Show Us Your Rap Skills!
Write and perform a short rap about a favorite topic, practice rhythm, rhyme, and stage confidence, and record it safely for personal feedback.
Step-by-step guide to show your rap skills
Step 1
Pick one favorite topic to rap about like animals sports school or a hobby.
Step 2
Write down ten words or short phrases about your topic on your paper.
Step 3
Create a catchy chorus of two to four lines that you can repeat.
Step 4
Write one verse of four to eight lines about your topic.
Step 5
Change the ends of your lines so many of them rhyme with each other.
Step 6
Make a steady beat by clapping or tapping and count to four to keep the rhythm.
Step 7
Say your chorus and verse out loud with the beat three times to practice timing.
Step 8
Stand in front of a mirror and practice keeping good posture while rapping.
Step 9
Practice saying your words slowly and clearly so your mouth is easy to understand.
Step 10
Rehearse your whole rap once for a family member or friend to build confidence.
Step 11
With an adult present make a safe recording of your performance for feedback.
Step 12
Listen to the recording and change one small thing you want to improve.
Step 13
Share your finished rap 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 I use if I don't have a mirror or a recording device for the steps that ask for practice and a safe recording?
Prop a tablet or laptop camera up to use as your mirror for step 7 and use a smartphone or a free voice-recording app on a tablet for the safe recording in step 11 with an adult present.
I'm having trouble keeping a steady beat when clapping and counting to four—how can I fix that?
Use a simple metronome app or play a slow song (60–80 BPM) and clap along to it during step 6 while counting to four until the rhythm matches your chorus and verse timing in step 8.
How should I change the activity for younger kids versus older kids?
For younger kids, limit step 2 to five words and make a one-line chorus in step 3 with a parent nearby for step 10, while older kids can write two verses (steps 4–5), experiment with more complex rhymes in step 4, and refine the recording in step 11.
What are simple ways to make the rap more special before sharing it on DIY.org?
Add a costume or prop for performance practice in front of the mirror (step 7), create a short choreography to repeat with the chorus (steps 3 and 6), and have an adult help you trim or add simple effects to the recording from step 11 before sharing on DIY.org.
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Facts about rap and songwriting for kids
🥁 Many rap songs use a steady 4/4 beat—four beats per measure—which makes it easier to practice rhythm and flow.
🎙️ Pro performers often record practice takes and listen back to improve timing, breath control, and stage confidence.
🎤 Rap music rose to prominence in the 1970s Bronx and helped start the global culture known as hip hop.
📀 Sugarhill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight' (1979) was one of the first rap hits to bring hip hop onto mainstream radio.
🧠 Writing and practicing rap rhymes is a fun way to boost vocabulary and memory by repeating and playing with words.
How do I help my child write and perform a short rap about a favorite topic?
What materials do I need for the 'Show Us Your Rap Skills!' activity?
What ages is this rap writing and performing activity suitable for?
How can I keep recordings safe and private when my child records their rap?
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