No matter what age you are, music creates a fun and energizing atmosphere. Using music throughout the summer is a great way to add excitement and create lasting memories with your family.
Picture this: It’s a summer day, the skies are blue, and the sun is shining. As you sit down on your favorite outdoor swing and begin to exhale, you suddenly hear the song, “I Like to Move It Move It” blaring throughout your house. Within seconds, the whole family is dancing around the back yard and laughing.
Try these ideas to keep the music playing all summer long.
1. Start your day with positivity.
Truth be told, we aren’t all morning people. According to John Hopkins Medicine, “Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve your sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.”
Try setting an alarm for yourself or your kids to a positive song. If that doesn’t work, add some uplifting background music to your family breakfast. Hearing your favorite song as you wake up can establish a cheerful tone for your entire day.
2. Pair music with summertime meals.
Adding music to mealtime is a fun way to teach your children about different cultures. If your kids love Taco Tuesday, try adding some Latin, salsa, or reggae music to liven up dinnertime.
Create a themed day, such as Sundaes on Sunday, and play music from the 50s and 60s. Better yet, invite older family members to the event to tell stories about what it was like to live during those decades. There’s no better history lesson than that!
Here are some other mealtime music ideas to consider:
- Breakfast: easy listening, coffeeshop, or inspirational
- Barbecue Night: country, today’s hits, or easy listening
- Spaghetti or Italian Night: Italian or opera
- Burger Night: pop, country, or rock and roll
3. Make your own music.
Making homemade instruments provides kids with the opportunity to use their imagination and be creative. Remember, instruments don’t need to be fancy. Challenge your kids to find objects throughout the house that make noise.
If your family enjoys crafting, create a drum out of a cardboard box and paint it. Making homemade instruments is a perfect rainy day activity, and the possibilities are endless.
Consider these other household items to make music:
- paper plates and paper cups
- plastic Easter eggs
- toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls
- string
- popcorn kernels
- spoons
- rice
- uncooked macaroni noodles
- pots and pans
4. Teach your kids to dance.
Not only is dancing fun, but it’s also great exercise! Instead of the typical at-home dance party, make it a line-dancing party. There are line dances that lend themselves to every age group, so the entire family can join the fun. If you’re up for a challenge, research the steps for country line dances on YouTube, or learn dances like these:
- Cha-Cha Slide
- Chicken Dance
- Macarena
- Cotton Eye Joe
- Hokey Pokey
- YMCA
Incorporating music throughout the day is beneficial for the mind, soul, and body. This summer, check out local community concerts and musical artists coming to your area.
Ashton Schaard teaches Health and Physical Education at Lincoln Learning Solutions and joined the team last fall. Prior to teaching online, she taught in the classroom for six years at the community college and high school level. Ashton has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and Health and a Master of Science Degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. She is married and enjoys spending time with family in Northern Michigan. She loves to bake and try new recipes.