The Christmas holiday season is a time for celebration and fun, but it can also be when kids become more sedentary, spending more time inside and in front of screens. However, it's essential to keep kids moving and active during this time of year for various reasons. Let's have a quick recap of the benefits of dancing for kids:

Physical activity is vital for overall health and well-being.

Regular physical activity is essential for kids to maintain a healthy weight, build strong bones and muscles, and improve cardiovascular health. It can also help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Dancing is a fun and enjoyable way to stay active.

Kids often enjoy dancing, which can be a great way to get them moving and have fun during the holidays. Whether you turn on some music and dance together at home, enrol them in a dance class, or join a community dance event, dancing can be a fun and enjoyable way for kids to stay active and burn off some energy.

Staying active can help improve mood and reduce stress.

Physical activity has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health, helping to reduce stress and improve mood. This can be especially important during the Christmas holiday season, when kids may be dealing with added stress and excitement.

It can be a great way to spend quality time together as a family.

Participating in physical activity can be an excellent way for families to bond and spend quality time together. Whether you go for a walk or bike ride, play a game of tag in the backyard, or take a dance class together, staying active as a family can be a fun and enjoyable way to spend time together.

If you're looking for dance activities for your Christmas parties, here are some fun and exciting dance activities that you can do with kids:

1. Freeze Dance

Freeze Dance is a classic dance game that's perfect for kids. To play, turn on music and have the kids dance around the room. When the music stops, the kids must freeze in place. Any player who doesn't freeze or move while the music is paused is out. Keep playing until you have one winner.

2. Musical Statues

This game is similar to freeze dance, but instead of freezing in place, the players have to pose like a statue when the music stops. This can be a fun way to encourage kids to use balance and creativity.

3. Simon Says Dance

Simon Says Dance is a twist on the classic game of Simon Says. To play, the leader (Simon) gives a dance command, such as "jump up and down" or "twirl around." The kids must follow the command only if Simon says it first. For example, if Simon says, "Simon says, touch your toes," the kids must touch them. If Simon says, "touch your toes," without preceding it with “Simon says”  the kids should not do it.

4. Dancing Relay

This is a fun and active dance game that can be played in teams. To play, set up a series of dance moves that the kids have to perform in a specific order (for example, hop on one foot, spin around, and clap three times). Divide the kids into teams and have them line up at the starting line. When you say "go," the first kid in each group performs the dance moves and then runs back to the starting line to tag the next kid in line, who then performs the dance moves. The first team to complete the dance relay wins.

5. Freeze Tag

Freeze tag is another classic game that can be a fun dance activity. To play, choose one kid to be "it." The rest of the kids dance around the room while the "it" tries to tag them. If a kid is tagged, they have to freeze in place. The other kids can unfreeze them by dancing around them three times. The game continues until all the kids are frozen.

6. Emoji Dance

Emojis have existed for quite a while now. They have become a convenient way to express emotions on social media platforms with just a few taps. The same goes for the emoji dance. To play, the host must either play a song designated to the mood they want the players to act out or tell them what emotion they should portray. You can print out flashcards or cut-outs of emojis to make the game more accessible and enticing.

7. Animal Dance

Like the emoji dance, the players must act out how an animal would dance to a song of the host's choosing. You can assign animals, give out flashcards, or even better, give animal masks or full-on costumes to the players accordingly!

8. Follow the Leader

Like any other follow-the-leader game, in this activity, the host or one player will be appointed as the leader, and the rest of the group will follow their movements. The leader can choose different dance styles or create their own moves. This activity helps kids develop their creativity and allows them to learn from one another.

9. Hula Hoop Dance

This activity is great for kids who love hula hooping. A hula hoop is a toy hoop that can be used for recreational activities or exercises and is usually used by revolving it around the waist or on the other parts of the body. Set up a hula hoop in the centre of the room and have kids take turns dancing inside it. They can use the hula hoop as a prop or try to keep it spinning on different parts of their body. This activity helps kids develop their coordination and balance.

10. Scavenger Hunt Dance

Up for something trickier? To perform the scavenger hunt dance, you can hide different items around the room or yard and have kids search for them while dancing. For example, you can hide a scarf and say, "Find something soft and colourful!" The players will then dance around the room until they find the item. This activity helps kids develop their problem-solving skills and get some exercise at the same time.

ARE YOUR KIDS READY TO DANCE?

It is crucial to keep kids dancing and active during the holiday season because of the numerous physical and mental health benefits it provides. By incorporating physical activity into your holiday celebrations and making it a priority, you can help ensure that your kids stay healthy and happy during this particular time or any time of the year.

Want to keep your kids on their happy feet? Keep a look out for our schedule next year! As usual, we'll be rolling out our following classes in 2023. If you have any enquiries or are interested in booking a trial class, call us at 0422939749 or write us a message here. Happy holidays!