Music has a beautiful way of bringing people together, creating joy, and making memories that last a lifetime. For families, incorporating music into daily activities can be a fun experience that strengthens bonds between members.
And guess what? Adding instruments into family life doesn’t require a lot of musical expertise—just a bit of willingness to have fun and explore sounds together.
Here’s how you can make music a delightful part of your family life.
1. Start Small with Accessible Instruments
For families who are new to music, starting small with simple, easy-to-use instruments is key. Instruments like tambourines, maracas, small drums, and ukuleles are easy to pick up and play, even for young children.
These instruments don’t require formal training, so everyone can easily participate. Plus, instruments like these help children develop a sense of rhythm, coordination, and timing in a natural, enjoyable way.
2. Have a Weekly Family Jam Session
Setting aside time each week for a family jam session is a wonderful way to keep music as a regular part of family life. You can pick a day and time that works for everyone—like a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon—and make it a family tradition.
During these jam sessions, each family member can take turns playing an instrument or even trying different ones. You can play along to favorite songs, make up your own tunes, or try group activities like call-and-response rhythms.
3. Incorporate Instruments Into Storytime
For younger children, combining music with storytime can make reading even more engaging. Choose a story with exciting scenes or strong emotions, and use simple instruments to add sound effects as you read.
A drum can create suspense, a tambourine can signify excitement, and a gentle shaker can imitate rain or other sounds from nature. Let kids play along by adding their own sound effects or coming up with ways to make the story more musical.
4. Explore Cultural Music and Instruments
Exploring cultural music and instruments as a family can be an exciting way to learn about the world. By introducing different sounds and styles, you can spark curiosity and encourage appreciation for global traditions. Try experimenting with unique instruments like African djembes, Japanese taiko drums, or the Latin American cajón.
For a deeper experience, explore genres that highlight unique instruments such as the bari sax in jazz or salsa music, which adds a rich, deep tone to these styles. This activity isn’t just educational; it’s a way to learn more about different cultural music.
5. Incorporate Music Into Chores and Routines
Adding a musical twist to household chores can make them feel less like work and more like fun. Create a cleaning playlist with upbeat songs and set up instruments in different rooms for mini-breaks between chores.
Kids can use small instruments like tambourines or hand bells while they work or play along with the music as they help with tidying up. This approach brings energy to routines and makes cleaning or other daily tasks enjoyable for everyone.
6. Use Instruments for Learning and Development
Playing instruments together can also be an educational experience. Simple activities like counting beats or following a rhythm help build math skills, while singing and playing instruments improve language development and listening skills.
You can even turn musical activities into lessons by clapping or tapping out patterns for your children to mimic, helping them recognize rhythm and sequence.
7. Encourage Family Members to Create Their Own Songs
One of the most rewarding parts of playing instruments is creating your own music. Encourage each family member to create a short song or rhythm that reflects their personality or something that happened during their day.
You don’t need to write out the notes or lyrics; just let everyone play what feels right. This can be a great way for family members to express themselves and build confidence in their musical abilities. Plus, creating music together fosters an open, creative environment in the home.
8. Make Music Part of Celebrations and Special Events
Family gatherings, birthdays, and holidays are perfect occasions to bring out the instruments. Make music part of the celebration by singing songs together, playing upbeat rhythms, or even creating a family dance floor.
Instruments add a live element to these gatherings, creating a joyful and memorable atmosphere. Celebrating with music is a time-honored tradition across cultures, and it’s a beautiful way to strengthen family bonds and create shared memories.
The Bottom Line
Incorporating instruments into family activities doesn’t just bring more fun and excitement to daily life; it creates lasting memories and builds stronger connections between family members.
Remember, you don’t need to be a professional musician to bring music into your family life. All it takes is a little creativity, a few instruments, and a willingness to play and explore together. So go ahead, pick up an instrument, and let the music bring your family closer together.
