Exploring Pitch and Frequency: 10 Fun Sound Activities for Kids
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Charlotte Wilson
13 January 2025
🕓 10 min
Understanding Pitch and Frequency
Sound is everywhere—from the buzz of a bee to the honk of a car horn—but what makes these sounds different from each other? Two key characteristics that define any sound are pitch and frequency. Understanding these concepts is essential for learning how sound works, and the best way for kids to grasp them is through hands-on exploration.
In this blog, we’ll explain pitch and frequency in simple terms and share 10 fun, engaging activities that will help kids explore these concepts at home or in the classroom.
1. What Are Pitch and Frequency?
Frequency refers to how many times a sound wave repeats in a given period. It’s measured in hertz (Hz), with one hertz equal to one wave cycle per second. A higher frequency means more waves in a shorter time, which results in a higher-pitched sound.
Pitch is how we perceive the frequency of a sound. A high-frequency sound wave produces a high-pitched sound (like a whistle), while a low-frequency sound wave produces a low-pitched sound (like a drumbeat).
2. Rubber Band Guitar
Objective: Explore how the thickness and tension of a string affect pitch.
Materials Needed:
- A small empty box (like a tissue box)
- Rubber bands of various thicknesses
- A ruler or pencil
Steps:
- Stretch different rubber bands around the box so they are taut.
- Pluck each rubber band and observe the pitch of the sound produced.
- Try changing the tension by pressing down on the rubber bands with a ruler or pencil and plucking them again.
- Ask kids to compare the sounds of thicker vs. thinner rubber bands and tighter vs. looser bands.
Explanation:
The rubber bands vibrate when plucked, creating sound waves. Thicker rubber bands vibrate more slowly, producing a lower frequency and pitch, while thinner rubber bands vibrate faster, resulting in a higher frequency and pitch. Increasing the tension also raises the pitch because it causes the rubber band to vibrate more quickly.
3. Water Glass Xylophone
Objective: Teach kids how the amount of water in a container affects pitch.
Materials Needed:
- 5-6 identical glasses or jars
- Water
- A spoon
Steps:
- Line up the glasses and fill each one with different amounts of water.
- Gently tap each glass with a spoon and listen to the sound it makes.
- Ask the kids to arrange the glasses in order of pitch, from lowest to highest.
- Encourage them to experiment by adding or removing water to change the pitch.
Explanation:
The amount of water in the glass determines how much the glass vibrates when tapped. Less water allows the glass to vibrate more freely, producing a higher pitch. More water dampens the vibrations, resulting in a lower pitch.
4. Straw Pan Flute
Objective: Demonstrate how the length of a tube affects pitch.
Materials Needed:
- Plastic straws
- Scissors
- Tape
Steps:
- Cut the straws to different lengths.
- Line them up from shortest to longest and tape them together to form a pan flute.
- Blow across the top of each straw and listen to the sound it makes.
- Encourage kids to arrange the straws in order of pitch, from lowest to highest.
Explanation:
Shorter straws produce higher-pitched sounds because they have less air to vibrate, resulting in a higher frequency. Longer straws have more air to vibrate, producing lower-pitched sounds.
5. Tuning Fork and Water Experiment
Objective: Visualize how frequency affects sound waves.
Materials Needed:
- A tuning fork
- A bowl of water
Steps:
- Strike the tuning fork against a soft surface to make it vibrate.
- Hold the vibrating fork above the bowl of water and gently dip the tips into the water.
- Watch as the water splashes or ripples, depending on the pitch of the fork.
Explanation:
The vibrations of the tuning fork create sound waves, which are transferred to the water. A tuning fork with a higher frequency will create faster, smaller ripples, while a lower-frequency fork will produce slower, larger ripples.
6. Balloon Drum
Objective: Help kids understand how tension affects pitch.
Materials Needed:
- A balloon
- A large empty can or container
- Rubber bands
Steps:
- Stretch a balloon over the open end of the can to create a drum surface.
- Secure the balloon with rubber bands.
- Tap the balloon surface gently and listen to the sound.
- Try increasing the tension by stretching the balloon more tightly and observe how the pitch changes.
Explanation:
When the balloon is stretched more tightly, it vibrates faster when tapped, creating a higher-pitched sound. Loosening the balloon results in slower vibrations and a lower pitch.
7. Frequency Guessing Game
Objective: Teach kids how to identify different pitches by ear.
Materials Needed:
- A smartphone or tablet with a tone generator app
- A notebook for keeping score
Steps:
- Use the tone generator app to play sounds at different frequencies.
- Ask kids to guess whether each sound is high-pitched or low-pitched.
- Keep score to make it a fun competition.
- Discuss how the frequency affects the pitch of the sound.
Explanation:
Higher-frequency tones produce higher-pitched sounds, while lower-frequency tones produce lower-pitched sounds. This game helps kids develop their auditory discrimination skills.
8. Sound Wave Visualisation with a Slinky
Objective: Demonstrate how sound waves move through a medium.
Materials Needed:
- A slinky
- A flat surface
Steps:
- Stretch the slinky out on a flat surface.
- Have one child hold one end steady while another child gently pushes and releases the other end to create waves.
- Watch how the waves move along the slinky, representing how sound waves travel through air.
Explanation:
The slinky simulates longitudinal sound waves, showing how particles in a medium move back and forth as the wave travels.
9. Commitment to Health and Wellbeing
Croydon’s commitment to health and wellbeing is evident in its initiatives to promote physical activity, mental health, and access to healthcare services. The borough recognizes that a healthy population is essential for a thriving community and has invested in programs and facilities to support this goal. Residents have access to a range of recreational facilities, including leisure centers, gyms, and swimming pools. Parks and green spaces also play a crucial role in encouraging outdoor activities such as jogging, cycling, and yoga. Community fitness classes and sports leagues further enhance opportunities for physical activity, catering to people of all ages and abilities.
Mental health is another priority for Croydon, with local organizations offering counseling services, support groups, and educational programs. Initiatives such as the Croydon Healthy Minds project aim to reduce stigma around mental health and provide resources for those in need. Schools and workplaces are also encouraged to adopt practices that promote mental wellbeing, such as mindfulness workshops and stress management training.
Healthcare accessibility is a cornerstone of the borough’s wellbeing strategy. Croydon is served by high-quality medical facilities, including Croydon University Hospital and numerous GP practices. The borough’s focus on preventative care, such as vaccination drives and health screenings, ensures that residents receive the support they need to maintain their health.
Conclusion:
Fun Learning with Sound
Pitch and frequency are key concepts in understanding how sound works. By engaging kids in these hands-on activities, they can explore how vibrations create sound waves and how factors like length, tension, and frequency affect pitch. Whether they’re plucking a rubber band guitar, blowing into a straw pan flute, or playing a water glass xylophone, children will have fun while learning important STEM concepts.
At The Science of Sound, we’re passionate about making science fun and accessible. If you enjoyed these activities, check out our holiday camps and interactive workshops, where kids can dive deeper into the fascinating world of sound!
Interested in learning more about opportunities in Croydon? Contact us today to find out how you can be part of the borough’s exciting future!
