Music is a universal language that brings people together, and learning how to make music can begin at any age.
Making your own instruments is a great way to encourage children’s creativity and ingenuity.
You can make some awesome DIY instruments for your kids to play with using simple household items and a little imagination.
This article will show you how to make five simple instruments that will have your kids rocking out in no time!
Shoebox guitar
The classic shoebox guitar is a popular and simple instrument for children. An empty shoebox, some rubber bands, and a few popsicle sticks are all you need.
- Make a hole in the centre of the box, then stretch the rubber bands across it and attach the popsicle sticks as a bridge and a neck.
- Your children can strum away, and with a little creativity, they can even personalise their guitar with paint and stickers!
Popsicle stick harmonica
The popsicle stick harmonica is another great DIY instrument for kids. You can make a harmonica that actually makes music with a few wooden sticks, some rubber bands, and a square of aluminium foil.
- Glue two sticks together to form an L, then attach more sticks to form a long row. Fold the aluminium foil into a square and secure it to the top row of sticks.
- Finally, secure everything with a rubber band at both ends.
- Blow into the gaps between the sticks, and your children will soon be making beautiful harmonica sounds.
Tambourine constructed from bottle caps
Make a tambourine out of bottle caps for a simple and enjoyable percussion instrument.
- A paper plate, a few bottle caps, and some jingle bells are all you need.
- Glue the bottle caps around the plate’s edge, then glue the jingle bells in the centre.
- Decorate the plate with paint or stickers, and your children will have a colourful and fun tambourine to shake and jingle to their hearts’ content.
Drum made of tin cans
Make a drum out of tin cans for a more substantial percussion instrument.
- Collect a variety of empty cans, a wooden dowel (a cylindrical wooden rod available at hardware stores), and some duct tape.
- Attach the cans together with duct tape, with the largest can at the bottom and the smallest at the top.
- Drill a hole in the centre of the top can and insert the wooden dowel to serve as a drumstick.
- Your children will enjoy creating rhythms and beats on their own handcrafted drum.
Kazoo from a toilet paper roll
Finally, make a kazoo out of a toilet paper roll for a whimsical and fun instrument. With just a few common household items, you can make a working kazoo.
- First, wrap a square of wax paper around one end of the roll and secure it with a rubber band.
- Then, at the opposite end of the roll, cut a small hole and cover it with a strip of paper.
- Your children can hum into the open end, and the vibrations will cause the wax paper to make kazoo sounds.
The many benefits of music for preschoolers
Music has a plethora of benefits for preschoolers that go beyond just enjoyment. Here are some of the top advantages:
- Encourages language and literacy development
- Boosts memory, attention, and cognitive skills
- Develops fine and gross motor skills
- Fosters social and emotional development
- Improves creativity and self-expression
- Enhances cultural awareness and understanding
- Builds self-confidence and self-esteem
- Provides a healthy outlet for emotions
- Strengthens family bonds through shared experiences
- Sets the foundation for a lifelong love of music and learning
