Waiata Freeze

Supplies

• Device or speaker to play waiata (songs in te reo Māori or any upbeat music).

• Open space for children to move around safely.

Steps

1. Set up space – Clear a safe area where tamariki can move freely without bumping into each other.

2. Explain rules –

   • When the waiata is playing, everyone dances, sings, or moves around.

   • When the music stops, everyone must freeze like a statue.

3. Start the music – Play a waiata and let the tamariki dance and sing.

4. Pause at random – Stop the music suddenly. All players freeze in place.

5. Check freezes – Anyone who moves after the music stops is out for that round (or just encourage them to try again if playing non-competitively).

6. Restart – Play the waiata again and repeat several times.