What class doesn’t get excited when it’s time for some music? Musical activities are always a hit and turn learning into an exciting, hands-on experience for all involved. From playing instruments to dancing around to a song to playing a musical game, there are so many ways to captivate those young minds using music!
Our collection of 25 engaging music activities includes activities for kids from preschool through to middle school. Have a look at this carefully selected list and pick out a few ideas to try out with your class and get the most out of your next music session!
Music Activities For Pre-Schoolers
1. Musical Chairs
Musical Chairs is not just about beats but also about teaching your kids to handle feelings and solve conflicts. Just set up chairs in a circle and hit play on the music; when the music stops, they’ll all scramble for a seat and the last one standing is out for the next round!
Learn More: Game Sver
2. Paper Dance
Get ready for a classroom dance-off with this fun musical activity! All you’ll need are some tissues or paper, then have your children place them on their heads and start dancing! The challenge is for them to bust a move without dropping the paper! If it hits the floor, they’re out. Who’ll be the last one dancing?
Learn More: True Aim Education
3. Dance And Freeze
This one is perfect for your preschoolers! This fun game will help them with their balance, coordination, and control as they dance to the beat and freeze when the music stops. Your kiddos must hold their pose for a minute with no movement, laughter, or funny faces allowed! The last dancer standing is the crowned champion!
Learn More: Game Rules
4. Musical Parade
Why not equip your children with portable drums and lead them in a lively carnival march through your nursery or garden!? Everyone can take a turn at being the leader, setting the beat for others to join in the musical fun!
Learn More: First Discoverers
5. Shake It Up
Snag some empty jars or small bottles and make them into instruments! All you’ll need to do is load them up with rice or beads then seal the deal with a bit of tape to create your own DIY shakers and shake up some fun! All that’s left is to let your little ones test them out!
Learn More: Lets Play Kids Music
6. Pass The Parcel
Your kids will adore this much-loved party game. Just wrap a treat or a toy in a few layers of gift paper, put on some music, and have your little ones pass the parcel around a circle. When the tunes pause, unwrap a layer and repeat until the final layer is removed. Choose a shareable surprise inside for a sweet ending to the game!
Learn More: Empowered Parents
7. Animal Dance
Turn the dance floor into a wild animal kingdom of moves! Put on some music and let your kiddos’ imaginations soar as they dance like their favorite animals! This activity will boost confidence and unleash creativity in those young minds!
Learn More: Verb Now
Music Activities For Elementary Students
8. Everyday Instruments
Explore the musical qualities of ordinary items! Embark on a musical journey with your class by encouraging them to find everyday items that can double as instruments. It could be anything; a tray, a pot, a zipper on a coat – anything they can find! This great activity inspires their creativity and resourcefulness by getting them to think outside of the box!
Learn More: Very Well Family
9. Draw What You Hear
Is there a better combination than art and music?! Play your students’ favorite tunes while they sketch out any emotions or thoughts that the music stirs up in them. Once they’ve finished their masterpieces, you can display their musically-inspired works of art in your classroom!
Learn More: Madison House
10. Musical Water Glasses
Did you know that glasses of water (or any liquid) could ‘sing’? This music activity is super fun and brings together a range of sensory experiences! Guide your kiddies to create this DIY xylophone by filling jars with water at different levels for high and low tones and let them use food coloring for added visual appeal!!
Learn More: YouTube
11. Creative Composing
Let your children be musical maestros in this next activity! Start by assigning different actions to a range of shapes (for example; circle = hit your desk, square = clap). Next, give your kids some paper and pens and let them create their own unique beat! What a fantastic way to challenge their musical creativity!
Learn More: Ice Breaker Ideas
12. Artistic Relay
If you’re looking for a bit of collaborative fun, then this next one is for you! Start by giving each student a sheet of paper and colored pencils and have them draw when the music plays. When the music stops, they’ll need to switch tables and add to someone else’s masterpiece! The result is a bunch of impressive creations that’ll capture everyone’s imagination!
