Birthday Songwriting Activity

This Birthday songwriting activity is to help your children create poetry and songs. It will also help them understand the concept of rhythm and rhyme.

This activity embraces the fun of the Eurovision song contest which is held annually each Spring. It also builds on two birthday songs written by Spid which are ‘It’s My Birthday’ and ‘Birthday Girl’. These songs feature in Spid the Spider Plans a Birthday Surprise.

About the song, ‘Happy birthday’

‘Happy Birthday’ is one of the most recognisable songs in the world. It was written in 1893 to the tune ‘Good Morning to All’.  Attributed to American nursery school teachers, Patti and Mildred Hill. The song is sung to a beat of three, 1 2 3, repeated twice per line … thus each phrase or line is 6 beats.

Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday Dear (insert name) e.g. Jamie,
Happy Birthday to You.

Parent and teacher notes

1. First, start by asking your children to create a greeting or message for a friend  or family member
   • What would you like to say to them?
   • Make a list of ideas/words?
2. Next ask them to think about rhyming words?
3. Then to combine the words into short phrases ending in words that rhyme.
   • Each phrase or line should also have the same rhythm i.e., number of beats.
   • Note that the concept of rhythm is expanded upon in our Christmas carol writing activity.
4. Finally, ask the children to read or sing their songs, and ‘vote’ for their favourite.