Sing your opening song
Write and perform a short opening song for a show or presentation; create lyrics, choose a melody, practice rhythm, and sing confidently.
About this activity
Write and perform a short opening song for a show or presentation; create lyrics, choose a melody, practice rhythm, and sing confidently.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Choose the theme or topic for your show.
- 2
Step 2
Write five words on your paper that remind you of your theme.
- 3
Step 3
Decide if your song will have a chorus and one or two verses.
- 4
Step 4
Write a catchy chorus line using words from your list.
- 5
Step 5
Write a short verse with two or three lines that tells a tiny story.
- 6
Step 6
Hum a few different tunes and pick the melody you like best for your chorus.
- 7
Step 7
Warm up your voice by humming or sliding from low to high notes for 30 seconds.
- 8
Step 8
Tap a steady beat with your spoon or drum for 30 seconds to set the rhythm.
- 9
Step 9
Sing the chorus slowly while keeping the beat with your tapping.
- 10
Step 10
Practice singing the whole song two times while adding simple gestures.
- 11
Step 11
Perform your opening song confidently for family or friends.
- 12
Step 12
Share your finished opening song on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I write and perform a short opening song with my child?
Start by choosing a simple theme or greeting for the show. Help your child write short, rhyming lyrics—create a two-line chorus and one or two brief verses. Pick an easy melody (adapt a familiar tune or sing a simple pattern), clap to establish rhythm, add gestures or simple choreography, and rehearse in small segments. Practice breathing and projection, do a few run-throughs, and encourage a smile and eye contact to boost confidence before performing.
What materials do I need to create and practice an opening song?
You only need basic supplies: paper and pencil for lyrics, a phone or recorder to capture ideas, and a simple instrument (keyboard, ukulele) or music app to test melodies. A metronome or rhythm app helps keep time. Optional items include a small microphone, costume pieces or props, percussion shakers, water, and a notebook for edits. A quiet practice space and supportive adult guidance are more important than fancy equipment.
What ages is writing and performing an opening song suitable for?
Suitable for ages roughly 3–16 with adjustments. Toddlers (3–5) enjoy short, repetitive chants and movement with adult guidance. Children 6–9 can write simple verses and follow a melody with support. Ages 10–13 can compose more structured songs, try basic chords, and refine phrasing. Teens can develop harmony and performance technique. Always supervise younger kids and adapt complexity to the child’s attention span and motor skills.
What are the benefits and safety tips for having a child sing an opening song?
Singing an opening song builds confidence, language skills, memory, rhythm, and stage presence, while encouraging teamwork and creativity. Safety tips: warm up the voice, keep volume moderate to protect hearing, encourage hydration and rest, avoid vocal strain by choosing comfortable pitch ranges, supervise props and costumes, and ensure a non-slip performance area. Positive reinforcement and gradual exposure to audiences help reduce nerves.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of paper, a spoon or drum, or DIY.org if we don't have them?
Use notebook pages, index cards, or the back of cereal boxes instead of paper, tap a wooden spoon on a pot or the table if you don't have a drum, and record the performance on a phone or save it to a private family folder if you can't post to DIY.org.
What should we try if we can't keep a steady beat while singing the chorus?
Slow your tapping to a comfortable tempo for the 30-second beat, hum the chorus while you tap until the melody fits the rhythm, and mark the strong beats on your paper so you can sing the chorus slowly while keeping the beat.
How can this activity be adapted for younger children or older kids?
For preschoolers, choose a single theme, write one or two big words and sing a one-line chorus with big gestures and a slow 30-second tap, while older kids can write five theme words, add a second verse, try harmonies when humming melodies, and practice the whole song two times with more complex gestures.
How can we enhance or personalize our opening song performance?
Make a simple shaker from a sealed container, add a costume or prop that matches your theme, teach a call-and-response for the chorus during your two practice runs, or add a second harmony after you hum and pick the melody and warm up your voice.