Do the Chicken Dance - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

All Activities

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.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to do the Chicken Dance

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Do The Chicken Dance (Fun Action Song for Kids)

What you need

Open space, comfortable shoes, fun upbeat song, timer or clock, friends or family (optional), adult supervision recommended

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

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

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

The Chicken Dance - For Kids

4 Videos

Facts about dance and movement for kids

🐔 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.

👯 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.

How do you do the Chicken Dance with kids?

Start by queuing the Chicken Dance music and finding clear space. The basic sequence: make a 'beak' by opening and closing hands twice (beats 1–2), flap your 'wings' by bending elbows and flapping twice (beats 3–4), wiggle your 'tail' with four quick steps or wiggles while clapping four times, then repeat the whole sequence and finish with a brief solo strut. Count out loud ("1-2-3-4") to match beats, practice slowly, then speed up and try mirrored or group rounds.

What materials do I need for the Chicken Dance activity?

You need upbeat Chicken Dance music (MP3 or streaming), a speaker or device, clear open space, and comfy clothes and shoes. Optional items: simple props like feather boas, paper beaks, scarves, or printable step cards to guide children. A timer or metronome helps keep steady beats. For group play, small cones or floor markers help kids keep distance and organize turns.

What ages is the Chicken Dance suitable for?

The Chicken Dance suits a wide range: toddlers (ages 2–3) with simplified moves, preschoolers (3–5) practicing counting and coordination, and elementary kids (6–10+) who can add choreography and solos. Supervise under-3s and remove tripping hazards. Modify speed and complexity for developmental level; use shorter sessions for very young children and longer repeats for older kids. It’s easy to adapt for mixed ages and abilities.

What are the benefits of doing the Chicken Dance?

Doing the Chicken Dance builds gross motor skills, rhythm, and timing as children count beats and coordinate claps and flaps. It boosts social skills through group rounds, following instructions, and taking turns. The activity increases heart rate for healthy movement, reduces stress with playful laughter, and encourages confidence by performing solo or in teams. Counting during the dance also supports early math practice and is adaptable for inclusive play.

Ready to create?

All Activities

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.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to do the Chicken Dance

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Do The Chicken Dance (Fun Action Song for Kids)

What you need

Open space, comfortable shoes, fun upbeat song, timer or clock, friends or family (optional), adult supervision recommended

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

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have the Chicken Dance song or comfortable dance shoes?

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?

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

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

The Chicken Dance - For Kids

4 Videos

Facts about dance and movement for kids

🐔 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.

👯 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.