Homemade instruments always make kids happy
Start your family band by crafting some awesome homemade instruments. Most of these are super easy to make, and kids will have a blast banging on a tin can drum, shaking DIY maracas and making some tunes. Get the dance party started!
Cardboard Rain Stick
A rain stick makes the prettiest sound, and it's very easy to make one at home with a few simple items. We love the tutorial for this musical craft found over at The Imagination Tree.
Cardboard Guitar
Perfect for toddlers who aren't ready for the real thing, we love this cardboard guitar spotted over at Pink Stripey Socks. You can paint it in any design, too!
Hand Drums
Kids can twist and twirl these homemade hand drums to their heart's content! Find the tutorial over at Minted.
Bongo, Shaker, Güiro All in One
This fun little instrument is really three in one! Kids will enjoy shaking it or playing it as a drum and it's super easy to make. Get the tutorial over at Mama.Papa.Bubba.
Jingle Ring
This adorable nature-themed tambourine-like homemade instrument is the perfect addition to a May Day celebration or even just a day outside. Easy to make, you can find the tutorial from Buggy and Buddy.
"Do-Re-Mi" Xylophone
If you've got a serious hankering for DIY projects, this adorable xylophone kids can play along to "Do-Re-Mi" from The Sound of Music fits the bill. From Lovely Indeed, you'll need to make a trek to the home-improvement store for all the materials, but the chic design and good sound quality means you'll want to keep it out instead of stashing it away somewhere. Be sure to check out all the other adorable projects over at the Sound of Music Crafting Corner.
CD Cymbals
Happy Hooligans makes good use out of CDs. We love especially love these "cymbals" because they don't actually sound like real cymbals.
Sensory Bin Shakers
We love these sensory bin shakers because they'll extend sensory play time. It's also easy for your kids to make on their own. Head over to Fun-a-Day to see how to make your own.
Rainbow Xylophone
This super cute and colorful, homemade instrument is as much fun to make as it is to play. Get the scoop on how to do it yourself over at And Next Comes L.
Singing Straws
We love Handmade Charlotte's take on the pan flute. Not only does this homemade instrument actually make music, but it's also as bright and colorful as can be.
Paper Plate Tambourine
This little instrument really packs a jingle and it's a great use for paper plates leftover from a birthday party. If you have the plain white ones, even better, though because then your little maestro gets to decorate her own. Get the complete step-by-step here.
Didgeridoo
It's one of the world's oldest instruments, and your kids can make their own colorful version in an afternoon. The secret to making it look real? Earth-toned paint colors. You can find the entire tutorial over at KiwiCo.
Chicken in a Cup
For an outside-the-box take on a homemade instrument, you’ve got to try this “chicken in a cup” from All for the Boys. It’s super easy to put together using household items, and kids will get a kick out of the squeaky sound it makes.
Cereal Box Guitar
If you've got a cereal box and a couple of rubber bands lying around, you've got a guitar! Made by Joel has the super simple how-to. Older babies and toddlers can help you decorate the cereal box with stickers or washi tape, then get to strumming. No cereal box? Rubber bands stretched around a loaf pan will produce a similar effect.
Tin Can Drums
Keep it simple (but still super fun) with this sweet homemade instrument idea from Red Ted Art. Kids can paint the “drums” however they want, then they’ll have a blast discovering the different sounds they can make with kitchen utensils.
Backyard Concerts
Banging on a pot with a wooden spoon is practically a rite of passage in babyhood. Why not take it a step further and construct an outdoor music wall for your kids like this one from PreK + K Sharing? Scour your house for any seldom-used odds and ends that make a fun sound (or hit up your favorite thrift store), then use a hammer and nails to secure to a section of fencing.
Easter Egg Maracas
Shake to the sound of rice with these easy-peasy maracas. All you need is rice, plastic spoons, easter eggs, and tape! Best part? These shakers have been tried and tested by lifestyle blogger and mom of three, Katelyn Fagan of What’s Up Fagans, and they are certified to play at a decent volume without being too annoying.
PVC Pipe Flutes
This whistling instrument isn’t a project for the kids, but if mom or dad is up for some intense DIY action (or stopping by Home Depot for their drilling services), the results are just as amazing as the real thing.
Kazoo
Explore sound and science with Buggy and Buddy’s homemade kazoo. With simple materials that you’re bound to have at home, this kazoo is perfect for vocal tots who love to spend their days humming and singing. What a fun homemade instrument!
Shoebox Guitar
Did you know empty containers hold a secret melody? All you need are some rubber bands, a shoebox and split pins; then your quick-fingered tot can get their twang on. For the key to perfect, magical sound, check out the tutorial over at Minieco.
Mini Mandolin
With a little more time and effort, your wooden mandolin is set to last much longer than your musician’s first gig. The community blog for moms and moms-to-be Hello Bee has an awesome tutorial on making a mandolin that’s worthy of being part of a kid-sized Philharmonic.
Pin Strummers
Strum up a tune with bobby pins. This experiment and discovery project by Pi'ikea Street explores how different sounds can become just by changing one object.
Bell Shakers
Ring in a merry afternoon with these bell shakers. This tutorial from craft blog Hello Bee requires some drilling, but the modern look and long-lasting build are worth it. Now your littlest can join the family band with just a wriggle of the wrist!
— Taylor Clifton, Christal Yuen, Gabby Cullen & Amber Guetebier
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