Watch This, Do That: The Sound of Music

Admit it, you clicked on this story and are already humming the first few notes to “Lonely Goatherd.” That’s the power of The Sound of Music, it already makes you think of music.

The story of a not-so-great nun, who turns into a little-bit-better nanny to seven children of a widower, who becomes his wife during the coming of WWII in Europe spans generations. Released in 1965, the musical based on a true story will have your family singing and skipping after just one viewing.

There are so many things to learn from The Sound of Music, and it’s not just every word to every song. Seeing Maria blossom from a young nun into a stepmother to seven children is a quick growth, that includes seeing changes in the family, the country and Maria and the Captain’s relationship. It’s a great movie to discuss family, loyalty and what are the hallmarks of each. What to discuss with kids: 

• Strength doesn’t lie in numbers. Scared to become a nanny, Maria leaves the abbey and sings through the streets of Saltzburg to pep herself up. She sings, “Strength doesn’t lie in numbers, strength doesn’t lie in wealth. Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumber and when you wake up, wake up!” She’s saying that you don’t have to LOOK strong to BE strong, and in your own strength, whatever it may be, show it with a force. 
• Climb every mountain. Take a chance. Try something new. Don’t let your dream escape you because you were too afraid to try the hard thing. Climb every mountain to see what might be on the other side, because it could be exactly what you’ve been looking for. 
• Find your favorite things. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens are tiny, small things that represent the little wonders of life. What little things bring your family joy that they can remember when the dog bites or the bee stings? 

Movie-inspired activities

Now that you’ve seen The Sound of Music, try these screen-free activities inspired by the movie. 

• Make a guitar. There’s no Sound without the Music. The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization partnered with Studio DIY to create a few fun crafts for fans of the movie. This one helps kids and parents make a cardboard replica guitar like Maria’s.  
• Create the “lonely goatherd” puppets. Your kids can recreate the Lonely Goatherd puppets with a few simple supplies found around the house (including string and cardboard rolls). Try recreating the scenery, too. 
• Make an edelweiss flower. Edelweiss is the national flower of Austria and so native to the Alpine region that there’s a whole song about it. Use this tutorial from the What We Can Do With Paper and Glue blog to craft your own “blossom of snow.” 
• “Favorite Things” dinner. Let your kids pick their favorite things to eat for dinner, then they can help make it. 
• Sing a song. Songs can pull you out of doldrums and brighten your day. Sing a song from the movie, learn to play it on the recorder, your new cardboard guitar or learn the words to any new song you want to try.

Have a Watch This, Do That idea you want to share with our readers? Send your idea to editor@metrotparent.com with your suggestion for a movie. We’d love to share your idea on MetroParent.com.