There are some Saturday's where you have time to plan an amazing singing time.
There are some Saturday's where it's midnight and you just need to find something that will work.
There are some Sunday mornings where you are frantically searching for something to do - it's just 20 minutes, right? Maybe Sacrament meeting will run over...
Sound familiar?
Well, because I've been having the Sunday Morning Problem for weeks now, I decided to have a Giveaway for my all-purpose Game Board! This is one of my primary kids' favorite singing time activities, and it's especially great for review weeks. And there is absolutely no prep involved, except to choose a song/challenge for each different color! I will be sending it out as a kit, which basically means that all you'll have to do is stick it onto a poster board and laminate it if you want to. It's also coming with magnetic Game Markers for Junior and Senior Primary. Take a look...
So, "How do I enter this giveaway," you ask? Good question! There are three ways to enter, and you can get up to three entries...
1. Become a follower of the blog and leave a comment to introduce yourself!
2. Grab my button and leave a comment with the URL to your site so we can all stop by and say hello.
3. Leave a comment with an answer to the following question...
What is your Go-To last minute singing time activity? It could be a game, an activity you always have on hand, the thing you leave in the closet for subs...anything!
This will be fun! A winner will be announced on Tuesday, March 8th. If I don't hear from the winner by Thursday, I'll announce a new one. Have a great week, and best of luck to you!
{This giveaway is now closed, but you're still welcome to leave comments on your favorite go-to activity!}
Pin It Now!
I now follow this blog!!
ReplyDeletesueellenhafen@yahoo.com
My favorite last minute games are hot and cold and the hat game.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be honest and say that my Go-To last minute singing time activity is the most recent idea on your blog!!! With all the wonderful things I can print, it's great when the week has been really hectic. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteKristy W.
Virginia
Hi! I follow your blog and I'm a newly called Primary Chorister after being a long time semi-permanent sub. I love singing time with the primary children and look forward to it most weeks.
ReplyDeleteOne of our Primaries favorite activities is something I got the beginnings of an idea from the Primusic Yahoo group and then it morphed into what works for us. We use a Kerplunk game and the children take turns pulling out the sticks. If no marbles fall we sing the chorus, or phrase that most needs worked on...when marbles do fall out then we sing a verse or a previously picked song. The children love it AND it is an activity that moves quickly and almost every child in our Primary gets at least one turn.
ReplyDeletesuch great ideas brittney! thanks for sharing. i hope i win your cute gameboard - looks adorable1:)
ReplyDelete1. Following--been a fan of yours since, oh...about 1998? ;)
ReplyDelete2. Go-To last minute singing time? We have a plastic tote full of bags of twizzlers--we call it "leading with licorice". Each class/child can come up & help lead with the songs during sharing time...awesome for subs because they don't have to teach a song or bring anything, just use the licorice (and who doesn't like twizzlers!?)
:)
Shara
Hello! I love your blog, I look at blogs occasionally and love getting and sharing ideas for Primary. Thank you for sharing. I would love a chance to win the game board.
ReplyDeleteJane H.
My go-to last minute activity is my 'stop light' - the kids love it and even if I seem unprepared, it has their undivided attention at all times. It's great to review songs with as well as use for old favorites! I would love to get this game board!!
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog!
ReplyDeleteI added your button to my blog.
ReplyDeleteI have only been the primary chorister for 2 weeks now, so I haven't had a chance to come up with a go to activity. Guess I need to come up with one.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite last minute games are "The Good Shepherd" (hide a Little People sheep and sing loud/soft to find it) and "Word Sleuth" (detective hat with a word from the song on it. The singers leave the word out and the wearer has to figure out what word is on his hat). Hopfully I can add your game to the list! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi!! I'm Camille, and I now follow this blog. I am actually not the music person, but the Primary President and think that this game would be SO fun during singing time! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi I'm Debrah! I subbed once and the next week was called to be the primary chorister. I've loved it ever since!
ReplyDeleteMy last minute game I go to is target practice. I take my dart gun and make a target that goes with what I need to teach. The kids can try up to three times then we sing the song. They love playing with the dart gun!
ReplyDeleteMy last minute favorite is my "PUNCH BOARD" I have one for Jr & one for Sr. When I get done using them, I make them back up for next time. That way they're all ready for a last minute grab!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
Penny
redheadworking at earthlink dot net
I just became a follower of your blog. I was called as music leader a month ago and don't have a favorite "go to" activity yet, but I'm gathering lots of ideas from your blog. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI put your button on my blog: www.thecarrollcrew.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI don't know - probably my " how to sing it" cards.
