by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: May 26, 2007   Last Updated: December 13, 2011

If making music is fun for children, then making music-makers must be even more so! Here are several creative instruments to create with kids!

CHIMES

Materials:
Wire coat hangers
Assorted metal buttons
Plastic lacing
Wooden mixing spoon
Scissors

Instructions:
String buttons on plastic lacing, knotting between buttons. Tie strings of buttons to hanger, allowing chains of buttons to dangle freely.Tap with wooden spoon to make buttons jingle together. (Option: These chimes can also hang outside, where the wind can make them musical!)

COMB KAZOOS

Materials:
Small plastic combs
Facial tissues

Instructions:
Give each child a comb. Have children fold tissues over the teeth of their combs. Tell them to place the tissue-covered teeth near their lips and hum.

CYMBALS

Materials:
Two metal pot covers

Instructions:
It doesn't get any easier than this. Allow children to bang lids together. What could be more fun? (For a variation, give another child a set of pots and a couple of wooden spoons. Stand back!)

GARDEN FRENCH HORN

Materials:
A small section of garden hose (2' to 3')
A small empty plastic soda bottle
Duct tape
Scissors

Instructions:
Cut base of soda bottle off. Remove cap. Place tapered top end of bottle into one end of garden hose, and secure it with duct tape. Loop the hose into a circle, and fasten it with duct tape. To play, blow into open end of hose.

GLASS XYLOPHONE

Materials:
Several tall water glasses
A pitcher of water
Metal spoons

Instructions:
Line up glasses on a table or counter. Fill them with a descending amount of water. (Less water will create a higher pitch; more will make lower tones.) To play, tap the glasses lightly with the spoons.

HORN

Materials:
Wrapping paper roll
Waxed paper
Rubber band
Scissors
Knitting needle

Instructions:
Cut waxed paper into small squares. Place one square on the end of each paper roll, and fasten it with a rubber band. Use knitting needle to punch a series of holes in one side of the roll. To play the horn, hum into the open end.

ROLLER BELLS

Materials:
Empty toilet paper rolls
Hole puncher
Jingle bells
Yarn

Instructions:
Punch holes in both ends of toilet paper rolls. Use yarn to tie jingle bells through holes. Shake it!

SHOEBOX GUITAR

Materials:
Empty shoebox
Several rubber bands

Instructions:
Don't fret! This one is easy! Fasten rubber bands around the shoebox. (Use different sizes to create different tones.) To play, pluck or strum across the rubber bands.

TAMBOURINE

Materials:
2 paper plates
Hole puncher
Yarn
Scissors
Jingle bells

Instructions:
Place paper plates face-to-face. Punch holes in the rims, every inch or two. Use yarn to tie jingle bells through the holes. Fasten bells, and tie both plates together with knots. Be careful not to rip plates by tying knots too tightly. Shake, jingle and roll!

TOM-TOM DRUM

Materials:
Empty coffee can (with plastic lid)
Two pencils with good erasers

Instructions:

Place lid on coffee can. Children can drum on it by bouncing eraser ends of pencils on the lid. For extra fun, cover cans with construction paper. Tape or glue ends. Kids can color papers or paste pictures, magazine clippings, or stickers all over their cans.

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