It’s time to get the dance shoes out, press play and liven things up! All you need is simple tape or CD player and the musical party games will go with a rock and a roll!
Make sure you have a couple of fun party CD's to get the party started, you can adapt each one depending on the liveliness of the games and the age of the children.
1)Spin the microphone game – this exciting game of ‘truth’ or ‘dare’ is an original party game that will let out all sorts of child secrets.
2) Disco musical statues – simple and timeless and you don’t need to buy and prepare anything for this. Get the children to dance to the music and when the music stops they have to keep as still as possible, anyone moving is ‘out’. As the judge try to make one or more of the children giggle by pulling a funny face or staring at them.
3) Party Islands– same concept as musical chairs but when the music stops, guests have to stand on a party island. Last guest standing on an island wins the game. Party pieces have some fun themed party islands for a princess or pirate party. Alternatively you can use sheets of newspaper and each round the child has to fold the newspaper in half and then half again until eventually some can’t balance on the small piece of newspaper and are then ‘out’.
4) Musical chairs– a boisterous game that children love. Place a row of chairs back to back and get the children to dance around them. When the music stops they have to sit down on a chair. Next time round remove one chair and the child who doesn’t find one is ‘out’. You can also play with cushions instead of chairs for a slightly ‘softer’ landing.
5) Dance the Limbo– this game is really testing for children and made all the more fun with lively music. Just make sure there are some soft cushions or rugs for the bumpy landings or even play it outside where the grass is softer.
6) Pass the parcel –wrap a parcel/prize with lots of layers of wrapping paper, alternating the patterns of paper and attach a sweetie or small prize to each layer. The more layers the better enabling as many children as possible get a chance to unwrap a layer. When the music starts the parcel is passed around in a circle. When the music stops the person holding the parcel gets to unwrap a layer. Continue until the last layer is unwrapped to reveal the prize.
7) Dancing competition- play a tune and get the children to dance then pick out the best boy and girl dancer and then a prize for the funniest dancer.
8) Sing-along – this is great for younger children but opt for a sing-along cd rather than just vocal music so the songs are instantly recognizable. Songs such as ‘row the boat’, ‘if you’re happy and you know it’, ‘hokey cokey’ ‘the wheels on the bus’ and ‘oranges and lemons’ are among the favourites.
9) Musical noises? – collect a selection of musical instruments such as a harmonica, recorder, toy drum, tambourine, mini keyboard or triangle and demonstrate the instruments to the group, telling them what each one is called. Then hide behind a sofa and get the children to guess the sound of the instrument you are playing. Everyone gets a sweet once all the sounds have been guessed.
10) Strictly come dancing – divide the children into teams of four and get them to come up with a small dance routine together. Give them a few dressing up accessories such as sunglasses, feather boas, hats and pretend microphones to start things off. Award prizes for the best group of dancers, most original dancers etc to avoid too much sulking.
Swingin’ Tips
i) You can easily adapt old favourite musical games to fit with your theme for example at a princess party pretend when the music stops the evil stepmother turns them to ice statues. Also pick cd’s to fit with your theme.
ii) Musical games can often result in children being ‘out’ on a one-by-one basis so keep the game moving swiftly before they loose concentration. Encourage those who are knocked out to join you as a fellow judge.
iii) Leave a few books or games on a sofa nearby for a shy child to play with who doesn’t want to join in, but encourage them to join in the next game.
iv) Have lots of small prizes for the winners but also for those who are the funniest dancer, coolest dancer, loudest singer etc so they all feel they have a chance.
v) For the faster moving games such as musical chairs, musical statues and disco choose music with a fast beat to keep things lively.