Looking for a physical and mental challenge for an energetic group of children? Musical Chairs is the perfect game for squeezing in a little exercise, burning off some energy, and enjoying friendly competition! But did you know it’s also a great way to incorporate math into play (really!)? By using terms such as “taking away” or “adding in,” you’re building your child’s knowledge of basic math principles. Since this game is built on the premise of removing chairs and players one by one, it provides a fantastic opportunity to work on numerical cognition in an exciting and relatable way.
In case you’re unfamiliar with this childhood classic, here’s how you play Musical Chairs:
1. Begin by placing as many chairs as there are participants in a circle. (We used our forthcoming animal chairs to enhance the fun!)
2. Turn on some music and have the players run in circles around the chairs while playing music.
3. Remove a chair from the circle and stop the music. When the music stops, each player needs to sit in a seat as fast as possible. Whomever does not find a seat is now out of the game.
4. Continue this cycle until there is only one chair and one player left. The last person sitting is the winner!
In case you’re looking for the perfect songs to play during this game, we’ve done the legwork for you! Our Musical Chairs playlist is an upbeat mix of child-friendly songs that are sure to be hits with all ages. Enjoy!