Musical Dress Up Games for Kids

by Ann Hudson

Overview

Music and dress up are a natural combination. Whether staging a dress-up competition or creating an imaginary costumed marching band, musical dress-up games add an extra element to a traditional form of children's play. Dressing up helps stimulate the imagination, while music helps children cultivate important listening skills.
Circle games

One of the simplest ways to combine dress up and music is a basic circle game. Hot potato takes on a new twist when silly costumes are involved. Gather the children in a circle and hand out two or three simple costume items such as a hat, a Hawaiian lei and a pair of funny glasses. Each child must quickly put on all three items, and then just as quickly take them off and hand them to the next person. To avoid confusion, all three items must be passed at the same time. Whoever is wearing any part of this costume when the music stops is eliminated. Continue this until only one player is left standing. Another idea is to gather a variety of costume items in a bag. As the children stand in a circle, have them pass around a hand mirror as music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the mirror reaches into the bag and pulls out an item and puts it on. By the end of the game, the children will be laughing hysterically at these crazy costume combinations.

Marching Bands

Mock marching bands allow children to work together as a group while dressing up and pretending to be someone else. Younger elementary-school-aged children especially enjoy this kind of activity. Use ready-made rhythm band instruments or have kids make their own. Create homemade drums from coffee cans or oatmeal boxes decorated with construction paper and crayons. Fill plastic Easter eggs with dried rice or chick peas and tape shut for child-sized maracas. Place small craft bells inside two styrofoam plates, top sides turned in, and staple the plates together at the edges for a tambourine. Once all of these instruments are complete, have the kids choose from a selection of funny hats. Line up all participants and march around the room to a recording of a real marching band.
Active Games

Costume freeze is an active game that helps kids work off energy while still allowing adults to easily keep things under control. This activity can be played as part of a structured costume party, or the children can select items from a costume box for an impromptu game. Just have the costumed kids walk in a circle to music. Encourage them to make up an original dance or motion as they walk. When the music stops, the children freeze in whatever position they are in. Between the silly costumes and the random movements, laughter is bound to ensue.

References & Resources