Turn on your ITunes (or select a random station for more laughs) and give an impromptu concert (not planned, unrehearsed, spontaneous) for your parents. Or your cat, dog, guinea pig, parakeet, neighbor, backyard, etc... Show off your best moves.
Use string, rubber bands, boxes, wood, rice, cans, jingles, straws, or anything you can envision that will create a portable instrument. Experiment with the string, woodwind, and percussion families.
1. Listen to music while you paint
Turning on some music for your kids to listen to while they paint (or do any art project for that matter) is a great way to incorporate music into your day. Music is a great way to engage the right brain and get those creative juices flowing. It can also be fun to experiment with different types of music to see how the different “moods” influence their art!
2. Have a dance party
Cranking up the tunes and having a free-for-all dance party is always a popular activity in my house. It is perfect for getting little bodies moving, especially on rainy days!
3. Listen to music during sensory play
Stimulate the senses even further by turning on some music during sensory play. It really does provide a whole new level of sensory play.
4. Play along with instruments
Playing instruments with or without accompaniment is always a fun way for kids to take an active roll in the music making process! Hand out some rain sticks, egg shakers, and maracas and play along to make your own rain storm in side.
5. Ribbon Dance
One of our favorite ways to move to music is with our ribbon wands. They require lots of big movements and they are mesmerizing to watch. The kids can paint a rainbow in the sky with their brightly colored ribbons, make their ribbons fall to the ground like rain drops, or wave them in the sky like bright fluffy clouds. I can’t resist getting involved when these come out any more than the kids!
6. Music Mats
Music mats are another great way to get active when you are stuck indoors.I love them because they are so versatile! They fit just about any subject or theme and can be made out of many different materials – craft foam, carpet squares, fabric squares, even construction paper makes a great temporary mat. Just make sure whatever you use is not going to be slippery when jumped and danced on. One of our favorite games to play with music mats is Musical Hearts ( you can easily change the shape to fit your theme) I write different physical activities on the mats (ie. high kick, crab walk, walk backwards, etc) and then spread the mats all over the floor. The kids take turns controlling the music while the rest of us dance. When the music stops, everyone jumps on the nearest heart and does the action! Its loads of fun and can last for hours! You can easily substitute actions, for sight words, letters, or numbers to change things up!
7. Freeze Dance
A classic music game that never gets old! The kids love the power of being the music master so be sure to give them a turn. I’v found that it keeps them interested in the game MUCH longer!
8. Music Scarves
Music scarves or play silks are a prop that we have just recently added to our collection. These brightly colored fabric squares are so light and airy. The kids love waving and tossing them around as they dance to the music. They can be used individually as little flags or tied together to be used as a group. The possibilities are endless which is why we love them so much!
9. Just Listen
Being cooped up inside on a rainy day can cause little bodies (and big bodies) to get so wound up. Toss some comfy pillows on the floor and encourage your kiddos to cuddle up next to you and just listen to the music while you relax. It may last only a few moments or you may be pleasantly surprised by how long they stay cuddled up. Enjoy however long you get. Even a few deep breaths will have you all feeling better than when you started.
10. Take It Outside
Who says you have to stay inside on a rainy day? As long as there is not a thunderstorm, throw on some galoshes, grab an umbrella, and go splash in the rain! Listen to the sound of nature’s music – the pitter patter of raindrops, the whooshing of the wind, maybe birds chirping. Sing “If All of the Raindrops” on the top of your lungs, catching the raindrops on your tongues! It is sure to be a memorable experience for you and your kids!
Or, you could practice your chorus music.