Inspired by my recent walk in the woods with my two year old toddler there are some great instruments you can make at home using empty containers. Who needs to go out and spend a fortune? All you need is a few items: left over pots, shoe boxes and containers; glue or sticky tape; something to decorate with.
Jingle Stick
This is really easy to make. When you are out on your walk just collect a strong stick. I purchased my bells at the pound shop at Christmas time. You will need: A stick Pipe cleaners Bell or bells Decorative materials - feathers, bows, ribbons etc
1. Decorate your stick by adding feathers and tying them on with a pipe cleaner. 2. Add your bell. Mine had a small silver thread attached to the bell so I slotted through the pipe cleaner and wrapped it securely around the stick. 3. You can then add whatever you like - I added some gold tape and a self sticking bow. You may want to add leaves or something else from your walk (maybe duck or goose feathers!) 4. Now sing and shake your bell stick to Bell Horses!
You can make instruments out of plastic bottles
Any yoghurt pots or pots with lids make great shakers! I like the probiotic containers as they are small and great for little hands. Simply stretch a piece or tissue paper or baking sheet across the top of an open bottle and secure with an elastic band! Don't forget to add your "shaking" sound - split peas, lentils and rice make great sounds! Simply fill the larger pots secure the lid and decorate OR you can attach two pots together at the open end with sticky tape (make sure you fill them first).
Stringed Instruments
What I love about kids is their imagination! Give them a few basic things and they go wild! Take a basic shoe box remove the lid and stretch elastic bands across it length ways - different thicknesses make a different pitched sound. Get even more creative by cutting a hole in the lid and attaching a tube to use as the Guitar's neck! Cereal boxes make great violins have a look at the pictures below and get some ideas.
Drums
Drums are always a favourite. Lidl sells Greek yoghurt in great big pots which are brilliant for making drums (and make useful storage containers!). You can use with the lid on or stretch baking sheet or tracing paper over the top and secure with an elastic band. Simply decorate and find something to use as a beater.
There are loads of other instruments you can make. If you have any cardboard tubes stretch baking sheet over one end secure with an elastic band - make sure the backing sheet is as tight as possible. Now blow into the tube from the other end and if the baking sheet is tight enough it should vibrate making a humming sound. You can also punch holes in the tube with a pencil to make holes just like the ones on a recorder! How about some mini castanets with metal bottle tops and a bit of corrugated card?
Keen knitters how about knitting some ankle bells, if you are feeling inspired!
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