What better way to teach kids about rhythm and music than by challenging them to make their own instruments? This activity is a great way to encourage creativity and foster an interest in music. And this activity is easy on the wallet, too. You can find most of the materials lying around your house or buried in your backyard!
What You Need:
- Variety of rocks, some 5”– 6” (12–15 cm), some less than 3” (8 cm) and many miniatures
- Empty coffee can with a plastic lid
- Small plastic container with secure lid
- 2 sturdy paper plates, such as Chinet
- 3’ (1 m) mailing tube, 2”–3” (5–8 cm) in diameter
- Tape
- Hot glue gun (for use by adult only)
- Stapler
What You Do:
- First, take your child outside and collect a wide variety of rocks. You'll need rocks of all sizes and shapes to make the different instruments for your Rock 'n Roll band.
- Now it's time to assemble the instruments. Using the materials above, you can create the following instruments. Encourage your child to help where he can!
- Rock drum: Place five or six rocks of various sizes in a coffee can, sealing the top with tape or a hot glue gun. Your child can tap on the lid, making the rocks bounce at the bottom.
- Rock tambourine: Place six or seven small rocks between two paper plates, tops facing inward. Then, staple or glue the plates together.
- Rock shaker: Place ten miniature rocks inside the small container and secure the lid.
- Rock 'n Roller: Place four small rocks inside the mailing cylinder, then seal with glue or tape.
- Rock cymbals: Hit two of the larger rocks together.
- Turn on some music and encourage him to take turn using the different instruments and rock out to the beat! Compare the different sounds your homemade instruments make to the sounds of the real instruments. How are they different, and how are they similar?
When you're all done, invite some friends over and get them jamming so that your child can really start his own Rock 'n Roll band!
By Sharon MacDonald
Adapted with permission from "Everyday Discoveries." Copyright 1998 by Sharon MacDonald. Used by Permission of Gryphon House, Inc., Maryland. All Rights Reserved.
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