Drum lessons for kids can involve several fun games. Here are ideas to incorporate drumming into Hide and Seek, Simon Says, and several other fun activities.
Use Drums for Children’s Hide and Seek
Drum sets for kids or Remo drums for kids can add a fun wrinkle to the classic children’s game of hide and go seek. Aside from being fun, this game will introduce kids to the concept of controlling their volume while playing.
To begin, everyone needs to agree on an object to hide. Once this is done, one person must leave the room. Whoever remains behind can hide the object.
When the object is hidden, the person who left can return and begin searching. Those who hid the object help in the hunt by giving clues on their drums. They play quietly when the seeker is far away from the object, and they grow louder the closer the seeker comes.
Once kids are familiar with the game, the rules can be varied to teach different concepts. For example, instead of changing volume to offer hints, the drummers can increase their speed.
Simon Says on Kids Gathering Drum
The Remo kids gathering drum is perfect for a game of Simon Says since it is large enough to accommodate two drummers. If this isn’t available, players can use separate instruments.
Simon Says offers a fun format for the classic call and response technique to teaching rhythm patterns. The parent or instructor can begin each rhythm by saying, “Simon Says…” The kids then repeat the pattern. Of course, they should be careful to watch out for times when the leader does not start with “Simon says.”
March or Dance to a Remo Drum for Kids
Parents and teachers can introduce the concepts of tempo—the speed of a rhythm—by playing a steady beat for kids to march or dance with. They will probably want to march along in the beginning to illustrate the concept of moving to a beat.
Once kids get the idea, parents can let them know the rhythm is going to change in a few beats. They can either slow the tempo down or speed it up and see how well kids follow along.
Add Drums to Children’s Songs
To introduce the concept of playing with music, parents and teachers can add drums to familiar tunes and have a sing along. For example, they might start off with Old MacDonald had a band, E,I,E,I,O. And in that band, he had a drum, E,I,E,I,O. Next, they could sing to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus: When I tap (rub, beat,) my drum it says “tap, tap, tap, etc. all through the town."
In related articles, parents and teachers can check out ideas for first drum lessons for kids, using a drum for kid’s storytelling, and fun drums kids will enjoy making at home.
Marcy Paulson - From the moment Marcy Paulson picked up a recorder in fourth grade music class, she was hooked. Since then, her passion for music has ...
