How to Make a Rainmaker for Kids
A rainmaker, more commonly known as a rainstick, is a traditional South American craft. A long tube, usually made from dried cactus, is filled with dried beans which sound like rain when they move from one end of the tube to the other past cactus spikes that are pushed though the tube. While the traditional version requires material not readily available, you can make a version that has a similar effect but is simple enough for a child to make.
Things You'll Need
- 2 Pringles cans or plastic tennis ball tubes with plastic lids
- Small dried beans, rice or peas
- 10 thumb tacks
- Electrical tape
- Stickers
- Markers
- Glue
- Glitter
Instructions
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1
Push five thumb tacks into the first tube in a random pattern and the remaining five in the other tube. Push the tacks all the way into the tubes so their flat heads rest against the tubes.
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2
Wrap electrical tape all the way around the tube twice where the thumb tacks are to keep them from moving or slipping out.
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3
Place a handful of small dried beans like lentils or white beans, dried peas or rice in one tube.
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4
Stand the tube with the beans upright and align the opening of the other tube on top of it. Wrap tape around the seam of the two tubes with electrical tape.
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5
Decorate the outside of the rainmaker with stickers, markers and glitter.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can also fill the tubes with plastic can holders if you do not want the child making the rainmaker to work with thumb tacks. The can holders will slow down the beans to make the rain sound.
You can also use just one tube and tape the plastic lid to the top to seal the rainmaker.
