17 Music Activities for Kids
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Quick answer: 17 Music Activities for Kids. This guide gives 17 ideas in 4 sections: Homemade instruments; Rhythm and listening games; Singing and making songs; First real instruments. Budget: Free to about 拢15. Best for: Ages 2 and up, with ideas for each age.
- Time: 10 to 40 minutes
- Budget: Free to about 拢15
- Best for: Ages 2 and up, with ideas for each age
Somewhere between the first wooden spoon on a saucepan and the family kitchen concert, a child discovers rhythm. You do not need lessons or a piano to nurture it: you only need permission to make a noise.
These 16 music activities range from shakers made in five minutes to games that train careful listening. Warn the neighbours if you need to, then press play.
Top tip: Give every instrument a “volume dial”: loud, medium, whisper. Conducting the volume is a brilliant game, and it gives you a polite way to bring the noise back down.
Homemade instruments
Everyday objects make surprisingly good music.
- Rice shakers: Fill a small bottle with rice, seal the lid with strong tape and shake. Different fillings, such as lentils or pasta, give different sounds. You will need: small plastic bottles, rice.
- Saucepan drum kit: Upturned pans and a wooden spoon make a drum kit. Try plastic tubs for a quieter set, and test which pan has the deepest sound. You will need: wooden spoons.
- Rubber band guitar: Stretch bands of different thickness over an empty tissue box. Thinner bands make higher notes, which explains how real guitar strings work. You will need: thick rubber bands, empty tissue box.
- Water glass xylophone: Line up glasses with different amounts of water and tap them with a spoon. An adult should set this up, and plastic cups work if you prefer. You will need: plastic tumblers, food colouring.
- Paper plate tambourine: Staple two plates together with dry beans inside, then decorate. Adults should do the stapling and check edges are smooth. You will need: paper plates.
Rhythm and listening games
Short, silly and brilliant for building concentration.
- Copy my rhythm: Clap a pattern and your child echoes it. Make it longer or add stomps. Swap roles quickly, because children love being the leader.
- Freeze dance: Play a song, dance wildly and freeze when it stops. Add a rule that the last mover chooses the next song. You will need: bluetooth speaker.
- Sound hunt: Close your eyes and name every sound you hear for one minute. Compare lists, then go outside and try again somewhere different.
- Guess the instrument: Record household sounds on a phone, such as a zip, a kettle or a spoon, and play them back for guessing. Older children love to record the clues. You will need: kids headphones.
- Musical statues with props: Add scarves or ribbon wands for movement. Silk scarves float beautifully and help younger children show high and low notes. You will need: dance scarves, ribbon wands.
Singing and making songs
Voices are free, and nobody needs to be perfect.
- Family karaoke: Choose three songs each, take turns and cheer for everyone. A hairbrush works as a microphone, though a toy one adds to the fun. You will need: toy microphone.
- Rewrite a nursery rhyme: Change the words to feature the dog, your street or the weekend. Writing silly verses builds rhyme, language and giggling. You will need: lined paper pad.
- Song of the day: Pick a new family song every morning and play it at breakfast. By the end of the week children have a personal soundtrack.
- Lullaby swap: Sing a favourite soothing song to a toy, then ask the toy to sing back. A gentle, sleepy way to end an energetic day.
First real instruments
When the interest sticks, small and affordable instruments are worth a try.
- Ukulele or kazoo: Small and forgiving, with just a few chords to learn. A kazoo needs no skill at all, and sounds hilarious in a family band. You will need: kids ukulele, kazoo.
- Keyboard or chime bars: Colour coded chime bars let children play simple tunes straight away. Many come with song cards that you can follow in minutes. You will need: chime bars.
- Rainbow percussion set: Maracas, tambourines and bells for a group band. Look for sets with rounded edges and avoid anything with small removable parts for under 3s. You will need: percussion set.
Helpful links and further reading
A few trusted places to find out more.
- National Trust: Find gardens, parks and historic places for a day out.
- English Heritage: places to visit: Castles, abbeys and gardens with family events through the year.
- Forestry England: Forest walks, trails and family activities across England.
Frequently asked questions
Do kids need lessons to enjoy music?
No. Singing, dancing and homemade instruments build rhythm and listening skills. Lessons can come later if your child shows interest.
How can I cope with the noise?
Set a timer, agree on loud and quiet rounds, or take the band into the garden. Soft mallets and felt covered drums also help.
What instrument suits a toddler?
Look for chunky shakers, bells and drums with no small parts. Supervise carefully, because anything that fits in a mouth can be a choking hazard.
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