How to Make a Tambourine for a School Project

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By Lyndsey Hawkins
eHow Contributing Writer

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It's always fun to make percussion instruments for school activities and programs. One of the easiest ones to make is a paper plate tambourine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Place the 2 plates on a table with the edges up.
Step 2

Put a handful of dried beans on one plate.
Step 3

Put a good sized line of white glue around the edge of the other plate.
Step 4

Flip the glued plate over on to the plate holding the beans and pinch the edges together all around the plates. A few clothespins can clamp the edges tight until they dry thoroughly.
Step 5

When tambourine is completely dry-check edges to be sure there are no gaps where the bean can shake out.
Step 6

Children can decorate both sides of the tambourines with paint, markers, stickers or crayons. The tambourines can easily be decorated for a special occasion or holiday theme.

Tips & Warnings

To make different sounding tambourines use plastic plates instead of paper and fill with 1/4 cup of pea gravel, popcorn or rice. Small paper or plastic soup bowls also make interesting sounding instruments. Plastic plates come in vivid colors such as red and blue which can enhances a musical program for the audience visually. Small jingle bells can also be tied with yarn to the outside of the tambourine to make a holiday sound.
Children should realize that these are "paper" instruments and must be handled gently. Check occasionally for any tambourines that have holes or leaks. Aluminum pie plates are also another option with older children. These will need to be stapled or possibly woven together.

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