How to Make a Small Kazoo
Everyone loves a kazoo, and making your own small kazoo is a fun and easy project. The kazoo is an often misunderstood musical instrument, and although it is known as an amusing children's toy, it is used in many legitimate musical styles. A home-made kazoo can be as small or large as you'd like, by modifying size dimensions. The only requirement is that it contain an air and sound chamber, and a fixed vibrating membrane. Small kazoos can be made from readily available materials, making them an excellent kid's project when those little emergencies crop up.
Things You'll Need
- Cardboard, approximately 2 inches square
- Tape, string or rubber band
- Scrap wrapping paper or crayons
- Scissors
- Wax paper, approximately 2 inches sqaure
- Rubber band for membrane
Instructions
-
Constructing Your Kazoo
-
1
Roll cardboard into a tube, securing the seam with tape, string or rubber band. The tube serves as the kazoo's wind and sound chamber.
-
2
Decorate the outside of the cardboard with scrap wrapping paper or crayons. The cardboard may be decorated either before or after rolling into tube form.
-
-
3
Cut a square of wax paper, approximately 1 inch larger than the tube diameter.
-
4
Place the wax paper over one end of the tube, folding the edges to form a semi-tight seal. The wax paper will act as the kazoo's vibrating membrane.
-
5
Secure the wax paper with a rubber band. The rubber band can be used to adjust the tension of the wax paper, allowing for different tones and ease of playing.
-
6
Test the kazoo by humming a tune into the open end of the tube. Move your tongue to form simple consonant sounds to add more fun and variety to kazoo sounds.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Heavy paper may be substituted for cardboard, and empty bath tissue rolls or paper towel rolls (cut in half) make for an excellent ready-made tube.
Gift tissue paper or candy wrappers can be substituted for wax paper.
Empty cereal box liners are a ready source of wax paper.
This project is not recommended for very young children due to potential for choking hazard.
Use only non-toxic decorating materials such as crayons or wrapping paper.
