Many of you have probably seen taiko drum performances on stage at summer festivals and events.
Even without a melody, that overwhelming power and the booming sound that resonates through your body make it impossible to look away before you realize it.
This article introduces handmade drum ideas like those.
We’ve gathered a variety of ideas, from taiko drums that could actually be used for performances to children’s toys like den-den daiko (pellet drums) and balloon drums.
We hope this will be helpful for anyone thinking, “I want to make a drum by hand!”
- DIY ideas for a den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum). Let’s make and play with this nostalgic toy!
- Handmade instruments with plastic bottles: try making flutes, percussion, and traditional ethnic instruments.
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- Handmade maracas ideas. Easy to make! Musical instruments for kids.
- DIY whack-a-mole ideas—perfect for festivals and school fairs!
- Let's make a mikoshi by hand! From simple ideas to full-scale DIY!
- Handmade ideas to create and play the traditional Japanese game “Daruma Otoshi”!
- Made of paper! A fun collection of DIY toy ideas you can play with
- [For Kids] Spins in the wind! A collection of recommended DIY pinwheel ideas
- Handmade lantern ideas. Let's make festival decorations!
- [Handmade Toys] Fun to Make! A Collection of Pull-Along Toy Ideas
[Easy] Handmade Drum Ideas: From Den-Den Daiko to Taiko! (1–10)
A drum made from empty bottles
Here’s an idea for making a drum using an empty bottle.
Any kind of empty bottle will work—just be sure to wash it thoroughly and let it dry.
Cut off the long, narrow part of a balloon and stretch it over the bottle’s opening.
Pull it down until it covers the rim at the bottom.
Make the drumsticks using disposable wooden chopsticks.
Attach a wooden bead or a small square of sponge to the tip where it strikes.
The sound will change depending on the size of the bottle and the material on the tip of the drumsticks, so try different combinations.
Drum made from a plastic bottle
If you’re looking for drum ideas made from recycled materials, how about a plastic bottle drum? Cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle and wrap vinyl tape around the cut edge.
Cut off the long neck of a balloon, stretch the rounded part over the bottom, and secure it with tape.
That completes the drum, so make the drumsticks by gluing a ball of aluminum foil to the end of a pair of wooden chopsticks.
You’ll have a toy drum that makes a light “pon-pon!” sound.
It looks extra cute if you draw on the sides of the bottle or decorate it with tape and stickers.
A drum made from cardboard
Why not try making a drum out of cardboard? It turns out surprisingly sturdy, and because it’s light, it’s easy to carry around.
Use a rectangular piece of corrugated cardboard for the drum’s side.
Draw evenly spaced lines and crease them, then form it into a cylinder and fold the top and bottom edges inward.
Prepare two circular cardboard pieces with holes around the rim, and attach them to the top and bottom of the drum.
Finally, thread plastic string through the holes, and you’re done! Leaving it as plain cardboard is fine, but decorating it with construction paper and the like will make it look even more like a drum.
[100-yen shop] Shime-daiko (rope-tensioned drum)
![[100-yen shop] Shime-daiko (rope-tensioned drum)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/m7TOoqg2DUc/sddefault.jpg)
Here’s an idea for making an authentic shime-daiko using only items from a 100-yen shop.
It’s a bit challenging for beginners, but if you want to keep costs low even if it takes time, give it a try.
For the drum body, cut grooves into a wooden slatted rack (sunoko), soak it in water, heat it, and form it into a circle.
Cut out the circular section of a pole planter stand, then attach a leisure sheet cut into a circle.
Punch holes along the edge, add double-sided eyelets, and stitch around the rim with thread to reinforce it.
Make two of these heads, sandwich the body between them, then thread cotton rope through and tighten.
With that, your authentic shime-daiko is complete!
den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum)
Here’s an idea for making a den-den daiko (a traditional Japanese hand drum) using a round cheese box.
A den-den daiko is an old-fashioned children’s toy.
If you like, try making it with your child! Use the cheese box for the drum body and a pair of wooden chopsticks for the handle.
Attach the chopsticks and the strings threaded with beads (which will strike the drum) to the box.
Put on the lid, glue it in place, and your den-den daiko is complete! It’s very simple, right? You can leave the box as is, but decorating it with an animal or character face makes it extra cute and is highly recommended.