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!
- Handmade instruments with plastic bottles: try making flutes, percussion, and traditional ethnic instruments.
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- DIY ideas for a den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum). Let’s make and play with this nostalgic toy!
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- Let's make toys with paper cups! Simple and fun handmade toys
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- Fun crafts using straws
Fun for kids! A collection of DIY musical instrument ideas made from everyday materials (11–20)
den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum)
Speaking of den-den daiko, it’s a type of drum that has been in Japan since long ago and is used, for example, to soothe children.
Let’s try making a cute den-den daiko.
For the drum part, use that round paper container that holds six pieces of cheese.
For the handle, use a pair of disposable chopsticks.
In the video, the round part is decorated with Pokémon characters, but you don’t have to stick to that—putting on stickers could be nice too.
Fix beads to the ends of strings, attach the strings to the body, and you’re done.
guiro
Do you all know the guiro? It’s an instrument often used in Latin music, made by hollowing out a gourd and carving grooves on its surface; you rub those grooves with a stick to create rhythm.
Let’s make a simple guiro using cardboard and a milk carton.
First, with the cardboard, if you peel off the surface, you’ll see a corrugated, wavy layer underneath.
We’ll use that corrugated part as the guiro’s grooves to produce sound.
Since the corrugated section is weak as is, brush on a mixture of glue dissolved in water to harden and strengthen it.
castanet
How about making castanets that anyone can create easily? All you need are plastic bottle caps, thick paper, and construction paper.
After you make them, it’s fun to use your handmade castanets for rhythm play.
Attach two plastic bottle caps facing each other on the inside.
That way, they make a nice clicking sound.
Draw your favorite patterns or illustrations on the outer paper to create your very own castanets.
Crafting instruments you can enjoy even after making them is highly recommended.
Kalimba
Let’s make a kalimba, an African instrument known for its gentle, music-box-like tone.
You’ll need hairpins, rubber bands, a wooden fish cake board (kamaboko board), and chopsticks.
First, cut two chopsticks so that when placed crosswise on the board, each extends about 2 cm beyond the left and right edges.
Next, clamp one chopstick with about six hairpins.
Place the hairpin-clamped chopstick on top of the board, position the other chopstick underneath the board so it sandwiches the board, and secure the two chopsticks together with rubber bands.
You can adjust the pitch by changing how tightly the rubber bands are wrapped.
Give it a try!
cuckoo whistle
A cuckoo whistle is an instrument that can make a sound like a cuckoo’s call.
Let’s make one using plastic bottle caps! You’ll need a plastic bottle and two plastic bottle caps.
First, cut out a square from the plastic bottle.
From that square, cut out a smaller trapezoid.
Next, make a hole in one of the caps and attach the two caps together.
Then roll the small trapezoid into a tube and tape it so it faces the mouthpiece.
When you blow into the tube and alternately cover and uncover the hole underneath with your finger, the pitch changes, and you can play a sound like a cuckoo’s call!
kazoo
Let’s make a kazoo—an instrument anyone can enjoy, where you use your voice to make sound, almost like singing! You’ll need a plastic bottle, a rubber band, a toilet paper tube, a plastic bag, and thick paper (cardstock).
Cut the plastic bottle into top and bottom sections, and use the section with the mouth/opening.
First, roll the thick paper into a cylinder that fits the bottle’s mouth.
Once rolled, secure it with tape.
Next, use a hole punch to make holes at the edge of the thick paper—make two holes opposite each other.
Then place the plastic bag over the bottle’s mouth and stretch it tight, securing it with a rubber band.
Slip the rolled thick paper over that.
Tape the joint to hold everything together, and you’re done!
Kids will love it! A collection of DIY musical instrument ideas made with everyday materials (21–30)
Let’s make a professional kalimba
It would be fun to make a genuine musical instrument using items you can get at home improvement stores or online, wouldn’t it? This time, we’ll introduce a handmade, authentic kalimba.
A kalimba is a traditional African instrument played by plucking thin metal tines attached to a box or board.
Using a box or board allows the sound to resonate.
Let’s try making one by building a wooden box and attaching thin rods.
Specialized kalimba metal tines, called kalimba keys, are also available from online retailers.
Master the playing technique, and let your kalimba produce beautiful tones.
