Are you looking for an interactive game that reinforces your musical concepts and also promotes independence in your music students? Scavenger Hunts are the way to go! They are incredibly popular and often the most requested activity for our class parties. Here are a variety of teacher-guilt-free hunts you can use in your music room!
Types of Scavenger Hunts
There are endless possibilities for things you can include in your scavenger hunt. First, consider which groups you want to participate. Some groups may participate every time, others may only participate for rhythm hunts.
1) Rhythmic Scavenger Hunt
This is one of the easiest games to prepare for. Decide if you want your students to write using stick notation or traditional note-heads. Below is a list of rhythm hunts.
- Quarter Note, Quarter Rest, Eighth Notes
- Quarter Note, Quarter Rest, Eighth Notes, Half Note
- Quarter Note, Quarter Rest, Eighth Notes, Half Note, Sixteenth Notes
- Or get each level HERE!
2) Melodic Scavenger Hunt
These melodic scavenger hunts come in different variations. They all have Solfege colors as well as black notes, both labelled and unlabelled. Below is a list of melody hunts.
3) Onomatopoeia Scavenger Hunt
Perfect for a sunny day! Take your class outside to experience the sounds in the environment. Add a twist by creating soundscapes or rhythms with the found sounds. This one has easy prep- just print and go! Click here to find your own set of Onomatopoeia Hunts!
Prep Your Scavenger Hunt
Print out your hiders (cardstock works well for this). That’s the page that has the melody or rhythm. Cut them out and laminate for longevity. Next print out the recording sheets your students will use. You can choose blank a modified staff. You can have students color notes with Solfege colors on the staff or write the names of notes on the blank sheet.
Organize Your Scavenger Hunt
On one of the recording sheets, write the place where you hide each item- this will help you depending on how difficult you make the hunt. Also having a hint prepared for each hider is recommended, just in case.
Hide for Your Scavenger Hunt
Definitely do this without anyone seeing you. You can hide in your class room, around the school, or outside. Keep some hiders in view so that all students will have a chance for success.
Scavenger Hunt Success!
You did it! Your students had so much fun and it was an easy set up. Check out Mrs. V’s Music Room TPT for more engaging activities!