Make Homemade Musical Instruments with Children
Recyled Materials Make Wonderful Rhythm Instruments
Apr 13, 2009
Music is a positive way to promote social interactions among children, involving them in rhythm activities and games. Gross and fine motor skills are exercised as children play rhythm instruments and dance. And if they make their own instruments they will have fun along the way.
Make a Jingle Bracelet
Help children string plastic or wooden beads and large jingle bells onto a length of rawhide or ribbon. Tie the ends together in a knot to form a bracelet. Instead of wearing them on the wrist, the children can hold the bracelet in their hands and shake it. Also, try tapping the bracelet against the thighs to make a jingle-tap sound.
Shake Some Seashells
If you are lucky enough to live near a beach, get into the habit of collecting shells. If not, seashells can be found in most craft stores. Select shells that already have natural holes, or have an adult drill small holes in the top of each shell. Use a drill with a small bit. The children can string the shells together in pairs like clam shells. Tie the ends of the lacing material in a knot. Again, shake vigorously or tap against the thighs.
Wear a Drum Necklace
Save coffee cans and lids. Use a can opener and remove both metal ends (so the can is a hollow tube). An adult can spray paint the can in a bright color. Take two plastic lids and punch a hole in the middle of each. Next, string a long length of heavy yarn or ribbon and knot each end into the hole of each lid. Replace the lids on both ends of the coffee can. The children can decorate the can with musical stickers. The children can wear this drum as a necklace and tap each end with their hands. Small sticks make handy drumsticks too.
My "Green" Tambourine
Punch three to five evenly spaced holes around the outside rim of a heavy duty paper plate (it's best to use paper instead of plastic for this project). Invite the children to decorate their plate with paint, markers, or crayons. Glitter, sequins or stickers may be added as well. An adult can help the child to tie on several jingle bells in the holes. Elastic thread works well. Children can hold the plate in their hands and shake it. They may also tap the tambourines against their bodies.
Click Those Castanets
If you can find some metal bottle caps you will be all set to make this project. Have an adult punch a hole in the middle of each bottle cap using a hammer and a nail. Be sure to flatten out any sharp edges. Take a one-inch by six-inch strip of heavy cardboard and invite children to use paint or markers to decorate the strip. Then, have the adult punch a hole an inch from each end of the cardboard strip using the hammer and nail.
Place a bottle cap face down over one of the holes in the cardboard strip, lining up the hole in the strip with the hole in the cap. Thread string through the holes and knot them. Repeat this process on the other side. Help the children fold the cardboard strip in half with the bottle caps on the inside. The children can hold the folded end of the cardboard strip in one hand and click the bottle caps together by squeezing the cardboard.
Store-bought instruments may be OK, however the making of musical instruments offers children fun, great hands-on experience, and the pride of ownership of a project made alone.
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