Do the Chicken Dance!
Learn and practice the Chicken Dance steps, clap and flap along with music, count beats, and perform the dance solo or with friends.
Step-by-step guide to do the Chicken Dance
Preschool Movement Song | The Chicken Dance | Dance Along for Kids
Step 1
Clear a space to dance so you have room to move safely.
Step 2
Put on comfortable shoes so your feet can hop and wiggle easily.
Step 3
Start the Chicken Dance song and set the volume to a safe level.
Step 4
Make the "beak" with your hands and open and close it four times to the beat.
Step 5
Put your hands under your arms and flap your "wings" up and down four times to the beat.
Step 6
Wiggle your hips and shake your "tail" four times to the beat.
Step 7
Clap twice and then do two little hops or steps to finish the eight-count.
Step 8
Count the beats out loud as you move so you say "1-2-3-4" for the first part and "5-6-7-8" for the second part.
Step 9
Put the moves together by doing beak then wings then tail then clap/hop in one continuous 8-count pattern.
Step 10
Invite friends or family to join and practice the full Chicken Dance together for one song.
Step 11
Share your finished Chicken Dance performance on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have the Chicken Dance song or comfortable dance shoes?
If you don't have the Chicken Dance song, play any upbeat track with a clear 8-count beat on a phone or tablet, and if you lack comfortable shoes dance in non‑slip socks or bare feet on carpet so you can safely do the beak/wings/tail/clap/hop steps.
I'm losing the beat when switching between the beak, wings, and tail—how can we fix that?
Slow the song or lower the volume and practice each move separately while counting out loud '1-2-3-4' for the beak and wings and '5-6-7-8' for the tail and clap/hop until you can link them smoothly.
How can we adapt the activity for different ages or abilities?
For toddlers, simplify to two repeats per section (beak twice, wings twice, tail twice, and one clap/hop) while older kids can speed up, add extra hops or partner moves, or practice the full 8-count pattern together for more challenge.
How can we extend or personalize our Chicken Dance performance?
Make simple props like a paper beak and cardboard wings, create your own extra steps between the eight-count pattern, or film and share the finished routine with friends and family on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to do the Chicken Dance
The Chicken Dance - For Kids
4 Videos
The Chicken Dance - For Kids
The Chicken Dance: A Fun-Filled Tutorial for! - Happy kid
How to Do The Chicken Dance (Fun Action Song for Kids)
Chicken Dance | Follow Along Dance | Kids Music | Kids dance | Miss Jolie
Facts about dance and movement for kids
👯 At festivals and weddings, hundreds or even thousands of people sometimes join lines or circles to do the Chicken Dance together.
🥁 Clapping, flapping, and stepping in the dance help children practice rhythm, coordination, and counting beats.
🎉 The Chicken Dance is a staple at parties, sporting events, and celebrations because it gets almost everyone moving and laughing.
🐔 The Chicken Dance was created in the 1950s by Swiss accordionist Werner Thomas and became a global party favorite.
🎵 The tune usually sits in 2/4 time, making its simple step-and-clap pattern easy for kids to count along.
How do you do the Chicken Dance with kids?
What materials do I need for the Chicken Dance activity?
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