4 Easy Thanksgiving Week Activities for Dance Class

Happy Thanksgiving week!

Some of you may be completely off from your dance classes this week, or if you’re outside the U.S., not celebrating Thanksgiving at all, or perhaps some of you are knee-deep in Nutcracker preparations and only have a day or few hours off from teaching, or the studio.

Whichever camp you find yourself in, there’s a way to make these 4 Thanksgiving Week Activities for Dance Class work for you! Let’s dive in.

1. Gratitude Body Scan

This is one of my go-to tools to use in all my dance classes, no matter the season, no matter the age of the dance class. It’s a universally amazing tool, and also a fan favorite (it’s one of my most purchased items in my Resources Shop). I love it because it strengthens the mind-body connection and reminds dancers that the body is an amazing machine, that’s literally ALWAYS working to take care of us. We get so caught up in the practicing, the improving, and the do-ing of dance, that this simple realization can make a mega impact on not only our mindset and perspective, but also on our growth.

Here’s how it works: tell dancers to get comfy, either laying down or sitting, or even standing. Have them close their eyes and relax, then guide them through a scan of their body, from head to toes. Encourage them to bring awareness to each area of their body, and also cultivate gratitude for what that body part does. Thank the eyes for seeing, the nose for smelling, the voice for singing, the arms for hugs and strength, etc. Continue in this way until the entire body has been scanned.

If you’re looking for inspiration or a more detailed how-to, there’s a written Body Gratitude Scan script in my New Year Goal Kits! You can also search on YouTube for some examples.

2. Play the 3 Good Things Game

This is a fun activity to use at the beginning or end of any dance class. It’s super simple, but creates instant feel good, gratitude vibes!

Sit in a circle with your students and one by one, have them share 3 good things that happened in their day. This could be as simple as having the day off from school, a funny joke they heard, or helping someone prepare the Thanksgiving meal. After everyone shares, I guarantee you’ll notice a shift in the room; a bit more relaxed, a bit more connected, and ready to focus for class and keep the gratitude vibes going.

3. Gratitude Jar

This is similar to 3 Good Things, but can be a practice you start now and continue all year! You’ll find a large jar, or container, some post it notes, or small pieces of paper, and pens. Whenever dancers come into your class (or the studio), have them write down one thing they’re grateful for and put it in the jar. You’ll watch the jar fill up with everyone’s notes, and then at a designated time (at the end of the week, or month, if you decide to keep this going), dump out all the notes and read them aloud.

It’s fun to hear what others are grateful for, and also helps us all be more aware of just how many things there are to be grateful for! Again, these don’t have to be big things, they can be as simple as playing with your dog, or that the weather was nice. Gratitude breeds more gratitude, and a gratitude practice can actually re-wire our brains to be happier and more resilient, so this is absolutely a practice your dancers will benefit from!

4. Gratitude Sensory Scavenger Hunt

Dancers of all ages will enjoy this one, but it can be especially fun for your Littles, and dancers who enjoy sensory play and exploration. Make a list of common things around the dance classroom, or studio, that also engage the senses (tap shoes that are hard, ribbons that are smooth, rosin that is sticky and smells, etc.). Then pair dancers up in groups and the group that finds the most items wins! Take it one step further, and have a discussion with your dancers about how we can be grateful for these things. For example the rosin helps pointe shoes have traction on the floor so we don’t slip. The tap shoes protect our feet, while also helping us make the sounds we want to make. You get the idea…

This game actually facilitates several elements of learning: familiarizes dancers with the classroom, or studio space, encourages curiosity and problem solving, allows dancers to work together, and creative thinking! So many wins in just one game! Plus, it’s just fun. ;)

If you’d like a copy of a Sensory Scavenger Hunt, you can get one as a Bonus Gift when you purchase a New Year Goal Kit! The Kits are available for dancers ages 4-10 and 11+, and are jam packed with games, activities, lessons, and printables you can use from now through the end of the year!

Here’s wishing you a fun, relaxing, and enjoyable week leading up to Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving holiday!