Rainy Day Music Activities Students Love

Spring is almost here! I feel like in the northeastern US, we wait so long for it. But this year, Easter is early, so I’m hopeful. I have all of my rainy day music activities and songs ready to go for April. If you’re looking to replenish your April and rain songs, then keep reading. Today, I’m excited to share with you lots of different rainy day activities that you can use in your elementary music room. Each year, I devote at least one lesson per grade to a rain themed lesson. I have a long list of songs and activities for elementary music class, and the sky’s the limit! (Sorry – I couldn’t resist!)

Rhythmic and Melodic Review

First, let’s start with some review activities. Whether it’s for rhythmic or melodic or both, students can always use a refresher, especially after spring break. I love using write-the-room activities and flashcards for races. It gets students up and moving, and they really enjoy them. Also, my students absolutely love interactive games where they get to choose the next rainy day picture. Once they click on a picture, it takes them to the matching rhythm or melody to perform. Then they click to choose another picture.   I just love the song and musical, Singin’ in the Rain, and Rhythm Recess on YouTube has 2 adorable rhythm play-along videos to accompany the song. They’re just great to sprinkle into your rain music lesson.

• Iconic Rhythm Play Along for Singing in the Rain
• Notation Rhythm Play Along for Singing in the Rain

Rain Songs & Instrument Activities

Next, let’s look at some rain folk songs. There’s so many different ones to choose from. I first teach the song to the class, noting the melody and rhythm (if applicable to the grade). Then we look at the parts for rhythmic instruments and xylophones, metallophones, etc. Once we’re all ready, we add the rain song to the instruments to create an Orff arrangement.  Try some of these rainy songs out with your own students:

• It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
• Rain, Rain Go Away
• Rain Dance
• Pitter Patter
• Rain on the Green Grass
• It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More

For younger students, you can just choose simple rhythms to add to a rain song. With 1st and 2nd graders, I divide students into two groups. One group sings a song, for example, “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring,” while the other performs a simple rhythm with body percussion. Next, we switch jobs, and finally, I encourage each student to be in charge of both parts. I also introduce the term ostinato to my students with this presentation, called “Rain On and On and On.”

More Rainy Day Music Activities

Here’s a few more of my favorite rain activities and songs that my students really enjoy. First, I love creating our own thunderstorm with body percussion. Before beginning, explain to students that they will need to stay silent during this activity if they want it to sound real. Start with quiet snapping, then gradually move to rubbing fingers, palms, clapping, patting, and stomping. When you’re ready, transition back down to snapping and eventually silence. It’s not only an exciting movement activity, it’s also a great way to help students recognize crescendo and decrescendo.

Another active song is “Singin in the Rain.” Now there are several different versions of this song, some that sound a bit more like the musical version. Mostly, this rain song is an upbeat, cumulative song with silly words and fun motions. Kids absolutely love it!  Here’s 2 different versions that you click to watch on YouTube:

• Singing in the Rain – Tessarose
• Singing in the Rain – The Learning Station

I find my April lessons often needing to be a bit quieter and slower paced due to state testing happening in my building. If that’s also true of you, then try some children’s literature with rainy themes. Here’s some books that would be a great addition to your rain lessons (these are affiliate links – you pay the same price).

• Listen to the Rain – by  Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
• Raindrop, Plop! – by Wendy Cheyette Lewison
• Singin’ in the Rain – based on the song by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown

Well, I hope these rain activities brightened your day a bit. Maybe they’ll even save your “future-self” some time in lesson planning. In fact, I have lots of blog posts with helpful music teacher tips and lessons, all aimed at getting your students excited about music class while saving you time, effort, money, and stress. Check out the topic list on the right side for specific ideas, and let me know what you’d love to see in the future! Feel free to email me (beth@bethsmusicclassroom.com) or send me a DM on Instagram @bethsmusicclassroom.

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