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Multicultural Kid Blogs

For families and educators raising world citizens, through arts, activities, crafts, food, language, and love.

Make Your Own Morris Dancing Bells For Spring!

May 11, 2018 by Daria

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morris dancing bells - multicultural kid blogs

All over the world, there are wonderful traditions where people take simple items like dancing bells, shells or seeds and make them into bracelets, waist belts or anklets. Then, as they dance, they create part of the rhythm just by moving.

Have you ever thought of the body as a musical instrument?

In the British Isles, springtime or special times of year are often celebrated with Morris dancing, a unique type of English folk dance that dates back at least to the 1400s. Dancers dress in colorful costumes, wearing elaborate sets of dancing bells below their knees. They perform choreographed moves in pairs, often with sticks, swords or handkerchiefs. As they dance, you can hear the jingling of the knee pads and the sound of their sticks as they tap. Here’s one video that shows dancers with knee pads and Morris sticks in their hands.

Since young children love to move and dance, making a simplified version of this traditional “knee-pad” instrument can be a fun way to welcome a new season, to exercise, and to explore world cultures.  Here are the supplies you need for a homemade version of Morris dancing bells:

Dancing Bells for Spring - Multicultural Kid Blogs

Supplies for Morris Dancing Bells

  • Two short lengths of elastic of any width (about 10″ – 14” long)
  • A handful of jingle bells
  • Any number of extra buttons, beads or similar jangles
  • Assorted ribbons, yarns, and embroidery thread
  • Needle and thread

Start by cutting two pieces of elastic and making sure they can comfortably stretch around a child’s leg, and sit it just under the knee. Leave a bit of extra length for the elastic to overlap. This will be where you will sew or pin it in place.

Place your elastic straight onto your work area. Since most elastic is white, you can use markers to color and decorate it before you add ribbons and bangles.

Dancing Bells for Spring - Multicultural Kid Blogs

Create the hanging jingles by threading a jingle bell on a small ribbon or piece or embroidery thread. Tie it to the end and then add any other buttons, beads or jangles. When you’ve reached the desired length, tie it in place onto your elastic. Add as many of these as you like.

Add some ribbons or yarn to the leggings. Sew or tie them into place. They may not add to the sound of your instrument, but they will move as you dance and add to the overall beauty of what you’ve created.

Last, sew or safety pin your morris bells to the right size for fitting around the leg of your child. Make sure the elastic is tight enough to stay in place, but not too tight to restrict movement or circulation.

Dancing Bells for Spring - Multicultural Kid Blogs

Dancing With Bells!

You can use this craft to explore the music of Morris dancing or any music of the British Isles. If you watch Morris dancing videos on YouTube, you’ll love the happy upbeat melodies heard during the dance. You’ll also notice how every Morris group has its own unique clothing and style of dance. Some Morris dancers wear garments made of strips of rags. Some are all men. Others are all women. Some are mixed groups. But one thing is certain. Everyone is having fun as they celebrate with their friends.

And so can you!

Here’s one more example to get you inspired to move and dance and celebrate Spring:

Related Posts

Exploring South Korean Traditional Instruments

Musical Ways to Explore Asian Pacific Heritage With Your Child

Jingle Dress Dancing – A Beautiful Native American Tradition

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Daria

Chief Inspirational Officer at World Music With DARIA
Educator and world music children's performer DARIA (Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou) has spent over two decades performing in the USA and around the world, creating music to inspire all the world’s children. Along with numerous national awards for her culturally diverse music, Daria’s website (www.dariamusic.com) was given a Parent’s Choice Award and offers many great resources for teachers, parents and kids of all abilities.
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Latest posts by Daria (see all)

  • An Interview with Native American Author Sondra Simone Segundo - September 20, 2019
  • Have You Met Molly of Denali? - August 2, 2019
  • Make Your Own Morris Dancing Bells For Spring! - May 11, 2018

Filed Under: Children's Activities, Crafts, Europe, Global Learning for Kids, Learning About Culture, Music, Paganism Tagged With: crafts for kids, morris bells, morris dancing, morris dancing for children, morris dancing for kids, multicultural crafts, world dance, world dance for kids

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  1. Love Your Neighborhood Photobook - Multicultural Kid Blogs says:
    May 14, 2018 at 12:01 am

    […] The Joy of Outdoor Spring Exploration Outdoor activities in different countries Make Your Own Morris Dancing Bells For Spring […]

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