How to Play Freeze Dance

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Co-authored by Chelsea Fisher

Last Updated: September 13, 2025

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Planning Out the Game

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Playing Freeze Dance

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Playing with Different Variations

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

Freeze dance is a game loved by many kids, teens, and even grown-ups since it allows kids to get active while having fun. It's a great indoor game that's perfect for sleepovers and parties. It's time to get loose, breakout of your comfort zone, and get jiggy with it.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Planning Out the Game

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1
Get song suggestions. Ask everyone what songs they like, so everyone can have fun! Tell the participants to not ask for slow songs since it's difficult to dance to. Use upbeat music, such as pop and rap, or you could use upbeat nursery rhymes songs for small children.^{[1]
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Jami Stigliano
Dance Instructor and Entrepreneur

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- Play music that is age appropriate; obviously you shouldn't play songs with inappropriate messages and language for small children and you shouldn't play childish songs for teenagers and older children.
You'll need some kind of media player: a computer or device with music on it, a CD player, speakers, etc. You can also use a phone, search for or download some upbeat tunes, and place the phone in a plastic cup to use as a speaker.

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Ask everyone if they want to play. You can have as many players as you want; with too many, however, it may get out of hand and the game will be too long.
If someone doesn't want to participate, they can help out with the music, or if everyone wants to participate, take turns being in charge.
Place the media player or phone on a table so it doesn't get knocked over. You can also set up a chair beside the table for the person in charge if they don't want to stand the whole time.

Part 2

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Playing Freeze Dance

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Have everyone spread out to prevent injuries. Tell the players to not run around or do anything crazy such as doing flips since someone could get hurt which is no fun!
Begin the game by starting the music, during this time everyone has to dance and move.^{[2]
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Jami Stigliano
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When the music stops everyone has to freeze. Don't remind them to freeze as this will make the game too easy. Try to trick the players by playing the music and stopping it really quickly.^{[3]
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Jami Stigliano
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When the music stops playing and someone moves then they're out of the game. Kick out players if they fall or if they're being way too silly; yes it's okay to have fun, but if they almost hurt or injure someone while dancing they should be eliminated.
Keep playing and stopping the music until the last person, to win you have to be the last one standing.
Congratulate the winner with a special prize. The winner gets to be in charge the next round, if everyone wants to play again.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Playing with Different Variations

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1
Tell the players to dance differently. Each time you stop the music, before you start playing the music again tell everyone to dance or move a certain way such as:
- Dance like a ballerina
- Hop like a frog
- Do the disco
- Breakdance
- Hop like a bunny
- Dance like Michael Jackson or other famous people that dance
- Do the salsa
- Tango dance
- Ballroom dance
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Freeze in different positions. The person in charge can tell the players to freeze in a different position each round. If a play forgets to freeze or doesn't freeze in the proper position they are out. Possible positions include:
- Freeze like a statue
- Freeze like a model
- Freeze like a certain animal
- Freeze like a superhero
- Freeze like a certain shape
- Freeze like a dancer
- Freeze like a bug
- Freeze like a letter
3
Make funny faces. The person in charge can tell the players to make a silly face while dancing each round to add some humour to the game. If a player forgets to make a face or still has a silly face when the music stops they're out. Use faces such as:
- Making a monkey face
- Bulging out your eyes
- Doing a creepy smile
- Doing the fish face
- Doing a sad face
- Doing an angry face
- Doing an excited face
- Doing a shocked face
4
Make noises each round. The person in charge can have the players make funny noises each round. If a player doesn't stop making noises when the music stops or they forget to make a noise they're out. Use noises such as:
- Snorting like a pig
- Barking like a dog
- Making slurp sounds
- Whistling
- Singing out of tune
- Moo like a cow
- Quack like a duck
- Let them be creative by letting them choose
The person in charge can have the players sing or hum the lyrics of the song being played. If a players forgets to sing or continues to sing when the music stops they're out.
Spice up the game by playing different tunes each round since hearing the same song can get boring pretty fast. For example, if you tell the players to dance like a ballerina, play some ballet songs such as the Nutcracker, or the Sugar Plum Fairy.
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Punish the losers. When someone gets kicked out of the game, have a punishment ready for them, such as:
- Eating something gross
- Doing something embarrassing
- Wearing something embarrassing
- Wearing layers of clothing
- Getting tickled by someone (if they hate getting tickled)
- Eating something sour or spicy
- Pour something on their head (water, juice, etc.)
Everyone will be having a blast and want to play more rounds.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I play a freeze dance game at home with my kids?

Chelsea Fisher
Parenting & Play Expert
Chelsea Fisher is a parenting and play specialist based in Colorado. Chelsea is a mom of 3 with nearly 10 years of experience creating fun and unique ways to play with her children. She is on a mission to show other parents that playing with your kids doesn’t have to feel like a nagging chore you’ve been putting off all day; something you know you should do, but don’t always have the energy for. Chelsea creates content showing how to make play feel easier, lighter, and more natural for parents everywhere. Known as @chels.fishyy on social media, Chelsea has a community of over 238k followers across TikTok and Instagram.

Chelsea Fisher

Parenting & Play Expert

Expert Answer

Just turn on some music and have everyone dance around like the regular game. Then, randomly pause the music and have the kids freeze in place as soon as it stops. If anyone keeps moving, they’re out, or you can just keep playing for fun. You can also switch things up by playing freeze dance in the dark. Turn the lights off while the kids dance, then turn them back on suddenly so everyone has to freeze right away. It’s a simple game, but kids usually love the surprise element and the chance to be silly.

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Question

Can I do whatever dance I want?

Ginger

Community Answer

Yes, you can do whatever dance you want as long as it is appropriate for the age group you are with.

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Do I have to download it?

Skyler Kerney

Community Answer

No, just play music and dance. Have someone be the DJ. Whenever the music stops, you stop.

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Tips

If a person is getting a punishment let them pick since they may not want to do a certain punishment.

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After the game is over, give everyone some water; they're probably exhausted from all that dancing.

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Don't make the players do the same thing each round (for example, making silly faces); pick a new task each round.

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