Ah, The Nutcracker! A timeless holiday favorite filled with magic, beautiful music, and dazzling dance performances. It’s a staple in many homes, classrooms, and theaters during the festive season. Whether you’re a music teacher looking for fun activities or a parent wanting to incorporate a bit of seasonal culture into your holiday routine, The Nutcracker music activities are a perfect way to engage kids through music and storytelling.
In this post, I’ll share four music activities that you can incorporate into your lessons or holiday celebrations. These activities will help students appreciate the story and the music of The Nutcracker while also incorporating music skills.
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#1 – Read the Story or Watch the Ballet
The first step in any Nutcracker music lesson is introducing kids to the story. You might be surprised—while it’s a staple for music teachers, some students may not have heard of The Nutcracker before!
Start by reading an illustrated version of the story or, if time and attention spans allow, have the students watch a recording of the ballet. You can find excellent picture books or video recordings of the ballet that fit your needs (check your school and local libraries – this is my personal favorite available on Amazon).
By telling students the story first, they’ll be more excited about your other Nutcracker music activities. Watching or reading the ballet also lays the foundation for visualizing the music and connecting it to the characters, which is essential for deeper engagement with the next activities on our list. The book I linked to above is also my favorite because it includes buttons with music as well as the story!
If you’re looking for a good version of The Nutcracker ballet, this one on YouTube is my favorite. (I find in some videos the Mouse King is a bit scary for kids (and for me!)
#2 – Listening Glyphs
Once your students are familiar with the story, it’s time to get their listening ears on! The Nutcracker is full of so much music that brings the story to life – both famous pieces like ‘The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ as well as others.
To get students listening actively to the music, I love listening glyphs. They’re a visual way for students to show what they hear in the music, helping them focus on the details of rhythm, dynamics, and instrumentation.
Listening glyphs ask students to color a picture according to what they hear in the music. For example, students might color different parts of the picture different colors depending on whether the music is fast or slow, loud or soft, or if they hear a particular instrument like the flute, violin, or drum. The visual aspect of glyphs is especially helpful for younger students who may need extra motivation to stay focused during a listening activity.
Review musical terms with your students beforehand, such as tempo, dynamics, and instrumentation, so they are ready to listen with intent. If your kids don’t know these terms, you can replace them with general terms like loud instead of forte. This activity is not only fun but also builds active listening skills and a deeper understanding of the music.
You can find pre-made Nutcracker-themed listening glyphs (in 3 levels!) for every piece in the ballet in my shop, or you can create your own.
#3 – Rhythm Playalong
Now that students are familiar with the music, it’s time to get them making music with a rhythm playalong. (If you teach an instrument, you can also introduce them to a simplified version of a piece from The Nutcracker).
Rhythm playalongs are perfect for helping students practice beat or rhythm while having a blast playing along with the music.
You can either make your own playalong video (You can find tutorials on YouTube – I found it to be very tricky, but I think my computer being a bit slow had something to do with that).
The much easier option is to use one of the many rhythm playalongs to The Nutcracker music others have already made. These videos provide visual cues for students to clap, tap, or play rhythm instruments along with the music.
Choose a piece and video that uses the rhythms your students know.
I’ve made my own rhythm playalong video that you can try, but there are plenty of other teachers who’ve made wonderful playlong videos if you search YouTube. Just search for Nutcracker rhythm playalong and pick your favorite!
#4 – Nutcracker Bingo
Once your students have heard the story, listened to the music, and made some music, it’s time for a game! Nutcracker bingo is the perfect way to wrap up the lesson.
In this version of bingo, students receive cards featuring characters from The Nutcracker ballet, such as Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. As you call out the characters or show pictures, students will mark them off on their cards. You could even add a musical twist by playing short clips of the corresponding music for each character.
This activity is great for reviewing the characters and their roles in the story. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to wind the lesson down. And, of course, kids love the competitive aspect of bingo, making it a surefire hit.
You can make your own or save time and purchase the print-and-go Nutcracker bingo cards in my shop.
What are Your Favorite Nutcracker Music Activities?
The Nutcracker offers so much wonderful music, and it’s a fantastic resource for engaging students in the magic of classical music during the holiday season. From reading the story to listening to the music, playing along with rhythms, and finishing off with a fun game of bingo, these activities will help bring The Nutcracker to life for your students.
Be sure to check out the activity pack I’ve put together, which includes listening glyphs, a lesson on ‘The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ that includes the rhythm playalong, and Nutcracker bingo cards. These ready-made resources will help make your lessons a breeze!
Happy holidays, and enjoy making music with your students!
