--- title: Giving a Tried-and-True Song a Thrilling New Twist description: Ideas for spicing up your children's favorite tunes! image: https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/hubfs/how%20to%20make%20an%20old%20song%20new%20photo%201.png --- [![SHC_blog_logo_small](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/hs-fs/hubfs/SHC_blog_logo_small.png?width=300&height=88&name=SHC_blog_logo_small.png "SHC_blog_logo_small")](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org) - [Home](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org) - [Early Childhood](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/tag/early-childhood-ministry) - [Children](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/tag/children-ministry) - [Youth](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/tag/youth-ministry) - [Adults](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/tag/adults-ministry) - [Store](https://www.wearesparkhouse.org) ## [Giving a Tried-and-True Song a Thrilling New Twist](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/thrilling-new-twist) Jul 16, 2019 7:00:00 AM / by [Cathy Skogen-Soldner](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/author/cathy-skogen-soldner) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![how to make an old song new photo 1](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/hs-fs/hubfs/how%20to%20make%20an%20old%20song%20new%20photo%201.png?width=1200&name=how%20to%20make%20an%20old%20song%20new%20photo%201.png) Older songs are often good songs; however, if we repeatedly sing the same songs in the same way, we run the risk of wearing them out. Whether we are choosing children’s songs for an educational worship hour or a traditional worship service, we need to ensure that we are being creative and keeping music engaging.   Psalm 144:9 says, “I will sing a new song to you, O God,” but, just like you, I hear a handful of songs that the children love and request over and over.  When our children request to sing an old song, let’s honor that request and embody Psalm 144:9 at the same time.  Here are some ideas to help us do our part to keep things fresh by adding something that will “spice up” our tried-and-true songs so they can be sung in a new way:  ## Ways to make an old song new:    - Play kazoos for a verse.  - Invite the children to write words for a new verse.  - Make or hand out puppets to sing a verse.  - Add sign language to a hymn or a song. (Sign language resources are available online.)  - Speak or rap a verse and sing the refrain.  - Toss bean bags or balls around a circle as the song is sung.  - Stand or sit on key words that repeat.  - Try rhythmic passing on keywords or specific beats. - Hum or whistle a verse.  - Create new motions, a line dance, or a circle dance to go along with a song.  - Play the [Kristal Bells](http://kristalbellmethod.com/). - Hand out [Boomwhackers](http://boomwhackers.com/) and whack a song.   - Try doing a verse with motions only - no singing.  - Dust off those children’s instruments and let them play.  - Use snaps, stomps, leg pats, or a combination of these instead of claps.  - Pass the song between two groups. One side sings the first line and then the other sings the next.  - Clap hands with a partner instead of clapping your own hands together.  - Toss out balloons and instruct the kids to keep the balloons from touching the floor while they sing.  - Learn the song in a new language. ![how to make an old song new photo 2](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/hs-fs/hubfs/how%20to%20make%20an%20old%20song%20new%20photo%202.png?width=470&name=how%20to%20make%20an%20old%20song%20new%20photo%202.png)   Don’t throw out the old songs - just put a little effort into reviving them! Engage your singers and audience every time you sing by using one or a combination of these suggestions. Can you think of any more ideas that you could add to your own list?    *For more blog posts on children's ministry, see "[The ABC's of activity-based learning](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/activity-based-learning)", "[Relational Youth Ministry 101](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/relational-youth-ministry)", and "[3 teaching tips to try next Sunday](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/teaching-tips-sunday-school)".*   Topics: [Children Ministry](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/topic/children-ministry) ![Cathy Skogen-Soldner](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/hs-fs/hubfs/SHC_blog_author_Cathy-Skogen-Soldner.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=SHC_blog_author_Cathy-Skogen-Soldner.jpg) #### Written by [Cathy Skogen-Soldner](https://blog.wearesparkhouse.org/author/cathy-skogen-soldner) Cathy Skogen-Soldner is composer and owner of Cathy’s Music. Some of her best insights and creative ideas have come from nuggets she has received from the children in her life. 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