Learn to Play this Fun Musical Birthday Party Game

The Freeze Parade music game developed out of sheer desperation on my part to keep twenty 2 to 3 year olds happily occupied while waiting for parents to pick them up.

I wanted to combine a favorite kids birthday party game with:

• Introduction to music and instruments
• Group participation
• Learning to follow directions and how to stand in a line (2 and 3 year olds find that a rather difficult concept).

This fun kids’ music game quickly became a favorite for the kids and manages to keep 2 to 3 year olds happy for up to 30 minutes.

Changing who gets to be the leader after every couple of songs – one fast and one slow – and having the kids form another line with each new leader, reinforces those life skills.

How to Play the Freeze Parade Game

1. Children pick the instrument of their choice.
2. Let the birthday boy or girl be the first leader.
3. Children line up behind the leader, instruments in hand.
4. Give the children directions as to what to do:
   1. When the music starts they are to start playing their instruments and march around the room or yard. I’ve set up obstacle courses, i.e. around a table, a couch, or a chair or two. If the birthday party is outside, use hay bales, trees, bushes, etc. Another option is to place plastic mats on the ground or floor in a “crazy eight” pattern for them to follow.
   2. When the music stops – everyone freezes including playing of the instruments.
   3. Be sure to explain that when the music is slow we will march slowly, when the music is fast we will march fast. This instills the idea that music has different cadences, thus begins music theory 101.

The Freeze Parade continues until no more marching musicians are left or you just can’t take the noise anymore (pass the earplugs please!). I used this game many a time as a departure time game.

It also makes a great arrival activity game. After welcoming your guest, hand them an instrument and tell them to join the parade!

Photo by bareknuckleyellow. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0).

Kids Musical Instruments for the Freeze Parade Game

Instruments for kids birthday party music games will cover the gamut, depending on your tastes and budget. Here are a couple of options:

1. Use inexpensive instruments such as: kazoos, whistles, maracas, tambourines, etc., which can be purchased separately or in musical gift packs at party stores or any party section at general stores.
2. If it is within your budget, there are more pricey and realistic kids toy instruments. They make wonderful birthday party favors either way.

How to Make a Kazoo, and Other Kids Musical Instruments

An alternative to purchasing instruments is to make it a fun craft activity by having children make their own instruments. Here are a few ideas:

1. The kazoo is a great example. You can make a kazoo by simply rubber-banding a square of waxed paper over one end of a toilet paper roll which can be decorated by the children. Children gently hum into the open end.
2. For the drummer in all children, use large plastic containers with lids to make kids drums. Spoons or hands can be used to bang on the drum.
3. I have used emptied oatmeal containers with lid for drums. It’s fun to wrap them in giftwrap or have the kids create some art on a blank piece of construction paper, then glue it onto the oatmeal container.
4. If you have 5 gallon plastic buckets, turn them over to create a cacophony of brilliant birthday banging (sounds great, doesn’t it?).

Freeze Parade Game Tips and Cautions

With more imaginative kids instruments can quickly and easily be made into musical weapons. Keep an eye on those with such an imagination.

My experience with Freeze Parade has taught me that being the “leader” is a most coveted position amongst even the youngest ages. It is wise to choose the leader yourself and remain firm.

If your Freeze Parade is to take place outdoors, ensure that any potentially dangerous yard ornaments or maintenance equipment is cleared away.

Other Fun Birthday Party Games for Kids

• Freeze tag
• Blind Man’s Bluff
• Tag
• Following the Leader
• Red Light – Green Light
• Mr. Bear’s Footsteps