Hey there, parents! Are your kiddos bouncing off the walls? Look no further than musical chairs! This game is a tried-and-true crowd-pleaser that’ll entertain your little ones for hours.
It’s a favorite for kids of all ages – and it’s not hard to see why! Musical chairs have got it all: catchy tunes, easy-peasy rules, and surprises that’ll have your kiddos giggling nonstop.
So whether you’re hosting a birthday bash, planning a playdate, or just looking for a fun way to pass the time at home, musical chairs are a must-try activity!
How to play musical chairs with your kiddos:
- First, you’ll need a group of little ones and a bunch of chairs (the more, the merrier!).
- Next, set up your chairs in a circle facing outward. Pro-tip: make sure there’s one chair for each kiddo, minus one.
- Now, crank up the tunes and let the kiddos strut their stuff as they walk around the circle.
- But when the Music stops, it’s a mad dash to claim a chair – and fast! The kiddo who doesn’t snag a seat is out of the game. (Don’t worry, it’s not as intense as it sounds!)
- After each round, remove one chair from the circle to up the ante. Trust us; the excitement will only build!
- Keep playing and removing chairs until only one child stands (or sits!). They’re the big winner!
- So there you have it, folks – the simple but oh-so-fun rules of musical chairs!
Benefits of playing musical chairs with your little ones:
- First, musical chairs are a sneaky way to improve your kiddos’ listening skills. Yup, you read that right! As they bop around the circle to the beat, they’ll have to keep their ears peeled for when the Music stops and it’s time to snag a seat.
- But wait, there’s more! Running and scrambling for a chair is a great way to get your kiddos’ bodies moving and grooving. And hey, we could all use a little extra exercise.
- Now, here’s where things get interesting. Playing musical chairs can help your kiddos develop their strategic thinking skills. That’s right – as they eye up those chairs and plan their moves, they learn to think ahead and make quick decisions. Talk about a win-win!
- And finally, musical chairs are a super-fun way to help your kiddos build their social skills. As they compete against their friends (and maybe even make some new ones!), they’ll learn how to interact with other children and perhaps even discover a new BFF. So there you have it, parents – the many benefits of playing musical chairs with your little ones!
Let’s talk tunes!
“The Hokey Pokey”
First, we have the classic favorite, “The Hokey Pokey.” Not only does it have catchy lyrics and a fun beat, but it also encourages some ridiculous movements that your kiddos will love.
“Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
For the younger kiddos, “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” is an excellent choice. This tune is full of animal sounds and simple lyrics that will get your little ones singing and dancing in no time.
“Can’t Stop the Feeling”
But if you want to get the party started, you can’t go wrong with “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake. This high-energy pop song will surely get your kiddos up and dancing and might even have you busting a move or two!
“Happy”
And last but certainly not least, we have “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. This upbeat tune is practically guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face and will make your kiddos feel joyful and energized throughout the game.
“Baby Shark”
“Baby Shark” by Pinkfong is catchy tune kids love singing and dancing to.
“Wheels on the Bus”
“Wheels on the Bus” – a classic children’s song that encourages imagination and movement.
“You’re Welcome”
“You’re Welcome” from Moana is a fun and upbeat song that will make kids feel like they’re on an adventure.
“Shake It Off”
“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift is a popular hit with kids shaking and grooving to the beat.
“Everything is Awesome”
“Everything is Awesome” from The Lego Movie – is an upbeat song that encourages teamwork and positivity.
“Roar”
“Roar” by Katy Perry – is a powerful anthem that will have kids feeling empowered and confident.
“Dynamite”
“Dynamite” by BTS is a high-energy pop song that will have kids jumping up and down with excitement.
suggestions to take your musical chairs game to the next level
Reverse musical chairs
play the Music and have the kids stand in the middle of the circle, with the chairs on the outside. When the Music stops, they race to touch the chairs instead of sitting on them!
Add some dance moves
while the Music is playing, call out a dance move and have the kids do it as they move around the circle. When the Music stops, they must find a chair while striking a pose!
Frozen musical chairs
instead of taking a chair out of the circle each round, freeze one of the kids in place! When the Music stops, the other kids race to find a free chair while the frozen child tries to escape and find a chair too!
Simon Says musical chairs
add a game of Simon Says into the mix! Play the Music and have the kids move around the circle. When Simon Says stop, they have to race to find a chair. But if Simon doesn’t say stop, they must keep moving around!
Add a Theme
Play with a theme, such as a favorite movie or animal. When the Music stops, players must find a chair that matches the theme.
Get Set on a Task
Assign tasks to players during the game, such as clapping or hopping on one foot while walking around the circle.
Freeze it Out
Introduce “freezing” to the game – when the Music stops, players have to freeze in their current position until the Music starts again.
Blindfold it to the Music.
Play the game blindfolded for an added challenge. Players must listen carefully for the Music to stop and find a chair without being able to see.
Race it All Up
Make the game a race by setting up multiple circles of chairs and having teams compete to see who can eliminate all their players first.
Other fantastic fun-filled games too
Freeze Dance
It’s all about dancing when the Music is playing; when it stops, everyone must freeze. This game will surely get your kiddos giggling.
Duck, Duck, Goose
A classic game that’s perfect for outdoor playdates. Kids sit in a circle while one child goes around tapping each head, saying “duck.”
When they tap a chair and say “goose,” the chosen child must chase them around the circle and try to tag them before they reach the empty spot.
Red Light, Green Light
One child is chosen to be the traffic cop while the other children line up. The traffic cop stands with their back turned to the line and says, “Green light.” The children can move forward until the traffic cop says “red light” and turns around.
The children must freeze and not move until the traffic cop turns their back again and says, “Green light.” The first child to touch the traffic cop wins!
Hot potato
Like musical chairs, this game involves passing an object around to Music, but the child holding the thing when the Music stops is out!
Musical statues
Another game involves freezing to Music, but this time, the children have to stay still like statues when the Music stops. The first one to move is out!
Balloon pop
Fill balloons with small prizes or treats, and tie them to the chairs in a circle. The children must pop the balloons to get the tips before the Music stops.
And that’s a wrap, folks! You’re now a musical chairs expert, ready to entertain kids for hours. So gather some chairs, choose your favorite tunes, and get ready to watch your little ones run around and have a blast.
Remember to mix things up with some wacky twists and try other similar games to keep the fun going! Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and make unforgettable memories. So let’s get the party started and rock those chairs!
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. I’m here to help you with play-based learning activities and crafts for kids ages 0 – 8. ( Cledemy.com is my Next startup on Pre to 8th Grade Printable and Worksheet Education Resources)