Introducing jazz to your child isn’t just a musical lesson; it’s a gateway to culture, emotion, and creativity they can carry for a lifetime. The goal isn’t to create mini jazz prodigies, but to let them enjoy the rhythm and fun of it all. You don’t need to be a music expert, and no one’s expecting a full jazz band in your living room. It’s all about the experience, the laughter, and the hands-on excitement!
Whether you’re a teacher planning a classroom celebration or a parent trying something new at home, these 20 activities make International Jazz Day a hit with kids. No fancy materials or music knowledge needed—just time, freedom, and a little space for kids to explore sound in their own way. These activities are playful, simple, and real-life friendly (think messy tables, noise, and tons of wiggling). You’ll be amazed at how quickly they dive in and make it their own!
Story Time with Jazz Storybooks
Jazz-themed storybooks bring the rhythm of the music right into the pages, giving kids a chance to experience jazz through words and pictures! These stories often feature lively characters and exciting adventures, making it easier for little ones to connect with the energy of jazz. Reading together while listening to jazz music in the background adds an extra layer of fun and creativity. It’s a wonderful way to immerse kids in the world of jazz without them even realizing they’re learning something new!
Jazz Dance Party
What better way to let kids explore jazz than by getting them to dance along? Jazz music naturally invites movement with its lively beats and unpredictable rhythms. It’s all about giving kids the space to express themselves, whether they’re spinning, jumping, or just wiggling to the music. A dance party helps kids connect with music on a physical level, making it a fun, energetic way to spend time together!
Make DIY Music Instruments
Kids love hands-on activities, and creating their own musical instruments is a perfect way to introduce them to jazz sounds! You can make simple instruments like tambourines from paper plates or maracas from bottles, and they’ll love experimenting with their creations. Crafting instruments not only sparks their creativity but also lets them get a feel for how different sounds come together to form music. Once they’re done, they’ll have a blast using their homemade instruments to jam out to their favorite jazz tunes!
Watch Kid-Friendly Jazz Cartoons
Jazz cartoons are a fun, animated way to introduce kids to the genre with catchy tunes and colorful characters! These cartoons capture the playful and lively spirit of jazz, making it easy for kids to understand the joy and energy of the music. With fun visuals and music that they can tap along to, kids will be engaged while learning about jazz without even realizing it. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some educational entertainment while they unwind.
Create Jazz-Inspired Arts
Jazz isn’t just for listening—it’s also for creating! Let kids use the freedom of jazz music to inspire their own artwork. They can paint, draw, or even make collages while listening to different jazz tunes, letting the rhythm guide their creativity. There’s no right or wrong way to do it; the point is to let their imaginations run wild, just like the music itself!
Dress Like a Jazz Star
Let your kids have fun dressing up as their favorite jazz stars, whether it’s a classic figure like Louis Armstrong or a modern jazz musician! The outfits don’t have to be fancy—think hats, scarves, or a fun accessory that screams jazz. The act of dressing up gives kids a chance to connect with the world of jazz in a playful way, encouraging them to step into the shoes of these iconic musicians. It’s a simple but exciting way to let them explore jazz culture through fashion and imagination!
Make a Record Album Out of Paper Plates
Get creative with this easy DIY project, turning paper plates into record albums! Kids can decorate the plates with jazz-inspired designs and then even add their own drawings of instruments or music notes. It’s a fun and artsy way to explore the idea of music albums and introduces the concept of jazz records. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter to talk about music history with your little ones!
Whip Up Jazz-Inspired Snacks
Jazz and food go hand in hand, especially when you’re making snacks with a creative twist! Get kids involved in making treats inspired by jazz, like “music notes” cookies, “saxophone” pretzels or “trumpet” fruit skewers. Cooking together lets kids practice their fine motor skills and learn about how different flavors (like jazz instruments) come together to create something special. It’s a delicious way to introduce them to the cultural side of jazz while filling up those snack-time needs!
Map the Roots of Jazz
Jazz has such a rich history, and tracing its roots can be an exciting adventure for kids! You don’t need to go deep into complex history—just a simple map can help kids see how jazz spread from New Orleans and influenced different regions. This activity can be interactive, with kids marking locations on the map and learning about different styles along the way. It’s an educational yet fun way to introduce them to the global reach and evolution of jazz music!
Color to the Beat of Jazz
Put on a few different jazz songs—something fast, something slow, something funky—and give kids crayons or markers to draw however the music makes them move. Lines might get wild during a solo or soft during a mellow rhythm. You’ll start to notice how much music affects their creativity without needing words to explain it. The final artwork tells a story of how the sounds felt to them.