ReplyDeleteI would love this game board, it looks great! I am a follower.
ReplyDeleteMy go to activity is Jenga. Actions placed on the blocks but if the tower tumbles they have to sing the whole song without help. Our kids encourage one another to do well!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE the game board!
I was a stalker before, but now I'm officially following! Thanks for all your great ideas!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of new go-to activities. I've got a jar in my closet with gospel topics and the kids just draw one out, then pick a song to go with the topic and we sing it. Or I copied an idea from another blog I stalk and made a poster board with all the songs we know in different sizes and fonts. Then I have a pink or grey small stuffed gorilla the kids can throw at the poster and the song it lands on we sing. I keep both of those at church for last minute or subs. So glad to have them!!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite last minute idea is a set of birds on popsicle sticks. There is a humming bird, an owl, a canary, and a parrot. We tell the children we are bird watching today and as I raise a bird they either hum, ooo, sing, or speak the words of the song. It is super engaging and the children don't seem to tire of it.
ReplyDeleteYour button is on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI have only been the chorister for a week so I don't have a go to activity yet. I am definitely planning on making your "how to sing it" cards and I am sure they will be a good go to activity.
ReplyDeleteMy go-to is a bean bag toss board, which is in the primary colors. The holes have little nets behind them for me to put names of songs, how to sing, who will sing, or anything else I can think of. The kids love it.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to leave my URL: musicforprimary.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI just added your button to my blog!
ReplyDeletehttp://debandspencefamily.blogspot.com/
Already a follower.
ReplyDeleteI keep a cardboard apple with a hole in it and a sock puppet called Wilma the worm in our closet. I pull it out all the time for Jr.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower and I am so excited about this game board. My go to activity for subs is some fun little ways to sing do as I am doing.
ReplyDeleteI got your button. My blog is http://singingideas.blogspot.com. I am a follower and so excited about this board game. I like to pull out all the kids favorite songs to sing when I am in a pinch. tspendlove@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love your blog!! I've had you on my google reader....but now I'm a follower too.
ReplyDeleteI grabbed your button. My blog is just a private blog as a journal I'll print out for my kids some day. But you're welcome to read it....http://carol-therussellsprouts.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteMy go to activity is "Go Fish" ---I have a giant glass fish shaped bowl and inside I have several laminated fish that are different colors. I have written songs on the back. I call the kids up to "fish" out a song. They love it!!
ReplyDeleteI would so love this game to add to my singing time stuff.
You are awesome to make one of these as a giveaway! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am already a follower for sure!
Amber Omer
Hey! Here is my site where I now have your cute button!
ReplyDeleteAmber Omer
My favorite go to is to do Who-What-How containers. Little lidded cups that I have filled with Who sings slips in one container. What song to sing slips in another & How to sing the songs in the 3rd. Our kids really love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Amber Omer
I've followed your blog for awhile now I love how quick most of your ideas are to whip together. My favorite "go to" is Jenga. I have letters stamped on each block b= boys sing g= girls sing and so on. The kids love it!
ReplyDeletetoblertales [dot] blogspot [dot] com
Hi my name is Michelle and I am now following your blog I love that you post your ideas. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI'm still new to this calling so I haven't figured out a go to activity. One that my kids love that was super easy is with skittles. I pick a helper and if they can guess the color of skittle they are eating then they get to choose the song. If they don't guess I get to pick.
ReplyDeleteFavorite Go To: I taped related songs to an Old Mr. Potato Head. The kids take turns picking pieces to build the trusty Spud. In the end, we have a funky looking Mr. Potato Head, but the kids have all been totally engaged in the activity and singing! (i.e. The Nose: we sing, I Know (Nose) my Father Lives, the Eye: "I Love to See the Temple, the actual Head: "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, the Mouth: Love is Spoken Here. You get the idea, I hope!)
ReplyDeleteLove your site. You have such great ideas!
ReplyDeleteI am now a follower! I am a primary chorister in Nashville, TN. Always looking for good ideas.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite go to activity is "Sing Like A", I have a bunch of different silly ways to sing and it works with any song! Whether the kids know it well or not.
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower to your blog, I was so happy when I came upon it the other day. I have been the primary chorister for almost 2 years, and love it. My last minute primary idea is usually a bag with different items in it to practice singing the songs in different ways. The kids, especially jr. primary love it.
ReplyDeleteHi I follow. Love your ideas!
ReplyDeleteMylast minute go to idea I have a golden plates laminated and we play find the golden plates. The kids love it and don't realize we end up singing the same songs over and over.
