How to Make Rain Sticks

A rain stick is a percussion musical instrument that originated in South America. Teachers often use rain sticks as an aid when teaching about the rain forests in Brazil. When you tip the rain stick, it simulates the sound of rain. In Chile, where rain sticks are used in ceremonial rites, rain sticks are made from dead cactus tubes. This rain stick will be much simpler to make.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty paper towel roll
• Nails
• Paper
• Tape
• Macaroni noodles
• Cat litter
• Rice
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Crayons
• Stickers
• Markers

Constructing Your Rain Stick

1. Use a marker to draw dots about 1/2 inch apart on the seams of the paper towel roll. Poke a nail through each dot, making sure the nail does not pierce the other side of the paper towel roll. Wrap tape around the paper towel roll to hold the nails in place.

2. Cut two circles of paper just a bit bigger than the ends of your empty paper towel roll. Place a paper circle over one end of the paper towel roll and use tape to seal it.

3. Fill the rain stick with at least one cup of a mixture of cat litter, macaroni noodles and rice.

4. Put the other circle on the other end of the rain stick and seal it with tape.

Decorate Your Rain Stick

5. Cut a piece of construction paper to fit around the rain stick.

6. Before taping the construction paper to the rain stick, decorate it with stickers or with a scene you've created using markers and crayons.

7. Your rain stick is now complete. Tilt it back and forth and listen to the "rain." Or put on your favorite song, and add a little percussion to the music.

Tips & Warnings

• Children should have the help of adults before working with nails or scissors.