5 Festive Music Activities for Kids This Christmas
The Christmas break is a magical time filled with twinkling lights, delicious treats, and the excitement of family gatherings. However, it can also be a challenging period for parents looking to keep their kids entertained in productive ways. While video games and TV may provide temporary solutions, why not turn this break into an opportunity for fun, creativity, and learning with festive music activities for kids ?
Music is a fantastic way to engage children, boost their creativity, and help them bond with family during the festive season. Whether you have little ones who love to sing or budding instrumentalists who enjoy experimenting with melodies, these five engaging Christmas-themed music activities will keep kids entertained, active, and immersed in the holiday spirit.
Let’s dive into these delightful activities and transform the Christmas break into a joyful celebration of music!
Host a Family Christmas Carol Concert
Few things capture the essence of Christmas quite like singing carols together. Moreover, hosting a family concert is not only entertaining but also an excellent way to teach kids about musical expression and teamwork. In addition, it provides a fun opportunity for them to bond with family members, creating lasting memories while celebrating the holiday season.
How to Organize Your Concert:
- Song Selection: Start by choosing easy, popular Christmas carols that kids enjoy, such as:
- Assign Roles: Create a “band” or choir. Let your kids choose roles:
- Singers
- Instrumentalists (use a keyboard, guitar, or simple percussion instruments)
- Emcee/host to introduce performers
- Rehearse: Practice each carol a few times. Then, encourage the kids to add their creative touch, such as clapping along to the rhythm or incorporating fun dance moves. Additionally, you can suggest they experiment with different tempos or vocal styles to make each performance unique and exciting.
- Dress Up and Perform: Set the stage with fairy lights, Santa hats, and homemade decorations. Invite family members—either in person or virtually—to enjoy the performance.
Why It’s Great:
- Confidence Boost: Performing helps kids overcome stage fright and build self-confidence.
- Musical Learning: Kids improve their pitch, timing, and vocal expression while learning popular tunes.
- Family Bonding: This activity brings the family together, creating heartwarming memories that will last a lifetime.
DIY Christmas Music Instruments
Turn arts and crafts time into a creative musical adventure! Kids love creating things with their hands, and building their own instruments will not only keep them engaged but also give them a sense of pride and ownership. Festive Music Activities for Kids are a fantastic way to combine creativity and rhythm during the holiday season.
Instrument Ideas to Try:
Jingle Bell Shakers
Materials: Small bells, ribbons, empty jars or toilet paper rolls, and glue.
Method: Simply attach the bells to ribbons or tape them to the roll to create a shaker.
Activity: Shake along to carols like Jingle Bells for a fun rhythm workout!Homemade Drums
Materials: Empty boxes, large containers, or pots and pans. Use wooden spoons as drumsticks.
Activity: Kids can play a simple rhythm to accompany their favorite Christmas tunes or even start a drum parade around the house.Rice Maracas
Materials: Small plastic bottles, rice or beans, and colorful paints.
Method: Fill the bottles with rice or beans, seal them tightly, and then decorate with holiday-themed designs.Paper Plate Tambourine
Materials: Two paper plates, small bells, glue, and paint.
Method: Glue the plates together with bells attached around the edge, then decorate and shake away!
Why It’s Great:
- Hands-On Fun: Kids develop fine motor skills while creating their instruments, which helps them gain confidence in their abilities.
- Rhythm Exploration: Through these Festive Music Activities for Kids, children get to play along with beats and rhythms, deepening their musical awareness.
- Holiday Spirit: To top it off, they can decorate their instruments with Christmas colors, glitter, and stickers for a festive touch that brings the holiday cheer to life.
Write and Record an Original Christmas Song
What better way to spark creativity than by encouraging kids to write and sing their very own Christmas song? Whether it’s funny, sweet, or imaginative, this activity not only allows kids to express their unique take on the season but also helps them explore their creativity in new ways. Moreover, writing a song provides them with an opportunity to connect with the holiday spirit, making the experience even more meaningful. As a result, children can feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in creating something truly their own.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Brainstorm Ideas: Start by asking kids what they love most about Christmas—snowflakes, Santa Claus, cookies, gifts, or family traditions.
