When I hear a good beat, my body can’t help but move. It’s automatic, ancestral almost—like joy on cue. And if you’ve ever been around me or my family, you know we love music, and you know we don’t need much of a reason to break into a full-blown family dance party. Music is in our bones, and dancing? That’s our love language.
As we head toward International Dance Day (April 29), I want to celebrate something that I love and cherish: spontaneous, spirit-lifting, knee-testing (at least on my part) family dance parties.
The Legacy of Dance
Growing up, music and dance were a big part of my life; my parents and grandmothers were always listening to music, all genres. I remember being a little girl obsessed with Eubie! – knowing every word, every step (I still do). I’d watch at my grandmother’s over and over until the VHS tape wore out.
My Uncle Dale (rest his soul) had cable before we did, and my brother, cousins, and I would spend all day watching music videos. Janet. Michael. Hammer. I knew the choreography like I was prepping for tour.
Even though I was shy about dancing in public, in my living room? I was a star. I used to want to be famous, just to land a spot on Dancing With the Stars. Getting paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. (And if I ever get to perform the Argentine tango, just know I will leave no crumbs.)
That love of music and movement has trickled down to my babies. My daughter? She’s a natural. And both of my kids know that when we’re cleaning, cooking, or just vibing – there’s a good chance we’re gonna bust a move in the hallway, in the grocery store, or while brushing our teeth.
Why You Need a Family Dance Party
Besides being ridiculously fun, there are actual benefits to shaking what your mama gave you:
- Physical Health: It’s cardio without the gym! (I once threw my back out in Zumba popping it too hard. Worth it!) Dance helps build coordination, strength, and flexibility – especially for little bodies that need movement.
- Emotional Release: Dance is a natural antidepressant. Ask my mom – she’s 65 and still out swing dancing at least twice a week! We were just saying how dancing lifts our spirits like nothing else.
- Bonding Time: Family dance parties are a way to connect, be silly, and let our guards down. It’s one of the few times we’re all in sync (see what I did there), and the joy is contagious.
Our Favorite Dance Moments
- The whole family (including my daughter who was maybe 2 at the time) watching and then trying to recreate the Thriller routine.
- A kitchen dance-off to Single Ladies.
- Dance breaks while folding and hanging laundry that add an extra hour to chores we could finish in 20 minutes.
- Taekwondo patterns that I pick up faster because in my head, they’re just choreography.
- That “look” I give my kids right before I’m about to break out my best 8 count in the store because some of these store’s playlists be jamming!
Sometimes, my son starts pretending to be embarrassed – more incentive for me. But I can see the smile he’s trying to hide. My daughter? She’s all for it and is quickly in formation. For now.
How to Start Your Own Family Dance Tradition
- Pick a Time: Make it part of your weekly routine – Saturday morning jams, Friday night after dinner, or randomly when someone’s in a funk.
- Create a Playlist: Curate songs that everyone loves – from old-school jams to the latest TikTok hits. Keep it fun, upbeat, and diverse.
- Let Go of Perfection: It’s not about being a good dancer. It’s about feeling the music in your bones and letting your body lead.
- Go Big or Stay Chill: You can turn the lights down, add a disco ball, or keep it simple.
- Make It Yours: Theme nights, dance challenges, “Mom vs. Kids” battles, or dance charades – the options are endless.
Dancing isn’t just movement, it’s medicine. It’s one of the easiest ways I reconnect with my kids, my culture, my younger self, and even my grief. When I watch my kids dance, I see freedom. I see joy. I see healing. And when I dance with them, I feel whole.
So as we gear up for International Dance Day, I encourage you to start your own little tradition. Clear a space in the living room. Crank up the volume. And dance like nobody’s watching – or like everybody is, and you don’t care.
BTW: A family dance party is cheaper than therapy, better than screen time, and way more fun than chores!
Tell Me This:
- What’s your family’s go-to dance song?
- Who’s the best dancer in your household?
- Got a memory of dancing that always makes you smile?
Drop it in the comments, share on our social media pages. I’d love to hear about your dance party moment. And hey, if you need a playlist? You know I got you.
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2 Comments. Leave new
This added value to my day inspiration and idea to share with the fam! Thank you for sharing! You are beautiful and the children are too!
Thank you Crystal.