Have you suddenly been tasked with running a field day station? Or are you looking for an exciting music activity to replace your old, worn-out field day activities? Look no further! Incorporating music-related activities into your field day can not only add some excitement and energy to the event but also promote the many benefits of music education. In this blog post, we’ll explore six music activities that are sure to be a hit with your students. Whether you’re looking for a standalone activity or want to weave music throughout your field day, these activities provide an excellent opportunity to promote teamwork, creativity, rhythm skills, and appreciation for music. So, let’s dive in and explore some fun and exciting ways to incorporate music into your next field day!
Musical Chairs Relay
If you love musical chairs but hate the pushing and shoving that comes with it, you’ll love this updated twist. This version adds an extra layer of competition and teamwork. Start by dividing your students into equal-sized teams, and set up chairs in a line – one for each student. Don’t remove a chair like you would for traditional musical chairs! Play some upbeat music and have the first student in each line run around their team’s row of chairs until the music stops. They must then sit in their own empty chair and pass a baton, musical instrument, or other item to their teammate, who will then run around the chairs. The next student in line cannot start their turn until their teammate has completed the task. The first team to complete the relay wins!
Music Escape Room
The escape room craze has taken over the world in recent years, and it’s no surprise that it’s also made its way into the music room. For this activity, create a music-themed challenge that requires students to use their musical knowledge to solve puzzles and clues. You can set up escape rooms digitally or physically (in the room) and have students work alone or in teams. As part of the clues, you can ask students to identify certain rhythms or melodies, require them to match instruments to their corresponding families, or use information about a composer to solve a puzzle. Your escape room can even be themed on a certain topic or piece, like Peter and the Wolf or The Nutcracker. The possibilities are endless, and this activity is a great way to challenge your students’ musical knowledge and critical thinking skills.
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Hula Hoop Dance Party
The hula hoop dance party is a versatile activity that offers many possibilities for your field day. After all, movement is an important part of music class! Here are some ideas for what you can do with the hula hoops:
- Classic hooping: Encourage your students to practice hooping around their waist or try more advanced moves, like arm hooping or leg hooping. You can even have a hooping contest to see who can hoop the longest or come up with the most creative tricks.
- Dance off: Have your students dance inside a hula hoop to a specific song, then pass the hoop to the next student who continues the dance. See who can keep the dance going the longest without dropping the hoop or breaking the rhythm.
- Obstacle course: Create an obstacle course using hula hoops. Students can jump in and out of the hoops, crawl through them, or even balance them on their heads while completing a task.
- Relay race: Divide your students into teams and have them race through an obstacle course that includes hula hoop stations. They can hoop around their waist, jump in and out of a hoop, and pass the hoop to their teammates. The first team to finish the relay race wins!
The hula hoop dance party activity is a fun way to promote physical activity, coordination, and creativity, and it’s a great addition to any field day.
Rhythm Cup Play-Alongs
If you haven’t heard of the cup song yet, you need to take a look! The cup song originated from Pitch Perfect and has become a well-known cultural phenomenon. The pattern from Anna Kendrick’s Cups can be used for a variety of different songs and has sparked a series of cup play-alongs on YouTube. If you need a music field day activity that doesn’t involve a lot of talking from you or perhaps gives students an air conditioned breather from their outdoor activities, Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Music Scavenger Hunt
The music scavenger hunt is an exciting activity that combines the fun of a scavenger hunt with the magic of music. Before field day, prepare a list of music-related items for your students to find around the school or playground. The items can be anything from a musical instrument to a laminated music note or even a CD cover. (Bonus points if you can find old things they might not recognize, like cassette tapes!)
Divide your students into teams and give each team a list of the items to find. You can also provide them with a map of the scavenger hunt area if needed. Provide clues or riddles that your students need to solve to find the items. The teams must work together to find all the items on the list within a set amount of time. The first team to find all the items on the list wins the scavenger hunt!
The music scavenger hunt activity is a great way to promote teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity, and it’s sure to be a hit at your field day. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to get your students moving around and exploring the school or playground while enjoying the music-themed adventure.
Dance Party
End your music field day activities with a classic dance party! My kids love Just Dance Kids videos. Even the older ones love them! (Okay, they ask for regular Just Dance – but there are many school-appropriate ones out there!) Other options could include popular TikTok dances, a classic game of freeze dance, or a dance-off competition. A dance party is a great music activity for field day.
In conclusion, incorporating music activities into your elementary school’s field day can be an excellent way to add some excitement and energy to the event while promoting the many benefits of music education. These activities can help your students develop their teamwork, coordination, rhythm skills, and creativity, all while getting them up and moving around. They can also expose your students to different types of music and musical concepts, helping them make memories and develop a love and appreciation for music that can last a lifetime. With the six fun and engaging music activities we’ve covered, you’re sure to find something that will appeal to your students and fit with the overall theme of your field day.
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