Things You'll Need:
- Empty shoe box 3 heavyweight rubber bands Stapler and staples
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Step 1
Find a shoe box. You can find empty shoe boxes at any shoe store, if you do not already have empty shoe boxes. Shoe boxes come in all sizes, from very small to very large. A toddler or small child might need a smaller shoe box, while an older child might do best using a larger shoe box.
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Step 2
Instruct children to color or paint their shoe boxes if they wish and make their instruments colorful and decorative. You can lay out markers, crayons or paint and brushes and let children take their time decorating the inside and outside of their boxes.
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Step 3
String the rubber bands. Stretch a rubber band so that it reaches the top of the shoe box as well as the bottom of the shoe box. Using your stapler, staple one end of the rubber band to the top of the box, being careful not to cut or split the rubber band. Then, stretch the rubber band so that the other end reaches the other side of the box, and staple it securely there. Continue to do the same to the other 2 rubber bands, lining them up next to each other. Older children may like to add more rubber bands if they like.
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Step 4
Play the shoe box instrument. Once the shoe box has been strung with the rubber bands, the children can play their new instruments. Teach them how sound is made by the sound waves bouncing off the inside of the shoe box. This can incorporate science into their project along with music and art. Children might like to have a shoe box jamboree in the backyard, or even put on a shoe box concert for friends and family.
