Games with music

Bumps

On the blow of the whistle or stopping of the music, the last person to sit on the floor is out.

Crash

aka: Clump

Players mingle, constantly moving until the leader shouts out a number. All players must then try to get into groups of that number, any group/s that don’t succeed are out. Can be played so that when the music stops players find others who have things in common, such as same shoe size.

Variation

Shipwreck

[Kit: Not strictly a musical game, but can be played to music]

Equipment: Hoops or chalked circles of various sizes

Players told that these are islands and have to be standing in them to be safe from the sharks when given the signal (Either when the music stops or the leader shouts "Sharks"). At any other time they may not stand or step in the circles. Players are also told that each hoop can only hold so many players e.g.
Small - 1 person
Medium - 2 people
Large - 3 people

The hoops are scattered about the playing area. When the signal to stop is given, players have to find a hoop to stand in. Those who didn't find a hoop to stand in are out.

Dancing Feet

Change at signal from running around to running on the spot very quickly then back again.

Keys

Find this and other games at Jonathan's Resources

Everybody except one takes a chair and sits on it any where in the room. The person remaining standing is given a set of keys to hold. They then proceed to move around the room with their free hand grabs the hand of somebody sitting who has to get up and follow the leader who weaves in and out of the chairs in the room still holding their hand. While they are doing this the person who has gotten out of their chair then grabs someone else's hand who grabs another persons hand creating a chain of people weaving around the chairs. This keeps going until the leader drops the keys on the floor then everyone standing runs and sits in a chair. The person left standing is the new leader. Playing music really adds to the fun of this game!

Musical Chairs

Very old traditional party game (in the UK) and almost always played to Music. Have a tape recorder or CD or something you can easily stop the music playing on. Best played in a largish hall or at least a room or area big enough to take all the chairs required depending on how many playing. Young children (and older ones) love this game, although the very young might need some help as it can get quite competitive. 

Have a chair for each person playing less one or two (ie if 10 people are playing have only 9 or 8 chairs set out). Chairs are typically arranged in two straight lines back to back, or in a single line with chairs facing in alternate directions, ie first facing forwards the second facing backwards, third facing forwards again.

At the start while music is playing players walk around the arrangement of chairs waiting for the music to stop. When the music stops players have to find a chair to sit down on (first person to sit in chair, no pushing off and judges/adults decision is final, etc.) The player/s who do not get a chair have to stand out of the game. Each round another chair is removed until only two players are left waiting for the last chair.

You might find it useful to place two markers (or adults) at either end of the lines which children or those playing have to go around to save children ending up circling a single chair.

Figure of Eight - Musical Chairs

Sent in by Darren Collins

A variation on the normal musical chairs, "Adds a 'collision' element to it. It's great fun... to watch!".

Arrange the chairs so they are facing outward in two circles that are within 6 or so feet of one another. Play as in normal musical chairs, but players walk around the circles in figure of eight pattern ie clockwise around circle then anti-clockwise around the other circle. The crossing over between the circles adds a collision element. Because of the strong potential for collisions, suggest that this variation is not played by young children or those who could perhaps be easily hurt. Better for older children who are perhaps finding normal musical chairs a bit tame.

Musical Statues

All those playing move around. If desired and to make it more fun a leader can be calling out instructions getting players to move in different and funny ways such as running, hopping, skipping, bunny hops, etc. Players continue to move in this way until either until told to change or the signal is given to stop. When this is given all players have to freeze in the position they were in when told to stop. Last player to ‘freeze’ and/or anybody caught moving are out. Winner is last person remaining.