Fun Halloween Activity for the Outdoor Music Classroom

Here is a fun Halloween music activity that you can do with your class using your outdoor musical instruments that will teach rhythm while scaring the pants off them! Sounds thrilling? Take a look!

It is a familiar game, similar to ‘What’s The Time Mr Wolf’, but with musical instruments, uses listening skills and has a Halloween twist!

Their task — or the "trick" — is to match the rhythm with the character shown on the cards.

A little preparation is required. Before playing the game you need to print the rhythm cards from the Halloween rhythm sheet below. Mount the sheet on card and cut it into five, for the different characters.

Spend a little time teaching, demonstrating and practicing each character’s rhythm, so that the children can begin to recognise which character is which.

How to Play: Place the cards into a bag or hat and place it near the outdoor musical instruments. One child is chosen to be the ‘witch’ and sits a little way from the musical instruments. The rest of the children then take it in turns to be brave enough to creep up on the witch.When they are close enough, they reach in the bag and pick a card, then they tap the rhythm on the chosen outdoor musical instrument. (The Rainbow Sambas, or outdoor xylophones or marimbas are perfect for this.) The witch listens carefully, without turning around. She should shout out the character she thinks she recognises from the rhythm played. If she identifies the character/rhythm correctly, then she can turn around, run and try to catch the other child. The child has to run back across to the “safe” zone, without getting caught. If they do get caught, then they will be the next witch! Please feel free to make up your own rules according to the age of your students.

Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Halloween (Download)