ReplyDeleteHooray! I was so blessed this morning to find your blog! I am now a follower, have added your button to my blog (http://grammygingerbread.blogspot.com) and now to answer your question...
ReplyDeleteThis is my fourth or fifth time as primary chorister, but it is SO DIFFERENT from when I used to do it! I feel like a wagon with square wheels most of the time. So far, my go to activity has been "Hide the Note" game...the louder when close, quieter when far...I made it "HIde the Heart" because it was the day before Valentines DAy, and we used program songs so we reviewed them as well! I LOVE YOUR BLOG! Thank you. And the game would be such an awesome addition to my collection of nothing!
I'm a follower of your blog! I just started being primary chorister about 5 months ago in a small branch. It's my first time so I'm still adjusting and learning.
ReplyDeleteI am now an official follower! kmecham@ussynthetic.com
ReplyDeleteI've been our ward chorister for a little over a year now and i LOVE it!
My go to activity is Roll the Dice. I made a big die with different colored sides and I usually have a song or way you sing a song corresponding with the number or color your roll.
ReplyDeleteI grabbed your button! :)
ReplyDeletewww.kendraandcole.blogspot.com
I've never followed a blog before...so no matter what...I learned something new today! Your game board is "ta die fowr!" I would love one, and I can see that everyone else would too. So..I am thinking ahead...after the winner is announced and we are all bummed, but of course happy for the winner :), is there a way that you could post it on here so we could print one out and make one? This is something I have thought about doing but it always seemed a little overwhelming for my non-artistic type of brain. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
ReplyDeleteOh...and my favorite last minute idea, is I have two big wooden dice in the cupboard that someone left (bless them!) and one has numbers on it that will correspond to a song, and the other has different ways to sing (they really dig robot). They roll them across the floor and off we go.
ReplyDeleteI don' t have a go to for Jr. primary yet because I have only been in about a month, but playing four corners and reviewing different songs with each round has worked great with no preparation and the kids LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteI am also now following your blog. Thanks for sharing your ideas and talents.
ReplyDeleteWord King or using my dice for many many things are my last minute ideas. This would be my new one though - I LOVE IT!!!! Thanks for your great ideas and for sharing them - you are generous
ReplyDeleteI have been doing singing time for a couple of months now and LOVE it! It's the best calling in the church! :) I am following your blog
ReplyDeleteSince I am so new, I don't have a go to activity yet. I'm still creating them each week. One that we tried recently was singing baseball. I made a baseball diamond and then printed some baseballs. I wrote "fastball," "curveball," or "knuckleball" on each one. Children would draw out a ball. The fastballs were songs we would sing very fast (including using actions). The curveball would be songs sung in a round (to start on the right and end up on the left, like a curveball in baseball). The knuckleball songs were slower songs that would "flutter" between loud and soft depending on where I held my hand in the air. (Knuckleballs are slow and flutter). Then, I would place the ball on the base, depending on how well the children sang the song. They really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteHi Brittney! I am now officially a follower of your blog! I love your blog and ideas. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFor "go to" ideas, i love Headband hero (i keep words from a few songs always on hand to use), singing jumble (it keeps the songs fun and new-I love this). An easy one for subs is the white board erase game or toss a bean bag to a child and they choose the song to sing.
ReplyDeleteHi! My name is Connie and Primary Music has always been my love! Where else can a person find such pure gospel principles to be taught in such fun ways!
ReplyDeleteI love all your ideas!
Keep 'em coming!
Thanks so much!
I am new to your blog and I am new to being a primary chorister. So far it's awesome. I'm grateful for good blogs like yours with fabulous ideas!
ReplyDeleteMy go to activity is a "sing-off". I make each class stand against a wall facing the center so they can look at each other. Then I divide up the song into phrases and assign each class a phrase. We sing the song through, with each class singing their assigned phrase. The class who sings their phrase the best is the winner of the sing off. I have used this as a time filler and also a method to learn a new song. When learning a new song, we "pass" the phrase to the next class until we have had all phrases sung by all the classes. The senior primary LOVED this and the competition was friendly. My sunbeams needed support from the teachers and presidency, but they were still trying hard!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this (just like everyone else) but I wonder, will you post directions to create for those who don't win? That would be great too.
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower!!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite last minute idea is my instrument bag and we keep the beat!
