The holiday season is finally here! Whether your family celebrates Christmas, another cultural tradition, or simply enjoys a well-deserved winter rest, this is the perfect time to reconnect, slow down, and make beautiful memories together.
Music for many is a huge part of the festive period, and throughout history has been a way that we come together and celebrate the closing of the year. Whether that be carols, Christmas concerts, or even the countdown to Christmas no.1 most people have a piece of music or song that is synonymous with Christmas for them. The main reason for this I think is that music truly embodies togetherness which is something many crave at this point in the year. Even just picking out Jingle Bells on an old family piano with one finger, can bring a smile to the whole family's face.
On this month's blog, instead of a long article, we just wanted to give you some simple ways to bring music into your Christmas traditions at home, and help your children connect what they’re learning with family fun over the festive period.These are fun, simple, and totally pressure-free musical games you can enjoy with your children at home. No particular musical level needed by anyone, just a bit of creativity and joy. We’d love to hear how you get on!
1. Christmas Rhythm Charades
If you are looking for a “goofy” family bonding non-competitive game which can bring lots of laughter at the table, living room, or wherever you all are - try Christmas Rhythm Charades. A game which can be combined with different elements such as humming, tapping rhythms, or miming instruments.
How it works: All you have to do is tapping or humming any type of rhythm, song, and your child needs to repeat it back.
This is a great game to entertain and encourage children's creativity and imagination, it will also help them to reinforce their knowledge in music and rhythms, as well as their listening skills. Lastly, and not least important, it will also encourage collaboration and teamwork, as they need to be ready to listen and communicate.
2. Musical Hide & Seek
Could I ask you to take a moment with yourself and go back in time? Can you see yourself hiding behind that tree, or bush, underneath the table, bed, or behind a door (whichever you chose was the best place to hide in the whole world, wasn’t it?).
Playing Hide and Seek it’s a great game that contributes to a child's development in their early years and encourages problem-solving, critical and flexible thinking, memory and creativity. Moreover, it helps to promote life skills such as communication and teamwork.
What about when we add MUSIC into this game? We will help to improve concentration, memory and focus through active listening.
How it works: Hide a small item (a soft toy, bauble, or anything safe). As your child searches, you guide them using sound:
Louder → they’re getting closer
Softer → they’re moving away
You could even try this using their instrument of choice!
3. DIY Family Band
This suggestion might be the least favorite one for our neighbors (haha), but it’s definitely a great one for the days when we all are a bit more energetic and we need to shake it off a bit.
Let’s create our own orchestra at home! This will bring a lot of creative thinking and imagination to the whole house. It will definitely help boost teamwork and energy, making it great for families and ideal for kids to learn and grow together.
What can you use? Use household items to create your own orchestra:
Jar with rice → shaker
Pots & wooden spoons → drums
Keys → jingle bells
Cardboard box → cajón
Two spoons → castanets
Choose any song and perform together as a family band. It’s chaos. It’s loud. It’s perfect!
We hope you enjoy these games at home, and we’d love to hear from you.
Merry Christmas from everyone here at Pelican Music - and we’ll see you in 2026!
By Pelican Team