Top 10 DIY Sound Projects for Kids | Fun STEM Learning Activities
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Samuel Green
8 January 2025
🕓 10 min
Introduction: Spark Curiosity with DIY Sound Projects
Sound is all around us—whether it’s the chirping of birds, the honking of cars, or the laughter of friends. But have you ever stopped to wonder how sound actually works? For kids, sound is a fun and fascinating topic to explore, and what better way to learn about it than through hands-on DIY projects?
At The Science of Sound, we believe that learning through play is one of the best ways to inspire curiosity in children. This post shares 10 exciting DIY sound projects that kids can try at home or in the classroom to better understand the science of sound waves, vibrations, and frequencies.
Parental Guidance Disclaimer
Many of these projects involve the use of sharp objects, small materials, and other items that may require supervision. We recommend that parents or guardians guide children through these experiments to ensure safety and maximize the learning experience.
1. Make a Paper Cup String Telephone
What You’ll Need:
- Two paper cups
- String (2-3 metres long)
- A needle or pin
Steps:
- Poke a small hole at the bottom of each paper cup.
- Thread the string through the holes and tie knots to secure it inside the cups.
- Hold the cups tightly by their rims, keeping the string taut. One person speaks into one cup while the other listens through the other.
How It Works:
The sound waves from your voice cause vibrations in the string, which travel to the other cup and turn back into sound. This simple experiment demonstrates how sound can travel through solids.
Linking Opportunity: Want to explore more about sound travel? Join our Science of Sound holiday camps where kids learn about sound waves through fun, hands-on activities!
2. Create a Rubber Band Guitar
What You’ll Need:
- A small empty box (like a tissue box)
- Rubber bands (different sizes)
- A ruler or pencil
Steps:
- Stretch different-sized rubber bands around the box, ensuring they are taut.
- Slide a ruler or pencil under the rubber bands to raise them slightly.
- Pluck the rubber bands to create sounds.
How It Works:
Plucking the rubber bands causes them to vibrate, producing sound. The pitch of the sound depends on the thickness and tension of the rubber band, demonstrating how pitch is affected by vibration speed.
3. Make a Water Xylophone
What You’ll Need:
- Several glass jars or bottles
- Water
- A spoon
Steps:
- Fill each jar with different amounts of water.
- Tap each jar gently with a spoon and listen to the different pitches produced.
- Arrange the jars in order of pitch to create your xylophone.
How It Works:
The pitch of the sound depends on the amount of water in each jar. Less water allows the glass to vibrate more, creating a higher pitch, while more water lowers the pitch.
4. Build a Simple Kazoo
What You’ll Need:
- A toilet paper roll
- Wax paper
- A rubber band
- A pin or needle
Steps:
- Cut a small piece of wax paper and secure it over one end of the toilet paper roll using a rubber band.
- Poke a few small holes in the wax paper with a pin.
- Hum into the open end of the roll and listen to the buzzing sound.
How It Works:
The wax paper vibrates as you hum, amplifying and distorting the sound waves to produce the buzzing sound of a kazoo.
5. Explore Vibrations with a Tuning Fork
What You’ll Need:
- A tuning fork
- A bowl of water
Steps:
- Strike the tuning fork against a soft surface to make it vibrate.
- Gently place the vibrating end into the bowl of water.
- Watch how the water splashes and ripples.
How It Works:
The vibrations from the tuning fork transfer to the water, creating ripples. This experiment demonstrates how sound waves travel through liquids.
6. Create a Bottle Whistle
What You’ll Need:
- An empty glass bottle
Steps:
- Hold the bottle at an angle and blow across the top.
- Adjust your angle and breath until you hear a whistle sound.
How It Works:
Blowing across the bottle creates vibrations in the air inside, producing sound. The pitch changes based on the amount of air in the bottle.
7. Make a Straw Pan Flute
What You’ll Need:
- Straws (at least 6)
- Tape
- Scissors
Steps:
- Cut the straws to different lengths.
- Line them up from shortest to longest and tape them together.
- Blow across the tops of the straws to create different notes.
How It Works:
The length of each straw determines the pitch of the sound. Shorter straws produce higher-pitched sounds, while longer ones produce lower-pitched sounds.
8. Investigate Sound Absorption with Different Materials
What You’ll Need:
- A ticking clock
- Different materials (e.g., pillow, cardboard, plastic)
Steps:
- Place the ticking clock on a table.
- Cover it with different materials one at a time.
- Observe how the ticking sound changes with each material.
How It Works:
Different materials absorb sound waves to varying degrees. Soft materials like pillows absorb more sound, while hard materials like plastic reflect it.
9. Create a DIY Drum
What You’ll Need:
- An empty tin or can
- A balloon
- Rubber bands
Steps:
- Cut the balloon to create a flat sheet.
- Stretch it over the open end of the can and secure it with rubber bands.
- Tap the balloon surface to create drum sounds.
How It Works:
When you tap the balloon, it vibrates and produces sound. The tightness of the balloon affects the pitch of the sound.
10. Experiment with Sound Waves Using a Speaker and Cornstarch
What You’ll Need:
- A speaker
- A bowl
- Cornstarch
- Water
Steps:
- Mix cornstarch and water to create a thick paste.
- Place the bowl on top of the speaker and pour the paste into the bowl.
- Play a low-frequency sound through the speaker and watch how the cornstarch moves.
How It Works:
The sound waves from the speaker cause the cornstarch to vibrate, creating fascinating patterns. This experiment visually demonstrates how sound waves move through solids and liquids.
Conclusion:
Make STEM Learning Fun with Sound Projects
These DIY sound projects are a great way to introduce children to the fascinating world of sound science. By exploring how sound travels and behaves through different materials, kids can learn key STEM concepts while having fun.
At The Science of Sound, we’re dedicated to making science hands-on and engaging for kids through our after-school clubs, holiday camps, and interactive science-themed parties. Ready to spark curiosity and inspire young minds? Join us for a session today!
