Host a Dance Party With Your Grandkids With Your Own Personalized Playlist

Our grandkids may not believe it, but back in our day, we were pretty darn cool. (Who am I kidding? We still are!) From dancing at discos to riding around in VW buses to watching the Beatles make their grand debut on the old Ed Sullivan Show, we sure had our heyday and enjoy sharing pieces whenever and wherever we can! 

I have found that a great way to do this is through music, especially when said music is paired with dancing! If you, like me, still have a little boogie left in you, I highly recommend hosting a dance party with your grandkids that combines both generations of music for a groovy (err, hip?) bonding experience. 

Physical benefits of dancing

As if the fun of dancing wasn’t reason enough to do it, there is a plethora of physical benefits associated with movement, including:

1. Enhanced Cardiovascular Health: Dancing is an aerobic activity that can significantly improve heart health, similar to other forms of exercise such as jogging or biking.
2. Improved Balance and Coordination: The various movements and steps involved in dancing can improve balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.
3. Muscle Strength and Endurance: Dancing strengthens major muscle groups, especially the core and lower body, while promoting endurance and flexibility.
4. Weight Management: Dancing is a fun and social way to burn calories, aiding in weight management or weight loss.

Emotional benefits of dancing

If you thought that the benefits ended at bonding and physical health, you are wrong, as dancing is also great for your emotional well-being, a la:

1. Mental Agility: Learning new steps and routines can boost memory and cognitive flexibility, potentially delaying the onset of conditions like dementia.
2. Stress Relief: Moving to the rhythm of music can have a calming effect and provide a release from daily stresses.
3. Social Connection: Dancing can bring people closer, fostering new friendships and strengthening existing relationships.
4. Increased Confidence and Self-esteem: Mastering dance moves and routines can improve confidence and self-esteem, and performing in front of others can be a rewarding challenge.

Creating a dance playlist

Creating a playlist that spans different eras and styles can make dancing more fun and engaging, especially when including multiple generations:

1. Consider the Audience: Include songs that are favorites of both grandparents and grandkids.
2. Balance Tempo: Include both fast and slow songs. Upbeat tunes can make for fun, energetic dances, while slower songs can offer a breather and an opportunity for dances like the waltz.
3. Mix Old and New: Blend timeless classics with modern hits. This could mean pairing songs from artists like The Beatles or Elvis Presley with newer music from artists like Billie Eilish or Bruno Mars.
4. Variety of Genres: Incorporate different styles like pop, rock, country, hip-hop, jazz, and Latin, which can introduce everyone to new types of music and dance!

Fun dance moves for all ages

When considering dance moves, choose those that are fun, easy to learn, and safe for all ages:

1. Twist: Made popular in the ’60s, the Twist is easy and fun, as it involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and twisting your hips in one direction and then the other. (You can teach this one, Grandma!)
2. Macarena: This dance involves a sequence of simple hand and arm movements and is easily learned and enjoyed by all ages.
3. Cha-Cha Slide: This dance tells you the moves in the song itself, making it easy to follow along no matter your age or dance experience.
4. YMCA: Another easy-to-follow dance, simply make the letters ‘Y,’ ‘M,’ ‘C,’ and ‘A’ with your arms in time with the music.
5. Robot Dance: With slow, mechanical movements, the robot is a fun and silly dance that’s perfect for grandkids and grandparents alike.

Creating a playlist

Creating a playlist can be a fun and creative process, and it doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s a simplified guide using Spotify, a popular music streaming platform, as an example:

1. Download and Install Spotify: If you haven’t already, download and install Spotify from your device’s app store (like Google Play Store or Apple App Store). You’ll need to create an account, which you can do with an email address or by linking a Facebook account.
2. Open Spotify: Once installed, open Spotify by tapping on the app’s icon. You’ll see a home screen with various options.
3. Go to Your Library: On the bottom of the screen, tap on ‘Your Library’. This is where all your playlists, albums, and favorite songs will be stored.
4. Create a Playlist: Tap on ‘Playlists’, then on the ‘+’ sign or ‘Create Playlist’ button (which is usually at the top of the screen).
5. Name Your Playlist: A new screen will pop up asking for a playlist name. Enter a name that suits the music you’re planning to add, then tap ‘Create’.
6. Add Songs: Now you can start adding songs. Tap ‘Browse’ at the bottom of the screen to explore music by genre or mood, or tap ‘Search’ (usually a magnifying glass icon) to find specific songs or artists. When you find a song you want to add, tap the ‘…’ or ‘More’ button (usually three dots) next to the song. Select ‘Add to Playlist’ and then select the playlist you just created.
7. Repeat the Process: Continue the process until you’ve added all the songs you want. There’s no limit to how many songs a playlist can have, so feel free to add as many as you like!
8. Arrange Your Playlist: If you want to change the order of the songs, go to your playlist and tap the ‘…’ or ‘More’ button (usually three dots), then select ‘Edit’. Here, you can rearrange the songs by holding and dragging them.

Supplies

Disco Ball Disco Lights

Do you HAVE to have a disco ball for your dance party? Heavens no! But you have to admit it does look fun… 😛

78PCs LED Light Up Toy Party Favors Glow In The Dark

I bought these for my grandkids one New Years Eve and used the extra ones months later for a nighttime dance party! It was so fun!

Conclusion

I hope these ideas make you want to get up and move with your grandkids! I can guarantee that this activity will lead to tons of laughs and fun memories that will last a lifetime.