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 make toys with paper cups! Simple and fun handmade toys
- Made with toilet paper rolls! Exciting and fun easy handmade toys
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- Fun crafts using straws
Fun for kids! A collection of DIY musical instrument ideas made with everyday materials (41–50)
Plastic bottle drum
Simple yet loud! Here’s how to make a plastic-bottle drum.
First, cut off the bottom of an empty plastic bottle and wrap the cut edge with vinyl tape.
Next, stretch a balloon over the opening and secure it firmly with tape so it doesn’t come off.
Decorate the bottle with pens or stickers as you like! Finally, tape a 10 cm square piece of aluminum foil to the tip of a chopstick, crumple the foil into a ball to make a beater, and you’re done! It could be fun for everyone to make their own and enjoy a group performance.
Give it a try!
Authentic handmade guitar
Here’s an introduction to a genuine-sounding guitar you can make using items like toilet paper rolls and paper cups.
You’ll also use a sample-size paper cup; the key is to choose one whose bottom fits the toilet paper roll.
Cut slits in the paper cup, hook rubber bands onto both the cup and the toilet paper roll, and stack the two pieces together.
By adjusting the position of the toilet paper roll, you can improve the sound when you pluck the rubber bands.
If you attach the sample cup and make a pick, you can create an even more authentic guitar—give it a try!
Kachikachi Animal
Pull the ears and it makes a sound! Here’s an idea for click-clack animals.
You’ll need a kraft paper cup, a pen, two plastic bottle caps, scissors, and tape.
First, leaving 1.5 cm at the top, make four evenly spaced cuts in the paper cup.
Fold two of the cut sections and trim them with scissors to create ears.
Attach the plastic bottle caps with tape to the sections you didn’t fold—and you’re done.
Draw your favorite animal and make some noise!
Sparkly Shaker
Let’s make it with empty gacha capsules! Here are some ideas for a sparkly shaker.
You’ll need empty capsules, masking tape, beads or decorative pom-poms, small bells or buttons, and pipe cleaners.
The steps are simple, and the charm of this idea is that you can make it using recycled materials! Fill it with your own favorites—like a button that fell off or beads you love—and create a one-of-a-kind sparkly shaker just for you.
It would be fun to show off your finished sparkly shakers to each other, too.
Santa-san guitar
Adorable and perfect as interior decor! Here’s an idea for a Santa Claus guitar.
You’ll need cardboard, paper cups, colored paper, card stock, rubber bands, hardware, a utility knife, glue, and scissors.
First, glue the colored paper onto the cardboard.
If you prepare Santa’s outfit and facial parts in advance, it’ll be easy to stick them on smoothly! Next, cut out the cardboard.
Finally, assemble and attach all the parts, and you’re done! Give it a try—can’t wait to hear what kind of sounds it makes!
Santa’s tambourine
Make it with paper plates! Here’s a handmade Santa castanet.
You’ll need paper plates, plastic bottle caps, rubber bands, construction paper, tape, and glue.
This idea is great because you can use items you already have at home or repurpose materials! It’s also fun to decorate the paper plates with stickers or craft punches.
Painting the plates with your favorite colors is wonderful, too.
Be sure to brainstorm ideas with the kids and enjoy making it together.
pet trombone
Here’s an idea for a PET-bottle trombone.
You’ll need a plastic bottle, a paper clip, a thick straw, vinyl tape, and scissors.
First, cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle with scissors and wrap the edge with vinyl tape.
Next, insert an uncut plastic bottle into the opening.
Finally, tape the paper clip in place, and you’re done! If you blow through the straw aimed at the mouth of the bottle, it will make a sound.
It’s also fun that you can change the pitch by adjusting the position of the inserted bottle.