Benefits of Children Learning a Musical Instrument

Playing music has numerous benefits for children. It enhances cognitive skills, fosters creative thinking, and improves their ability to focus. 

Nurturing a love for music from a young age can help children develop an appreciation for good music. But how can you start this journey without investing in expensive instruments? The answer lies in DIY musical instruments. Let’s explore some simple and fun DIY musical instruments that kids can make and play at home.

DIY Musical Instruments with Household Items

1. DIY Hand Drum

Materials Needed:

1. Tin cans
2. Can opener 
3. Balloons  
4. Rubber bands
5. Dowels and Beads for drumsticks 

How to make:

Remove the top of a can using a can opener, and cut the bottom off a balloon. Stretch the balloon tightly over the open top of the can, securing it with a rubber band. Your drum is now ready to play! For drumsticks, you can get sticks along with beads that have holes matching the diameter of the sticks. Attach the beads to the sticks using a non toxic glue. 

This DIY hand drum is not only functional but also fun to carry around. Kids can enjoy making music by banging on either side.

2. Rainbow Paper Plate Tambourine

Materials Needed:

1. Two sturdy paper plates
2. Jingle bells
3. Hole punch
4. String or yarn

How to make:

Start by taking two sturdy paper plates and placing them face-to-face so the rims touch. Using a hole punch, make evenly spaced holes around the edge of the plates, about an inch apart. Thread a piece of string or yarn through each hole and attach a jingle bell, tying the string securely to hold the bell in place. Repeat this step until all the holes have bells. Finally, tie the plates together tightly with additional string or yarn to ensure the tambourine stays together while being played. Now your homemade tambourine is ready for some musical fun!

 

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3. Fringe Musical Anklets

Materials Needed:

1. Elastic bands or strips of fabric
2. Small bells
3. Ribbon or colourful fabric strips
4. Needle and thread or fabric glue

How to make:

To make fringe musical anklets, start by measuring and cutting elastic bands or strips of fabric to fit snugly around the child’s ankles. Sew or glue small bells onto the bands, spacing them evenly for a uniform sound. Next, cut ribbon or colourful fabric strips into small lengths and attach them between the bells to create a fringe effect. Ensure all bells and fringe are securely fastened, and if using fabric glue, let it dry completely. Finally, wrap the anklets around the child’s ankles and secure them. Now, the fringe musical anklets are ready for some dancing and jingling fun!

4. DIY Spoon Maracas

Materials Needed:

1. Plastic spoons
2. Plastic Easter eggs
3. Dry rice or beans
4. Colourful tape 

How to make:

To make DIY spoon maracas, start by filling plastic Easter eggs with dry rice or beans and snapping them shut. Place the filled egg between the heads of two plastic spoons, ensuring the spoons securely cup the egg. Use colourful tape to wrap around the spoon handles and the egg, binding them tightly together until the egg and spoons are firmly connected. For a personalised touch, let the kids decorate the handles of the spoons with markers, stickers, or additional tape. Now your DIY spoon maracas are ready to shake and make music!

5. Shoe Box Guitar

Materials Needed:

1. Empty shoe box
2. Rubber bands
3. Paper towel roll
4. Scissors
5. Glue or tape

How to make:

To make a shoe box guitar, start by removing the lid from an empty shoe box and cutting a large oval or circular hole in the centre of the box’s bottom. Cut a small slit at one end of the shoe box and insert a paper towel roll, securing it with glue or tape to serve as the guitar neck. Stretch several rubber bands around the shoe box, positioning them over the hole and spacing them evenly to resemble guitar strings. Finally, let the kids decorate the shoe box and the neck of the guitar with markers, stickers, and other craft supplies. Now your shoe box guitar is ready to play and enjoy!

6.Popsicle Stick Harmonica

Materials Needed:

1. 2 popsicle sticks
2. 1 large rubber band
3. 2 small rubber bands
4. 1 straw or a piece of paper
5. Scissors
6. Glue

How to make:

To make a popsicle stick harmonica, start by placing a small piece of paper between two popsicle sticks. Secure one end with a rubber band wrapped tightly around both sticks. Slide a toothpick under the paper between the sticks near the secured end, then place another toothpick on top of the paper near the other end. Wrap another rubber band around the opposite end to secure the second toothpick, ensuring the rubber bands are tight. Decorate the popsicle sticks with markers or stickers if desired. Now your popsicle stick harmonica is ready to create fun sounds!

7.Cardboard Tube Trumpet

Materials Needed:

1. Cardboard tube  
2. Construction paper or foil
3. Tape or glue
4. Scissors

How to make:

To make a cardboard tube trumpet, start by cutting a cardboard tube, such as one from a paper towel roll, to your desired length. Cut a large circle of construction paper or foil and shape it into a cone to create the trumpet’s bell. Attach this cone to one end of the cardboard tube using tape or glue. Next, let the kids decorate the tube and bell with markers, stickers, or other craft supplies for a personalised touch. Allow any glue to dry completely before using the trumpet. Your cardboard tube trumpet is now ready for some musical fun!

 

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8. DIY Microphone

Materials Needed:

1. Cardboard tube  
2. Aluminium foil
3. Small balloon
4. Tape or glue
5. Scissors

How to make:

To make a DIY microphone, start by cutting a cardboard tube, such as one from a paper towel roll, to your desired length. Stretch a small balloon over one end of the tube and secure it with tape or glue. Then, wrap aluminium foil around the balloon and the end of the tube, smoothing it out to cover the balloon and give it a metallic look. Decorate the tube with markers, stickers, or other craft supplies for a personalised touch. Allow any glue to dry completely before using the microphone. Your DIY microphone is now ready for some singing and performance fun!

Conclusion

These DIY musical instruments for kids are not only fun to make and play, but they also offer a valuable learning experience. Kids can learn about the history of musical instruments, explore different sounds, and appreciate the role of music in various cultures. So gather your craft supplies, and let the music-making begin!