Fun for Kids! A Collection of DIY Musical Instrument Ideas Using Everyday Materials
Handmade instruments that bring the world of music closer.
Their charm lies in how easy they are to make with materials you already have on hand, and in the fun of learning how sound is produced during the making process.
Using items like plastic bottles, cardboard, and rubber bands, you can create instruments that produce authentic tones.
The methods for making maracas, castanets, koto, and more are very simple.
Not only can you enjoy making and playing them with children, but it’s also a chance to learn how music works.
Use this as a reference and try making your own original instruments!
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Fun for Kids! A Collection of Homemade Musical Instrument Ideas Using Everyday Materials (1–10)
maracas
For children, sound-making instruments are very appealing.
Among them, how about these maracas that are easy to make, cute to look at, and actually usable? It’s convenient that you can make them from recyclable items like plastic bottles, toilet paper rolls, or capsule toy cases.
You can put anything inside, such as beads, buttons, beans, or small stones.
The tone changes depending on the amount and type of filling.
Finally, decorate the outside to complete your very own maracas.
drum set
How about making a drum set out of cardboard? It’s perfect for a creative at-home project! It might take some time, but why not chip away at it little by little? You can make everything from the big bass drum and floor tom to the snare drum, high tom, and even cymbals—all from cardboard! You can actually make sounds with it, so play along with your favorite songs! If a full drum set sounds like too much, you could just make a single drum or cymbal and have fun with that.
ocarina
Let’s try making an ocarina using oven-bake clay! You’ll need oven-bake clay, a straw, some thread, and a windway spatula.
First, shape the clay into an ocarina with your hands.
Once you have a rough shape, smooth the surface with water.
Next, use a knife to create a recess for the mouthpiece.
Make a hole in the recess with the straw.
Insert the windway spatula into the blowing end and, keeping it in place, use the thread to cut the ocarina’s body in half.
After it’s split, hollow out the interior, then reattach the two halves and start making the finger holes.
Finish opening the holes while tuning, then bake, let it dry, and you’re done! Highly recommended for anyone who wants to try making a real instrument!
Fun for kids! A collection of DIY musical instrument ideas made from everyday materials (11–20)
cardboard cajón
The cajón has become a popular percussion instrument lately, hasn’t it? Even though it’s portable, it can produce drum-like effects, so some bands even include a cajón player.
A cajón is much more affordable than a drum set, and if you can make one yourself, the barrier to entry gets even lower, don’t you think? There are several videos that show in detail how to make a cardboard cajón, so please use them as a reference.
If it’s difficult for children to make one on their own, parents should lend a hand.
Rainstick
The rain stick, a familiar instrument that helps you relax with rain-like sounds, is actually easy to make with items you have at home! You’ll need a plastic wrap tube, adzuki beans, toothpicks, and glue.
First, make holes in the tube.
Insert toothpicks into the holes and trim off the parts that stick out with nail clippers or similar.
After trimming, seal them securely with glue.
This way, the beans will produce a clean sound as they travel through the tube.
Finally, pour in the beans and seal both ends of the tube, and you’re done!
tambourine
You’ll need paper plates, plastic bottle caps, rice, and so on.
First, fill a plastic bottle cap about halfway with rice and tape around it to seal.
Cut a paper plate in half, stick the backs together, and sandwich the cap you just made between them.
Once you’ve attached all of them, it’s done.
It might also be fun to use a whole plate without cutting it in half and increase the number of bottle caps.
You can draw your own designs, too.
Make several and let’s all tap them and play together!
snare drum
Thanks to festivals and arcade games, taiko drums are familiar instruments for kids.
While large taiko drums require space, small drums can be enjoyed without worrying about noise! To make a small drum, prepare a trash can, paper masking tape, and cloth tape.
First, cover the opening of the trash can with paper tape.
The key is to lay the strips in an X pattern to fill any gaps.
Then apply the cloth tape over it in the same way.
To hide the tape marks, wrap tape around the sides as well—and you’re done! Try tapping it with wooden sticks and have fun!