CRAFTING WITH LITTLE ONES - Musical Instruments
by Amanda Formaro used by permission.

(Ed. note: Getting organized is the best strategy I know for keeping little ones happily and purposefully active. Plan ahead by saving needed supplies before you plan to make the suggested instruments. Make one or make all and most of all have lots of fun with those little ones.)

For any of these activities, you can leave the items plain or decorate them. If you need ideas for decorating these projects, try any of the following items. We are sure this list will help you think of even more items you can use. Combine different things such as buttons and glitter or sequins and yarn. Let the children's creativity surprise you!

Keep some or all of the following items in a large see-through plastic storage container for easy access and quick clean up:

sequins, buttons, yarn, ribbon, masking tape, beads, glitter, sand, cellophane, construction paper, magazines, photos, crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint, and nail polish

When you are finished constructing your instruments, have a camera ready to take a picture of the band. Record this activity in your child's scrapbook so you can look back in years to come.

TAMBOURINE

2 paper plates
stapler or glue
hole punch
string
jingle bells
crayons

Staple or glue two paper plates together, facing each other. Using a hole punch, make holes around the plates and tie jingle bells to the holes with string. Decorate the tambourine with crayons.

Shake to play.

Note: Heavy duty paper plates may be more durable for this craft.
Safety note: If using a stapler, an adult should do this. When finished be sure to cover the staples with scotch tape.

DRUM
empty oatmeal box with cover
yarn
pen
2 pencils
2 spools
construction paper
crayons

Before beginning, you can decorate the oatmeal box with construction paper and/or crayons for a colorful effect.

Place the cover on the box. Use a pen to make a hole in the center of the cover and in the center of the bottom of the box. Through these holes, pull a piece of yarn long enough to hang around child's neck and down to their waist.

For the drumsticks, place the spools at the ends of the pencils, secure with
glue if necessary.

Beat to play.

CHIMES

ruler or stick
washers
nail polish
string
mixing spoon

Hang the washers from the ruler or stick with pieces of string by wrapping
the string around the ruler or stick and securing. Strike
the washers with the mixing spoon to play.


Note: You can make this craft colorful by painting the washers first with different color nail polishes, such as red, gold, glittery, etc. Parents should supervise this part of the activity closely.

HORN

paper towel roll
waxed paper
rubber band
pen

Cover one end of the paper towel roll with waxed paper, secure it with a rubber band. Punch a row of holes along one side of theroll with the tip of a pen. To play, sing a tune into the open end of the horn.

CYMBALS

two matching pot covers
yarn or ribbon

Tie the ribbon or yarn around the handles of the pot covers. To play, striketogether.

XYLOPHONE

tall glasses or jars
water
mixing spoon

Fill the glasses or jars with different amounts of water. The more water and the glass, the lower the pitch will be. Having less water in the glass or jar will raise the pitch.
To play, gently strike the glasses with a mixing spoon.
Note: This instrument should probably be played by older children in "the
band" because of the use of glass.

COMB BUZZER
pocket comb
tissue paper

Fold a piece of tissue paper over the tooth edge of a comb. To play, hum
hrough the tissue paper

GUITAR