Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team
Handling a bunch of energetic children is never easy. Kids are restless, and they can’t sit in one place for a long time. If you are looking for ways to keep them engaged, dance activities for kids are the best way to burn their excess energy. Dancing is a fun physical activity for children, allowing them to enjoy and learn new skills simultaneously. We share some unique dance activities for kids to have a fun learning experience in this post.
25 Fun Dance Games For Kids
Dance games are one of the most interesting activities for kids. These games can significantly enhance a child’s physical and mental abilities while boosting their confidence. Additionally, learning different dancing techniques can expose children to various cultural traditions from around the globe, providing a fun and educational experience. Here we have ten energetic dance games ideas for children.
1. Spotlight dance
Dancing to the spotlight is an exciting dance game for kids that can add life to any celebration.
All you need is a handy spotlight, a music system, and a dance floor to pull off the game.
How to play:
- Form a group of 4-5 kids. Select one kid to hold the spotlight and another one to work on the music. The one with the spotlight should be made to stand in the middle of the dance floor.
- As the music starts the kids should start dancing, and the person holding the spotlight should shine the flashlight on the dancers one by one.
- The one that controls the music can stop it at any point.
- When the music stops, the kid with the spotlight should freeze and hold the light on the dancer it was on when the music stopped. The dancer with the spotlight on will be considered out.
- The game continues until one dancer is left.
2. Follow The Leader
Image: Shutterstock
Here’s a game that improves a child’s sense of coordination and fosters creativity. All you need is some lively music and a group of kids.
How to play:
- Choose one person to start as the leader. The leader’s role is to create and change the dance moves with the music.
- Start playing lively and suitable music for dancing.
- The leader begins to dance, making any moves they like.
- Everyone else watches the leader and tries to imitate their moves.
- The leader can change the dance moves at any time, and the others must follow.
After a set amount of time or a song, switch the leader so everyone gets a chance to lead.
3. Dance with the hula
Image: IStock
It is a modified and simplified version of a Hawaiian dance form that is quite interesting and fun for kids. You need the hula hoops to start the game.
How to play:
- Give a hula hoop to each kid and play good party dance music.
- Let them move the hula hoop around the waist. Kids who are not comfortable doing it can swirl it around their arms. Either way, this dance is good for fostering agility and grace in their body movements.
- The one who showcases the best hula dance with a great level of energy will be the entertainer of the day.
4. Freeze Dance
Image: Shutterstock
Freeze dance is an excellent indoor game, ideal for parties and sleepovers. All you need is an open area without obstacles, a music system, and a bunch of kids ready to groove!
How to play:
- Be the DJ or designate someone to control the music.
- Start the music and encourage everyone to dance freely, loosening up and wiggling.
- Pause the music randomly. When it stops, everyone must freeze.
- Anyone who continues to dance or move after the music stops is eliminated.
- Restart the music and allow everyone to dance again. Repeat the pause and freeze process multiple times.
- Keep playing until only one person remains, or play multiple rounds to keep the fun going.
5. Memory Dance
Image: Shutterstock
This game not only entertains but also tests and improves memory skills in children. Keep a music system nearby and select an open area for kids to dance freely.
How to play:
- Ask all the kids to form a circle to begin the game.
- Start playing background music to set the dancing mood.
- Select any child to kick off the game by executing a quirky, fun dance move to the music.
- Proceeding clockwise, each child must replicate the preceding dance moves in sequence and introduce one of their own.
- If a child can’t replicate the dancing steps correctly or forgets them, they are out of the game.
Continue playing until there is just one dancer left who wins the game.
6. Dance with a balloon
Image: Shutterstock
If you are hosting a birthday party, then do try this dance party game for kids. It emphasizes leg and hand coordination. All you need is a few balloons to start the game.
How to play:
- Get the kids on to the dance floor.
- The kids need to juggle the balloons while they dance to the music. The balloon should not fall on the floor until the music stops.
- The one who stays longer on the dance floor juggling the balloons will be the winner.
7. Body Part Party
Image: Shutterstock
Body part party is an engaging game that elicits bouts of laughter while igniting the imagination. However, ensure the children choose safe postures, avoiding anything inappropriate or risky.
