Like everything else in 2020, Halloween will be different both at home and in the classroom! In looking at what activities I did last year, I want to share a few adjustments for this crazy time and add a couple of more! Please add your favorite activities in the comments below!

Activities from last year:

  • Skin and Bones
    • Your class can do this without the stretchy band and either stand in a large circle outside with a boom box to play the song or have them stand 6 ft apart in your classroom. For the “Boo” at the end, they can strike a pose, throw their hands up, jump, etc… ~ have the kids choose!
  • “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat”
    • You can chant and/ or whisper this story (or parts of the story) to highlight the different types of voices
    • Assign 1 or 2 kids to each animal or creature (or bones). When their part is mentioned, they can choose to act it out, play a specific instrument, etc..

New Activities:

  • I found a fun activity HERE that can easily work in the music classroom ~ “Witches Brew”.
    • The first player starts the game by saying, “I am a witch making my brew and into the cauldron I just threw…” (this part can be chanted rhythmically) frog’s eyes,” (they can make up an ingredient of their choosing). 
    • The second player then continues by repeating the statement of the first player and adding her own ingredient at the end.
    • The next player repeats the first and second person’s statements and adds on a third ingredient. Play continues around the circle in this manner. Any player who forgets the preceding list of ingredients or can’t come up with a new ingredient is out of the game. The last player standing wins!
  • “Pumpkin Hunter” ~ This game can be played outside or in a classroom. Hide a number of small paper pumpkins ~ one for each student. Choose 2-3 instruments to indicate that the finder is very far away from it, getting closer to it or right near it! As the child looks for the pumpkin, play the specific instrument to indicate how close he/ she is to the pumpkin. You can also use one instrument and play a specific rhythm instead! If you want to use a real pumpkin, that is also an option, as it can be sanitized after each use!

Have a great rest of your week and I look forward to hearing the fun games you all have been doing with your kids!!