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Music, Songs & Stories. Songs and stories help preschoolers hear the sounds in words, build vocabulary, and practice listening. These 6 activities need almost no supplies and fit into any part of the day.
- 6 activities
- Ages 3–5
- 5–30 minutes each
- Everyday supplies
Quick Picks
Not sure where to start? Use this table to pick an activity by time and mess level. Tap a name to jump to the directions.
| Activity | Ages | Time | Mess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Songs with Actions | 3–5 | 10 min | Low |
| Homemade Shakers and Drums | 3–5 | 20 min | Medium |
| Story Retelling with Puppets | 3–5 | 15 min | Low |
| Rhyming Songs | 3–5 | 10 min | Low |
| Read-Aloud Questions | 3–5 | 10–15 min | Low |
| Sound Walk | 3–5 | 15–20 min | Low |
6 Music, Songs & Stories Activities
1. Simple Songs with Actions
What you need
- No supplies needed
How to play
- Pick a familiar song, like Itsy Bitsy Spider or Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
- Sing it with hand and body motions.
- Slow down, speed up, or sing quietly and loudly.
- Let your child choose the next song or invent new actions.
What your child learns: Language, memory, rhythm, and coordination.
Make it easierRepeat one song several times.
Make it harderAdd a second verse or change the words to a new topic, like animals or foods.
2. Homemade Shakers and Drums
What you need
- Empty plastic bottles or containers with lids
- Dry rice or pasta
- Strong tape
- A pot or oatmeal canister and a wooden spoon for a drum
How to play
- Fill a container about one-third full with dry rice or pasta.
- Seal the lid with strong tape (an adult does this).
- Decorate with stickers or paper.
- Play along to music: shake fast, slow, loud, and soft. Use the pot and spoon as a drum.
What your child learns: Rhythm, listening, and cause and effect.
Make it easierPlay along to a steady beat.
Make it harderCopy patterns, like clap, clap, stomp.
Safety: Seal lids tightly with tape so the filling can’t spill. Rice and pasta are choking hazards for small children.
3. Story Retelling with Puppets
What you need
- Puppets, stuffed animals, or paper puppets on sticks
- A favorite picture book
How to play
- Read a short book together.
- Give your child the characters.
- Ask them to retell the story with the puppets: beginning, middle, and end.
- Add a new ending or a silly twist.
What your child learns: Story order, vocabulary, and speaking. The CDC lists telling a story with at least two events as typical at age 5.
Make it easierRetell just the main part, using pictures as prompts.
Make it harderAdd the characters’ feelings and what they say.
4. Rhyming Songs
What you need
- No supplies needed
How to play
- Choose a song or chant with rhymes.
- Sing it together and clap on the rhyming words.
- Pause before a rhyming word and let your child fill it in.
- Make up a new verse with silly rhymes.
What your child learns: Phonological awareness, which is key for early reading.
Make it easierUse songs they know well and pause at the end of the line.
Make it harderAsk your child to come up with two rhyming words each time.
5. Read-Aloud Questions
What you need
- A picture book
How to play
- Before reading, look at the cover and ask ‘What do you think it’s about?’
- While reading, pause and ask ‘What do you think will happen?’
- After reading, ask ‘Who was in the story? Where did it happen? What was your favorite part?’
- Ask ‘How would you feel?’ to build empathy.
What your child learns: Listening, comprehension, vocabulary, and thinking. The CDC lists answering simple questions about a book as typical at age 5.
Make it easierAsk one question per book.
Make it harderAsk ‘Why do you think that happened?’
6. Sound Walk
What you need
- Optional: a clipboard and crayons
How to play
- Walk outside and stop in a quiet spot.
- Close your eyes and listen for one minute.
- Name each sound: birds, cars, wind.
- Draw or tally the sounds, and talk about which were loud and which were soft.
What your child learns: Listening, vocabulary, and attention to detail.
Make it easierListen for 20 seconds and name one sound.
Make it harderGuess where each sound came from and describe it with words like high, low, loud, and soft.
Safety Notes
- Seal homemade instruments tightly with tape so the filling can’t spill. Rice, beans, and pasta are choking hazards for small children.
- Keep music at a comfortable volume.
- Supervise puppets and small props.
See our general safety basics for more.
Where This Fits in the Curriculum
These activities line up with our free 12-month preschool curriculum. Try them alongside these months, or use them any time:
- Month 1: All About Me & My Family
- Month 2: Harvest, Farm & Nature
- Month 4: Light, Traditions & Kindness
- Month 5: Weather & Arctic Animals
See the full 12-month plan or browse all preschool activities.
Music, Songs & Stories Activity FAQs
Why are songs and rhymes important for preschoolers?
They help children hear the sounds in words, which supports early reading, and they build memory and language. Repetition makes songs a great way to learn.
My child doesn’t like to sing. What can I do?
Try clapping, drums, or movement first. Some children are more comfortable with a beat than a tune. Join in without pressure.
How often should I read aloud?
Daily is a great goal, even for 10 to 15 minutes. Reading the same book many times helps children learn new words.
More Activity Types
- Letters & Early Reading
- Math & Numbers
- Science & Nature
- Art & Crafts
- Fine Motor Skills
- Movement & Gross Motor
- Music, Songs & Stories
- Social & Emotional Learning
- Pretend Play & Life Skills
- Sensory Play
- Themed Ideas
Keep Learning with Music, Songs & Stories
Pair these activities with free printables and our 12-month plan.
See the 12-month preschool curriculum · All preschool activities
Sources
This guide is general educational information for parents. It is not medical advice. Always supervise young children, follow product age labels, and talk with your child’s doctor or teacher about any concerns.