Let’s play Christmas songs with handmade instruments! Craft ideas for sound-making instruments
As part of Christmas activities, many preschools and schools may try performing Christmas songs.
This article introduces ideas for handmade instruments that are perfect for Christmas—just the thing to make together at such times!
We’ve gathered ideas ranging from cute instruments that look like Santa Claus and reindeer to instruments that produce sounds that match Christmas songs.
All of them make clear sounds, so be sure to make them and use them in your performances!
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Play Christmas songs with handmade instruments! Craft ideas for sound-making instruments (1–10)
pipe chime

Here’s an idea for making pipe chimes, an instrument said to soothe the heart.
You’ll need a wooden board with four holes, elastic cord, aluminum pipes of different lengths, wooden beads, disposable chopsticks, and craft glue.
First, cut the chopsticks and glue them onto the wooden board.
Next, thread one elastic cord across the top and one across the bottom.
Finally, install the aluminum pipes.
The key is to set them so they interlace with the elastic cord.
Give it a try!
Rainstick

It makes a sound like falling rain! Here’s an idea for a rainstick.
You’ll need a cardboard tube, masking tape, holographic tape, stickers, Christmas-themed decorations, paper, beads, toothpicks, and scissors.
This handmade instrument produces a captivating sound like pouring rain.
Using smaller beads instead of larger ones will enhance the effect.
Try adjusting the amount of beads you put inside as you make it!
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.
Let's play Christmas songs with handmade instruments! Craft ideas for sound-making instruments (11–20)
egg maracas
These colorful maracas are sure to lift your spirits! Here’s an idea for making egg maracas.
What you’ll need: egg capsules, beads, construction paper and Christmas-themed illustrations, and large stickers.
The charm of egg maracas is that the steps are simple.
The playing method is simple too, so kids can have fun performing.
The colorful look with beads in all different colors is adorable and bound to brighten your mood! Give it a try and make some yourself.
guiro

Have you ever heard of the guiro, an instrument with a rather charming ring to its name? It’s a percussion instrument mainly used in Latin American and Latin music.
Traditionally, it’s made by hollowing out a gourd, carving ridges into the surface, and producing sound by scraping or tapping it with a stick.
Its tone—and its striking appearance—make it perfect for showing off at parties.
How about crafting your own guiro out of cardboard? If you add Christmas-themed illustrations or decorations to the non-playing areas, it becomes a handmade instrument that’s perfect for a holiday party, too!
straw wrapper

I want to try making a handmade instrument, but I’d like to use materials that are as easy to find as possible… Many people probably feel the same way.
What we’re introducing here is a straw trumpet that you can quickly make with just straws, construction paper, tape, and scissors! If you decorate the surface of the trumpet with a Christmas theme, it’s sure to be a hit at Christmas parties and events.
The steps are simple, so anyone can make it regardless of age, but since scissors are involved, be sure that a parent is by the child’s side when kids give it a try.
Balloon drum that can also be used as maracas

Here’s an idea for a balloon drum that also works as maracas.
You’ll need a plastic cup, an 11-inch balloon, decorative color stones, and scissors.
First, cut the widest part of the balloon with the scissors.
Next, put the decorative color stones into the plastic cup.
Finally, stretch the cut balloon over the top of the plastic cup, and you’re done! When you tap the balloon part, it becomes a drum, and when you shake the plastic cup, it turns into maracas.
Give it a try!


