May Day Streamer Dance – Preschool Fitness Activity

Transform the traditional May Pole Dance into an age appropriate activity fit for preschoolers. Spring colors will float through the air as preschoolers wave crepe paper streamers and dance around a pretend May Pole.

This budget friendly May Day activity requires low cost supplies, minimum preparation time and can be adapted for birthday parties, holiday celebrations and other preschool themed parties. Celebrate May Day with a festive dance that promotes the colors of spring and healthy physical activity for preschoolers.

What You Need

Crepe Paper Streamers – at least three different colors

A Pretend May Pole – Use any object that stands at least a foot off the ground. A pretend May Pole can be a cone, a small tree in a pot, a camera tripod or a floor lamp (with the cord securely wrapped around the base to prevent preschoolers from tripping).

Tape – Test the tape out ahead of time to see what type of tape sticks to your pretend May Pole.

Music (optional) – Play classical music, music with a spring theme or any song that would inspire preschoolers to wave streamers in different ways.

An Open Space – Find an open space to have your May Day Streamer Dance

May Day Streamer Dance Preparation

1. Make Crepe Paper Streamers – Cut crepe paper streamers in lengths of 18 inches each. Tape three colors together by wrapping the tape across all three colors.

2. Place Pretend May Pole in the Center – Set up your pretend May Pole in the center of your space.

3. Test Your Tape - Test the tape out ahead of time to see what type of tape sticks to your pretend May Pole.

4. Prepare Strips of Tape – Just before the May Day Streamer Dance, cut or tear three inch strips of tape and stick the ends of the strips onto a smooth surface. At the end of the dance, each preschooler will need a strip of tape to tape their streamers to the May Pole.

May Day Streamer Dance Instructions

1. Give Out Streamers - Hand each preschooler one set of three streamers taped together.

2. Free Play First – Allow preschoolers free play time to explore with their streamers. Turn on music to inspire preschoolers to move and dance with the streamers.

3. Circle Up – Have preschoolers stand in a large circle around the pretend May Pole. Make sure preschoolers are standing apart from one another so they will be able to move their arms without bumping into one another.

4. Waving Streamers Together – Give verbal instructions (suggestions below) to preschoolers to wave their streamers.

5. Tape Streamers to May Pole - Say, "When I call your name, walk up to the May Pole and tape your streamers to the May Pole."

Call two preschoolers up at a time, give them a strip of tape (prepared before hand) to tape their streamers to the May Pole.

Direct preschoolers to tape their streamers at different heights on the May Pole.

6. Walk Around the Decorated May Pole - Circle up preschoolers again. Have preschoolers hold hands and walk around the May Pole to the music or have preschoolers sing a familiar song.

More Articles on Streamer Activities with Preschoolers at PreschoolRock.com

Preschool Movement Activity - Streamer Rhyme

Preschool Ribbon and Streamer Dancing