ReplyDeleteI grabbed your button for my new chorister site. It's still under construction but here it is: www.singwithmetoo.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm now a follower. I've been Primary Chorister several times now (and I'm currently serving in this position), and I'm always looking for new, great ideas. Your blog is wonderful. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI always have a few 'go-to' activities, but the easiest by far is a laminated 'note' about 8 inches tall that we play 'hot & cold' with while were singing. One child hides the note and then another looks for it while the children are singing louder or softer. It's so easy, but both Jr. and Sr. love playing it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and all of your ideas and I love that everyone is so willing to share. One of my "go-to" activities is who, what and how. I have three bags (I made out of fabric and "wonder undered" who, what and how to the fronts) inside each bag is strips of paper. In the "who" bag, for example, those wearing blue or, those who have a birthday this year, etc. (it's always fun when the kids catch on and say "hey, everybody has a birthday this year), "how" and "what" also have strips that go with those particular bags. The "what" bag is the only bag that needs occasional updating but I always keep their favorite songs and just add the ones we are learning. I use alot of the same "how to sing" activities that you and others suggest, but because I use them in a variety of ways the kids don't realize they are the same.
ReplyDeleteMy go to activity is Hide the Note. Kids really enjoy it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh and my go to activity would have to be some home made dice I have made with different ways to sing with different actions on another!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower
ReplyDeleteI don't have a 'go to' activity yet, I've been in for 2 months now, and am still trying to figure out what I am doing every week. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this game board, to add to my small collection I am starting! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a go to game. If I don't have an activity planned we sing and I just wing it to make it fun.
ReplyDeletemy favorite "go-to" activity is the "hot/cold" game. i have a little statue of a boy kneeling in prayer. one child hides him somewhere in the primary room, and one child tries to find him while the rest of the kids sing. both jr and sr primary LOVE doing this!
ReplyDeleteI love love your blog and struggle with my new calling!
ReplyDeleteI am following you!
So far, I have a bunch of stars with the fun ways to sing on them. I think everyone says stuff is fun, on their websites, but I am a little bit skeptical...or my kids are a bit jaded.
Emergency Chorister: We sing songs like "I am Like a Star" and "Popcorn Popping" (not too spiritual) and I have a bowling set or Cuponk to have someone come up and play. If the kid knocks down all the pins or get the ping pong ball in the cup (as the card shows-this is a game from any toy section), they get to pick a song from my short list of possibilities. Then, the kid gets to chose from the cards HOW to sing.
I have some fun cards like:
Sing like a Cowboy
Sing like an Opera Singer
Conga line
Sing like a cat (they say meow meow instead of words)
Sing like a robot
Sing backwards (we actually do the four lines to a song backwards, not facing the back--it is hard!)
hand jive
like an angel (their best)
sing like an old man (we do slow or let the kid pick how an old man sings)
sing like t-Pain (just kidding)
move chairs on key word
etc.
i am already a follower .. love your blog! thanks for sharing! this game board is excellent!!! i would love to win it .. my go to activity is the hot/cold activity when they have to sing louder as the child gets closer .. all my primary children love that one but i try not to over-do it .. keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteWell, I have your updates sent to my email and thought I was a follower until now--I had a hard time figuring out how to do this for the first time, but here I am!!! I am a chorister in Twin Falls, ID. This is my 4th time in this calling and I LOVE IT! Would LLLLLLOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEEEE the game board to add to my ideas--need something new! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love sharing Singing time ideas! I would love your game board. My go to game on Sundays is "Take it in/Take it Out." We take the song out of our mouths/voices when the light it on and take it into our heads when the light is off (pianist continues to play). They love it and so do I!
ReplyDeleteLately my "go-to" is letting the kids come up and do actions while we sing. They love it, especially if they get to come up with the action!
