How to Make Children's Tambourines

These tambourines are simple enough to complete with an entire classroom of children.

Children enjoy making music. A tambourine allows even the youngest children to use an instrument and play a rhythm. With some adult assistance, children will be able to create these tambourines themselves. These tambourines provide a double opportunity for artistic expression, first in decorating the tambourine and then as a musician playing a melody. Unlike many homemade tambourines, these are not filled with rice or beans, which means accidental destruction will not end in a huge mess.

Things You'll Need

• 2 paper plates
• Hole puncher
• Poster paint
• Paintbrushes
• Pencil
• 5 twist ties
• 5 jingle bells

Instructions

1. Punch five evenly spaced holes around the perimeter of one of the paper plates.

2. Place the punched paper plate directly on top of the other paper plate. Mark the placement of the punched holes onto the plate that is not yet punched.

3. Punch a hole through each pencil mark in the second plate.

4. Flip both plates over so the domed part of each plate is facing up.

5. Paint any design onto the plates. Allow the paint to dry.

6. Put the plates together with the painted sides facing out and the holes aligned.

7. Place a jingle bell onto one of the twist ties. Slide the jingle bell to the middle of the twist tie and twist the ends to secure the bell in place.

8. Place one end of the twist tie through both paper plates using one of the sets of punched holes. Twist the two ends of the twist tie together to hold it in place.

9. String the four remaining jingle bells onto each of the four remaining twist ties and place the twist ties through the holes of the paper plates.

Tips & Warnings

• Add sequins, plastic jewels and glitter for more decoration.

References

• First Palette: Paper Plate Tambourine