How to Make a Rainstick

Wait! Don't throw that away! Make a rain stick from recycled materials.
This project is easy and kid-friendly. No nails or pins in THIS rainstick!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty wrapping paper tube
• beans or beads or small pebbles or rice, etc
• wire spiral rescued from old notebook
• packing tape
• old (or new) gift tissue or paint or fabric scraps (optional)
• glue
• paintbrush or sponge
• lacquer (optional)

1. Cut a small piece of paper the diameter of the tube and use clear packing tape to seal one end of the tube.

2. Stretch the spiral wire to the same length as the tube or a little shorter. (This will provide your dry beans or rice or whatever you choose to use something to hit on the way down the tube to sustain the "rain" sound.) Place the wire inside the tube.

3. Put about 1/2 cup or a couple of hands full of beans (or your choice of other rattle source) into the tube. You can place your hand over the open end and test to see if you like the sound. Experiment with the amount/type you want to use to get the sound you want. The harder the rattle source, the louder the sound will be. If beans are too large, they may get stuck on the spiral and block the others from falling through.

4. When you are satisfied with your choices, seal the other end with the paper and packing tape.
   You can stop at this point. If you want it to look as nice as it sounds, continue to the next step.

5. Mix glue with equal amounts of water. Tear or cut tissue into small, manageable pieces. Use a sponge or 1 or 2 inch brush to apply the glue to the tissue and cover half the length of your rain stick. Let the UNGLUED half sit in a jar or box to allow the WET GLUED part to dry.
   When the first half is dry, repeat for the other half.
   OR, you can use fabric scraps. However, the fabric scraps take a very long time to dry.
   OR you can use paint instead. Just be sure you cover only half your rain stick at a time.
   OR you can use stickers to decorate.
   MOSTLY....USE YOUR IMAGINATION!

6. Coat with lacquer if you like to make it hold up better to lots of use.

Tips & Warnings

• http://forms.ehow.com/contribute.aspx?id=&panel=2#
• Use good ventilation if you use the lacquer because of the fumes.

[cherold598]

on 1/10/2009 Interesting article and sounds fun.

[gigglengrow]

on 1/2/2009 wonderful idea