Things You'll Need:
- Per child: 2 paper plates 1/4 cup of dried beans stapler and staples markers 1 empty oatmeal container 1 empty shoe box 1 piece of cloth 4 heavyweight rubber bands
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Step 1
Make a shoebox guitar. Color or decorate an empty shoebox with markers or crayons. Each child should have their own shoebox to color. Once the shoebox is beautifully decorated, stretch three heavyweight rubber bands across the open part of the shoebox, stapling the tips of the rubber bands to the ends of the shoebox. Each rubber band should be about 2 inches apart. One you are finished stapling the rubber bands, your child will be able to play her shoebox guitar. Making a shoebox guitar is a great way to initiate a conversation about how ancient people came up with the idea for the guitar in the first place.
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Step 2
Make paper-plate maracas. Each child should have two paper plates. Have your child decorate the outsides of the plates with markers or crayons. She can color the plates however she likes, making them colorful and festive. Once he is finished coloring, pour 1/4 cup of dried beans into the center of one of the plates, and staple the other plate on top of it along the edge. Make sure that the top and bottom plate are creating a hollow space in between. Once your child's plates are stapled securely along the entire outer edge, they can then shake it all around like a maraca.
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Step 3
Make an oatmeal drum. Give each child an empty oatmeal container, and have them decorate the outside using markers, crayons or paint. Once the container is dry, have your child cover the open top of the oatmeal container with a piece of cloth so that the opening is covered. Stretch a heavyweight rubber band across the top, securing the cloth to the container. Stretch the cloth so that it is taut. Your child can now beat on her oatmeal drum to make a rhythm.