How to play:
- Gather the kids in a circle to start the game.
- Begin playing some upbeat music to set the mood for dancing.
- Choose one child to start the game by moving one part of their body, such as a finger or head.
- Encourage kids to be creative and silly with their movements.
- Once the first dancer finishes, everyone else in the circle mimics their moves. The original dancer then passes the movement to the next child.
- The next child must replicate the same body part but create a fresh and unique dance step.
- After each participant has had a turn, select a new body part to dance and repeat the process.
8. Dance Switch
Image: Shutterstock
This game offers a fun and dynamic way to explore various dance styles while encouraging creativity. Pump up the music and watch your child groove and discover new moves!
How to play:
- Start playing music to kick off the spontaneous dance session.
- Let the kids dance freely to the music, expressing themselves through movement.
- Stand by the dance floor and randomly announce different dance styles such as disco, hip-hop, or ballet.
- When a dance style is called out, players must adjust their movements to suit the specified style while continuing to dance to the music.
- Encourage creativity and guide children as they adapt to new dance styles.
Optionally, rotate the role of calling out dance forms among participants to involve everyone and add variety to the game.
9. Shake a leg with a partner
Image: Shutterstock
More than fun, this dance game lets the kids mingle with each other. All you need is a piece of paper and a pencil.
How to play:
- Make a few chits and write the name of a pair on each chit.
- Put the chits in a bowl and pick one randomly.
- Call out the name of the couple on the chit and give them some time to interact and prepare a few dance steps for a chosen song.
- Let them tap their feet together on the dance floor.
- The pair that has the most fun dance will be the winner.
10. Dance Card Game
Image: Shutterstock
The dance card game is an enjoyable activity that makes warm-ups fun while encouraging physical exercises for kids at home. To play this game, you’ll need a set of cards featuring different movements and a music player.
How to play:
- Create a set of cards with different movements (e.g., run, skip, jump, twirl).
- Each person takes turns picking a card from the deck.
- The one who draws the card leads the class in doing the movement on it.
- Alternatively, shuffle the deck and draw four to eight cards.
- Place these cards in a line on the floor or tack them to a wall.
- Have the class follow these movements in sequence to perform their warm-up.
11. Musical Bumps
Image: Shutterstock
Why only reserve bumping for birthdays when you can include it in dancing? Here’s a simple and enjoyable game that boosts active listening while giving kids fun bumps. Just grab a music system and find an open area to get started!
How to play:
- Start playing a song and encourage the kids to dance to the music, moving around on the floor.
- Pause the music at random intervals.
- Instruct the kids to sit on the floor gently as soon as the music stops. Emphasize the importance of doing this carefully to avoid injury.
- The first person to sit down when the music stops is the winner. If playing with a group, the last person to sit down is out of the game.
- Continue the game by pausing and starting the music until only one person remains, who is the winner.
12. Newspaper Dance
Image: Midjourney
Dancing on paper isn’t just for couples; it’s also a fun game for kids! Whether played individually or in pairs, this activity assures enjoyment while testing their balancing skills. Get ready to kick off the fun by grabbing some newspapers and a music system!
How to play:
- Give each student a piece of newspaper
- Ensure there’s enough room to dance.
- Start the music and instruct students to dance on their newspapers without going over the edges.
- When the music stops, have them fold their newspapers in half.
- Resume the music and ask them to continue dancing on the folded newspapers.
- Repeat the process of stopping the music and folding the newspaper each time.
- Keep going until only one student can dance inside the smallest space without stepping out.
- The student who can dance within the smallest space wins.
13. Snowball Fight
Image: Midjourney
The snowball fight game offers a unique and delightful way to incorporate dance steps into a fun activity. Gather some blank papers, markers, and a music system to begin this game.
How to play:
- Outline different dance steps on blank white paper and roll them into balls.
- Play energetic music to get everyone excited and ready to dance.
- Let the dancers toss the paper balls to each other while the music plays.
- Stop the music and have each dancer quickly grab a paper ball.
- Each dancer unfolds their paper ball and performs the dance step written on it.
After everyone has tried a few different dance moves, start the music again and repeat the process.
