Craft TuesD.I.Y with Lisa Lopez: Make Musical Instruments from Household Items!

This week's craft is for music lovers -- or for kids who just want to make a little noise! Making your own musical instruments from household items is easy and fun, and you can whip up a guitar, a drum or maracas in no time at all! Here are a few ideas that will have you and your kids on the way to your own personal jam session.


Materials You Will Need:

• Empty tissue box
• Empty paper towel roll
• tape
• a crayon
• rubber bands
• empty, clean yogurt or jello cups
• empty, clean coffee can with lid
• cardstock or construction paper
  

How to Make a Guitar:

• You'll need an empty tissue box -- you can also use a shoe box or similar box, but you'll need to cut out the oval shape on the top.

• Take three rubber bands and gently stretch them lengthwise across the box, then slide a crayon under the rubber bands at one end. Tape an empty paper towel roll to the back of the box, for the handle, and ROCK ON!

How to Make a Drum:

• Use a coffee can or any type of can that has a lid, grab some paint sticks, wooden spoons, or just encourage your tot to use his little hands and start drumming! You can also flip the can over for a different sound - letting your tot drum on the metal bottom of the can.
  

How to Make Miniature Maracas:

• Take empty jello, yogurt, or pudding containers, fill with colorful buttons, rice, lentils, beans, or coins. Glue construction paper or cardstock on top as a secure lid. You are ready to shake rattle and roll!

See how easy it is to make a one man band out of household items? Taking the time to make fun crafts with your kids doesn't always have to be a huge undertaking. You can of course decorate your instruments with paints, markers or colored paper. But you can also keep it simple and save the time for making music! And a one, and a two, a one two three four...