Homemade musical instruments are fun to make and to play. Here’s how to make musical instruments for kids:
Homemade Guitars
You’ll need an empty tissue box, a few rubber bands, an empty paper towel roll and a pencil.
Step 1: Have a parent or teacher cut an oval hole in the center of the tissue box.
Step 2: Stretch four rubber bands across the box and the center of the hole.
Step 3:Slide a pencil under the rubber bands, near the top of the box.
Step 4:Tape or glue the paper towel tube to the end that doesn’t have the pencil. This is the guitar’s handle. Strum away!
Check out the Cereal Box Guitars we made here!
Homemade Rainsticks
To make your own homemade rainsticks, you’ll need an empty paper towel roll, dried beans, aluminum foil, a brown paper grocery bag and markers.
Step 1: Trace the circular end of your paper towel tube onto a brown paper bag. Then, trace a circle around the first, making it about two inches larger. Cut one-inch thick straps between the first and second line. Glue the flaps to the paper towel roll.
Step 2: Cut tinfoil six inches wide and 150% the length of the roll. Squish the foil into a long strip and then twist it into a spiraling spring.
Step 3: Place the foil coil into your tube and fill 1/10 of the tube with dried beans. If you don’t have beans, popcorn or dry rice will also work.
Step 4: Repeat step 1 on the open end of the tube.
Step 5: Decorate the tube with markers or paint and let the glue dry.
Homemade Drums
Make your own drums using a cardboard oatmeal container, a brown paper bag and your choice of decorative items, such as glitter, sequins and ribbons.
Step 1: Cut and glue the brown paper bag to fit the outside of the oatmeal container.
Step 2: Have the kids glue decorative items all over the drum.
Step 3: snap the lid on and you’re ready to play!