14. Gunny bag dance
Image: IStock
Turn a sport into a dance that boosts physical activity and brings out laughter. All you need are some clean gunny bags.
How to play:
- Let the children get inside the gunny bag and hold it.
- The rule is that they should not fall while dancing with the sack.
- Play music and ask the kids to dance in the bag. The ones who fall will be out.
- Continue the game until one player remains at the end.
15. Simon Says
Image: IStock
This game offers a fun and lively twist on the classic Simon Says game while enhancing listening and cognitive skills. Guide the kids with the rules and enjoy watching them perform funny moves.
How to play:
- Select one person to be Simon to start the game.
- Begin the game by having Simon give dance commands to the other players.
- Simon gives dance commands preceded by ‘Simon says,’ such as ‘Simon says hop on one foot’ or ‘ Simon says move the arms like windmills.’
- Players must follow the dance commands only if Simon says ‘Simon says’ before the command.
- If a player performs a dance move without Simon saying ‘Simon says,’ they are out of the game.
- The dancer remaining, after everyone else is out, becomes the winner and the next Simon.
16. Dance Corners
Image: Midjourney
It offers a thrilling and dynamic game that promotes physical activity and agility. For this game, you need four different colored flags, pieces of paper, a hat, and a music player.
How to play:
- Use four different colors to mark the four corners of the dance area. Hang colorful flags or tape pieces of colored paper to the floor in each corner.
- Write the names of the four colors on separate pieces of paper and put them in a hat.
- Start the music and encourage the children to dance freely around the dance area.
- Pause the music suddenly.
- Children must quickly rush to one of the colored corners when the music stops.
- Pick a color randomly from the hat; the corresponding corner is out, and kids standing in that color corner are out of the game.
- Repeat this process until only one corner is left, and the kids in that corner are the winners.
17. Musical Chairs
Image: Shutterstock
We all know and love this fun, energetic, and classic game. However, by adding a twist with dance and musical cues, it becomes even more enjoyable. All you need is chairs, a music system, and a group of kids ready to join the fun!
How to play:
- Place chairs in a circle on the dance floor, with one less chair than the number of participants.
- Start playing music to begin the dancing.
- Instruct the kids to dance in a circle near the chairs while the music is playing.
- Randomly pause the music. When the music ceases, the kids must quickly find a chair to sit on.
- Remove one chair from the circle after each round, securing one less chair than the number of participants.
- Resume playing music and have the kids dance around the chairs again.
Repeat the process until there’s only one chair left and one winner.
18. The ball dance
Image: IStock
No, we are not talking about the royal ball dance. This is a fun ball dance game that your kids can play at parties or picnics. All you need is a ball, a timer, and a dance floor to get started.
How to play:
- Line up the children in a row.
- One child is given the ball first, he or she dances to the music with the ball and passes it on to the next child when the timer beeps.
- The next kid will continue that dance and perform for a set time.
- After passing the ball, the child will move out of the row to give other kids a chance. It encourages the participation of each child.
19. Dance With Props
Image: Midjourney
This activity fosters movement, creativity, and fun, appealing to kids of all ages. Arrange for some engaging props readily available in your surroundings, and have a music system ready before beginning the game.
How to play:
- Gather a variety of props, such as scarves, ribbons, and hula hoops.
- Choose energetic music and explain to kids that each prop inspires different movements.
- Lay out the props and let the children choose the props they want to use for their dance.
- Encourage them to be creative and imaginative in their selections.
- After a few minutes, pause to switch props and repeat.
Celebrate and applaud the children’s creativity and imagination as they perform prop-aided dances.
20. The emoji dance
Image: IStock
Kids are fascinated with emojis, so this makes an excellent kids’ dance party game. An emoji-style dance brings out their creativity. All you need are a few large emoji flashcards with expressions like angry, sad, happy, etc.
How to play:
- The rule is to dance to an emoji expression or theme.
- The parent can raise a flash card for the kids, and they need to dance to the theme of that emoji.
- Pick appropriate music or dance songs for kids that match the mood or emotion of the emojis. For example, play a peppy number for a ‘happy’ emoji and some slow music for a ‘sad’ emoji.
