This is the page where you can find all of the resources, videos, and extension activities to accompany our Nutcracker week!

Each day from December 9th-13th a new video will be added to this page.  Feel free to watch the videos as many times as you would like.  Webpage will be available for two weeks.

If you are enjoying this event and would like to invite your friends, please send them this link to sign-up: www.clapforclassics.com/nutcracker2024 

Scroll down to see each additional activity as the week progresses.

How to prepare: 

• Clear space to move!

How to adapt/extend:

• The Nutcracker is a ballet-- men, women and children just like you, dance to the music. As you listen, how would you dance to each part? Would you march or gallop or run?
• Use your scarves as a skirt or cape or neck scarf to pretend that you are dressed in your fanciest clothes. Pretend to attend the party. What would you do at a party? Dance, eat, wave hello to your friends? 
• Watch this video of The March
• Listen to some more marches. Listen to some more marches. Here are a few famous ones: The Liberty Bell March by John Philip Sousa and Johann Strauss' Radetzky March

What your child is learning:

• Music interpretation 
• Musical expression through changes in rhythm

How to prepare:

• Grab a scarf
• Clear space to move and dance

How to adapt/extend:

• Have fun creating an ending to the story with your children.
• The beginning of this movement features a beautiful harp solo. Here’s a picture of a harp you can show your child, and have them listen for the harp sound. 
• We love waltzing! By the way, you don’t have to know how to actually waltz, or even dance at all to enjoy this. Sway, spin, and enjoy the freedom of dancing in the privacy of your home with the cutest partner!
• What kind of ending to the story did you and your child come up with?
• Draw a picture while listening to this movement.
• For babies: Lay/sit your baby on the ground and let them play with the scarf during the harp introduction. When the waltz begins, scoop them up and dance together!
• Watch this video of a gorgeous ballet performance Waltz of the Flowers

• Here are some links to other fun art projects.  Many of these are geared toward older kids.  We'd love to see what you create!

   https://artprojectsforkids.org/nutcracker-drawing/

  https://www.deepspacesparkle.com/nutcracker-art-project/
  

What your child is learning: 

• Imagination
• Creative movement
• Active listening to a classical piece of music

(Note - the story in today’s activity is not part of the Nutcracker story line but is a wonderful example of how you can incorporate imaginative play into any piece of music you introduce to your child!)

How to prepare: 

• Grab a teddy bear and a pillow

How to adapt/extend:

• Try the “teddy bear choreography” activity with other songs that you listen to. How does your teddy bear respond to the music? What other types of actions will your child come up with?
• Introduce the musical concept of “accent” as a loud sound that is sometimes surprising! These happen each time the teddy bear jumps! 
• Watch some performances of the Russian Dance on YouTube. Here is one that we like.
• For Babies: Make your baby BE the bear! Or, make your baby’s belly the trampoline for the bear/your fingers!
• Watch this video of an impressive ballet performance of the Russian Dance

•  Here is a good visual story of the Nutcracker done by Classical Kids Storytime.  This 15 minute video is a great way to introduce the story with pictures and clips of the music!

What your child is learning:

• Sense of rhythm
• Gross motor skills
• Active listening

Want to go above and beyond with Nutcracker week?!

Consider adding a few things to your shopping list for the next few days of activities. 

If you are planning to build gingerbread houses some time this season, consider pairing it with the Nutcracker week. 

The Prince's Marzipan castle in the Kingdom of Sweets would make for a fun twist on the traditional gingerbread house!  Pick up supplies for the gingerbread house, or have a Sugarplum fairy tea party to culminate the week. 

I think gumdrops are a must, as well as some white chocolate dipped snowflake pretzels, and don't forget an assortment of nuts with an actual nutcracker! Or consider treats from the different countries that are represented in the ballet: Spain, Arabia, China, Russia, and Denmark.

Our last day's activity will include an optional ribbon wand craft.  You may have the supplies already around the house, but we wanted to give you a heads up, in case you want to pick something up ahead of time.  I will be using a small wooden dowel, an eye hook and some ribbon for mine.  For a simpler version, a pencil or stick with ribbon taped on will work too.

How to prepare:

• Grab a flashlight, and turn down the lights
• Hide some familiar objects around the room or the house. Object ideas include Nutcracker puppets, candy canes, or musical instruments.

How to adapt/extend:

• For older toddlers or preschoolers: study the concept of legato:
  • Try singing a favorite such as Twinkle as smoothly as you can -- then change to a more detached style, for contrast and silly fun.
  • Do a search for smooth objects around your house.
  • Practice using "legato" strokes in a painting project
• Watch this video of an exquisite ballet performance of the Arabian Dance.

• For older toddlers or preschoolers: study the concept of legato by exploring more smooth sounds (try singing a favorite such as Twinkle as smoothly as you can, then changing to sing it in a more detached style). Then, find all the smooth objects you can. Search a room for objects to add to your “smooth collection”, or prepare a basket of objects with varying textures. Introducing children to a variety of textures not only provides a sensory experience but it helps children strengthen muscles in their hands as they explore!

•  If you would like some more fun musical activities that explore legato and its opposite, staccato, check out this episode (Episode 9) of the Clap for Classics! Podcast, featuring bouncy chickens and a graceful swan!

•  Today might be a good day to practice quietly tiptoeing as a transition method.  

•  Here is a link to some printable worksheets for kids ages 3-5.

What your child is learning:

• A positive association with this piece of music -- for years to come, this music may trigger a happy memory of playing a fun game with a special grownup.
• Musical concept of legato

If you're enjoying this week's activities and want more musical education and fun like this, check out our All Access Membership.  Right now is a great time to snag a year membership!

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 How to prepare:

• Grab your wind wand

How to adapt/extend:

• Make a ribbon wand. This can be as easy or time-intensive as you want. Forage in the yard for a stick or grab a pencil and attach ribbons, stickers or like items. You could also attach an eye hook to a dowel and tie your ribbons to that. Use this as you listen to this movement, spin and see what magical spells you can cast while you dance and listen!
• Watch an informational video about the celesta
• Build gingerbread houses or have a Sugar Plum teaparty
• Play this “Pass the Magic” game (taking turns dancing and freezing by passing a “magic wand” back and forth) with the audio only version of the song (or any song)  - have fun moving creatively together!
• Watch this video of an incredible ballet performance of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

•  Choreograph your own dance today.  Make a simple stage with a sheet pan lined with paper and gum drops (you could use any candy or sweet treat you have on hand, or use some craft items like cotton balls or pom-poms).  Bring your stuffed animal friends as audience members. Help your child create ballet choreography for their puppets or encourage your child to come up with a special dance just for the two of you! Put on your fairy wings and enjoy a few minutes being creative; let your child lead the way! We can’t wait to see what you come up with.

•  Have a feast for Clara and the Prince: Earlier this week we mentioned preparing a culminating activity involving either gingerbread houses or a Sugar Plum Tea Party.  What did you decide?

• If you can, attend a live performance of the Nutcracker in your local area.  If a live performance is not in the cards this year, consider watching this full length version of George Balanchine's Nutcracker.

•  Here is one last link to a unique rendition of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy played by a professional glass harp made out of wine glasses!

What your child is learning: 

• Turn-taking
• Impulse control

Interested in joining our All Access Membership to enjoy the rest of the Nutcracker content plus a library full of musical learning and fun?

I've got a coupon code for you!

Use the code "HOLIDAY2024" to get 30% off anything in our shop!

I can't wait to continue making music with you and your family.  Hope to see you inside the membership!