Make Music by Making an Instrument
Photo by: Cienpies Design
In a previous post, I talked about the importance of just having musical instruments available in the house for your child to experiment with. In case you missed it, be sure to check it out here, but today I thought I would give you a recipe for making your own instrument at home. This can be a great craft for preschoolers & elementary students especially on rainy days or too hot days (which we have had a lot of here in Oklahoma lately) – you’ll find some options for other ways to get creative with it at the bottom of the post. For now, this is a simple shaker recipe that you can make in just a few minutes!
Simple Shaker
What You Need:
Cardboard Tube (paper towels or toilet paper rolls work well)
Beans, Rice, Pasta or a combination of them
2 cupcake wrappers
2 rubber bands
Wrapping Paper (to cover the tube)
Glue dots, glue stick, or tape
What To Do:
Measure the height of your tube as well as around the circumference. Then cut your wrapping paper to about 1/2 inch longer than the height of the tube. This will give us some overlap.
Starting on one side, place your glue on your tube (or tape onto the paper) and slowly roll the paper around the tube, checking to be sure the edges are aligned with the top of the tube.
When you reach the end, seal the edge with more glue or another piece of tape to secure the loose end.
Cover one end of the tube with a cupcake wrapper & use the rubber band to hold it in place.
Fill your tube about 1/4 to 1/2 full with your beans, rice, pasta…or whatever else you can think of! Experiment with different combinations of items – each will have a unique sound.
Place the other cupcake wrapper over the open end and secure with the rubber band.
Get shakin’!
Other Options:
- Use markers, paints, crayons, foamies…whatever craft items you have on had to decorate the outside of the tube before you fill it. Be sure the tube is dry before adding the beans.
- Jingle bells, bottle caps, & beads also make great sounds inside your shaker. Or hit the pantry and grab some cereal. If it’s small & loose, it will work! (Just be sure to choose items that will be safe for the age of your little one!)
- No paper towel tubes? The plastic easter eggs will work, as will soup cans, plastic soda or even salad dressing bottles! Head out to the recycle bin and see what you can find!
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