Make Your Own Instruments
Make your own instruments! Let me explain. Store bought instruments are great. They typically sound and look flawless, as you would expect. Absolutely, your little one will find enjoyment in them. We have an instrument set on our toy shelf and my toddler LOVES it. You know what else my toddler loves? The box it came in.
I have built so many great toys from random boxes and they have brought such happiness to my little girl. So, why not make our own instruments out of boxes and random things we have around the house?!
There are so many awesome videos on YouTube of how to make your own instruments. I used this video to fashion our instruments because I already had the materials required in house. There are some other great videos that show how to make more complicated instruments, but I figured that I should stick to one that is more developmentally appropriate for my toddler. After all, she is going to be actively helping make the instruments, not just playing with them. The video shows you how to make four different instruments, so it is definitely worth viewing. I am only going to describe how to make the guitar.
Items required for this activity:
Cereal Box
Large Rubber Bands (I kept getting the wrong size on Amazon so I went to Staples to pick them out in person!)
Circular Bowl
Washable Markers
Scissors
Scotch Tape
Steps:
On the lower half of the cereal box, trace a circle around the bowl. Once you have traced your circle, allow your little one to attempt tracing the bowl. Encourage them to decorate the cereal box with the markers!
Cut the perfectly traced circle out of the
cereal box.
Tape the open end of the cereal box shut.
Guitars typically have six strings so help your little one place 6 rubber bands around the cereal box, long ways. Make sure the rubber bands are crossing over the circle. Show your toddler how to place the first rubber band and then see if they can place the other rubber bands around the box on their own. You could be doing this for a while, depending on your toddler’s fine motor skills. Make sure you help hold the rubber band on one end of the cereal box as your little one stretches the rubber band to the opposite end, to avoid snapping any fingers!
Show your kiddo how to strum the strings. Then, rock out!
Sing some songs. Clap along and encourage your little one to play the instrument that they created.
This post was not meant to be about a fun, cheap way to experience music with your child, but if making your own instruments fits into that category, great! This activity is about spending quality time with your little one and getting them to create a source of enjoyment for themselves. The end result of this experience is pride in themselves, confidence in their abilities and a super cool new toy! I will never forget the way my daughter lit up when she played her homemade guitar alongside Daddy. Hopefully you find as much value in making your own instruments as we have. After all, memories are homemade.