These easy tutorials for homemade instruments are both a fun craft for kids and a new musical toy they can enjoy after they're done.
A little creativity and some basic art and household supplies are all you need to transform the contents of your recycling bin into quite a few homemade instruments for kids that actually make music...or at least, sounds that could be music!
Chime in with tips or suggestions if you've ever made any of these DIY musical instruments with your kids, and if we're missing a kid-friendly tutorial you've tried and liked, please share the recommendation so we can add it to the list!
Rain Stick
Alexandra F.: Many rain stick craft projects require you to poke nails through a cardboard tube to make the "rain" sound, but this one does it using aluminum foil spirals in case you want to avoid using nails with younger kids. For older kids, here's another easy one that uses the small nails. From Gift of Curiosity
Peruvian Siku Flute
Alexandra F.: This easy tutorial for a handmade flute has step-by-step instructions and fun conversation prompts to get kids thinking about music while they get ready to make it! Straws or old marker cases and tape are the only materials you need, along with whatever decorations you'd like for pizazz. From PBS Kids
Chinese Rattle Drum
Alexandra F.: Young kids will love twirling their Chinese rattle drum (also known as a hand drum) between two hands to make a joyful sound. This tutorial keeps things simple by using paper plates for the drum, so it takes less cutting than most other hand drum tutorials. From PBS Kids
Easter Egg Maracas
Alexandra F.: Making a homemade maraca can be as easy as filling a plastic Easter egg with dried rice or beans. Add a couple of plastic spoons and washi or duct tape and take it to the next level! From KiwiCo
Paper Plate Tambourine
Alexandra F.: This is a great at home activity for toddlers and preschoolers as it mostly involves painting and decorating a couple of paper plates. Attach a few bells around the outside of the plates and you've got yourself a handmade tambourine! From First Palette
Bottle Top Castanets
Alexandra F.: Save your bottle tops for these fun homemade instruments! Just glue a couple on either side of a folded strip of cardboard to make an easy castanet. From Red Ted Art
Cereal Box Guitars
Alexandra F.: Save an empty cereal box or two for a fun indoor activity for kids making a stringed instrument, and exploring the connection between vibration and sound. From Chicago Children's Museum
Kazoo
Alexandra F.: This easy kazoo tutorial includes discussion questions and suggestions for alternate building materials to turn a homemade instrument craft into an easy science experiment for kids exploring the properties of sound. From Children's Museum of Atlanta
Water Bottle Maracas
Alexandra F.: Empty water bottles, toilet paper rolls, electrical tape (or duct tape) and the filling of your choice are all you need to make these kid-favorite homemade instruments. My kids gravitated toward colorful (and loud!) beads, but dried rice made a softer sound I appreciated, and popcorn kernels were fun, too. From KinderART
Bell Bracelet
Alexandra F.: We have a couple of bell bracelets that get a LOT of use from our kids - it's just so easy to make loud noises with them! It's super easy to DIY, too. Just string beads and bells through any ribbon, heavier string or pipe cleaners and you've got yourself a handmade instrument kids will love. It's a good way for little hands practice fine motor skills, too! From Wild Music
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Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