- It is not necessary to play only songs. You can also play instrumental music that is relevant to the expressions.
Quick tip21. Remote Dance
Image: Midjourney
The remote dance activity provides a fun and interactive opportunity for kids to explore dance and movement while improving their listening skills. All you need to get started is a dummy remote or flashcards and a music system!
How to play:
- Prepare a dummy remote control or create flashcards with remote-control buttons.
- Start the party with kids having fun and ready to dance.
- Use the remote or flashcards to direct the kids’ dance moves. Shouting a word or pressing a button will trigger a specific action for the dancers.
- When you shout a word or press a button to ‘turn down’ the music, it signals the kids to dance more slowly or calmly.
- Call out commands like ‘rewind’ or ‘forward,’ prompting the kids to adjust their dance moves accordingly. For example, rewind means jogging backward, and forward means dancing rapidly.
Encourage the kids to be creative and spontaneous in their dance responses.
22. The clapping dance
Image: IStock
This dance game is a great way to connect the children and improve their interaction skills. A group of kids is all you need to get started.
How to play:
- Get all the kids on to the dance floor and team them up in pairs.
- Ask them to come up with dance moves that need them to clap or give a high-five.
- Give them some time to discuss and prepare the steps.
- You can either play music or use the claps for the rhythm.
- The pair that comes up with the most creative dance moves gets rewarded.
23. Jump to the beats
Image: IStock
Children are full of bubbling energy, so jumping to the beats will keep them physically active and excited. Pick up a few peppy numbers to set the mood and get a blackboard and chalk ready to get this game started.
How to play:
- Get the kids on to the dance floor.
- Play a peppy number to which they have to dance as jumping jacks.
- The children’s performance will be rated with stars, which will be written on the blackboard.
- The kid who jumps freely and wildly to the music will be the Jumping Jack of the day.
24. Freestyle Dancing
Image: IStock
Freestyle dancing allows children to enjoy moving to various types of music. So, prepare a vibrant playlist and let the fun begin!
How to play:
- Prepare a playlist with a variety of music styles to inspire different movements.
- Explain to the students that they will have a chance to freestyle dance to different types of music.
- Play the first song from the playlist and allow them to dance freely, making up their own moves.
- After a few minutes, switch to a different style of music to inspire new dance moves.
- Continue rotating through the playlist, giving students a variety of rhythms to dance to.
At the end of the session, give out small prizes or special recognition for categories such as most creative, most energetic, or best use of space.
25. Dance with hats
Image: IStock
This is a fun-filled, dance warm-up game for kids and can get competitive when you have a large group. You need a hat, some gifts, and peppy music to start the game.
How to play:
- One child will wear a hat before the music starts.
- As the music plays, the kid needs to dance and simultaneously pass on the hat to others.
- When the music stops, the kid with the hat will be out of the game.
- The game continues until one player is left dancing. He/she will be declared as the winner.
Dancing needn’t just be fun. It can also be educational and used to teach kids essential skills such as teamwork.
7+ Best Dance Activities For Kids
Children can enjoy dance activities that promote their creativity and team-building skills. For instance, playing freeze dance can improve their choreography abilities and provide ample physical activity or exercise. Below are some suggested dance activities to try.
26. Retelling A Story
Image: Midjourney
This unique and engaging activity helps kids combine storytelling with dance. It sparks creativity and movement skills while fostering social interaction with their peers.
- Select a story the kids are familiar with or interested in, such as a fairy tale or a fable.
- Read the chosen story aloud to the kids to ensure they understand the plot and characters.
- Explain to the kids that they will retell the story through dance, using their movements to express their actions and emotions.
- Assign roles to the children and encourage them to start dancing, and acting the story through their movements.
- If needed, narrate the story while the kids dance to keep them on track and to help the audience understand the storyline.
27. Get In Shape
Image: IStock
Here’s an engaging shape-based activity that enhances teamwork and nonverbal communication skills while fostering creativity. You will need an open space for movement and a group of children to perform this activity.
How to play:
- Let the dancers form a long line holding hands in the dance area.
- Instruct them to work together to create a specific shape, like a circle, using only nonverbal communication.
