Recycled Instrument Makers

Step by step

1. 1Collect bottles, boxes, rubber bands, dry rice, and balloons: kick off the activity with a quick supply hunt.
2. 2Make the shakers (rice in a bottle, cap tightly closed) and compare how a little rice sounds next to a full bottle.
3. 3Make the drum (stretch a cut balloon over a box) and the guitar (wrap rubber bands around an open box).
4. 4Explore the sounds: go soft, loud, fast, slow, high, and low, testing one instrument at a time.
5. 5Start the band: play along to a song you love, each person on their own instrument.
6. 6Play conductor using hand gestures (louder, freeze, softer), taking turns leading the show.

What it builds

Building their own instrument before playing it is double the fun: first the crafting, then the sound detective work. Why does a full bottle sound different? Your child tests, compares, and truly owns the music.