ReplyDeleteI am now a follower! I've been chorister for almost 2 years now and love all the blogs out there that have given me inspiration! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI recently found your blog and I love it! So creative. I have been the primary chorister for 6 months and I have to say it has been my favorite calling. My last minute favorite is the hot and cold game. The kids love it and it allows us to repeat the song many times to help them learn the words.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower! I love your blog and have been enjoying reading all your wonderful ideas!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty new at this calling so I don't necessarily have a go to activity yet...but I do have wooden cut outs from Hobby Lobby that I use as ways to sing the song. I am planning on keeping those in my bag every Sunday along with the cards that I printed off your site with ways to sing. They will be a great way to fill time if I need.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower of your blog and I love all your ideas. I already have made myself a game board so if I win please pick someone else. I just wanted to share my go-to activity. It took some time to set up but the kids love it. I bought an over-the-door shoe organizer at Target and have either objects or pictures of ways to sing. It has 24 slots:
ReplyDelete1. toothbrush - sing with teeth clenched
2. sparkly wand - kid gets to lead song (if their hands are out, kids sing loud, hands in, kids sing quietly)
3. Picture of a turtle - sing slowly
4. Picture of a flamingo - sing standing on one foot
5. jello box - sing a wiggle song or sing while wiggling
6. picture of someone holding their hand over their mouth - sing omitting one word throughout the song
7. lei - do the hula while singing
8. microwave popcorn - sing popcorn popping
9. sleep mask - sing with eyes closed
10. baby boots - march
11. picture of microphone - sing into your hand like a microphone (I always tell them to sing like they are on American Idol)
12. baseball hat/cap - sing aCAPella :)
13. gloves - clap your hands to the beat
14. picture of a fish - swim while singing
15. kleenex - plug your nose
16. picture of rain cloud with rain drops - sing staccato
17. small stuffed puppy - wag your tail while singing
18. picture of a boy and girl - you could do boys/girls sing but I like to have the boys sing like girls (high pitched) and girls sing like boys (low)
19. glue stick - I "glue" one hand to their knee and the other to their head or other random position and they have to stay like that through the song
20. picture of an ice cube - we start wiggling and when I say "Freeze!" they have to freeze in place and we sing in that position
21. Picture of an opera singer
22. baby doll - whisper
23. race car - sing fast
24. picture of a snowflake - sing "once there was a snowman"
Even my senior kids have fun with this. It doesn't work if the song is a sacred/reverent song but works for other songs. We used this a lot last year to practice all those "Follow the Prophet" verses. Thanks for doing this giveaway, I'm loving reading all the comments and getting more ideas.
To "Sad but true" - I LOLed at your "sing like t-pain" :)
I am writing for my mom. She does the primary music in her ward, and would LOVE to win. Plus it's her birthday, and I can't think of a better gift.
ReplyDeleteI was just called to be the primary chorister for the first time in my life two weeks ago, but so far the most attentive our children have been during singing time is when I bring my big cardstock butterfly to fly around the front while we sing our practice songs. When the butterfly flies high they sing loudly, when she flies low they sing quietly. So simple, but they love it!
ReplyDeleteshelli.l.snyder@gmail.com
www.shellisroom.blogspot.com
Thanks for the giveaway! That's so nice of you!
Hi my name is Heather, I just became a follower of this blog. I love it and have used many of your ideas! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI always use my cube that has different ways to sing on it! The kids love it!
ReplyDeleteThe kids love when I bring the dart gun and they get to shoot the target to decide what song to sing or how to sing it.
ReplyDeletemamajstevens@gmail.com
My last min. go-to activity is name that tune, or musical chairs. Musical chairs is playing the game, but at the same time singing. The music stops randomly, and the last child standing has to say the next few words to continue in the game.
ReplyDeleteI am now a follower...I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI've only been the chorister for a couple of months, but my favorite go to is to have a variety of ways the kids can sing that they draw out of a bag.
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog! I love it thanks!
ReplyDeletemy go to activity is is an uno attack game game that I have replaced with my own signing cards. I ask kids to come up and push the button and sometimes nothing comes out and other times up to 8 cards can come out and the child gets to choose which of those songs they would like to sing. The kids always get very excited when I bring out that game
ReplyDeleteI've got the best calling in the church right now. Is there anything better than singing with children? I don't think so! My favorite go-to activity is to pull out the chimes and let the kids play 'I Wonder When He Comes Again' as they sing along. They love that!
ReplyDeleteI had to check out the comments on this post. What a gold mine to see what everyone else does.
ReplyDeleteSome of my go to activities are hot/cold and pick a crazy hat (the class that sings the song the best gets to pick out a crazy hat for their teacher to wear)
I follow your blog on my Google Reader. I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy best go-to activity is the big colorful cube I made with different ways of singing a song. It seems so mundane, but the kids still love it no matter how many times I bring it!
ReplyDeleteI'm now a follower, and a believer in your blog! I tried to post last Saturday and it doesn't look like it made it through.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite last-minute items are on here, so I'll add something new. I print out 12 different ways to pick singers (wearing blue, brown eyes, born in March, etc.) OR a bunch or songs to sing, and tape each one to the bottom of the cups in a muffin tin. Let a child throw a beanbag, and the cup it lands in determines the song or singers. Easy to have on hand, easy to hand-write if I need to really be last minute for some reason.
I also added your button to my newly resurrected (in case you look at it!) blog. Pick me, please! Pick me!