5-Minute Movement Game: Head, Shoulders, Knees, Block!

2 days ago

11 min read

Updated: 13 hours ago

Looking for a quick, easy way to bring some fun and energy into your dance classes? Head, Shoulders, Knees, Block is a simple movement game that gets dancers listening, reacting, and moving while adding a little friendly competition to your warm-up!

Part of our 5-Minute Movement Game series, this activity is perfect for dance teachers who want to get their students engaged, encourage quick reactions, and start class with plenty of laughter.

What You’ll Need

The best part about this game is how little preparation it requires!

Yoga blocks: One block for every two dancers in your class.
An even number of dancers: Students will work in pairs, so make sure everyone has a partner.
A little space: Enough room for two lines of dancers to face each other, with space to move around safely.

That’s it! You’re ready to play.

How to Play Head, Shoulders, Knees, Block

Step 1: Set Up Your Dancers

Divide your class into two equal lines, with dancers standing opposite their partners. Place one yoga block on the floor between each pair.

Make sure the blocks are positioned at a comfortable distance from both dancers so everyone has an equal opportunity to reach for them.

Step 2: Follow the Teacher’s Instructions

The teacher will call out different body parts, and dancers must respond by touching the corresponding part of their own body.

Start with the basics:

Head: Touch your head.
Shoulders: Touch your shoulders.
Knees: Touch your knees.
Right: Touch your right side or right shoulder.
Left: Touch your left side or left shoulder.

Feel free to repeat the commands, change the order, or speed things up as your dancers become more comfortable with the game. The goal is to listen carefully and react quickly!

Step 3: Grab the Block!

When the teacher calls “BLOCK!”, both dancers race to grab the yoga block between them.

The first dancer to grab the block wins that round!

Reset the block between the pair, have dancers return to their starting positions, and continue calling commands. Keep everyone guessing by mixing up the order and varying your pace.

Make It More Challenging!

Once your dancers understand the basics, there are plenty of ways to keep the game fresh and exciting.

Add more body parts. Include commands such as nose, ears, eyes, elbows, or ankles. The more commands you introduce, the more closely dancers need to listen!

Increase the speed. Start slowly so everyone understands the rules, then gradually call out instructions faster. This is a great way to challenge reaction time and concentration.

Add a sprint challenge. Introduce commands such as “LINE!” or “MIRROR!” and have dancers sprint to a designated line or the outside of the room before returning to their blocks. Make sure you establish clear pathways and enough space for everyone to move safely.

Keep your dancers guessing. Alternate between quick commands and longer pauses before calling “BLOCK!” A little suspense can make even the simplest round exciting!

Is There an Official Winner?

Not really, and that’s part of the fun!

You can certainly keep score if your class enjoys a little friendly competition, but Head, Shoulders, Knees, Block is more about participation, energy, and having fun than determining an overall winner.

Let dancers enjoy the challenge, cheer each other on, and laugh when someone reaches for the block a little too early. You can play for a few rounds or keep going until your class is feeling warmed up and ready to dance.

Why Dance Teachers Will Love This Game

Quick movement games are a great way to transition into class while encouraging students to engage both their minds and bodies.

Head, Shoulders, Knees, Block encourages dancers to practise listening skills, coordination, body awareness, and reaction time. It also creates opportunities for students to interact with their classmates in a relaxed, playful environment before moving into more structured dance training.

And because the game requires minimal equipment and can be adapted to different ages and skill levels, it's an easy activity to keep in your teaching toolkit for those moments when your class needs an extra burst of energy.

Ready to Play?

Grab your yoga blocks, pair up your dancers, and get ready for a few minutes of movement and laughter!

Try Head, Shoulders, Knees, Block in your next dance class, experiment with your own commands, and make the game your own.

We want to see your games in action! Tag us on social media when you try this activity with your dancers. We love seeing how dance teachers bring creativity, connection, and fun into the studio!

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