Instruments That Children Can Make

Many simple musical instruments can be made and enjoyed by children. The materials consist of recycled items and are found in most households. After making each instrument, discuss the possible uses for it.

Triple Can Drum

Place three aluminum cans of different sizes together (bottoms facing up), and secure them with heavy-duty tape. Children can tap the cans with their fingers or sticks to produce different sounds.

Jug Shaker

Fill a plastic juice or milk jug halfway with beads and jingle bells, securing the lid with tape or glue. Encourage children to hold the handle and shake it, moving it around to hear a variety of sounds.

Musical Kazoo

Children can decorate an empty toilet-tissue tube and then stretch a square of waxed paper over one end, securing it with a rubber band. Hum a tune into the open end of the tube to produce kazoolike sounds when the waxed paper vibrates.

Maracas

Place a few dried beans into a plastic 35 mm film container, then make a small slit in the lid and spread a small amount of glue inside before replacing it. Insert a craft stick into the slit, and encourage children to shake the maraca to make rhythmic sounds.

Sandpaper Blocks

Glue heavy-duty sandpaper onto the bottoms of two wooden blocks. Tap the blocks together to make loud claps, or slide the sandpaper sides together to make shuffling sounds.

References

• Shake, Tap, and Play a Merry Tune; Tania K. Cowling; 1992

Resources

• Homemade Instruments