“Skidamarink a Dink” Rhythm Stick Activity Fun

You can have “Skidamarink a Dink rhythm stick activity fun in your music and movement classes.  It’s a unique and exciting way for you to enhance children’s motor skills, coordination, and musicality while enjoying the popular song. With four progressive levels, this activity caters to a range of ages and abilities, from toddlers to older students, incorporating creative movements like tapping, crossing, and partner work. By combining rhythm, music, and movement, this activity fosters learning and fun in an interactive and adaptable format.

“SKIDAMARINK A DINK” RHYTHM STICK ACTIVITY FUN

Here are five reasons why the “Skidamarink a Dink” rhythm stick activity is a great addition to a music class:

1. Develops Motor Skills: The activity helps strengthen fine and gross motor skills through tapping, crossing, and coordinated movements.
2. Reinforces Rhythm and Timing: Students practice keeping a steady beat and matching movements to the rhythm, building foundational musical skills.
3. Encourages Active Engagement: The multi-level approach keeps students of varying ages and abilities engaged, offering challenges that grow with their progress.
4. Promotes Group Participation: Partner work and group actions foster teamwork and a sense of community within the class.
5. Integrates Movement and Music: Combining physical movement with music provides a multisensory experience, making learning more dynamic and memorable.

I’ve included four different levels of this rhythm stick pattern so that you can use this activity with several different ages or across grade levels.

Rhythm sticks are a wonderful activity, especially for younger children because they encourage bilateral movement, hand-eye coordination, and engage fine and gross motor muscles.

A tip for students: keep movements small and controlled to maintain the beat and easily flow from one movement to the next.

GET THE FREE TEACHING PRESENTATION HERE

Let’s get started with the “Skidamarink a dink” rhythm stick activity!

“SKIDAMARINK A DINK” RHYTHM STICK ACTIVITY LEVEL 1

Level 1:

This level is suitable even for toddlers who are just getting started with rhythm sticks. To warm up, we can rub the sticks together like we’re trying to build a fire. Then, we can use some of the actions from the song to warm up:

• Overhead
• In the middle
• To the right
• To the left
• Tapping on the floor

Resting position is where I like my students to hold their rhythm sticks when there’s no music playing. They’re waiting for the conductor to bring them in with a signal, and this is how professional rhythm stick players hold their sticks.

I begin with any group by reviewing the song. I might have them tap the beat on the floor or on their sticks to help them hear the song and warm up.

For the first rhythm stick pattern, we review the five tapping locations:

1. Overhead
2. Middle
3. Floor
4. Right
5. Left

For younger children, go slower and repeat actions more often. They may get confused about directions, but don’t worry—just mirror their perspective to make it easier. Practice each action slowly, then add the pattern to the words of the song.

The rhythm for Level 1:

• Four beats overhead: 1-2-3-4
• Four beats in the middle: 1-2-3-4
• Four beats on the floor: 1-2-3-4
• Two beats to the right: 1-2
• Two beats to the left: 1-2

Play along with the video!

ACTIVITY LEVEL 2

For Level 2, we use the same pattern (overhead, middle, down, right, left) but add a new action.

On the words “underneath the moon,” we quickly put our sticks together and circle 1.5 times. Then continue the overhead/middle/floor/r-l pattern.

For the ending:

• Only at the end: “I”: Cross shoulders for two beats.
• “Love”: Make a heart for two beats
• “you”: tap in the middle for four beats.

This level will work for 2nd grade and up. They’ll love the “moon” action and the challenge of getting in 2 circles.

Play along with the video!

ACTIVITY LEVEL 3

This level is more advanced, requiring more coordination, and is suitable for older students. Start with Level 1 or 2 as a warm-up, then introduce Level 3.

New Actions:

1. “Skidamarink a dink”: Tap down and middle for eight beats.
2. Every instance -“I”: Cross shoulders for two beats.
3. “Love”: Make a heart for two beats
4. “you”: tap in the middle for four beats.
5. Follow the song pattern from Level 2 with added challenges.

Play along with the video!

ACTIVITY LEVEL 4

Level 4 adds a partner element. Use the same movements from Level 3 but incorporate interactions with a buddy:

• “Skidamarink”: Tap down and tap your partner’s sticks.
• “I”: Cross and tap your partner’s shoulders instead of your own.
• “love”: Create a shared heart shape with your sticks.
• “you” : Tap across with your partner.

The rest of the actions remain the same as in level 3.

RHYTHM STICK ACTIVITY TIPS

“Skidamarink a Dink rhythm stick activity fun is going to be a great hit in your classes and at home during music activities!

There’s a lot of variety in the actions and moves that will keep older kids on their toes. Remember to review the actions slowly and give everyone time to move from one action to the next.

I found that it helps to count the beats and do the activity chanting the song without the music, or even playing along with a drum beat.

For extra fun and a musical extension- encourage your older students to create their own unique patterns with this fun song.

Working together, movement and singing will foster learning in a fun and adaptable way. This well rounded music activity will help your children and students develop music skills too!

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“Skidamarink a Dink” Rhythm Stick Activity Fun

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MORE FUN MUSIC ACTIVITIES WITH “SKIDAMARINK A DINK”

Catch my fun ways to teach Dynamics using SKIDAMARINK song. You can use these strategies with any song and elementary grade. I’ll use a body percussion game and scarf movement to help students experience dynamics.

HOW TO TEACH DYNAMICS WITH “Skidamarink a Dink” PART 1

HOW TO TEACH DYNAMICS WITH “Skidamarink a Dink” PART 2

FREE RHYTHM STICK ACTIVITIES

I hope this “Skidamarink a dink” rhythm stick activity brings you and your students joy while singing and playing “Skidamarink a Dink.”

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