It’s that time of year already. The weather’s beginning to cool. The leaves are turning from vibrant green to a shade of golden yellow.
The spooky season is upon us. And there’s nothing like a bit of festive cheer to inspire your students and teachers.
If you’re looking for some creative Halloween dance class ideas, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll explore the importance of running themed dance classes. Then, we’ll share five games and choreography ideas you can use to stand out this season.
So, put on your scariest costume, grab some candy, and delight your students with a fun-filled experience they’ll remember for years to come!
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The Importance of Themed Dance Classes
Who doesn’t love a bit of novelty from time to time? It keeps things interesting. It builds anticipation and excitement.
That’s precisely why offering themed dance classes is so important.
It’s a way to make your studio stand out in what can be a competitive space. It shows your dedication to fostering a genuine passion for dance—without taking things too seriously.
It also showcases your creativity as a studio owner. Your ideas help create a truly fun, welcoming, and engaging environment.
These outcomes help you attract new students. Parents and students notice the extra effort. This builds trust and loyalty.
Themed classes also boost creativity among your instructors. Planning lessons around a theme encourages them to think outside the box. They explore new music, choreography, and teaching methods. This leads to more dynamic and memorable classes.
Students benefit, too. Themes ignite their imagination and enthusiasm. They look forward to classes and might even encourage their friends to join them.
By increasing engagement, you open the doors to greater learning and skill development.
Finally, themed classes create a sense of community. Friends made in dance class can last a lifetime. Students bond over shared experiences, challenges, and fun activities. This strengthens relationships and fosters a supportive atmosphere.
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5 Fun Halloween Dance Class Ideas
Costumes, themed music, and spooky choreography—you can’t go wrong!
Halloween dance classes are an excellent way to celebrate your community. They’re also a fun way to market your studio and attract new students.
Need some inspiration? Try these five Halloween dance class ideas.
Idea 1: Thriller Night
It’s nothing short of iconic. We’re talking Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
This hit is a Halloween classic. And the dance itself is just the right level of complexity. It’s also instantly recognizable. Kids will love putting on a makeshift performance when they get home!
Consider this first:
- Are your students younger? The routine might be a little tough. To overcome this, consider modifying the choreography. You can use the most iconic moves and simplify the rest. Or, if you have time, teach it step by step over several classes.
- What about costumes? In the music video, the dancers are zombies. It’s an easy look to recreate. Ask your students to wear older clothes—the more holes and stains, the better. You could even encourage zombie make-up.
- Pressed for time? The full “Thriller” song is over 5 minutes long, which might be too long for some classes. You can edit the song to a shorter version or teach just the most iconic parts of the dance.
Make it extra special: Create a spooky atmosphere in the studio. Dim the lights. Encourage students to bring glow-in-the-dark accessories.
Idea 2: The Monster Mash
No Halloween celebration is complete without Bobby Pickett’s old-school hit “The Monster Mash.”
Ask your students to show up as monsters of their own creation. This could be an alien from outer space, a slimy swamp creature, or an ancient mummy raised from the dead!
Then, put together some simple choreography inspired by the song. Kids could even get involved—ask them to dance how their monster would dance!
Consider this first:
- Can the students still dance in their costumes? Make sure students and parents put together monsters that allow for easy, comfortable, and safe movement. Outline this in any marketing materials related to the class.
- What about the excitement levels? Kids will be overjoyed by their friends’ costumes. So, expect a little chaos. Leave ample time for students to show off their creations. And include plenty of breaks.
- What if a student doesn’t want to dress up? No worries! Consider bringing in a few simple accessories like hats or masks. Those who don’t dress up can use these if they’d like. That way, everyone feels included.
Make it extra special: Hold a mini “Monster Mash” dance-off at the end of the class. Ask students to get into small groups. Then, hold a head-to-head competition. You might even have a few small prizes for standout performances.
Idea 3: Halloween Games Night
Dancing and games go hand in hand with this Halloween-themed class idea. It’s a bucket-load of fun that’s sure to keep energy levels high.
Some games you might host include:
- Limbo, except with a witch’s broomstick
- Cornhole with a witch’s cauldron
- A “Dress the Scarecrow” challenge using old dance costumes
- “Freeze” with a spooky playlist
Consider this first:
- How much space do you have? Depending on the size of your studio, managing multiple games at once can be tricky. Think ahead about how you’ll use your space. You might need cones or tape to mark out game areas.
- Do you have the supplies needed? If not, you’ll need to buy a few things. Luckily, props like brooms and bean bags are relatively cheap. If possible, store them away for next year.
- Will there be enough supervision? With so much going on, you might not be able to keep an eye on all of your students. Consider enlisting the help of older students. Or bring in an extra teacher or two.
Make it extra special: Offer small prizes for game winners and the best costumes. You might want to bring a bowl of candy, too, so no one goes home empty-handed.
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Idea 4: Tap Steps to the Addams Family Beat
They’re creepy, and they’re kooky, mysterious, and spooky. They’re all together ooky, the…
Addams Family!
It’s one of the catchiest theme songs ever. And the simple beat lends itself perfectly to a bit of tapping.
Put together choreography that matches the rhythmic claps and snaps of the song. This is a great Halloween twist to add to your students’ usual classes.
Consider this first:
- Will your students be able to keep up? The Addams Family theme has a unique tempo. Some students might struggle to keep up. As an alternative, you could use a slower version of the song.
- What skill level are your students? When you put the steps together, make sure they match this. You could even use the class as a learning opportunity. Why not incorporate new moves or skills?
- Do you think your students will stay engaged? The song is repetitive. You don’t want this to inspire restlessness. Add creative variations like hand claps and snaps during the routine.
Make it extra special: Ask your students to attend class as their favorite Addams Family character. Thanks to the Netflix smash-hit Wednesday—expect a lot of braids!
Idea 5: Student-Led Halloween-Themed Choreography
Let your students do the heavy lifting! In this activity, they work together to create a Halloween-themed dance.
Start by brainstorming Halloween-themed moves as a group. For example, they might shake like the bones of a skeleton. They might float like ghosts, hop like frogs, or march stiff-legged like Frankenstein.
Then, divide the class into a few small groups and encourage them to put together a short dance using the moves.
Finally, the groups can perform for the class.
Consider this first:
- Will everyone feel excited to participate? Some might feel shy or reserved. They might not want to come up with their own ideas. To help everyone feel included, guide the brainstorming session and offer suggestions. Pair up students who might need extra support with more confident classmates.
- Do you have enough time? You could spread the activity over a few classes. The final class could include the performances.
- Are you students old enough to work independently? If not, you could put together a dance ahead of time using the Halloween-themed moves.
Make it extra special: Encourage students to show up in their favorite Halloween costumes. Consider decorating the studio and putting out themed snacks.
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How You Can Get Started With Fun Halloween Dance Class Ideas Right Now
Ready to start planning a fun-filled, ultra-spooky dance class? Here are some tips to get started:
- Set yourself a budget. How much would you like to spend on the class? You’ll need to buy decorations, prizes, and other supplies.
- Write a list of supplies. Detail everything you’ll need. Planning ahead helps avoid last-minute stress.
- Create promotional flyers and graphics. Use tools like Canva to design eye-catching and on-theme posters and social media posts. Promote your Halloween dance classes both locally and online to attract more students.
- Put together a playlist. Create a Halloween-themed playlist that fits your class activities. You’ll find plenty of kid-friendly playlists online. Here’s one on YouTube and another on Spotify.
