For our children, the school year is coming to an end. Trevor and I have been desperately trying to squeeze in our work while rushing off to sports days, award ceremonies, plays, and fun fairs.
And, as any parent knows, the only way to get anything done with children around is to make use of multi-tasking superpowers… which is exactly how the idea for today’s piano game was born!
While strolling past all of the old-fashioned fun fair games at our daughters’ school, I thought to myself, “There must be a piano post in here somewhere.” The dunk tank was an intriguing idea and the haunted house made me smile, but, for piano lessons… neither seemed practical 🙂
The Pick-A-Pop, however, was exactly what I was looking for. So, when I got home that night I decided to create an alternative to clap backs based on this fun fair standard. If you want to try my creation in your studio, keep reading below.
The Pick-A-Pop Rhythm Pull
If you are unfamiliar with the fun fair game, Pick-A-Pop, it goes like this: A box is covered in wrapping paper. Holes are poked in the top of the box. Lollipops are inserted into every hole. One (or several) lollipop has a colored dot on the bottom of its stick. A child selects and pulls out a lollipop. If the selected lollipop has a colored dot on the bottom of its stick, the child gets to keeps the lollipop.
So… now that you know how it works, here is how you can put a musical spin on Pick-A-Pop and have students that are way more motivated to engage in a clapping activity. Note: If you aren’t into reading instructions, check out the video below:
- Cover a box in wrapping paper. In neatly arranged rows, stick labels on the top of the box. On each label, write a rhythm. Below each label, poke a hole and then insert a lollipop. Color a dot onto the bottom of the stick on one lollipop.
- Next, with your student in the studio, have her clap a rhythm from a label. Pull out the lollipop associated with the clapped rhythm. If the selected lollipop has a colored dot, give the lollipop to the student. If the selected lollipop does not have a colored dot, replace the lollipop and then have your student clap another rhythm.
- Give your student five attempts to find the colored lollipop. If the lollipop is not found after five attempts the game is over (and you may want to give a small candy, like a gummy bear, as a consolation prize).
Clap Back Alternatives For Your Teenage Students
While the Pick-A-Pop Rhythm Pulls will be loved by students of all ages, if you’re looking for another clap back alternative for your teenage students you may want to introduce them to track-tapping. If you are unfamiliar with track-tapping check out this video in a post we shared a few years back.
And don’t forget… if you’re looking for the coolest teen repertoire around visit Amazon and check out our teen resources, The Beethoven Sessions, The Amadeus Anthems, and The Chopin Sessions.
Lena says
Which game are your rhythm cards from?
Andrea says
Hi Lena! These are just labels from Staples and I drew the rhythms on with a sharpie! Really easy 🙂
PamVenter says
I love your ideas Andrea
Andrea says
So glad to hear it! 🙂 Thanks for commenting Pam!
Berdie says
Any ideas of what to use instead of candy? I have some students that can’t have sugar.
Mary McGovern says
As a Mom of an insulin dependent daughter, I was always looking for alternatives to candy, soo in this game, I’d use popsicle sticks with one of them having an end colored. When that one is pulled, and the rhythm
clapped the student would then choose something from a box, like stickers, pencils, cheese stick, raisins, etc.
Andrea says
Great idea!