I wanted to share a couple of games we played at Christmas camp that were a big hit with students! Though we played them at Christmas camp, neither of these games have anything to do with Christmas, so you can use them anytime. Best played during a group lesson or camp.

Now as you probably know by now, my theme this year is a Quest, so I wanted to incorporate a couple of games that would go perfectly with our theme.

Blow Bow Intervals

Materials Needed: Straw, Q-Tip, a Target of some kind (I used small boxes), Interval Target Cards.

How to Play: Teacher shows an interval (you can draw the interval or use interval flashcards). Two students from different teams come up. The first one who names the shown interval correctly, their team gets a point. They now both have a chance to hit the correct target for an additional point. Students will add a Q-Tip inside their straw and simply blow trying to hit the interval name that matched the interval the teacher showed. If either one hits the target, their team gets a point. When a team reaches 25 points first (or whatever points you decide on in advance, consider how many participants) the game is over.

Catapult Notes

Materials Needed: Catapult, Music Alphabet Shield Posters.

How to Play: Teacher will show a note name card (you can draw them on a whiteboard or use flashcards). Two students from different teams come up. The first one who names the shown note correctly, their team gets a point. They now both have a chance to hit the correct target for an additional point. Students use the catapult to target the note name that matches the card the teacher showed. If either one hits the target, their team gets a point. When a team reaches 25 points first (or whatever points you decide on in advance, consider how many participants) the game is over.

WARNING: STUDENTS WILL WANT TO PLAY THESE GAMES OVER AND OVER!

You can download all the “target” posters for FREE here. Students LOVED both of these games. They were super easy and a fun way to review intervals and note names. Really you can use the same idea for anything you want to review. They are especially fun to use at group lessons and camps!

Looking for more game ideas? 

Have you ever thought about running a music camp? Do you have problems retaining your income over the summer? Do students seem to be less prepared with all the summer activities pulling them in different directions? Do you and your students long for something different to help engage in the learning process?

You may want to consider running a music camp or workshop. Summer camp has been a WIN-WIN solution for me and I know it can be for you! I also share 20 Popular Activities as well as Popular Game Tools you can use in your camps, workshops and group lessons. Check it out by clicking the picture below…

“Make More, Teach Less exceeded my expectations in its completeness and usefulness. If you’re an elementary general music teacher you’ll be well-prepared with the basic package. If running a music camp is new to you, the 20 Popular Games & Activities alone is worth the price of the upgrade. It’s the ingredient that will make the experience come alive for the kids, including relay races, game show style games, circle games with a musical twist, water play, etc.”

Andy Fling/MakingMusicFun.Net

“Wow! You have really outdone yourself! I will be encouraging people to get the premium program-there’s just so much there!” Karen Gibson/The Piano Bench Magazine

Karen Gibson/The Piano Bench Magazine