Have the children form a large circle. Choose one child to stand in the middle of the circle. Put on some music. The child in the middle must perform an action to the music such as clapping, marching or toe-tapping. The rest of the group imitates the action. After about 30 seconds, the child in the middle points to a classmate and switches places with him. The game continues with the new person in the middle choosing an action. Make the game more interesting by introducing the children to a variety of dance moves throughout the year.
Have the children spread out in a large area and play a favorite song. Ask the children to sing and dance around the room. When the music stops, they must freeze in whatever positions they are in. Alternatively, instruct the children to move around the room in specific ways when the music begins. Ask them to skip, gallop or hop.
Play a variation of the game by asking children to fall to the floor when the music stops. When the music begins, everyone stands up and starts dancing again.
Put a twist on the traditional game of musical chairs. Place carpet squares around the room. Make sure there is one square for each child. Play music and ask the children to dance around the room. When the music stops, each child must find a carpet square to sit on. Remove one square and play the music again. As the carpet squares are removed, the children must begin sharing them. See how many children are able to sit down when only a few squares are left. Use hula hoops if carpet squares are not available.
Play some music and have the children stand in a line. The first child in line must move around the room, performing actions to the music such as tapping her head, flapping her arms or reaching up and down. The rest of the children imitate her actions. When about 30 seconds have passed, the leader runs to the end of the line and the new child at the front of the line chooses actions for everyone to follow.