Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Musical Statues Cards: Free Printable Card Set for Ages 2 to 4
- ForAges 2 to 4
- StageKey Stage 3
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Musical Statues Cards is a free printable card set for ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Children pick a move card, do that move while the music plays, then freeze like a statue when it stops. It takes about 15 minutes, needs three or more players, and works well at a party, in a nursery or on a rainy afternoon.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Page 1 is the card set. Page 2 is for the grown-up and has notes, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children take part in a classic stopping game. A player picks a card, and everyone does the move on it while the music plays. The moves include hop, jump, tiptoe, spin, wiggle, stomp, clap, wobble and crawl. When the music stops, everyone freezes and stays as still as a statue. Then the next card is picked and the game starts again.
- Hop
- Jump
- Tiptoe
- Spin
- Wiggle
- Stomp
- Clap
- Wobble
- Crawl
Why play musical statues?
Musical statues is a well known party game. Music plays, children move about, and everyone freezes when the music stops. It is simple to learn, which makes it a good fit for very young children. Adding move cards gives the game a little more shape. Instead of just dancing, children get a clear idea to try, such as a hop or a wobble.
At this age, big movements matter. Hopping, jumping, crawling and spinning use the large muscles of the arms, legs and body. Freezing is a different skill. It asks a child to listen, then stop and hold still on purpose. That is harder than it sounds for a two year old, so lots of giggles and wobbly statues are completely normal.
Clear a safe space before you start. Move furniture and toys out of the way, and check the floor is dry and not slippery. An adult should stay with the group and cut out the cards before play. Spinning can make little ones dizzy, so let them sit down whenever they want.
Skills and curriculum link
- Listening
- Moving in different ways
- Balance
- Stopping on cue
- Taking turns
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years Foundation Stage | Physical Development | Gross Motor Skills | Reception |
What children will be able to do
- I can move in different ways to music.
- I can stop when the music stops.
- I can stay still like a statue.
Ideas that help young movers
- Show, then copyYoung children learn a lot by watching. Do each move yourself first, then let them join in. Words alone are often not enough at this age.
- Clear music signalsStopping the music works best when the change is obvious. Keep the music loud enough to hear and make the silence a proper stop.
- Short and playfulLittle ones tire quickly. Short rounds with plenty of laughing keep the game fun. Stop while they still want more.
- Freezing is a skillHolding still can be hard. Praise any attempt to stop, even a wobbly one. Being a funny statue is part of the fun.
Key words
- StatueA figure that stays still and does not move.
- FreezeTo stop moving and keep your body still.
- HopTo jump on one foot.
- TiptoeTo walk on the front of your feet with your heels up.
- WobbleTo move unsteadily from side to side.
- BalanceStaying steady without falling over.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is the card set for the children. Keep page 2 for yourself. An adult should cut out the cards.
- Clear a safe space and gather three or more players. Choose some music, or sing, hum or clap a tune.
- Pick a card and say the move aloud. Show it first so everyone can copy.
- Start the music and move. Stop the music and shout "Freeze!" Everyone holds still like a statue.
- Pick a new card and go again. Stop while it is still fun, and come back to the game another day.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Show the move first so the child can copy you. Say the word as you do it, such as hop or wiggle. Keep rounds short at the start. If freezing is tricky, play the music for only a few seconds, then stop and cheer.
To stretch confident children
Pick two cards and do both moves one after the other before the music stops. Then ask the group to freeze in a pose that matches the last move. Confident children could also think up a new move of their own.
Make it a game
Take it in turns to be the one who stops the music. The music keeper picks a card, starts the music, then stops it whenever they like. Everyone else moves and freezes. Swap jobs after a few rounds so every child has a go.
Talk about it
- Which move was your favourite, and why?
- How did your body feel when you froze?
- What helped you stop when the music stopped?
- Can you do the move slowly? Now try it fast.
- Can you think of a new way to move?
- Which move made you laugh the most?
Take it off the page
Animal statues
Move like an animal, such as a frog or a snake, then freeze when an adult says stop. Guess which animal each child is.
Scarf dancing
Wave a light scarf to the music, then freeze with the scarf held still. It helps children notice how their arms are moving.
Copy me
Take turns to be the leader. The leader does a move and everyone copies, then the leader freezes and so does everyone else.
Who it is for
Parents
Join in the first round, then let your child lead. Ten to fifteen minutes is plenty. Cheer for good freezing and for silly moves. It works well with brothers, sisters and friends too.
Teachers
Use it as a warm up, a movement break or a table time reward. It links to Physical Development and Gross Motor Skills in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Please check it against your own planning. Page 2 has help and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
Home educators
Pair it with songs, outdoor play and everyday talk. Rounds can be short and repeated through the week. Siblings of different ages can play together, with older children acting as music keeper.
Where this fits in learning
Before this game, children often enjoy copying simple actions, clapping along to songs and running about freely. Musical statues builds on that by adding a rule: move when the music plays, stop when it ends. That small rule helps children practise listening and self control through play.
Afterwards, children can try games with more steps, such as Simon Says Cards and Dance Freeze Game Cards. Later still they can try games that need balance and careful control, like an Egg and Spoon Race. Each game builds on moving, listening and stopping with care.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- How did you move when the music played?
- What helped you stop at the right time?
- Can you think of a new way to move?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Musical Statues Cards for?
It is written for ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Younger children usually need the move shown first. Older children may enjoy choosing the cards, working the music, or inventing their own moves.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 15 minutes. You can play fewer rounds for a shorter session, or keep going for longer. Stop while the children are still having fun.
- How many players do I need?
You need three or more players. One person can be the music keeper while the others move. Taking turns in that job is an easy way to make the game fairer.
- Do I need special music?
No. Any music with a clear beat works well. You can also sing, hum or clap if you have no player. What matters is that the music stops clearly so children can hear it.
- What if my child will not freeze?
That is very common at this age. Show the move first, keep the music short and cheer for any attempt to stop. Let them be the music keeper for a turn, so they see how freezing works.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. It works as a movement break, a warm up or a group activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting out the cards. It links to Physical Development and Gross Motor Skills in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Is it free, and do I need colour printing?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. No, you do not need colour. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.