Making Rhythm Instruments w/3 & 4 year olds

[WaturMama]

My ds is going to have his 4th birthday party soon. We've invited six other kids, ages 3 & 4. I want to make some kind of rhythm instrument and then use it for some dancing/music making and a game.

I want it to be a step above the stapled toilet paper roll with beans inside, so that it will be a nice thing to bring home that they'd enjoy keeping.

I'd like them to be able to decorate or personalize them in some way, but not something that has to dry long so that we can make and use them at the same party.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Aubergine68]

We have a can opener that doesn't leave sharp edges when you open cans.

I've been saving cans and lids for a while now.

We just made shakers by putting dried popcorn/rice/sand and even some leftover jingle bells in the cans, sealing the lids back on with duct tape, covering with colored hockey tape and stickers. No drying time.

Turned out noisy, durable and not unattractive-looking.

[LaughingHyena]

If you can get enough longer tubes (eg from paper towels) they make nice rain sticks.

Cut some thin card into strips, about 1.5 cm wide and 10cm long (there is no need to be very accurate). Fold the strips into springs (ie /\/\/\/\/\) and post them into your tube. When the tube is almost full add a bit of rice.

Sanded wooden bocks to bang together are also nice. Ours are made form offcuts of a curtain pole but a broom handle would also work.

Not an instrument but ribbons tied/glues onto a curtain ring are fun to dance with. I've done the same thing with strips of crepe paper and a card ring for little ones. They were fun to make and play with but did't last very long.

[bluebird68]

My son just made some great drums out of oat containers, and I recall making some small shakers out of Tic Tac containers, full of beans, popcorn kernels, etc. We also used cut bamboo for rhythm sticks, and my son loves those. If you feel really ambitious, you can nail some thin nails into thick long tubes to make pretty authentic sounding rain sticks. There is a great book called Kids Make Music, by Avery Hart and Paul Mantell, with tons of awesome ideas! GOod luck-- sounds like a fun party! Mich