How to Make a Musical Instrument Out of Recyclable Products

Most children love music. However, musical instruments are costly and often fragile. Recycled objects can be used to make creative and fun musical instruments that are kid friendly. Recycled musical instruments can be made in a variety of educational settings. Most children can make these instruments with a minor amount of help from an adult.

Things You'll Need

• Two recycled aluminum pie plates
• Stickers
• Dry beans
• Stapler
• Staples
• Hole punch
• Ribbons
• Bells
• Paper towel tube
• Construction paper
• Masking tape
• Duct tape
• Gift wrap tube

Instructions

Pie-Tin Tambourine

1. Decorate the outside of the recycled pie tins with colorful stickers. The flat-bottomed area should be the most highly decorated area. Stickers will not adhere well to the ridged surfaces of the pie tin. Let your creativity flow. You can decorate the tambourine with a structured pattern or a random one.

2. Place one of the decorated pie tins on a flat surface. Place a ¼ cup dried beans in the tin.

3. Set the other pie tin upside down directly over the bottom one. Make sure the edges match up perfectly.

4. Staple the two pie tins together. Apply the staples as far from the edge as possible. Place the staples about an inch apart. This will keep the beans from falling out.

5. Punch holes around the outside rim of the pie tin tambourine. Place the holes about 2 inches apart. Make sure the holes are not near the staples. Placing holes near the staples will weaken the structure of the tambourine.

6. Cut a 10-inch length of ribbon for each hole in the pie tin. Tie a bell to the bottom of each section of ribbon. Insert the other end of the ribbon into the hole and tie a knot in it.

7. Play the tambourine by striking it against your leg or hand. It may also be shaken to produce a musical sound.

Gift Wrap Tube Trombone

1. Select your favorite color of construction paper. If desired, decorate one side of the paper with stickers. Roll the construction paper so that it is shaped like a funnel. Tape the edges of the construction paper with clear tape to secure the funnel shape.

2. Insert the small end of the construction-paper funnel into one end of a large recycled gift wrap tube. Tape the funnel securely onto the tube, using the clear tape.

3. Place duct tape on one end of a small, recycled paper towel tube. Insert the small tube into the large gift wrap tube.

4. Hold the homemade trombone so that it rests on your mouth. Buzz your lips and blow into the end of the trombone. Slide the smaller tube in and out of the larger tube to change the trombone’s musical pitch.

References

• Bash the Trash
• Make Your Own Tambourine
• The Tube Trombone