Broom Dance Partner Swap

A traditional party dance game: pairs dance, and whoever has no partner dances with a pole as the broom. When the broom is dropped, everyone switches partners and someone new ends up with the broom. Students work on reaction time, social skills and partner dancing.

How to play

1. Explain that this is a traditional party game and form pairs; the extra student holds the pole, which is the broom (2 min).
2. Teach a partner step: holding both hands, four side steps each way and an underarm turn (3 min).
3. With music on, pairs dance and the broom holder dances with the broom, moving among the others (2 min).
4. Whenever they want, the holder drops the broom with a clap: everyone finds a new partner within five seconds, and whoever is alone picks it up (6 min).
5. Every three swaps, add a new partner move: high fives, elbow swing or back to back (2 min).

Rules

• Drop the broom straight down; never throw it or use it to touch anyone.
• You can't take the same partner twice in a row.
• Walk quickly to find a partner, don't run, and never turn down someone who comes to you.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a partner of a student using a wheelchair dances holding hands with chair turns; others wait for the chair to settle before finding partners.
• Autism or shyness: let the student be the one who drops the broom at first, so they control when the switch happens.
• Skill level: partner moves can be simplified to side sways without turns for students who find coordination hard.

Learning goals

• Dance a simple partner step while adjusting to a partner.
• React to a sound signal by quickly finding a new partner.
• Connect with every classmate without leaving anyone out.

Equipment for a class of 25

• music: 1
• poles: 1

Teacher tip

Use a light plastic pole rather than a wooden one. This game is great for mixing tight friend groups; if the same students keep pairing up, firmly enforce the no-repeat rule.

More activities like this

More main activities for Elementary