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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- Let’s play Christmas songs with handmade instruments! Craft ideas for sound-making instruments
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- DIY ideas for a den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum). Let’s make and play with this nostalgic toy!
- Toys you can make from cardboard crafts! Authentic ideas you can build and play with
- Let's make toys with paper cups! Simple and fun handmade toys
- Made with toilet paper rolls! Exciting and fun easy handmade toys
- [Let’s Make and Play!] Handmade Toy Ideas You Can Create Yourself
- Fun crafts using straws
Kids Will Love It! A Collection of Homemade Musical Instrument Ideas Using Everyday Materials (31–40)
Chomp Chomp Castanets
Let’s handcraft castanets—star performers in any ensemble—using a milk carton.
Cut the milk carton into pieces sized for the top and bottom parts of the castanets, and glue construction paper on the outside.
From here, it’s the kids’ turn! Have them freely draw animals or their favorite characters on the construction paper.
Tearing paper for collage or decorating with stickers will also make it look great.
Next, use an awl to make holes, thread a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) cut to a length that fits a finger, and attach plastic bottle caps on the inside so they make a clicking sound.
Your original castanets are complete!
Handmade maracas
This craft is inspired by maracas made with paper cups that produce a cheerful rattling sound when lightly shaken.
The steps are simple: put beads or finely cut pieces of straw into a paper cup, then cover it with another paper cup as a lid.
What you put inside is important—consider how different fillings change the sound as you make it.
Decorating the outside is also a key point; aim for fun decorations that match the light, lively sound of the maracas.
10 Musical Instruments You Can Make with Plastic Bottles
@kajiijapn We’re introducing 10 types of instruments you can make with plastic bottles!Plastic bottle#Summer vacation homeworkSummer Vacation CraftIndependent Research
Original Song – Everyday-Item Instrument Unit kajii – kajii / Future Instruments Lab
Plastic bottles are often used as materials for crafts.
So this time, how about making musical instruments with plastic bottles? Empty bottles can become drums, flutes, or maracas… With a bit of creativity, they can transform into instruments you can actually play! Bottle caps can also be turned into instruments by combining them with other materials, so don’t throw them away—save them.
It’s also a great idea to keep notes on how the sound changes depending on where you make holes and what you put inside.
Hand bell with Santa and reindeer
Let’s make it with construction paper! We’ll show you how to make a Santa and Reindeer hand bell.
You’ll need red and white construction paper, Santa and reindeer face parts, scissors, tape, chenille stems (pipe cleaners), bells, and round stickers.
First, cut the construction paper into a semicircle.
Next, roll the semicircle into a cone and secure it with tape.
The key point is to leave a gap at the top! Finally, thread a bell onto the chenille stem and attach it to the construction paper to finish.
It also looks cute if you decorate it with crayons or stickers.
A guitar that changes its sound
This is a handmade guitar toy you can play by plucking rubber band strings, where the sound changes.
First, make the guitar neck using a kitchen paper tube.
Cut slits in the tube and attach rubber bands, then hook the bendable part of a straw onto the strings.
Next, attach the rim of a paper cup between the straws, and press down on the rim’s surface to lower its position.
Apply glue to the bottom of the paper cup and attach it to the tube, then stick a paper plate on the opposite side to finish! Try making this fun toy where the sound changes depending on where you press the strings.
