This is one of my favorite times of year as the air becomes crisp and the leaves start to turn! It’s the perfect time to add a bit of seasonal fun to your dance classes. Whether you’re teaching in a studio or a school setting, incorporating Halloween and Fall-themed activities can spark creativity and excitement for your students. In this guide, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite ideas and resources that will help make your lessons engaging while still maintaining a focus on technique and artistry.
And remember—you can never go wrong with a “Thriller” flash mob! Whether you’re in the studio or the school setting, feel free to get others involved—other teachers, parents, and even siblings can join in the fun. Hosting a flash mob can be a fantastic way to build community while celebrating the season.
Studio Dance Class Activities
In a studio setting, you have the freedom to use the entire class to create a Halloween or Fall-themed dance experience. Here are some ideas to get your dancers moving, grooving, and having a ghoulishly good time:
1. Monster Mash Movement Games:
Start class off with a fun warm-up using Halloween-inspired music like “Monster Mash” or “Thriller.” You can add freeze dance elements where dancers “turn into” different Halloween characters (zombies, ghosts, witches) when the music stops.
2. Spooky Across-the-Floor Combinations:
Incorporate some playful themes into your across-the-floor exercises. Have students practice their leaps as if they’re jumping over pumpkins, or work on turns imagining they’re spinning through a haunted house! For an added challenge, make up a short combination and let the dancers transform it by adding their own Halloween-inspired movements.
3. Costume Theme Day:
Create a costume dress-up day for your students and let them dance in their outfits! Encourage students to choose costumes that allow for safe movement and flexibility. To end the class, you can host a “spooky showcase” where they perform for each other in small groups.
4. Trick or Treat Technique Stations:
Set up different “stations” around the room, each with a different trick (technique challenge) or treat (dance activity). For example, one station could be a balancing challenge, another could focus on jumps, and another could involve a short improvisation exercise where students create a spooky character through movement. This approach is great for keeping young dancers engaged!
For more ideas, check out my post on The Nutcracker Season: A Resource Guide to see how you can add a holiday twist to your lessons later in the year.
Dance in the School Setting
When teaching in a school, dance educators often face different challenges, such as shorter class times and limited space. But that doesn’t mean you can’t create a magical Fall experience for your students! Here are a few simple but effective ways to add some seasonal flair:
1. Halloween-Inspired Creative Movement Activities:
For elementary or preschool-aged children, consider using classic Halloween stories or picture books to inspire movement. Read a story like Room on the Broom and ask students to create movements that reflect the characters. This is a fun way to get them exploring their creativity while staying on task. If you’re looking for more ideas, visit my post on Favorite Preschool Books for Dance Class.
2. Pumpkin Pass Relay:
This is a great activity for primary students that doubles as a team-building exercise. Split the class into small groups and have them pass a lightweight pumpkin (or a ball) using only their elbows or knees. You can create a dance challenge that each group has to complete before passing the pumpkin to the next teammate. The group that works together the best wins!
3. Fall Freeze Dance with a Twist:
Use Fall-themed music for a traditional freeze dance game, but add a challenge by calling out dance vocabulary words. For example, instead of just freezing, students might have to freeze in a specific position, like a “scarecrow shape” or a “leaf falling to the ground.”
4. Dance Story Creation:
For older students, challenge them to create their own Halloween or Fall-inspired dance story. They can work in pairs or small groups to brainstorm a short dance phrase that tells a story about a haunted house, a magical forest, or even a Day of the Dead celebration. Be sure to check out my articles on Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Through Dance and Famous Hispanic Dancers for inspiration on integrating cultural themes!
5. Autumn Choreography Workshop:
For middle and high school students, consider a Fall-themed choreography workshop. Assign a theme, like “The Changing Seasons” or “The Haunted Forest,” and let students work in small groups to create a dance piece that reflects that theme. This allows students to develop their choreographic skills while embracing the seasonal spirit.
Making the Most of the Season
Adding seasonal themes to your dance classes is a wonderful way to keep your students engaged and excited. Just remember to adapt each activity to fit your dancers’ age, skill level, and class environment. And most importantly—have fun! Whether you’re hosting a mini in-class Halloween performance or integrating seasonal themes into your dance technique, these activities are sure to bring some extra magic into the studio or classroom.
Happy Dancing and Happy Fall!
Taylor
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out some of my other resources, like Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Through Dance and Famous Hispanic Dancers to keep the cultural celebrations going throughout the year!
