How to Incorporate Toys Into a Dance Class

Children look forward to taking dance classes, but you can make dance class even more fun by incorporating toys into each session. Toys make great props for many dance-related games. They also help children stay focused and excited about dance classes. Get ready to make your dance classes more fun.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Use scarves or ribbons for "free dance." Let the students dance on their own with the scarves or ribbons in hand. Tell them to dance like a butterfly. Stop the music, and have them freeze in a dance pose.
2. Gallop with a stick horse. Play a cowboy song and have students gallop across the floor using a stick horse. This will teach coordination as well as the basis of a "chasse."
3. Give each student a hula hoop with which to dance. You can have the students hold the hula hoop in different positions, jump through it, spin it or just use it to hula hoop.
4. Play instruments to teach various rhythms. Use the instruments to create a marching band. Students will love tapping out beats on a toy drum. This is a great way to teach rhythm and timing in dance class.
5. Place a toy in the middle of the floor and have students leap over the toy. You can use any type of small toy for this activity.
6. Shape play dough into unique shapes. Ask the students to copy the shape with their own bodies. Choose a student who most resembles the play dough to make the next shape.
7. Give each student a hacky-sack to place on their heads. Encourage them to balance the hacky sack on their heads while tiptoeing around the room. This is a great balancing exercise for dance class.
8. Place a toy crown on each student's head and tell them to walk gracefully like a princess. Little girls love to be princesses and do the "princess walk."

Tips & Warnings

• Change your toys periodically to keep the students' interest.
• Don't use the same toys each class.