Crafting musical instruments with everyday materials
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Alexandra Stone
01 July 2024
đź•“ 4 min
Music is an incredible way to explore the world of sound, and it’s even more fun when children can make their own musical instruments. You don’t need expensive equipment or fancy tools—just everyday materials found around the house. Crafting these instruments is a fun, hands-on way for kids to learn about sound while expressing their creativity. Here are some simple instruments you can make at home!
1. Rubber Band Guitar
A homemade guitar is a simple way to introduce kids to the science of sound and music.
Materials:
- An empty tissue box or a shoebox
- Rubber bands (various thicknesses)
- A cardboard tube (optional)
How to make it:
- Stretch different-sized rubber bands around the box, over the open part.
- If you’re using a shoebox, cut a hole in the lid for better sound resonance.
- Optional: Attach a cardboard tube to the box to make a guitar neck.
- Pluck the rubber bands and notice how the thickness affects the pitch.
This teaches children that thicker rubber bands produce lower sounds, while thinner ones produce higher sounds. Explore the idea of pitch and frequency further in our blog post What is Audio Frequency?.
2. Shaker or Maraca
This is one of the easiest instruments to make, perfect for younger children.
Materials:
- An empty plastic bottle or a small container with a lid
- Rice, beans, or small pasta
How to make it:
- Fill the bottle or container with a small amount of rice or beans.
- Seal the container securely.
- Shake it to create rhythmic sounds.
Children can experiment with different fillers to change the sound. For example, rice creates a soft sound, while beans make a louder, more percussive sound.
For more fun ways to explore sound with kids, check out 5 Child-Friendly Ways to Visualise Sound at Home.
3. Paper Plate Tambourine
Tambourines are a fun and interactive instrument, and they’re simple to make with just a few materials.
Materials:
- Two paper plates
- Jingle bells or beads
- Stapler or glue
- Crayons or markers for decoration
How to make it:
- Decorate the paper plates with crayons or markers.
- Place the bells or beads inside the plates.
- Staple or glue the plates together, leaving enough space for the bells to move.
- Shake your homemade tambourine to create sound!
This activity not only introduces the concept of rhythm but also allows children to personalise their instruments, making the experience even more engaging.
4. Straw Pan Flute
A pan flute made from drinking straws is a fantastic way to teach children about different sound frequencies and lengths.
Materials:
- Drinking straws (paper or plastic)
- Scissors
- Tape
How to make it:
- Cut the straws to different lengths.
- Line them up in order of length, from shortest to longest.
- Use tape to secure them together in a row.
- Blow across the tops of the straws and hear the different notes each straw produces.
The shorter straws will produce higher-pitched sounds, while the longer straws will create deeper tones. This is a great way to explain how the length of a vibrating object affects its pitch—similar to the concepts discussed in our post What is Audio Wavelength?.
5. Drums from Pots and Pans
Sometimes, the simplest instruments are the ones we already have! Turn your kitchen into a drum set with items like pots, pans, and wooden spoons.
Materials:
- Pots, pans, or plastic containers
- Wooden or plastic spoons
How to make it:
- Lay out different-sized pots, pans, and containers upside down.
- Use the spoons to drum on the different surfaces.
- Experiment with rhythms, beats, and how the sound changes depending on the material and size of the container.
This activity encourages children to explore rhythm and beat-making while experimenting with the sounds of everyday objects.
Final Thoughts
Crafting musical instruments with everyday materials is not only a fun activity but also an educational one. It introduces children to basic sound principles such as pitch, vibration, and rhythm, while giving them a creative outlet. Plus, the instruments they make can be used to explore music and sound further.
If your child enjoys hands-on activities like this, our Science of Sound holiday camps are the perfect place for them to dive deeper into the world of sound. Through engaging experiments and interactive sessions, children can explore the science behind music and sound. Learn more about our camps here.
