Activities

Steps:

1. Play music and let kids dance freely. 2. Stop the music randomly and have everyone freeze. 3. Restart music and repeat.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Play music and call out an animal. 2. Kids dance like the chosen animal. 3. Switch to a new animal every minute.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Divide kids into teams. 2. One member from each team performs a dance move and tags the next. 3. Continue until all team members participate.

Materials needed:

None

Steps:

1. Choose a leader to perform dance moves. 2. Others mimic the leader's moves. 3. Rotate leaders every few minutes.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Write dance prompts on slips of paper (e.g., 'Robot Dance'). 2. Kids take turns acting out the moves. 3. Others guess the dance style.

Materials needed:

Slips of paper with dance prompts

Steps:

1. Give each child a balloon. 2. Play music and have them dance while keeping the balloon off the ground. 3. Add challenges, like using only one hand.

Materials needed:

Balloons

Steps:

1. Set up an obstacle course. 2. Assign dance moves for each section (e.g., spin, hop). 3. Kids complete the course while dancing.

Materials needed:

Cones, markers, or chairs for obstacles

Steps:

1. Pair up kids. 2. One performs dance moves while the other mirrors them. 3. Switch roles after a few minutes.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Play music from a specific culture. 2. Teach kids basic moves from that style. 3. Rotate to another culture and repeat.

Materials needed:

Music representing various cultures

Steps:

1. Hand out glow sticks to each child. 2. Dim the lights and play music. 3. Let kids dance and wave their glow sticks.

Materials needed:

Glow sticks, music player

Steps:

1. Choose one child to be 'it.' 2. Kids dance around while avoiding 'it.' 3. If tagged, they must freeze until another player unfreezes them.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Set up a light source to cast shadows on a wall. 2. Kids dance and watch their shadows. 3. Take turns creating unique shadow moves.

Materials needed:

Bright light or flashlight

Steps:

1. Teach kids a simple line dance routine. 2. Practice each section slowly. 3. Perform the full routine together.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Divide kids into groups. 2. Assign music and let them create a routine. 3. Perform routines for each other.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Have kids hold the edges of the parachute. 2. Play music and give commands (e.g., 'wave the parachute'). 3. Incorporate dance moves with parachute actions.

Materials needed:

Parachute, music player

Steps:

1. One child performs a dance move. 2. Others guess the name of the move. 3. Rotate the performer after each round.

Materials needed:

None

Steps:

1. Play upbeat music. 2. Encourage kids to hop in place and add spins. 3. Gradually increase speed for extra fun.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Line kids up and give the first a ribbon. 2. Each child performs a move before passing it. 3. Continue until the ribbon reaches the end.

Materials needed:

Ribbon baton, music player

Steps:

1. Play jungle-themed music. 2. Encourage kids to add stomps, roars, and animal moves. 3. Rotate through animal roles.

Materials needed:

Jungle-themed music or soundtracks

Steps:

1. Introduce simple clap and tap rhythms. 2. Play music and add dancing. 3. Encourage improvisation with new patterns.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Teach simple yoga poses. 2. Transition between poses with dance moves. 3. Focus on balance and graceful movement.

Materials needed:

Yoga mats, music player

Steps:

1. Let kids choose costumes. 2. Play themed music (e.g., superhero songs). 3. Dance and show off their outfits.

Materials needed:

Costumes, music player

Steps:

1. Play music and let kids dance. 2. Pause music randomly; kids freeze in place. 3. Resume music to continue the game.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Give each child a scarf. 2. Play music and encourage them to wave their scarves. 3. Add color-related dance challenges.

Materials needed:

Scarves, music player

Steps:

1. Play music and call out shapes (e.g., star, triangle). 2. Kids form the shapes with their bodies. 3. Rotate through different challenges.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. One child plays Simon and gives dance commands. 2. Others follow only if the command begins with 'Simon says.' 3. Take turns being Simon.

Materials needed:

None

Steps:

1. Line kids up and assign roles. 2. Play marching band music. 3. March and dance in sync as a group.

Materials needed:

Drums or rhythm instruments

Steps:

1. Play slow, dramatic music. 2. Encourage kids to move in exaggerated slow motion. 3. Gradually increase tempo for variety.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Explain high and low movements (e.g., jump vs. crouch). 2. Call out 'high' or 'low' during music. 3. Kids adjust their moves accordingly.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Call out a letter or word. 2. Kids use their arms and legs to form the letters. 3. Rotate between different words.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Play a few seconds of a song. 2. Kids dance and try to guess the song. 3. Reveal the answer and play the full clip.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Set up a simple obstacle course. 2. Kids navigate the course while dancing. 3. Time each child for added excitement.

Materials needed:

Chairs, cones, music player

Steps:

1. Assign a season and discuss its characteristics. 2. Kids create moves that represent the season. 3. Perform seasonal dances in groups.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Form a drum circle and create a rhythm. 2. Kids dance to the beat. 3. Rotate drummers and dancers.

Materials needed:

Drums or rhythm instruments

Steps:

1. Introduce fitness moves (e.g., squats, jumps). 2. Add them into a dance routine. 3. Perform the full routine together.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Dim the lights and distribute flashlights. 2. Play music and let kids dance. 3. Rotate flashlights to add excitement.

Materials needed:

Flashlights, music player

Steps:

1. Teach basic body percussion rhythms. 2. Combine them with dance moves. 3. Perform as a group or in pairs.

Materials needed:

None

Steps:

1. Pair up kids and assign a song. 2. Let each pair choreograph a routine. 3. Perform for the group.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Play slow, flowing music. 2. Teach kids to mimic waves with their bodies. 3. Combine individual moves into a group performance.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Assign emotions (e.g., happy, angry, sad). 2. Kids create moves to represent each emotion. 3. Perform in small groups or individually.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Line kids up and teach the basic conga step. 2. Play upbeat music. 3. Lead the line around the room or space.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Play music and have kids start dancing. 2. Gradually increase the intensity. 3. See who can keep dancing the longest.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Choose one child to start as the leader. 2. Others mimic their moves like a mirror. 3. Rotate the leader every few minutes.

Materials needed:

Music player

Steps:

1. Line up kids in a parade formation. 2. Assign each child a simple dance move. 3. Play music and march/dance in unison.

Materials needed:

Music player, props (optional)

Steps:

1. Discuss natural elements (e.g., flowing water). 2. Kids create movements inspired by each element. 3. Combine into a group routine.

Materials needed:

None

Steps:

1. Play music and let each child take a turn to perform solo. 2. Others cheer and watch. 3. Rotate through all kids.

Materials needed:

Music player, flashlight or spotlight (optional)

Steps:

1. Create simple drum rhythms. 2. Kids match their moves to the beat. 3. Change rhythms to keep it interesting.

Materials needed:

Drums or rhythm instruments

Steps:

1. Teach basic Zumba moves. 2. Play upbeat Zumba music. 3. Perform the routine as a group.

Materials needed:

Zumba music

Steps:

1. Assign each child a cartoon character. 2. Kids create moves based on the character's personality. 3. Perform individually or as a group.

Materials needed:

None