Fun and Free Music and Dance Rhythm Games for the Classroom

Music rhythm games are excellent games which combine music education with fun. Whether you are a camp counselor or Sunday School teacher looking for a fun game for your eager students, a teacher looking for an inexpensive educational music game, or even a parent trying to find a great way to entertain a roomful of excited children, music rhythm games are easy, inexpensive, and do not require music training to have a fun time.

Try these fun and exciting music rhythm and dance games with your students or children.

The Body Rhythm Game

Probably the easiest and most inexpensive way to have music fun with children, the Body Rhythm Game is a music game that incorporates traditional African call-and-response in a fun music game of follow-the -leader. One person serves as the music leader. This position can be changed throughout the Body Rhythm Game. Usually an adult begins the game, then hands off the leadership roll to each of the children.

First, the music leader goes over the basic hits. Children can incorporate clapping, stomping, snapping, short yells, tapping, knee-slapping, and chest slaps in the music game. Be sure to reiterate the rule that children need to keep their hands to themselves throughout the game. The children will need to be able to stand throughout the game. Depending on space allowances, you may want to move furniture, although children can also stand next to their desks or tables as long as they avoid any wide movements.

The next step involves the music leader beginning with a simple rhythm. For example, the music leader might clap twice and stomp once. Everyone follows. The music leader repeats the rhythm until the majority of the children can repeat the rhythm. Then the music leader adds onto the original rhythm. Maybe the new rhythm involves clapping twice, stomping once, snapping, stomping again, and then giving out a quick yell. As the rhythm becomes more complicated, students can choose to sit down once they cannot follow the rhythm. The turn continues until the rhythm becomes too complicated. For a quicker music game, limit each music leader to four or five rhythms before moving on to the new music leader.

The Body Rhythm Game can be repeated using music instruments, noise makers, or handmade shakers. Other fun variations can involve simple dance moves.

Variations of the Body Rhythm Game - Dance

For a very active dance version of the Body Rhythm Game, you will need a wide open space, such as an empty classroom, the gym, or a playground. Children should be able to dance freely without running into other children. Have the music leader create a dance train around the space. The music leader can incorporate jumping, skipping, dance moves, arm motions, and other simple movements. Add scarves, dance streamers, or music instruments, for even more dance fun!