musical interests.
Easy Music Games For Children
The idea of fun with music usually involves dancing. But is that the only choice? Well, no. Keep reading to find out.
1. Make your own music
This cool idea can be implemented in music classes. This game allows you to encourage your child’s interest in music in a fun and entertaining way. You will need:
Sheets of paper Color pens
How to play: They will clap, they will snap, and clap again before stomping their feet and hitting the desks…! And all of this will be music to their ears! Free Worksheets and Printables for Kids Select GradePreschoolKindergarten1st Grade2nd Grade3rd Grade4th Grade5th Grade Select SubjectEnglishMathScienceSocial studies Search & Download
2. Musical masterpiece
This game brings the best of both worlds – art or drawing and music – to bring out whatever talent the child has. The game is played best in groups or classrooms. You will need:
A music player or a computer Sheets of paper Color pens and pencils for the students
How to play: Note – You can also put these instructions on a chart, big enough for the children to see and play the game.
3. Yes/no game
This is a warm-up game that works with choir groups or just a group of music students at a school. You will need:
Space to play
How to play: You can use only one word or mix up the two words to make it confusing and fun for the kids.
4. Musical hide and seek
This musical hide and seek is played with objects and is an excellent tool to help the child improve his listening skills. You will need:
A musical toy or device Hiding places
How to play: The more the child plays it, the better his listening skills get.
5. The passing game
The passing game is a popular party activity that can engage kids for a long time. You will need:
A gift or a package Wrapping paper Chocolates or small toys
How to play: The game is played until all the layers are unwrapped. Or you can have multiple parcels and play until there is just one person left.
6. Musical chair reading
This is a variation of the regular musical chairs party game and can be played in a class to encourage reading or recitation. You will need:
Chairs Space Music
How to: This can be a fun and impartial way to pick students for activities.
7. What’s that sound?
How does the guitar sound? What is the sound of the cello? If you want your child to identify and learn how different instruments sound, you should try this game. You will need:
Music player Different instrumental music
How to play: You can make each level more complicated by playing songs with not-so-distinct instrument sounds.
8. Musical trivia
A quiz about music? Why not! If you want an activity for a music class, have trivia questions relating to musical notes or tunes. Otherwise, it could just be about your kid’s favorite bands or singers and their songs! You will need:
Set of questions Gifts
How to play:
9. Spin the microphone
Like spin the bottle, spin the mic is a chance game that can be customized any way you want. You can play truth or dare, or turn it into a trivia game or a karaoke event. You will need:
A functional microphone, preferably wireless List of activities or dares you to want the kids to do
How to play: You could make this an elimination game where the person gets to move out of the circle after the activity and new people can join in to replace them.
10. Antakshari
A popular local game played in India and the Middle East, Antakshari is a parlor game played in teams. It usually involves singing of Bollywood or regional movie songs, but you can change the rules to sing any songs you like. You will need:
Place to play Microphone (optional)
How to play: The team with the highest number of points wins. You can make variations of this game to make it interesting. For instance, you can have different rounds or levels in the game where the kids have to sing songs only from a particular genre or a particular generation or by a particular type of band.
11. Karaoke competitions
Simple but pure fun, karaoke is one thing you can enjoy with family as well as friends. You will need:
A microphone and sound system Karaoke songs – make sure you pick songs that your child knows and enjoys singing
How to play: You could score them on tune and tone but avoid judging their singing voice. To make the competition challenging, throw in a few songs that they are not familiar with. That way, they’ll have to use whatever music knowledge they have to try and guess the right tune! Now, how about we mix singing and dancing together and make it more fun for the kids?
Games That Make You Move To The Music
When you want to combine physical activity with musical activity, these are the games to rely on.
12. Dance with props
A simple and silly music game for all ages, dance with props allows you to get creative too. You will need:
Music player Props such as hats, balloons, ribbons, pom-poms, wigs, teddy bears, flowers, and so on Space to dance
How to play: This way, they can dance for as long as they want!
13. Tissue dance
A tissue dance is more like a balancing act and less of a dance form. But, it is fun! You will need:
A box of tissues Space to dance Music player
How to play:
14. Musical statues
A game for one or more people, musical statues can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. You will need:
Music player Space to dance
How to play: The last person dancing on at the end is the champion statue!
15. Mood music
This is an excellent way to introduce the kids to different genres of music and the many emotions linked to them. This will help children connect actions with emotions. You will need:
A collection of songs depicting different emotions – anger, happiness, sadness, and silliness Music player Space to dance
How to play: In short, whatever is the mood of the song, the kids have to act it when they dance.
16. Dance like an animal
That’s right. This game will make the kids dance like an animal, literally! Read on to know how. You will need:
A chart of animals/birds/reptiles Songs of different genres Space to dance Music player
How to play: Watch the fun!
17. Party island
The game is highly popular at teen parties and is usually for couples. But, it can be modified a bit to suit children of all ages. You will need:
Music player Space (a lot of it) for dancing Newspapers
How to: After every few minutes, the kids have to fold the paper in half and dance on it. The smaller the paper gets, the difficult it would be for the kids to stay on it. The child who manages to dance only on the last folded piece of paper wins!
18. Strictly come dancing
This is a group dance competition for kids of all ages. All you need to do is give them some props and accessories, ask them to pick a song of their choice, and prepare a dance routine. You will need:
Music player Space to dance Props and costumes if any for the dancers
How to play:
19. Musical limbo
Limbo is a game that tests how flexible the body is. Add music, and it becomes all the more fun. In musical limbo, you don’t just walk under the beam. You have to go dancing from under it! You will need:
A long stick or beam Music player Space to play
How to play:
