Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Gamesver Team and JC Franco
When you teach your kids to play the game of Musical Chairs, you probably don’t give much thought to why it is taught to kids (and adults). The truth of the matter is that Musical Chairs is not just a fun game, but also a game that teaches physical and life skills. If you are wondering what those life and physical skills are, you’re about to find out…
While a group of kids (and adults) are enjoying a grueling game of Musical Chairs, they’re actually learning quite a lot and benefiting in a number of ways. Below are several benefits for you to consider.
Playing Musical Chairs – 15 Benefits:
1. Teaches children how to effectively and peacefully solve arguments/disagreements.
Kids playing Musical Chairs will quickly be aware of the pressure to get a chair before they lose out. When the music stops playing, there’s a mad rush for chairs, and those who get there first, keep the chair by sitting on it.
As a result, there’s bound to be a few “not fair” or “you cheated” flair-ups, which provide for a great opportunity to learn that there’s a better way to solve an argument than to shout and throw a tantrum.
2. Provides an opportunity for practicing how to correctly deal with disappointment.
When you’re “out”, you don’t get to play. You have to sit out and watch the others play. This is bound to be quite disappointing. If the child wants to maintain friendships and be included in the game next time, they will quickly learn not to sulk and to handle the disappointment head-on, with a more cheerful and accepting attitude.
3. There’s a great lesson about time management embedded in the game.
You might not think it, but time management is important in a game of Musical Chairs. Players have to quickly work their way to a chair from wherever they are in the room. The trick is to take the shortest route to handle their time effectively.
4. Playing the game teaches children (and adults) how to practice patience and tolerance.
As mentioned before, there’s a tendency for tempers and annoyance to flair when a child just isn’t winning. Because the game has its rules and the same risk applies to all the players, people can learn to be patient and tolerant of others, so that they don’t lash out, throw a tantrum and ruin the game.
5. Both children and adults can learn to be “better sports”.
Sportsmanship is something that is learned from both winning and losing. It is important for children and adults to learn how to handle themselves appropriately. Players must win without rubbing it in the loser’s face, and the person who is “out” in the game needs to accept their fate with a smile and be a good sport. This is often something that comes with time.
6. It’s a great way to occupy a group of children on a rainy day indoors.
One of the greatest benefits of Musical Chairs is that it is fun. Because it is fun, kids want to play it for hours on end, without even a thought of quitting. If it’s an inside day because of the weather and you need to entertain the kids indoors, a few games of Musical Chairs is perfect.
7. Both kids and adults can learn to put themselves first.
There’s no room to be overly polite and help others win in a game of Musical Chairs. Instead, it’s every person for themselves. You have to get that chair if you want to keep playing, so people can learn to put themselves first without feeling bad about it.
8. The game speeds up reaction time.
If you want to teach kids or adults to react quicker, set them up to play a few games of musical chairs. To get to the chair in time, players must respond immediately to the music being stopped and make a dash for their chair. The more this is played, the quicker reaction time should become.
9. Teaches kids and adults to listen and pay attention.
Musical Chairs is a game placed on music being played for a period of time while players walk around the room or garden. When the music is stopped, players must run to grab a chair. The person who doesn’t get a chair is then out.
In order to win at this game, you have to listen carefully, be aware of your surroundings, and react as soon as you hear the music turn off.
10. You learn to value resources more.
The chairs (which are set out just one less chair than people) are considered a resource in this game. Because everyone in the game wants to get a chair, they are a highly valued resource. This can get people’s minds onto thinking about how to value resources and not let them slip away.
11. Kids and adults can learn more about opportunism and how to position themselves for good opportunities.
In life, it’s important to understand opportunities and have the drive to go and grab them when they present themselves. Musical chairs inspires players to think differently about how they can play the game to ensure that they get the chair (opportunity) each and every time.
12. Kids especially learn that sometimes life isn’t fair.
Musical Chairs isn’t a game about being fair. It’s a game about being fast. If you lose, there is no opportunity to play the “unfair” card. Instead, kids have to learn that it’s just part of the rules – if you lose, you are out.
13. Perseverance is also taught. If you lose now, it doesn’t mean you will lose tomorrow.
Musical Chair players learn to persevere. In instances where a player loses and is out, they will keep their options open for the next round of the game. Giving up only means losing out on the fun.
14. It teaches children to be independent.
Teamwork isn’t allowed when playing Musical Chairs. A friend cannot hold a seat for another. It’s really about learning to be independent and make it happen for yourself. Only relying on yourself in the game teaches independent thinking and behavior.
15. It’s good clean fun for the family.
Another of the greatest benefits of Musical Chairs is that it’s good clean fun that the whole family can get involved in and have fun with. Whether it’s a birthday, family weekend gathering, or national holiday…Musical Chairs is a great game to play.
Last Word
While reading the above pointers, you probably felt a bit wowed by all the benefits of playing a simple game like Musical Chairs. This game offers a great way for kids and adults to have fun while learning a few physical and life skills. If you’re wondering if it’s really all that beneficial, there’s only one way to find out: play the game!
This article was co-authored by our team of in-house and freelance writers, and reviewed by our editors, who enjoy sharing their knowledge about their favorite games with others!
JC Franco
JC Franco serves as a New York-based editor for Gamesver. His interest for board games centers around chess, a pursuit he began in elementary school at the age of 9. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Mercyhurst University, JC brings a blend of business acumen and creative insight to his role. Beyond his editorial endeavors, he is a certified USPTA professional, imparting his knowledge in tennis to enthusiasts across the New York City Metropolitan area.