Frugal Crafts & Gifts
(featured column by various authors)
9 Easy to Make Musical Instruments for Kids
by Amanda
Formaro
Children love music as much as they
enjoy making things. Why not join these two creative forces and make one or all
of these fun and easy musical instruments to encourage play and creativity.
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DECORATIVE ITEMS
For any of these activities, you can leave the items plain or decorate them. If
you need ideas for decorating these projects, try any of the following items. We
are sure this list will help you think of even more items you can use. Combine
different things such as buttons and glitter or sequins and yarn. Let the
children's creativity surprise you!
Keeping items such as these in a large plastic storage container makes for easy
access and quick clean up.
sequins
buttons
yarn
ribbon
masking tape
beads
glitter
sand
cellophane
construction paper
magazines
photos
crayons
markers
colored pencils
paint
nail polish
When you are finished constructing your instruments, have a camera ready to take
a picture of the band. Record this activity in your child's scrapbook so you can
look back in years to come.
TAMBOURINE
2 paper plates
stapler or glue
hole punch
string
jingle bells
crayons
Staple or glue two paper plates together, facing each other. Using a hole punch,
make holes around the plates and tie jingle bells to the holes with string.
Decorate the tambourine with crayons.
Shake to play.
Note: Heavy duty paper plates may be more durable for this craft.
Safety note: If using a stapler, an adult should do this. When finished be sure
to cover the staples with scotch tape.
DRUM
empty oatmeal box with cover
yarn
pen
2 pencils
2 spools
construction paper
crayons
Before beginning, you can decorate the oatmeal box with construction paper
and/or crayons for a colorful effect.
Place the cover on the box. Use a pen to make a hole in the center of the cover
and in the center of the bottom of the box. Through these holes, pull a piece of
yarn long enough to hang around child's neck and down to their waist.
For the drumsticks, place the spools at the ends of the pencils, secure with
glue if necessary.
Beat to play.
CHIMES
ruler or stick
washers
nail polish
string
mixing spoon
Hang the washers from the ruler or stick with pieces of string by wrapping the
string around the ruler or stick and securing. Strike the washers with the
mixing spoon to play.
Note: You can make this craft colorful by painting the washers first with
different color nail polishes, such as red, gold, glittery, etc. Parents should
supervise this part of the activity closely.
HORN
paper towel roll
waxed paper
rubber band
pen
Cover one end of the paper towel roll with waxed paper, secure it with a rubber
band. Punch a row of holes along one side of the roll with the tip of a pen.
To play, sing a tune into the open end of the horn.
CYMBALS
two matching pot covers
yarn or ribbon
Tie the ribbon or yarn around the handles of the pot covers. To play, strike
together.
XYLOPHONE
tall glasses or jars
water
mixing spoon
Fill the glasses or jars with different amounts of water. The more water in the
glass, the lower the pitch will be. Having less water in the glass or jar will
raise the pitch.
To play, gently strike the glasses with a mixing spoon.
Note: This instrument should probably be played by older children in "the
band" because of the use of glass.
COMB BUZZER
pocket comb
tissue paper
Fold a piece of tissue paper over the tooth edge of a comb. To play, hum through
the tissue paper.
GUITAR
empty shoe box
rubber bands
ruler or stick
Remove the cover from the box. Stretch the rubber bands around the box. Attach
the ruler or stick to the back of the box on one end to act as the arm of the
guitar.
To play, strum or pluck the rubber bands.
HAND BELLS
2 paper towel rolls
hole punch
4 jingle bells
string or yarn
Punch a hole in each end of the paper towel rolls. Tie two jingle bells to each
side of the paper towel rolls by running string or yarn through the holes and
carefully tying off.
Shake to play.
Have fun and let creativity and imagination run wild! Record the band's first
song and play back for some great giggle time. Enjoy!
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Copyright
© 2002 by Amanda Formaro
