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You are here: Home / Musical Activities For... / 5+ / Christmas Rhythm Game

Christmas Rhythm Game

December 10, 2020 By Sara Mullett 19 Comments

These Christmas Rhythm Game cards can be used in various ways according to the age and musical experience of the child.  You don’t need any extra equipment, although some wooden tone blocks or a tambourine might come in handy. If you need a little help with reading the music notes, take a look at Introducing The Note Family from the First Piano Lessons Series. These games work very well as accompanying activities to our Easy Christmas Songs For Kids, where you may recognise all the familiar characters!

Free Printable Christmas Rhythm Game Cards

Let's Play Music - Free Printable Flashcards - Christmas Rhythm Sheet ( Page 1 of 2)

Let's Play Music - Free Printable Flashcards - Christmas Rhythm Sheet (Page 2 of 2)

 

 

Print the Christmas Rhythm game sheets using the links below and mount them on to card then cut into separate flash cards.  Keep them in a special box or bag which is decorated for Christmas. Below are some suggestions of how best to use them for three age groups from 2 yrs to 5 years+. Although the ability for each age group should of course always be flexible.

For Toddlers

  • For little ones, this activity is more a recognition and naming game.
  • First read through the cards matching the title to the picture and clapping the rhythm together as you go. Expect to do this plenty of times for them to get to know them.
  • Then you can play a guessing, pointing and naming game. If they can’t quite manage to name them, then pointing will do!
  • Toddlers might not quite grasp the exact rhythms and names, but it is all excellent practise and part of the learning process.

2 1/2 – 5 years

  • These activities can be introduced once the child can name each card and character confidently.
  • First spend some time clapping the rhythms,  as you say the words together.
  • Once familiar, you can then play a guessing & recognition game, where you tap the rhythm but don’t say the word and the child has to guess which character the rhythm belongs to.
  • You can also reverse the game by inviting them to tap the rhythm when you show them the picture. Don’t expect a perfect rendition at first – and give plenty of praise for all attempts!

Print Christmas Rhythm Game -sheet 1 & Christmas Rhythm Game-sheet 2 

5 Years + 

  • These rhythm games are intending for children who can read, and have had some music lessons already, or who are starting to learn to play an instrument.
  • First, you still need to practise reading and tapping the rhythms together several times.
  • Then you can play a matching game where each picture, name and rhythm is correctly matched together.
  • Next, you can test them by just tapping the rhythms and asking them to guess which character it is.
  • Finally,  you hold up the pictures, and they can tap the rhythm that matches it.

educational benefits of Christmas rhythm games _ Lets Play Music

Check out our Christmas lesson plan for lots more musical and educational activities to celebrate the season!

Follow Sara @ Let’s Play Music’s board Rhythm Games & Activities on Pinterest.

Filed Under: 5+, Christmas, How To Read Music, Preschoolers, Rhythm & Percussion Activities, Seasonal Activities, Toddlers Tagged With: Advent, Easy Music Theory, Free Printables, Listening Game, Note Recognition, Rhythm Games

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Comments

  1. Renae says

    November 22, 2014 at 5:37 am

    Thank you so much for sharing all of your fine work! I’m featuring this activity with one image in a round up of fantastic music theory activities for kids at http://everystarisdifferent.blogspot.com. In all honesty, I wish I could have saved several of your posts! I invite you to link up more of your fabulous printables at the Kids Learning Printables Linky Party, so I can share them!

    Reply
    • Sara Mullett says

      November 22, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      Thanks Renae! I’ll definitely stop by and link up!

      Reply
  2. AG Measuredmom says

    December 8, 2013 at 2:16 am

    I really like the idea of using this as a matching game for older kids. What a great rhythm exercise! Thanks for sharing it at After School.

    Reply
    • Sara_LetsPlayMusic says

      December 14, 2013 at 12:59 pm

      Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚ and thanks for hosting every week too!

      Reply
  3. Sara_LetsPlayMusic says

    December 4, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    Thank you so much Angela – good luck with the note family teaching ๐Ÿ™‚ Have stopped by and linked up! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
    • Angela says

      December 11, 2013 at 3:36 am

      I hope you have had a wonderful week. Just stopping by to let you know that I featured this post at this week’s link-up. Feel free to grab an “I was featured” button (not required) and link-up a post or two! ๐Ÿ™‚ http://www.joyfocusedlearning.com/2013/12/anything-goes-link-up-4.html

      Reply
      • Sara_LetsPlayMusic says

        December 14, 2013 at 12:59 pm

        Thanks so much Angela!

        Reply
  4. mrcray21 says

    December 2, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    Love this music activity! Kids LOVE rhythm works…always keeps them engaged!

    Reply
    • Sara_LetsPlayMusic says

      December 3, 2013 at 2:26 pm

      Thanks Marnie! We’re so glad you like it! Rhythm games ARE brilliant on so many levels! Thanks for the support ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  5. Deb Chitwood says

    November 23, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing your free printable, Sara! There are so many fun rhythm activities that can be done with it! I was happy to feature it as the Free Printable of the Day at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page and on Pinterest. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Sara says

      November 24, 2013 at 10:20 am

      Thanks Deb, We really appreciate your support ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    • Sara_LetsPlayMusic says

      November 24, 2013 at 1:00 pm

      Thanks Deb, We really appreciate your support ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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