BINGO is one of the oldest and most well-known music games for preschool-age children. Teachers can lead children in the lyrics, “There was a farmer who had a dog and Bingo was his name-o.” The next line has kids singing, "B-I-N-G-O," clapping once with each letter. Each time the chorus is sung, a letter is dropped from the name and a single clap is heard in its place. For example, the second time around, kids would sing,"(clap only)-I-N-G-O." This game is great for teaching preschoolers the general concept of patterns and focuses on developing memory and concentration.
This game is designed to teach preschoolers colors and shapes.Place colored shapes cut from paper or fabric on the floor. While music plays, children walk around the shapes. When the music stops, they stand on a shape close to them. Each child is asked to say the name and color of the shape they are standing on.
In Freeze Dance, teachers play upbeat music and ask children to dance. When the teacher stops the music, the children must freeze in their places and positions. This game is not only enjoyable for young children, but helps them form an appreciation for music and movement.
In this game, children sing, “If you're happy and you know it,” followed by an action such as clapping their hands, stomping their feet or yelling “Hurray!” Variations of this game involve changing the feeling from happy to something else, or changing the actions. This game is an exciting way to teach preschoolers about feelings.
In Musical Chairs, chairs are placed in a circle, with one less chair than the number of children playing. As music plays, children walk around the circle of chairs. When the music stops, the children sit down as quickly as possible. The one child who doesn't get a chair is then out of the game. The game continues in rounds by starting and stopping the music, and each time a chair is removed. The last time the music is played, two children walk around one chair and the one who is able to sit when the music stops is the winner. This game is popular at preschool-age birthday parties.