Homemade Instruments

This morning, I woke up to the sound of Bongo drums. I know who the culprit was, but couldn't figure out what she was using to make this sound! My oldest daughter revealed to me that it was the back of her guitar that she was pounding on at 8:00 am. At least it wasn't 6:00am!! My daughter loves making music with whatever she can get her hands on. A couple of days ago it was a metal strainer and wooden spoon. I think she was performing for the neighbors on the back porch. Well, Sunshine's music this morning not only woke me up, but gave me the idea for today's posting- creating music with whatever you have around the house!! My kids love to make homemade instruments! Here are just a couple of ideas!

Paper Plate Tambourines
Materials: Large or small paper plates, small pieces of colored paper or stickers, markers, stapler or tape, glue, streamers(optional), beans(be careful for little ones under 3, small funnel

Directions
1. Staple or Tape two plates together. Leave a small opening to pour beans after
your child decorates.
2. Use markers, stickers, or glue small pieces of paper (collage) to outside of
plates. (Just got an idea- a photo of your child in the middle would be cute!!)
3. Use a small funnel to pour beans into the opening left. Seal.
4. Add streamers to bottom.
5. Shake, Shake, Shake!!!

My sister and I did this activity with over 100 kids at Kidz Kamp last year. They seemed to really like it!

Paper Towel Roll Rainsticks
Materials: Paper towel or toilet paper roll,tape- something strong, markers or crayons or paint, and rice

Directions
1. Have your child decorate the outside of the paper towel roll with markers,
paint, or crayons.
2. Tape one end of the tube with tape.
3. Fill with rice.
4. Tape the other end of the tube.
5. Shake slowly back and forth. (I'm not sure how to do this, but if you want it
to sound like a real rainstick, you would need to add something across the
middle of the tube for the rice to hit up against. If anyone knows a simple way
to do this, let me know!

Have fun making music!!!