Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Name That Instrument Family: Free Printable Game for Year 3
- ForYear 3
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Name That Instrument Family is a free printable bingo game for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children listen to clues about instruments and work out which family each one belongs to. It is a screen free music activity for 3 to 6 players, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the answers.
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, use page 1 for the game and keep page 2 for the grown-up. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
The sheet is a bingo game with a card ready to cut and play. One player is the caller and reads out a clue, such as 'you pluck or bow the strings'. The other players listen, think about which instrument the clue describes and use counters to mark their card. Children meet instruments such as the violin, flute, trumpet, drum and harp.
- violin
- cello
- flute
- clarinet
- trumpet
- trombone
- drum
- triangle
- harp
What you need and how it fits together
Cut the card
The sheet includes a bingo card ready to cut and play. An adult can do the cutting. Print extra copies if you would like more cards for a bigger group.
Gather counters
Counters mark the card as the game goes along. Buttons, coins or small pieces of paper work just as well if you do not have any.
Choose a caller
The caller reads each clue aloud, slowly and clearly. Take turns in this role, because it is good practice in reading and listening.
Check with page 2
The grown-up keeps page 2 and uses the answers to check each choice. Talk about why an answer fits, not only whether it is right.
Why group instruments into families?
Musicians and teachers put instruments into families to make them easier to understand. Instruments in the same family tend to make their sound in a similar way. Sorting them is a bit like sorting animals into groups. Once you know how a sound is made, you can make a good guess about an instrument you have never met.
Orchestras use families too. Instruments from the same family often sit near each other, and composers think about the families when they decide which sounds to put together. For a Year 3 child, the idea of a family gives a useful way to listen. Instead of asking only what an instrument is called, they ask how it makes its sound.
Quick facts about instruments
- Every instrument makes sound because something is vibrating.
- Instruments can be played in different ways, such as by plucking, blowing, striking or shaking.
- An orchestra is a large group of musicians who play together.
- In many instruments, a bigger size gives a lower sound.
- Some instruments can play a tune, and some mainly keep the beat.
Skills and curriculum link
- Naming instruments
- Listening to clues
- Sorting into families
- Reasoning from clues
- Taking turns
Ideas to help children think about families
- Think about how the sound is madeAsk whether the player plucks, bows, blows, hits or shakes. The way a sound is made is a strong clue.
- Look at the shapeShape and size can help. Ask what parts the instrument has and what the player touches.
- Use what you have heardIf your child has heard the instrument at a concert, at school or on a recording, ask them to describe the sound.
- Compare two instrumentsPick two instruments and ask what is the same and what is different about how they are played.
Key words
- InstrumentSomething that makes musical sounds when you play it.
- FamilyA group of instruments that make their sound in a similar way.
- OrchestraA large group of musicians who play together.
- PluckPull a string with your fingers and let it go.
- BowA stick with hairs that is drawn across a string to make it sound.
- PercussionInstruments that you hit, shake or scrape.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the players. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the rules aloud together so everyone plays the same game. Cut out the bingo card.
- Choose a caller. The caller reads one clue at a time, slowly. Players use counters to mark their card.
- Check each choice against the answers on page 2. Ask, "What in the clue helped you decide?"
- Swap the caller and play again. Two quick games work better than one long one.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Read the clues aloud and say each instrument's name together before you start. Play with the card in front of you and talk about the clue before anyone places a counter. Go slowly, and repeat a clue as often as needed.
To stretch confident children
Ask children to find the family for each instrument and explain how they know. Then ask them to think of another instrument that belongs to the same family and say what makes it fit.
Make it a game
Take turns to make up your own clues for the instruments on the card. Read your clue to the group and see who can name the instrument and its family. Keep each clue short and clear.
Talk about it
- Which instrument on the sheet would you most like to play, and why?
- How can you tell which family an instrument belongs to?
- What clue was the most helpful today?
- Which instrument do you think makes the quietest sound? Which makes the loudest?
- Have you ever seen or heard one of these instruments live?
- Can you think of an instrument that is not on the sheet? Which family might it join?
Take it off the page
Listening walk
Walk around the house or garden and listen for sounds. Talk about how each sound is made, such as by tapping, shaking or scraping.
Make a drawing of an orchestra
Draw instruments you know and group them into families. Label each group and add any you would like to learn.
Make your own sounds
Use safe household items like a wooden spoon and a plastic tub. Find out how to make a high sound and a low sound.
Who it is for
Parents
Play the first round with your child and let them take the caller role when they are ready. Short games work best. Praise careful listening as well as correct answers.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity in a music lesson. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider music plan. It pairs well with listening to recordings, visiting a concert and singing. You can use it again for brothers and sisters or to revise instruments later.
Where this fits in learning about music
Before this, children usually enjoy listening to music and exploring simple sounds with classroom instruments. They learn to describe sounds using words like loud, quiet, high and low.
After this, children can listen to longer pieces and pick out individual instruments. They can also learn to play an instrument, talk about what they hear and explain how different instruments work together.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Name That Instrument Family for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8) in Key Stage 2. Older or younger children can join in too, as long as an adult reads the clues and helps them think through each answer.
- How many people can play?
The game is for 3 to 6 players. One player is the caller who reads the clues, and the others listen and mark the card. Players can swap roles between rounds.
- What do I need to play?
You need to print the sheet, cut out the bingo card and have some counters. Buttons or small pieces of paper work well instead. Page 2 stays with the grown-up for notes and answers.
- What if the game feels too hard?
Read the clues aloud and go slowly. Say each instrument's name together first. Talk about the clue before anyone places a counter, and repeat a clue as many times as needed.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. The sheet prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Colour is not needed for the game, so it is easy to print at home or in school.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper, counters and people to play. It suits quiet time after school, rainy days and school holidays, and it gets children talking and listening.
- Can home educators and teachers use it?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary or early finisher task. Home educators can use it on its own or as part of a wider music plan. It is free to print again for revision.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.