- Remind the dancers that they cannot speak and must rely solely on gestures and movements to coordinate.
- Once they have formed the shape, click a picture and show them how accurately they created it.
Repeat the process with different shapes, such as a triangle, numbers, or stars.
28. Balancing the book dance
Image: IStock
It is a simple and interesting dance activity that teaches children about body control and posture while enhancing their concentration. You will need some lightweight books to start the game.
How to play:
- The kids need to place a book over their head before the music is played.
- As the music starts, they need to dance and balance the book without letting it fall on the ground.
- They can catch the book if it’s falling and place it back over the head to continue dancing.
- If they miss and the book hits the floor, the player is out.
29. Dancing with claves (clah-vays)
Image: IStock
Claves is a percussive instrument made of wood. Using it in a dance activity for kids will help develop their gross-motor skills and also improve their eye-hand coordination.
How to play:
- Make the children sit on the floor.
- Tell them to hold one stick in their hand and the other stick beside them.
- Now you tell them to hammer the floor thrice with one stick while singing, “Hammer the floor 1, hammer the floor 1, and hammer the floor 1.”
- Then, let them use both the sticks and hammer the floor while singing, “
- Hammer the floor 2, hammer the floor 2, and hammer the floor 2.”
- In the third round, let them hammer the floor using the two sticks and one foot simultaneously.
- In the next round, they use both the sticks and both feet. For round number five, they also start shaking their head along with the moves using the sticks and the feet. And for each round, the song should include the number of parts that they are using.
Thus, you can ask the kids to create as many creative dance moves as they can while holding the claves.
30. Painting dance
Image: IStock
Painting is a form of creative expression, as is dance. Combine them, and you have a dance activity that is fun and interesting. You need some kid-friendly paints, a few bowls to make the colors, and a non-skid, washable plain mat for the floor.
How to play:
- Make a kid stand on the mat.
- Let him/her dip the feet into a color bowl of choice and take a position.
- Start playing music and ask the child to tap and move the feet.
- One by one, each kid dances on the mat with their feet smeared in the color of their choice.
- When the children are done dancing, you will have a colorful abstract painting on the mat.
31. Ribbon dance
Image: Shutterstock
This activity requires the kids to dance while twirling ribbons tied to a stick. The activity develops their creativity, imagination, flexibility, and eye-hand coordination. You can prepare the ribbon-sticks beforehand to save time for the activity.
How to play:
- Give one or two ribbon sticks to each kid.
- Tell them to dance to the music using the ribbon stick as their prop.
- You can make the kids dance individually, in a group or by dividing them into teams.
- If it is a team activity, you could ask them to choreograph a dance routine and compete for a reward.
- Once they are ready, play the music and let them perform.
32. Rainbow parachute dance
Image: Shutterstock
The curiosity in kids lets them take their creativity to the next level. This activity is all about making creative formations with a parachute. You will need a rainbow parachute and some space to dance.
How to play:
- Make the kids hold the elastic handle of the parachute and form a circle.
- Ask them to move and make random formations as the music plays.
- They can jump, sit, or run in a circular motion as the music plays.
33. The animal mask dance
Image: IStock
The kids have to observe and learn the movements of different animals and convert them into dance steps. The activity improves their observation skills as well as creativity. For this activity, you need some animal masks and a phone or a TV.
How to play:
- Give a mask to each kid. Make sure that everyone has a unique animal mask.
- Before starting the activity, show them the behavior and movement of animals on your mobile or TV. This helps them understand how to dance.
- Give them some time to practice.
- Play the music and let them dance. Record and show them how they danced; it could bring out a lot of giggles from the bunch!
34. Dance to hip hop
Image: IStock
Just play hip hop music and let the kids groove to it. Freestyle hip hop dancing is an excellent physical activity if you have some peppy numbers to play.
How to play:
- Let the kids explore different hip-hop songs and choose the one that they would like to dance to the most.
- Let them listen to the rhythm, get into the mood, and create their steps.
35. Pom pom dance
Pom pom dance is like a colorful adventure where your kids can move and groove with lively pom poms. The pom pom dance is about expressing yourself, moving in cool ways, and having a blast. So, give your kids some pom poms, and let them dance with joy and have loads of fun.
