How to Create Your Own Song Games

Ask the children what games they already know. The rules to a familiar child's game like Simon Says could be changed to focus on singing and playing instruments. A trivia game could feature favorite lullabies or songs from animated films. Brainstorm game ideas and write them down.

Decide how many song games you want to create. Select some games from the brainstorm list that are appropriate for all ages and don't require equipment you don't have on hand. Vote on which of those song games the kids want to adapt.

Determine if the children will be creating song games as one group or in several smaller groups. Kids separated into pairs could create their own song games and teach them to each other. Ask each group to create rules for their song games and write them down. A new game could be called Simon Says Sing. Select someone to be Simon who shouts, "Simon Says Sing!" at a surprise point during the playback of a karaoke song recording. Eliminate players from the game who sing the wrong lyrics. Keep playing new songs until one player is left who wins the game.

Provide musical instruments and a computer if these items are available. Encourage kids to write their own songs and research information about song origins and composers, if that helps support their games.

Play the new song games with the whole group. Work out any problems with the games together, sharing feedback. Ask the kids about their experiences creating the song games. Ask them what was fun and what was challenging. Write down any additional song game ideas that come up during the discussion.