🎵 Songs for Rhythm Instruments
These songs are designed to be used with the homemade or purchased rhythm instruments in your Music Box. See Homemade Instruments for how to build your own collection.
Songs for Individual Instruments
Ten Rhythm Instruments
Tune: Ten Little Indians
Adapt the tune to name each instrument as children count along. Works with individual instruments or matching sets — simply substitute the instrument name as needed.
Old MacDonald's Band
Tune: Old MacDonald's Farm
Use the familiar melody to introduce various instruments throughout the performance. Each verse features a different instrument making its sound.
Ten Little Angels
Tune: Traditional
Assign each child a number; they play their instrument when that number is sung. A great Christmas-season piece for interactive counting.
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Ask children whether they have specific rhythm sticks available and invite them to play along when they do.
Songs for Instrument Sets
These melodies work well for group play when all children have matching instruments — shakers, sticks, jingle bells, or sand blocks:
- ♪ Hot Cross Buns
- ♪ Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
- ♪ Jingle Bells
- ♪ Are You Sleeping
- ♪ Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory Dickory Dock — Special Variation:
Assign different children specific sound roles: steady ticking rhythm for most players, triangle strikes at the clock chimes, and a special sound effect when the mouse appears.
🥚 Egg Shaker Activities
Color Shakers
Children each hold a differently colored shaker. Call out a color — only children holding that color play.
Freeze Poses
When the music stops, children freeze in a pose. Others can imitate the pose before music resumes.
Follow the Leader
Children follow a designated leader around the room, matching their movement and shaking pattern.