Music Games for Homeschoolers: Quick and Fun Music Games to Incorporate into Your Music Education Lessons (E16)
Incorporating music education into your homeschool curriculum can be both enjoyable and educational. Music games for homeschoolers are a fantastic way to engage children and make learning about music fun. These activities can help children develop their musical skills, understand music theory, and foster a love for music. Here are several quick and fun music games that homeschooling families can easily add to their lessons each week.
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1. Musical Chairs with a Twist
Musical Chairs is a classic game, but you can add an educational twist to it. Instead of just playing music and having children walk around chairs, include music-related questions or tasks.
How to Play:
- Set up a circle of chairs, one fewer than the number of players.
- Play a piece of music and have the children walk around the chairs.
- When the music stops, the children must find a chair to sit in.
- The child left standing must answer a music-related question (e.g., “Name a musical instrument,” “What is the tempo of the music?” or “Identify the musical note being played”).
Alternate Version:
- Use your Musical Chair time to play some music of the composer you’re studying for the week or the month. It’s a fun way to get some extra listening in without them having to sit still and listen.
2. Rhythm Relay
Rhythm Relay is a great way to teach children about rhythm and coordination. This game can be played with a group of children and can be adapted for different age groups.
How to Play:
- Divide the children into two teams.
- Give each team a set of rhythm cards (e.g., quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes).
- Place a drum or a set of rhythm sticks at the end of a relay course.
- The first child in each team runs to the drum, plays the rhythm on their card, and then runs back to tag the next teammate.
- The team that completes the relay first wins, but they must have played the rhythms correctly.
Alternate Version
- This game can be played with just one child, too.
3. Musical Scavenger Hunt
A Musical Scavenger Hunt is an exciting way to teach children about different musical instruments and sounds. This game combines physical activity with music education.
How to Play:
- Create a list of musical items or sounds for the children to find (e.g., a piano, a guitar, a harmonica, a pan with a wooden spoon, a paint bucket with some rhythm sticks)
- Hide these items or set up sound stations around your home or yard.
- Give the children the list and set them off to find the items or identify the sounds.
Alternate Version:
- You can play recordings of different instruments and have the children identify them.
4. Freeze Dance
Freeze Dance is a fun way to get children moving and listening to music. It helps them develop their sense of rhythm and timing.
How to Play:
- Play a piece of music and have the children dance freely.
- When the music stops, the children must freeze in place.
- You can add challenges, such as freezing in a specific pose or on a particular beat.
- To make it educational, ask questions about the music when they freeze (e.g., “What instrument is playing the melody?” or “Is the music fast or slow?”).
Alternate Version:
- Freeze Dance is another perfect opportunity to play some music of the composer you’re studying for the week or the month.
5. Music Bingo
Music Bingo is a fun game that can help children learn about different musical terms, instruments, notes, and concepts
How to Play:
- Create bingo cards with musical terms, notes, or instruments instead of numbers.
- Play pieces of music or show pictures of instruments or name the symbol.
- The children must identify the music or instrument and mark it on their bingo card.
- The first child to get a line of correct answers calls out “Bingo!” and wins.
Alternate Version:
- Purchase pre-made bingo cards rather than making them yourself. Here are some Music Symbol Bingo Cards and some Musical Instrument Bingo Cards.
6. Instrument Family Sorting
Instrument Family Sorting helps children learn about the different families of musical instruments, such as strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
How to Play:
- Gather instrument pictures or toy instruments from different families.
- Create labels for each instrument family.
- Have the children sort the instruments into the correct families.
Alternate Version:
- You can extend the game by playing recordings of each instrument and having the children match the sound to the correct family.
7. Name That Tune
Name That Tune is a classic game that can help children develop their listening skills and musical memory.
How to Play:
- Play a short snippet of a well-known song.
- The children must try to name the tune as quickly as possible.
- You can make it more challenging by playing only the melody or using a different instrument than the original.
- This game can be played with various music genres to expose children to different styles.
Alternate Version:
- Play the game with songs you’ve learned after doing one of the singing courses at Learn.MusicinOurHomeschool.com: 10 Songs All Preschoolers Should Know, A Folk Song a Week, Great Hymns of the Faith, or any of the Singing Made Easy courses.
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8. Composer Matching
Composer Matching is a game that helps children learn about famous composers and their works.
How to Play:
- Create cards with famous composers’ names and cards with their works’ titles.
- Shuffle the cards and lay them out face down.
- The children take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to match the composer with their work.
- You can provide clues or play excerpts of the music to help them make matches.
Alternate Version:
- Play this game after doing the Music Lesson Calendar of the Month, using composers you’ve learned about throughout the month.
9. Rhythm Simon Says
Rhythm Simon Says is a twist on the traditional Simon Says game, focusing on rhythm and musical commands.
How to Play:
- The leader gives commands starting with “Simon says” followed by a rhythm to clap, tap, or play on an instrument.
- If the leader gives a command without saying “Simon says,” the children should not follow it.
- This game helps children practice listening skills and rhythm patterns.
Alternate Version:
- Tap out the melody of a song and have the students figure it out by just hearing the rhythm, not the melody.
10. Musical Storytelling
Musical Storytelling encourages children to use music to enhance a story, fostering creativity and musical expression.
How to Play:
- Choose a simple story or fairy tale.
- Assign different musical instruments or sounds to characters or actions in the story.
- As you read the story, the children play the corresponding instruments or make sounds to accompany the narrative.
- This game helps children connect music with emotions and storytelling.
Alternate Version:
- Do this after the end of every completed read-aloud book! Add props, costumes, and sets to make it even more fun.
Conclusion
Music games for homeschoolers is a fantastic way to make learning about music enjoyable and engaging for your children. These activities not only enhance their musical skills but also contribute to their overall development, including cognitive, motor, and social skills. By using these quick and fun music games, you can create a well-rounded and enriching educational experience for your homeschooling family. So, grab your instruments, bingo cards, musical chairs, and flashcards. Turn up the music, and let the fun begin!
