How to Make a Rainmaker Musical Instrument
Rainmakers are easy-to-make musical instruments which children as young as 4 or 5 years old can build. Rainmakers are excellent noisemakers for celebrations. This 20-minute project gives children a sense of efficacy and pride in their own abilities to make something of value. The value of building a rainmaker is not limited to children, however. Even adult musicians can use rainmakers to interesting effect in their own musical productions.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Long cardboard tube (a wrapping paper tube)
- Cardboard paper
- Glue
- Dry beans or rice
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1
Cut two circles out of construction paper. Ensure that they are the same size as the holes on the ends of the cardboard tube. These circles will cover the holes.
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2
Glue one of the circles onto one of the ends of the cardboard tube. Make sure it makes a clean seal so that no beans or rice can escape.
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3
Set the tube so that it is vertical with the closed side facing down. Insert as many or as few beans or rice as you want. If you insert more beans or rice, it will result in a louder rainmaker; if you insert fewer, it will result in a quieter one.
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4
Glue the second cardboard circle onto the other end of the rainmaker. Let the glue dry and make sure it is sealed just like the first end.
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5
Turn the rainmaker upside down repeatedly in order to "play" it. You can also shake it like maracas to create different timbres.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Be careful when children are using the small beans or rice, as a child may choke on the rice or beans if it is ingested.
