Discover the Joy of Music with Five Creative Activities
Introduce young learners to the wonderful world of music with this engaging KS1 resource featuring five hands-on activities that develop musical skills, creativity, and appreciation through making, listening, and performing.
Five Complete Activities Included:
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Body Percussion: Make music with your body! Children explore rhythm and beat by clapping, stamping, clicking, and patting, discovering that they can create amazing sounds without any instruments—building rhythm skills and musical confidence
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Making Musical Instruments: Become instrument makers! Design and create homemade musical instruments using everyday materials like bottles, boxes, rice, and elastic bands—exploring how different materials produce different sounds while developing creativity and understanding of how instruments work
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Listening Games: Sharpen musical ears through fun listening activities! Play games that develop the ability to identify sounds, recognize patterns, distinguish between high and low pitches, and understand loud and quiet—building essential musical listening skills
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My Voice: Explore the amazing instrument we all have—our voice! Discover different ways to use voices including speaking, singing, whispering, and making sound effects, developing vocal control and confidence in musical expression
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Listening To A Range Of Music: Experience the diversity of music from around the world! Listen to different styles, genres, and cultural music traditions, developing appreciation for musical variety and learning to express opinions about what they hear
Why Teachers Choose This Resource:
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Curriculum-Aligned: Fully supports KS1 Music objectives in the National Curriculum of England
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Accessible to All: Activities require minimal musical expertise from teachers—clear instructions make music teaching achievable for everyone
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Hands-On Music Making: Practical activities that get children actively creating, performing, and enjoying music
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Ready to Use: Complete lesson plans with learning objectives, activity instructions, and musical concepts explained simply
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Cross-Curricular Links: Connects to KS1 Design & Technology (instrument making), Science (sound), and PE (body percussion)
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Minimal Equipment: Uses voices, bodies, and everyday materials—no expensive instruments required
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Builds Confidence: Non-threatening activities that help all children feel successful in music
Perfect For:
- KS1 Music lessons (Years 1-2)
- Key Stage 1 performing arts teaching
- Homeschool music curriculum
- Building musical confidence and creativity
- Developing listening skills and musical appreciation
- Cross-curricular sound and music topic work
Learning Outcomes:
Through these activities, children will use their voices expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes, play tuned and untuned instruments musically, listen with concentration and understanding to a range of high-quality live and recorded music, experiment with, create, select, and combine sounds using voices and instruments, and develop musical vocabulary to describe music.
What Makes This Resource Special:
Music is for everyone, not just the naturally musical! These activities ensure every child can participate, create, and enjoy music regardless of prior experience or ability. By starting with body percussion and voice—instruments everyone has—and making simple instruments from everyday materials, children discover that music-making is accessible, fun, and rewarding.
Building Musical Foundations:
The early years are crucial for developing musical appreciation and confidence. These activities introduce fundamental musical concepts—rhythm, pitch, dynamics, timbre—through playful exploration rather than formal instruction, building the foundation for future musical learning and lifelong enjoyment of music.
Developing Creativity and Expression:
Music provides unique opportunities for creative expression and emotional development. Through making instruments, exploring vocal sounds, and listening to diverse music, children develop creativity, self-expression, and cultural awareness while experiencing the joy and satisfaction that music brings.
Bring the joy of music to your KS1 classroom! These engaging activities help young children discover their musical abilities through hands-on making, playful exploration, and creative expression—building confidence, skills, and a lifelong love of music that will enrich their lives in countless ways.
