How to Teach Kids to Make Musical Instruments

Kids love music and they love to experiment with new sounds. If you follow these tips you can teach your kids how to make their own musical instruments. If they can make their own instruments they can play and learn anytime they want.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty Kleenex box
• Rubber Bands
• Rice
• Beans
• Empty Pringles container
• Empty Film Canisters
• Paper Plates
• Popsicle Stick

1. 
   Homemade Guitar

   A very simple and fun homemade musical instrument is the guitar. All you do is take an empty Kleenex box and wrap rubber bands around it. Place the rubber bands around the center of the box, over the opening. Then show your child how to strum their guitar and make some music.

2. Another easy homemade musical instrument are shakers or maracas. You can make these out of empty film canisters, Pringles cans, or water bottles. Have your child fill the canisters with different types of dry beans, rice, or rocks. Then tape the end shut and start shaking.

3. You can also make shakers from gourds. Take fresh gourds and let them sit for awhile and dry out. The seeds will fall to the bottom and the shells will be hard on the outside. Your kids can shake them like crazy and make all kinds of sounds.

4. To complete your homemade band take a paper plate and have your child place beans and rice on it. Place a popsicle stick inside and cover with another plate. Now staple the plates together. Hand to your child and let them shake and dance about.

5. Show your child how to make a water band. Allow your child to fill up glasses with various amounts of water. Have them tap lightly on the sides of the glasses to experience a new and exciting sound.

Tips & Warnings

• Kids can make musical instruments from almost anything. Encourage your children to explore various sounds and objects to use.

[1guyonabike]

on 1/30/2009 I admit I don't have kids, but I might try this myself. The tissue box guitar looks pretty fun!

[VirtualWorker]

on 1/26/2009 I LOVE music and nothing sweeter than the sound of children playing! Five stars!

VirtualWorker

[thebeaddoodler]

on 1/26/2009 That sounds like so much fun. Kids will love learning!

[jbechtold]

on 1/24/2009 Great idea I will try this.

[Gourmet2Go]

on 1/24/2009 I love recyling ideas like these, kids have just as much fun if not more with projects like these as opposed to going to the store and spending a small fortune on toys, thanks for sharing!