How to play:
- Start by collecting vibrant pom poms in different sizes and colors. These will add an extra element of excitement to the dance routine.
- Develop easy-to-follow dance moves using pom poms. Keep the steps simple and repetitive, allowing kids to enjoy the dance while working on their coordination.
- Choose lively and upbeat music to accompany the dance. Introduce rhythmic elements, like clapping or stomping, to synchronize with the pom pom movements, enhancing the overall dance experience for the kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits of dance for kids?
Dance can be a beneficial activity for children, improving their cognitive and physical abilities and social and emotional well-being. It can improve brain function, calm troubled minds, develop muscles, and improve flexibility. Additionally, dance can improve creativity and discipline, promote sensitivity and understanding of others, awaken the consciousness of beauty, boost self-confidence, and improve coordination and fine motor skills. Dance can be enjoyable for children to enhance their overall well-being.
2. How should I engage children in dance?
Instilling a love of dance in children involves encouraging them to control their movement and self-expression, explaining the enjoyment and importance of dance, and making them participate in group dance activities.
Anne Hicks, a children’s librarian shares how she engages her children to dance, “I printed out the list of dances on brightly colored cardstock. Next, I cut out and laminated each type of dance and put a piece of velcro on the back. During the activity, I stuck each laminated card on the felt board and showed the kids how to do that dance. When I played the song, I pointed to each dance as we did the motions.” The cardstock contained words like tall, small, creep, sleep, stay, sway, and more. All these words are descriptions of how the children should move and dance (i).
3. What is the appropriate age to start dance activities for kids?
Children can generally start dance activities around the age of three or four. However, assessing their physical capabilities, attention span, and interest in dance is crucial before enrolling them in formal dance classes.
4. What common mistakes do parents make when introducing kids to dance activities?
Common mistakes parents make when introducing children to dance activities include setting unrealistic expectations, prioritizing competition over fun and self-expression, and disregarding the child’s input in choosing their dance activities. It is crucial for parents to offer support, encouragement, and a positive environment that values their child’s enjoyment and individuality.
5. How can dance activities help increase a child’s confidence?
Dance activities can boost a child’s confidence by allowing them to express themselves, improve their physical abilities, and feel a sense of achievement when learning and performing routines. It also helps promote a positive body image and self-esteem. Dance classes’ supportive and inclusive atmosphere further enhances a child’s confidence and social skills.
6. Which music is suitable for kids’ dance activities?
Good music for kids’ dance activities is typically lively, energetic and features catchy rhythms and melodies that inspire movement and fun. Popular genres for such activities include pop, hip-hop, children’s music, and songs with a positive and exciting ambiance.
7. What should I consider when choosing dance activities for my child?
When choosing dance activities for your child, consider their age, interests, and energy levels. Look for classes that match their skill level and provide a positive, encouraging environment.
It can be fun and exciting to organize dance activities for kids and watch your little ones perform. Spotlight dance, dance with hula, dance with a balloon, gunny bag dance, the ball dance, and the emoji dance are some of the best dance activities for children. You may also try outdoor team dance activities such as rainbow parachute dance, and animal mask dance can double the joy. You may ensure that the dancing floors are not slippery to avoid falls. It can be interesting to include dance activities for kids during picnics.
Infographic: Fun Dance Games For Children
If your little one loves dancing and playing games, you can combine two of their favorite activities and give them a chance to have double fun. In the following infographic, we have listed a few dance games to which you can introduce your children, and we assure you that they will love them. So, read on and share it with your friends as well. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Dancing is an excellent activity for children, allowing them to burn excess energy while having fun and learning new skills.
- Dancing games like Spotlight Dance and Dance with a Balloon suit multiple participants.
- The Clapping Dance is an excellent activity for improving interaction skills among children.
- For advanced learners, Dance to Hip-Hop offers an excellent choice to groove as they explore different hip-hop songs.
Illustration: Fun Dance Games And Activities For Kids
Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team
Let your kids have fun and get moving with these 11 fun dance games! Perfect for birthday parties or just a fun day at home.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Let’s dance!https://anneslibrarylife.wordpress.com/tag/dance/
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