Learn More: Ice Breaker Ideas
13. Hot Potato Jam
Get out your box of instruments for this one! Have your little ones pass around a variety of instruments, one at a time, as some music plays. When the music stops, the student holding the instrument takes charge! They can either pick a new instrument, start a band, or sing a group song! One thing’s for sure, they’re going to have fun playing this exciting circle game!
Learn More: Sound Scaping Source
14. Mood Music
Create a mood-filled playlist for your kids by choosing tunes that represent different feelings. You can then guide a discussion about how music sparks emotions and then let your kids turn each song into expressive dance movements! This is a great activity for inspiring empathy, creativity, and teamwork!
Learn More: More Time 2 Teach
Music Activities For Middle School Students
15. Rhyme With Rap
Boost teamwork and confidence in your teens by having them rhyme with rap! It’s a super way to introduce rhythm with ABBA and AABB schemes and they’ll love creating their very own raps either as individuals or in groups. Afterward, you can sit back and enjoy each other’s performances!
Learn More: The Domestic Musician
16. Limbo
Get your kids moving and spark that competitive spirit with a game of limbo! Just grab some sort of stick, (borrowing a mop or broom from the janitor can work a treat!), and have your teens dance under it while it leaning back. With each turn, you can move the stick lower. If your kids touch the stick, they’re out! The ultimate limbo champ is the one who dances the lowest!
Learn More: Fun Games Kids Play
17. Karaoke Contest
Who doesn’t love a bit of karaoke? Grab a sound system and a microphone, then dive into YouTube or use classroom software for the ultimate karaoke session! You could pair up students, let each team pick a tune, and have the audience rate the performances.
Learn More: Fabulous In First
18. Learn About Different Cultures
Embark on a musical adventure by exploring different sounds and rhythms from around the world! Start by playing a few of the videos for your kids and show them a sample of the range of different instruments, sounds, and melodies! Next let them research, present, and showcase a culture of their choice to show how music unites us!
Learn More: PBS Learning Media
19. Voice Play Fun
Explore the digital side of music and sound production with your class. Show them how to record themselves reading poems or stories, or even singing songs, and then let them transform their voices using software! Have them experiment with it themselves and let them discover all of the different ways that they can digitally manipulate their voices!
Learn More: All Round Club
20. Music Twister
You’ve heard of Twister, but have you heard of Musical Twister? Watch your students laugh and dance their way through this musical twist on a classic game. Assign a dance move to each of the colors and when the DJ spins a color, your students must strike the corresponding pose and try their hardest not to get tangled up or fall over! This funny game is tougher than it sounds!
Learn More: Music And Movement Products
21. Compose A Movie Or Video Game Soundtrack
Let your kids be musical directors for the day! Have them pick a video or game, and silence the soundtrack. Using tools like GarageBand or Flat.io, you can help them craft their own unique soundtrack! This activity is great for sparking discussions and encouraging teamwork!
Learn More: Dynamic Music Room
22. Rhythm Relay
It’s a relay game like you’ve never seen before! In this one, you’ll sort your kids into teams and have them race to pass the secret beat along the line with the final maestro transcribing the rhythm on the board. This engaging activity fosters communication skills and will have your kids improving their teamwork skills!
Learn More: Unquowa
23. Research A Musician
Unleash student creativity with a project where they dive into their passions! Whether it’s Beethoven or Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, or Tchaikovsky, let them put their favorite artists center stage as they research them and present their findings back to the rest of the class.
Learn More: Dynamic Music Room
24. Board Battle Beats
Engage your students in a music comparison activity with just a whiteboard and something to play some music on! Start by drawing a line on the whiteboard and assigning a musical piece to each side. You’ll then play the first extract, allowing two pupils at a time to write a word or phrase to describe it. Afterward, you can discuss the similarities and differences as a class.
Learn More: I Can Compose
25. Create a Percussion Band
Empower your kiddos to put together a percussion band using everyday items such as drums — books, bowls, cans, or anything else they can find! You can encourage them to build a rhythm, infuse lyrics or chants, record the masterpiece, and then have a class discussion on ways to improve their musical gig!
Learn More: The High Schooler
36 Fun Classroom Games for Every Student