Music Passing Games

Hot Potato

• This classic game is a staple at birthday parties. A group of people either sits or stands in a circle. Someone who isn't playing starts the music. One player begins with a potato and passes it to the next person, who also passes it. The potato keeps getting passed around until the person operating the music suddenly stops the music. Whoever is caught with the potato when the music stops must now exit the game, and play begins anew. The game is over when there is one person standing who didn't get the hot potato when the music stopped.

Mystery Gift Pass

• Wrap a gift you wish to give away in several layers of wrapping paper. It doesn't matter if it looks pretty, since the layers will get ripped up anyways. Have a group sit or stand in a circle and play music. Instruct the group to pass the gift around, just like hot potato. When the music stops, whoever is left with the gift unwraps a layer, and play begins a anew. Whoever gets the gift when the last layer is unwrapped gets to keep the gift.

Pass the Dreidel

• This is a great game for Hanukkah, where dreidels are common. Have a group sit on the floor and pass a dreidel to the tunes of holiday music of your choice. Once the music stops, whoever gets caught with the dreidel is eliminated. Play continues in this way until one person is left who never got the dreidel. A small prize, possibly related to the holiday, can be given if desired. This game can be adjusted for Christmas, Easter or any other holiday.

Entry Kentry

• Print out the music and lyrics to Entry Kentry, a song that helps students learn rhythm and singing. Practice to make sure that the group is familiar with the song. Once familiar, have them sit in a large circle and practice making an "M" in the air. This is how they are to pick up and pass the bean bag that you supply. Each note of the song is one pass; have the children practice until everyone is in the same rhythm. Play begins by the students singing the song, and whoever is left with the bean bag when the song is up must leave the circle. Give them a hand drum or drumstick so they can continue to sing and tap out the song beats while the others play. The person who is left at the end wins.