Fun Ball Music and Movement Activities

I’m sharing some fun music ball music and movement activities for children. These activities can be used at home or in a music class setting.

There’s all kinds of balls you can use for music activities such as basketballs, tennis balls, soft baby toy balls, and even koosh balls!

I’m using a Bear Paw Creek Balloon Ball. All you need is a balloon (which they provide) and your class will be ready for some fun! (Be sure to use CODE: SINGPLAY10 for an extra 10% off!)

I especially like the balloon ball because it travels well. You can put it in your bag and take it anywhere and just use a regular balloon to fill it up and you are ready for play time!

All you need to do is put a balloon inside of it and you are ready for some fun!

Now we can use it to play a lot of different games.

LINK TO THE BALLOON BALL AT BEAR PAW CREEK

PLAY THE STEADY BEAT

An easy game you can play with young children is pass on the beat.

You can play the game using any music with a nice steady beat.

I like to use a singing game song for them to practice playing the beat.

And it’s a good way to get them to sing and pass the ball at the same time.

One of my favorites is GRIZZLY BEAR song.

Practice patting knees on the steady beat before playing the game.

Then have everyone pass the ball with the music or as you sing the song.

You may want to use a hand drum or pat your knees and play the beat to help them out the first couple of times.

When the song ends, whoever has the ball jumps up and gets to toss it to someone.  That child then starts the passing game again.

ACTIVITY #2 MUSIC SYMBOLS, NOTES, RHYTHM GAME

This game is great for upper elementary students.  You’ll need a bunch of flash cards for this game. Everyone stands in a circle.  Scatter the flashcards in the middle of the circle.

Students will hit the ball towards the flashcards. Have them pick up the one the ball hits. Then they will show what’s on the flashcard. For example, play a rhythm pattern, or name what is on the card. 

ACTIVITY #3 MOVE WITH A BALL TO A SONG

There’s a lot of different ways to use this balloon ball.

You can bounce it, toss it, pass it, tap it and pop it between hands.

I wrote a special song just for ball movement activities.

It’s called “My Ball” It’s available in the TpT store and you can listen to it on Spotify and other music services.

1 I am bouncing my ball on the beat. BOUNCE BOUNCE

Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce, on the beat.

2 I am tossing my ball in the air. TOSS TOSS

Toss, toss, toss, toss in the air.

3 I am passing my ball ‘round and ‘round. PASS PASS

Pass, pass, pass, pass, ‘round and ‘round.

4 I am tapping my ball here and there. TAP TAP

Tap, tap, tap, tap here and there.

5 I am popping my ball to and fro. POP POP

Pop, pop, pop, pop to and fro.

I love doing activities with balls with children and I’m hoping you get some good ideas from this post.

Looking for more ball activities?

10 WAYS TO USE BALLS IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM