How to Make a Native American Paper Flute

Contributor

By Kochava R. Greene
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(0 Ratings)

A Native American 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.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Cardboard tube
Flat cardboard or heavy paper
Glue
Scissors
Crayons or markers

Step 1

Begin with a basic cardboard tube

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.
Step 2

Cut five holes down the length of the tube, close enough so that children's fingers can reach and cover all of them.
Step 3

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.