Drum Crafts

Drums can be made from objects that are designed to be struck with sticks or hands.

One of the most popular musical craft projects in pre-school and lower elementary grade levels is making a drum. Drums can be fashioned from a wide variety of shapes and sizes; they are simple to make. Empty containers, found at home, can be brought to school by the children. Basic components of a drum include a cylindrical box with a hollow space to resonate percussive sounds, a batter head and objects to beat the head. Most of the time used in the process of construction is the placing of decorations on the drum, a creative activity that most children enjoy. The finished drums can be added to other instruments in rhythm band playing.

Cardboard Box Drums

An oatmeal box is ideal for drum making because basic changes are not necessary and the cylindrical shape lends itself for decorating. When the box is turned upside down, the closed end becomes a batter head ready to be played. Plastic coffee cans and large vegetable tin cans can also be used in the same way. Construction paper with drawings and glued objects can be wrapped around the outside of the box and taped. A cord attached to the drum and placed around the neck of the player allows both marching and playing at the same time. Both hands are then free to strike the head with fingers or other objects, such as dowels, unsharpened pencils, and spoons.

Drums Played in a Stationary Position

Larger containers, such as metal paint cans, wooden kegs and 5-gallon plastic buckets, make suitable drums. However, because of their sizes, these drums are best played by children sitting or standing. Paper, cut from a grocery bag in a circle 1 or 2 inches larger than the diameter of open end, can be stretched across and used as a batter head. The head is secured around the container with a cord or thick rubber band. Bright colors painted on these drums are very effective.

Ethnic Themes

Special art work, placed on drum shapes inspired by various cultures, can be used in connection with geographical studies. For example, two small drums of different sizes tied together make Latin American Congo drums which are hand played by fingers and palms. Larger drums adorned with African symbols and angled lines are made into Conga drums representing that area of the world. American Indian tribes danced to the beat of drums in their rituals, an essential part of their lives.

Seasonal Themes

The presence of diagonal lines made by ropes or cords around the body of historic European and American drums is a way many people identify what a drum looks like. These lines can be added in the decoration of baby food jars and toilet paper tissue rolls in making Christmas tree ornaments. Drums can be added to other noise makers in New Year's Eve celebrations. Since a fife and drum is associated with Fourth of July celebrations, symbols of patriotism in colors of the American flag can be used to decorate drums.