- Write Simple Lyrics: Help them create rhyming couplets or catchy lines like:
“The snow is falling, the tree is bright,
Christmas cheer fills the night!” - Compose the Melody: Encourage kids to hum their tune or experiment with basic melodies on a keyboard, guitar, or apps like GarageBand.
- Record the Song: Use a phone or computer to record the song. Add background music or sound effects for extra flair.
- Share the Joy: Send the recording to friends and family as a personalized Christmas greeting.
Why It’s Great:
- Creative Expression: Songwriting helps children articulate their thoughts and feelings.
- Music Theory Basics: Kids learn about rhythm, melody, and structure in a fun way.
- Cherished Keepsake: Their original Christmas song becomes a precious memory you can listen to for years to come.
Festive Christmas Dance Party
Dancing is a fantastic way to keep kids active, while also introducing them to Christmas music of all styles. Furthermore, a festive dance party will not only have them laughing and moving, but it will also allow them to fully embrace and celebrate the season. As they dance to the upbeat rhythms, they’ll become more immersed in the joyful spirit of Christmas, creating lasting memories along the way.
How to Host a Dance Party:
- Build the Playlist: Include a mix of upbeat classics and modern hits:
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
- Feliz Navidad
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town
- All I Want for Christmas Is You
- Set the Scene: Decorate the room with twinkling lights and a dance floor (a rug works perfectly).
- Dance Games: Add fun challenges like:
- Freeze Dance: Pause the music, and everyone must freeze in place.
- Dance-Off: Kids show off their best moves.
- Follow the Leader: One person leads, and others mimic their moves.
Why It’s Great:
- Physical Activity: Dancing keeps kids active and burns energy.
- Rhythm Training: Kids learn to move in time with the music.
- Pure Joy: Dancing to Christmas music lifts spirits and spreads holiday cheer.
Christmas Movie Night with a Musical Twist
Combine kids’ love for movies and music with a cozy, Christmas-themed movie night that not only entertains but also highlights the importance of soundtracks and songs. By doing so, you can create an immersive experience that strengthens their connection to music while having fun.
How to Add a Musical Focus:
- Pick Musical Movies: Begin by choosing films with strong musical themes, such as:
- The Polar Express
- Frozen
- The Grinch (2018 version)
- Elf
- Discuss the Music: Next, ask kids to listen closely and share how the music makes them feel during key scenes. This step encourages active listening and emotional connection to the soundtrack.
- Sing Along: In addition, pause the movie at appropriate moments to sing along to the featured songs, creating an interactive and fun experience.
- Recreate Movie Moments: Finally, encourage kids to perform their favorite scenes or sing their favorite songs afterward. This allows them to express their creativity and deepen their understanding of the music.
Why It’s Great:
- Music Appreciation: Through this activity, kids learn how music enhances storytelling in movies, thus gaining a deeper appreciation for the art form.
- Listening Skills: As a result, they become more attentive to melodies, rhythms, and emotions in music, improving their overall musicality.
- Fun Bonding Time: Ultimately, a movie night provides a relaxed and cozy way to bring the family together, strengthening bonds and creating lasting memories.
Final Thoughts
The Christmas break is, without a doubt, an excellent opportunity to combine fun, creativity, and learning through music. Whether your kids are singing carols, crafting their own instruments, or writing original songs, these activities are sure to keep them engaged, happy, and inspired. Furthermore, music brings joy, sparks imagination, and creates memories that last a lifetime.
If you want to take their musical journey even further, look no further! If your child shows a growing interest in music, The Mystic Keys offers engaging and interactive online music classes for kids. From beginner piano to advanced vocals, we help children discover the magic of music—all from the comfort of home.
So, why not make this Christmas the season of music, creativity, and family joy?