Halloween can be an incredibly fun but chaotic time in the elementary music classroom. Students brim with excitement, anticipating costumes and candy, which can make it hard to focus on your lesson plans. Add to that the extra activities and parties, and it can feel like a whirlwind. But Halloween is also an opportunity to channel all that energy into themed music lessons that keep students engaged and learning. Below, I’ve rounded up five Halloween music activities that will bring structure, creativity, and fun to your classroom this October!
1. Halloween Rhythm Games
It’s the perfect time to work on rhythm reading, whether you’re prepping for the new or reviewing the old. Halloween-themed rhythm games are a great way to keep students focused and energized. Here are some rhythmic practice videos that you can use for iconic reading up to half notes. They work so well for a substitute lesson too.
Here’s another Halloween rhythm practice for students to clap along or play an instrument.
One of my favorites is a rhythm write-the-room game, similar to a scavenger hunt, where students move around the room to find and write each pattern. For some students, they really need that movement element, but they’re also learning to read and write rhythms during it. You can find that halloween rhythm game here.
2. The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything
For your younger students, The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything is a great resource that combines storytelling, music, and movement. Begin by reading the book aloud to set the stage (full disclosure: this is an affiliate link, you pay the same). Then teach students the corresponding song. After that, you can enhance the lesson by adding instruments to match the sounds in the book, such as drums, shakers, or xylophones to represent the footsteps or the clomp of shoes. I’ve created a ready-to-use set of activities for this book, available here. I also have another blog post on this book and halloween music activity. Check it out here.
3. 5 Little Pumpkins Chant
This timeless Halloween favorite offers a wonderful opportunity to integrate music and movement. Start by teaching students the 5 Little Pumpkins chant, then add some simple motions to represent each of the pumpkins on the gate. You can also add classroom instruments with students playing the matching rhythm for each pumpkin’s lines. This activity helps younger students focus on rhythm, timing, and creativity while having loads of fun!
4. The Addams Family Theme Song
Who doesn’t love The Addams Family theme song? This spooky one is just a classic when it comes to Halloween music activities. Students will love adding a cup game to go along with the music. You can expand the activity by incorporating instruments to create an arrangement. I have a complete Addams Family rhythmic arrangement ready to go if you’re looking for a detailed plan to make this activity easy to implement.
5. The Ghost of John Orff Arrangement
If you’re looking for a spooky folk song that’s simple yet captivating, The Ghost of John is a perfect choice, and some versions are called The Ghost of Tom. This haunting melody pairs perfectly with Orff instruments to add a layer of eerie sound to your Halloween activities. Students can play the accompaniment using xylophones, metallophones, or glockenspiels, creating a rich, beautiful performance. I’ve even used this melody with new lyrics for a December concert – lots of possibilities. You can find the full Orff arrangement for this classic Halloween song here.
Conclusion
Halloween doesn’t have to be a hectic time in the music room! By incorporating these engaging and easy-to-use activities, you can channel your students’ excitement into meaningful music lessons. Whether you’re focusing on rhythm games, integrating storytelling and instruments, or diving into folk songs and arrangements, these five activities will keep your students actively learning and having fun all October long.
