Take the ketchup song challenge!
Write and perform a short ketchup themed song, create percussion using sealed ketchup bottles safely, and record your performance to share with friends.
Step-by-step guide to take the ketchup song challenge
Step 1
Gather your materials and bring them to a table or flat surface.
Step 2
Lay the soft towel on the table and put the sealed ketchup bottles on top so they won’t slide.
Step 3
Make sure each bottle lid is tightly sealed.
Step 4
Do not open or squeeze the bottles; keep them sealed for safety.
Step 5
Use tape to label each bottle with a number or a short sound name.
Step 6
Tap each bottle once with your fingertip or a spoon to hear how it sounds.
Step 7
Choose three or four bottles that make different sounds to use in your song.
Step 8
Line up the chosen bottles in the order you want to play them.
Step 9
Write a short ketchup-themed song on your paper with a chorus and one verse.
Step 10
Mark which bottle number to tap under the words where you want percussion.
Step 11
Practice singing your song while tapping the bottle rhythm slowly until it feels steady.
Step 12
Record your full performance using a camera or device.
Step 13
Share your finished creation 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 sealed ketchup bottles or the soft towel are hard to find?
If sealed ketchup bottles or a soft towel aren't available, use other closed condiment or shampoo bottles placed on a folded cloth or non-slip mat and label them with tape as the instructions say so they stay stable and tappable.
My bottles are sliding or sound muffled—what should we try to fix that?
If bottles slide or sound dull, re-lay the soft towel flat, make sure each bottle lid is tightly sealed per the instructions, press them down slightly to stabilize, and tap the bottle body with a spoon instead of a fingertip for a clearer tone.
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?
For younger kids, choose just two bottles, help tape labels and sing a simple chorus while an adult records, and for older kids use three or four bottles, write a verse plus chorus, practice steady tapping as instructed, and try multi-track recording the full performance.
How can we extend or personalize the ketchup song after we finish the basic steps?
To extend and personalize the project, decorate or name the taped bottles, add extra sealed percussion (like rice shakers) lined up with your chosen bottles, write a bridge for your ketchup-themed song, and record creative camera angles before sharing on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to take the ketchup song challenge
3 to 4 Years Kids Dance on Ketchup Song Choreographed by Anamika Saraswat - ADC
3 Videos
3 to 4 Years Kids Dance on Ketchup Song Choreographed by Anamika Saraswat - ADC
Les Ketchup | Kids Group Dance | Panchi Singh Choreography
Ketchup Song Dance Tutorial
Facts about music and songwriting for kids
🍅 Ketchup began as a fermented fish sauce from Southeast Asia long before tomatoes became the star ingredient.
🎶 Las Ketchup's 'The Ketchup Song (Aserejé)' was a global novelty hit and brought ketchup-themed music into pop culture in 2002.
🎵 Many catchy songs are built from just three chords, which makes writing a short ketchup jingle quick and fun.
🥫 Sealed ketchup bottles can make fun shaker sounds—small amounts of rice or beans inside create even more percussion—always seal tightly and get an adult’s help.
📱 You can record your performance with a smartphone—placing a soft blanket over a table helps reduce echoes and improves sound quality.
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