How to Make a Native American Paper Flute
Most Native American flutes (also called Lakota-style flutes) are five-hole instruments made out of wood, including cedar, ash and cane. Each instrument is decorated with a "block" or totem design, such as a bear, owl, duck or coyote, depending on the maker. One way to introduce children to Native American culture is by letting them make their own paper replicas of native instruments, such as the flute. Learn how to make a paper flute similar to the ones played by many Native Americans.
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Things You'll Need
- Cardboard tube
- Flat cardboard or heavy paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Crayons or markers
Instructions
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Trace the end of the cardboard tube onto flat cardboard or heavy paper and cut out the circle. Put a little glue on the edges of the circle, and push it into the cardboard tube about ½ inch to 1 inch, and let dry.
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Cut five holes down the length of the tube, close enough so that children's fingers can reach and cover all of them.
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Draw a bird or other animal on the flat cardboard or heavy paper, and color it on both sides. Cut it out and glue it to the side of the cardboard tube. Color or decorate the rest of the tube any way you like. When all of the glue is dry, the flute is ready to play by blowing across the top and changing pitches by covering different holes.
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Tips & Warnings
Supervise children when they are working with scissors.
Resources
- Photo Credit .missiondelrey.com
