Bibliobop Dance Party

About two years ago, I came across a program called Bibliobop from a blog called Storytiming. One thing librarians are great at is sharing programs and ideas, so I emailed Storytiming, asked if I could take the idea and name and use it at my library, and my version of Bibliobop Dance Party was born.

It's one of my most favorite programs that I run. The idea of Bibliobop is to give kids and parents a chance to dance and have fun with creative movement while highlighting the great music collection the library has. I always tell parents that all the music I use is available to check out and it's a great way to let them hear kids artists that they might not know about. Plus, it's just a blast to run and get to dance with kids!

In each dance party I include scarves, instruments, parachutes, and I've even done rhythm sticks, though my crowd tends to run a little young. I advertise the program for ages 2-6, but end up with mostly 2-3 year-olds and some baby siblings. 

I start each dance party with a book that's about singing or dancing or music, because every library program needs a book and this is another good way to highlight parts of our collection. Some of my favorites I've read: I Love to Dance by Anna Walker, Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae, Cha Cha Chimps by Julia Durango, Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin, and Hush Little Baby by Marla Frazee. 

Then after our storytime, I announce the rules of our dance party:

-Dance in the middle of the room, not around the sides by tables, chairs or doors

-Watch out for everyone who is dancing so we're careful and don't dance into each other

-The big people in the room need to dance too!

-And the most important rule: HAVE FUN!!

Then we dance. I switch between songs that have activities along with them and songs that are for free dance. I also take a break about halfway through and read another story and have a rest period. The entire dance party lasts about 40-50 minutes depending on the age of the group and how much dancing they want to do. And it's a blast!!! 

 I'm always looking for great music suggestions as well, so if you have some favorite kids music, let me know!

Here's my most recent playlist from Bibliobop:

Opening Song/Warm Up: Body Rock by Greg and Steve-a great warm up for little ones-I always tell them we have to warm up before we dance.

Dance Medley by Greg and Steve-a great intro to various styles of dance

Dance Around by Ralph's World

Wheels On the Bus by Mother Goose Rocks-I love Mother Goose Rocks-nursery rhyme lyrics put to pop song music-hilarious and fun to guess what artists and songs they are imitating

Scarves-God Only Knows by Rockabye Baby (The Beach Boys)-Another one of my favorites-lullaby music to pop songs

Reading Break

Hokey Pokey by Mother Goose Rocks 

Wiggle Your La-Di-Dah by Ralph's World 

Shakers/Instrument Song-Mahna Mahna by Cake-from For the Kids 

Parachute-Catch the Moon by Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell

Bop Til You Drop by Greg and Steve