Jazz Charades
Jazz Charades is a fun twist on the classic game, with kids acting out different jazz-inspired actions like dancing, playing instruments, or making sounds! This game taps into their imagination and lets them embody the spirit of jazz music through movement and expression. It’s a great way to get everyone moving, laughing, and learning about jazz in a completely engaging way. Plus, it helps them understand the importance of rhythm and expression in music!
Instrument Sound Match Game
An interactive way to explore the variety of sounds in jazz, this game challenges kids to match different instruments to their unique sounds! You can play a clip of an instrument (like the trumpet or saxophone) and have the kids guess which one it is. This helps them develop their listening skills and learn to recognize the distinctive sounds of jazz instruments. It’s a fun and educational way to teach them about the depth and variety of jazz music!
Watch a Virtual Jazz Performance
Watching a live virtual jazz performance can give kids a taste of the energy and excitement that comes with a live jazz show! They’ll get a chance to see how the musicians interact with each other, feel the rhythm, and maybe even learn about different instruments. It’s a great way to help them understand how jazz comes to life in a performance setting, making the music more relatable and exciting. It’s also a chance for them to see jazz as more than just something played on the radio—it’s an experience!
Read and Discover The World’s Most Prominent Jazz Artists
Take a moment to explore some of the world’s most influential jazz artists, like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Ella Fitzgerald! You don’t have to go deep—just a simple introduction to their names and contributions can spark curiosity. Learning about these artists lets kids connect with the history behind the music and discover the personalities that shaped jazz. It’s an engaging way to mix history with music and help them understand why jazz is so important!
Learn Basic Jazz Scat Singing
Scat singing is a fun and silly way for kids to explore jazz vocal techniques! Without needing to know any formal singing lessons, they can play with sounds, rhythms, and vocal improvisation. Scat singing encourages creativity and lets kids experiment with their voices in a fun, no-pressure way. It’s all about letting go, making funny noises, and learning that jazz isn’t just for instruments—it’s for voices too!
Jazz Music Bingo
Jazz Music Bingo is a fun, interactive game that helps kids recognize different sounds and instruments while they play! Each bingo card has pictures of various jazz instruments or different sounds to listen for, and as they hear them, they mark off the corresponding squares. This game is a simple, exciting way to get kids engaged in jazz music without overwhelming them. It also helps them develop listening skills and a deeper understanding of the various elements that make up a jazz piece!
“Guess That Jazz Tune” Game
“Guess That Jazz Tune” takes the classic music game up a notch, letting kids test their ears by identifying different jazz songs or themes! You can play snippets of jazz tunes and have the kids guess which instrument is playing or what the song is. This game sharpens their listening skills while also familiarizing them with different styles of jazz. It’s a fun way to get kids excited about discovering more tunes and learning about the genre!
Jazz “Simon Says”
This classic game gets a jazz twist! With jazz “Simon Says,” kids move to the beat, acting out different jazz-related actions like “playing the trumpet” or “doing the Charleston.” It’s a simple way to get them moving and thinking about rhythm, while also incorporating the playful energy of jazz. The best part? They get to learn the foundations of jazz while having a blast!
Instrument Show-and-Tell
A jazz-themed show-and-tell is a great way for kids to introduce different instruments they’ve learned about! Each child can share their favorite instrument, explain how it makes sound, and even try out some basic jazz rhythms. This activity encourages them to learn about various instruments and appreciate the role each one plays in a jazz ensemble. It’s a great way to celebrate the diversity of jazz while fostering public speaking and confidence!
Jazz Talent Show
Host a little jazz talent show where kids can perform what they’ve learned—whether it’s playing an instrument, dancing, or even scat singing! This gives them a chance to show off their creativity and confidence in a supportive, fun environment. It’s not about perfection—it’s about letting them embrace their talents and express themselves through jazz. A talent show is a wonderful way to celebrate the music and give kids a moment to shine!
20 Things Kids Learn From Dad
There’s something about the way dads teach through doing. Those lessons don’t always come with explanations—they come through actions and little moments of connection. And while it might not always feel obvious in the day-to-day, you’ll see those unfold over time, helping shape the kind of person your child becomes. It’s these unspoken lessons, picked up just by being around Dad, that become the foundation for so much of who they are.
20 Modern Parenting Trends That Didn’t Exist When You Were a Kid
What used to be instinct now comes with research, conversation, and a hundred different choices. But even with all the newness, you’re still doing what parents have always done—trying your best to raise kind, confident, secure kids. The difference now is, you’re more aware. Of yourself. Of them. Of everything in between. And while it can feel like a lot, it also means you’re giving them something many of us didn’t get: intention. Let’s look at some of the modern parenting trends that are actually everywhere today—and that your younger self would’ve never imagined.
Tamara Tsaturyan is the owner and writer of Thriving In Parenting, a website focused on providing simple tips for busy parents — easy and healthy recipes, home decor and organization ideas and all things P A R E N T I N G.
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