Rhythm masters and percussion artists in training, have some fun holding a beat with some homemade drums! Help your child craft a spin drum like those found in both Peru and Japan. Instead of being played with hands or sticks, this unique drum has to be twisted and turned to play. This drummer’s activity is sure to spark an interest in learning about musical instruments from other cultures.
What You Need:
- An empty frozen juice container with both metal ends
- Scissors
- Craft knife
- A pencil
- White glue
- Yarn
- 2 beads
- Embroidery needle
- Stickers
What You Do:
- Explain to your daughter that she is making a spin drum. Show her pictures of these drums both from Japan and Peru. The beads strike the drum heads when the drum is turned.
- Cut the juice container down so it is approximately two inches tall.
- Use a craft knife to make a hole in the side of the container. It should be in the center, one inch from each side. Push the eraser end of the pencil through the hole and into the drum. Stop pushing when the eraser presses into the opposite side of the drum. Glue in place.
- Lay the drum flat on the table so the pencil hole is at 6 o’clock. Use the craft knife to poke two small holes at 3 and 9 o-clock. Using the embroidery needle, thread a 13-inch piece of yarn through these holes. Tie a bead onto each end.
- Close the drum with the missing metal lid. Glue into place.
- Decorate the drum with stickers.
Your daughter can play her drum by twisting the pencil back and forth so the beads bounce off the drum heads. Soon she will be keeping time to the music as she twists and turns to the beat.
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