Got a carrot? In just a few minutes, you can create a simple wind instrument that will blow your friends away. Play (with) your food! Please note: kids love this project but it requires adult supervision.
Things You'll Need
Large carrot
Baby carrots
1/2" to 3/4" drill bit
1/16" to 1/8" drill bit
Portable drill
Paring knife
How to Make a Flute
Step 1: Hollow Out the Carrot
Choose a large carrot and cut the tip off up to the point where the diameter is larger than the drill bit you are using.
Position the bit at the center of the cut end of the carrot and drill slowly and carefully. Hold the carrot below the drill bit and be careful not to drill through the side or the end of the carrot.
Step 2: Cut the Notch
Approximately 1 inch from the drilled end of the carrot, cut into the carrot about 1/3 of the way through.
Remove the knife, move down about 1 1/4" and make an angled cut to match the vertical cut you made previously. You can make several shallow cuts until you expose the drilled out center.
Step 3: Make the End Plug
Find a baby carrot that fits snuggly into the end of the hollowed out carrot. Make a straight cut on the end of the baby carrot and then cut again to the length of the large carrot from the end to the notch.
Stand the plug on end and make a vertical cut, about 1/3 of the width of the carrot plug.
Place the plug into the end of the carrot, with the flat side lining up with the cut notch.
Blow hard on the end of the carrot flute and see if you get a sound. If not, remove the plug and shave a little more off of the flat side and retry. You might have to try several times to get the perfect plug.
Step 4: Drill the Note Holes
Use the small bit to drill holes about 1 inch apart. Start at the farthest point of the hollowed portion of the carrot flute. Depending on the length of the carrot, you should be able to drill three or four holes.
Step 5: Try it Out!
How to Make a Slide Whistle
Step 1: Create the Body
Choose a large carrot and cut a section about 6 inches long. Make sure the diameter of the carrot is larger than your drill bit.
Hold the drill bit at the center of the end of the carrot and drill slowly and carefully. Drill all the way through the length of the carrot.
Step 2: Make the Notch & End Plug
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 from the flute instructions above to create a notch and end plug.
Step 3: Create the Slide
Cut a second carrot for the slide. Make it about an inch shorter than the first carrot. Score carrot, all the way around the largest end.
Score the carrot, all the way around, about an inch from the larger end.
Pare the carrot down, from the score line to the tip.
Test the fit and continue paring as necessary until the "slide" fits into the hole in the first carrot.
Step 4: Play!
To play the whistle, blow into the mouthpiece while you pull the slide in and out.
