This post was originally published in November 2019 and was updated to include the screen version of the game in November 2020.
The race is on to name notes and chords in this multi-level Christmas music game! Can your students fly across the rooftops to find the green Santa hat?
Reindeer Race has four great levels to suit different students:
- Level 1 to reinforce landmark notes
- Level 2 for notes on the staff
- Level 3 for ledger line reading
- Level 4 for major and minor chords
All the levels can be used side-by-side, too, so this game is a great fit for multi-level group workshops.
You can even play this awesome Christmas music game in your online lessons! We’ll send you a link to copy the Google Slides to your Google Drive along with the printable version when you enter your details below. 🙂
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About Reindeer Race
How to Play
- Choose an appropriate card level for each player (multiple levels can be used simultaneously by different players)
- Level 1: Landmark notes
- Level 2: Notes within the staff
- Level 3: Ledger line notes
- Level 4: Major and minor chords
- Place a counter for each player on the first rooftop at the left of the board.
- Players take turns to draw a card (at the appropriate level) and then name the note or chord.
- If they are correct, then they move forward to the next roof with a Santa hat flag.
- If they are incorrect, then they stay where they are.
- The winner is the first to reach the last rooftop with the green Santa hat.
Assembly
To assemble this game:
- Print out the game board (pages 3-4). Trim along the dotted lines, laminate if desired and then tape the board pieces together.
- Print out the game cards (page 5-20) double-sided. Trim along the dotted lines and laminate if desired.
- You will also need a game counter (eraser, small toy, button, etc.) for each player.
Learning Objectives
Multi-level music games are great for group lessons and siblings. In this Christmas piano activity, players will be practising either note names or major and minor chords at their level.
How to Play Online Music Games
To learn how to use this Google Slides game in your online music lessons, watch the short video below.
Download the Christmas Piano Game
Subscribe to the newsletter and get the Reindeer Race game
Enter your details to subscribe to the newsletter for piano teachers with information, tips and offers.
I hate spam as much as you do! I will only send you emails related directly to piano teaching and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Are you a Vibrant Music Teaching member? Click here to view this game in the Printable Library.
What’s your favourite Christmas music game?
Do you get your students together for a piano party or group workshop during the holiday season? What activities have you tried in the past that worked well? Share your comments below, and visit my music theory page for more activities you can use in your holiday lessons.
Thanks for the great info! I have tried to learn piano for years but my progress was painfully slow. Then I discovered this weird trick and now I have made more progress in 3 days than I have in the last 3 years: http://bit.ly/piano-trick
I would love to try out this game with my students. Is it still available to download? The link that is given is invalid now,
Hi Jan,
Did you complete the above details – access to the game comes via email.
Gemma – Community Assistant.