Lovely childcare

Handmade Instruments for Preschoolers | Instruments You Can Make Together with Your Child

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.

When children make their own instruments to play rhythm games or perform to music, it fosters their sense of rhythm and pitch, as well as their imagination and expressive abilities, bringing very positive effects to their development.

So this time, we’re introducing handmade instrument ideas you can use in daycare, kindergarten, or at home.

From simple projects you can make with recycled materials or items from the dollar store to more advanced creations based on the principles of real instruments, we’ve gathered a wide range of DIY instrument ideas!

Find projects that match your child’s age and developmental stage, and try making them together.

We hope you’ll enjoy a fun time exploring the unique sounds that these handmade instruments can produce!

Handmade Musical Instruments for Nursery School Children | Instruments You Can Make Together as a Parent and Child (31–40)

Tambourine you can make with things at home

[Handmade Instrument] Make a Tambourine with Things at Home ♪ A Fun Activity to Do with Kids

Tambourine you can make with things at home

Here’s an idea for making a tambourine using items you have at home.

You’ll need a round container from a six-piece cheese pack, jingle bells, string, animal-themed templates, colored construction paper, origami paper, scissors, and glue or double-sided tape.

Even if children don’t recognize it as a musical instrument, this works as a special sound-making toy that infants can enjoy.

The cute animal motifs will spark children’s interest and curiosity.

Let’s make sounds freely and have fun playing along with music and rhythm!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Cardboard] Girl’s Den-den Daiko (Hand Drum)

Easy to make! Handmade den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum)

[Cardboard] Girl's Den-den Daiko (Hand Drum)

Recommended for girls! Here’s how to make a den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum) with braids where the drum strings are.

Cut out a round piece from cardboard for the face and make holes on the left and right with an awl or similar tool.

Thread yarn through the holes and tie knots so it won’t come out; also tie a knot at the midpoint.

Next, thread beads on and tie again so they don’t slip off.

Insert a bamboo skewer as the handle into the gap in the cardboard, and once you draw the girl’s face, it’s complete.

You can also make bangs with yarn, and if you attach white drawing paper to the cardboard, you can even add makeup—sounds fun!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

This time, we featured DIY instruments for preschoolers.

Although they’re easy to make, many of them still involve everyday tools like scissors with blades.

Before you start crafting instruments based on this article, be sure to clearly explain the dangers of sharp tools to your child.

We hope you can work on the project safely and have fun.

Once your instrument is finished, try playing it along with your favorite music.

In addition to this article, Rug Music also features other pieces on games and music you can enjoy with your children.

Be sure to check those out as well!