Share |

4 Easy Homemade Musical Instruments for Kids

By Holly Campbell

Did you know you can make homemade musical instruments for kids from common household discards? They are really simple to make, and fun for children of any age to play with. Musical instruments not only encourage play, but also a creative way to experiment with sound. So watch your kids wiggle and giggle, but hold your ears!

How to Make Homemade Musical Instruments for Children

Tambourines

Staple or glue 2 paper plates together, facing each other. Heavy duty paper plates work better as they are more durable and able to withstand rough handling.

If you stapled the paper plates, be sure to cover them with tape to protect and not to scratch young hands.

Then, using hole punch, make holes around the edges of sandwiched paper plates and tie jingle bells to the holes with strings.

For more attractive tambourines, decorate with crayon drawings or colorings on paper plates first before joining them together.

Shakers

Fill 1 plastic cup with a handful of the dry grains of your choice. You can use rice, different beans, macaroni pasta, popcorn seeds, nuts or even sand.

Then cover well with a second plastic cup, use masking tape or packaging tape to secure both rims together, all the way around.

Alternatively, take 20-ounce soda bottles, and fill them with dried beans, rice, pasta, barley, etc.

Play some music in the background and let the children develop rhythm with music to shake along to.

Drums

Drums can be made from good junks such as cookie tin, oatmeal or other round cereal containers. Cover the outsides with paper and decorate any way you can possibly think of.

As for drumsticks, they can be fashioned from pencils and twigs or give your kids a large wooden spoon to beat the drums. Believe me, little hands work better than anything else so don't bother.

If there's an old saucepan or colander which you know you won't be using, give it to the kids as an improvised drum. However, make sure to check that it won't get stuck on your kid's head. It happens all the time in my family; colander always end up as hats!

Guitar

Simply put rubber bands around a shoe box without lid.

Children are sure to have an enjoyable playing with homemade musical toys, but be aware that infants and young kids can choke on the small items (such as jingle bells) used to make these toys.

Make sure that the age of your child is appropriate if you're letting him play with other small objects that he could put in his nose. Always watch children closely during these activities.

how to make homemade musical instruments for kids

Make New Crayons from Old Broken Stubs

Learn how to make new crayons out of old crayons easily and save money on kids' art supplies.

3 Easy-to-Make Toys for Children

These kids toys are not only fun but also an excellent way to recycle and reuse things around your home.

Easy Soap Making Recipes for Children

Featuring cute homemade soap crayons that are simple enough for kids to make themselves, or with only a little help from adults. Also, get step-by-step instructions on how to embed toys into homemade soaps.

3 Homemade Toys that Will Wow Your Kids

These exciting toys are sure to make your children squeal with delight! Big fun for a small cost!!

8 Fun Rainy Day Activities for Kids

Rainy day ideas, easy indoor games, and activities that kids and the whole family will love!

Japanese Koi Fish Craft Project

Easy-to-make yet super fun paper craft ideas for children. A great way to reuse unwanted old magazines or cereal boxes. Stunning effects!

Cute Plastic Spoon Flowers

A n easy kids crafts made from recycled plastic spoon. Great fun and good for the environment too!