Giggle Inspiring Student Activities [For Distance Learning & Beyond]

Music educators and students everywhere are trying to balance work with play. Get inspired to do something active. Make something, play a game, do an activity. We are all wondering how active can one be behind a computer screen, after all? And how many YouTube videos are really appropriate for any kid? These are my current favorite giggle-inspiring, super fun, creative activities.

The Musical Straw, aka "Straw Kazoo"

I first learned about this experiment working with Pitch Publication's "Science of Sound" unit. In the world of saving turtles, your mileage may vary with kids' abilities to get a disposable straw. I put this one on my choice chart as an optional activity to go along with the week's topics of pitch and volume (the amperage variety of volume). Some students were really creative with this and had a blast making a goofy noise maker.

Parody Arrangements

Video is Kurt Tocci on YouTube.

This one requires some prep work. What is a parody? Why is it funny? What steps do I take to make my own? Teachers Pay Teachers has some really nice-looking units on this, so if you purchase one please let me know if you like it! I successfully did this Mad-Libs style with Christmas song choices in the past. I gave a topic to try to stick to, first. Then, take out whatever words you want the kids to replace and VOILA! Disney songs are also good choices to parody. Topics can be current events, seasonal, or anything you desire.

Silly Song Karaoke

Can you go wrong with Veggie Tales? Your older kids might know these!

I kept meaning to have a "Free Sing Friday" this school year. Unfortunately (fortunately?), I like to overpack my curriculum with good stuff and felt that I needed Fridays for formal assessment time. Twenty minute classes go by like THAT! My kids always like karaoke-style days when we have them. I am thinking of those days where my voice wouldn't hold up for more than 10 minutes at a time, or we had kids in and out for the mobile dentist. I use a mix of songs from our curriculum and songs the kids know, but the sillier the better if you have a short time frame!

Best of luck, stay safe, keep the laughter alive.