Lovely handmade crafts

Let’s play Christmas songs with handmade instruments! Craft ideas for sound-making instruments

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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!

Let's play Christmas songs with handmade instruments! Craft ideas for sound-making instruments (11–20)

Making instruments with a plastic wrap core

No drill or cutter needed: Make instruments with a plastic wrap core [Crafts]

Making instruments with a plastic wrap core

Let’s make a Chilean instrument that sounds like rain using a plastic wrap core! First, mark a bunch of toothpicks at the length of the wrap core so they match its length.

Next, cut the wrap core in a spiral.

Glue the cut toothpicks along the spiral using wood glue or similar adhesive.

Once you return the spiraled core to its original shape, seal the openings with duct tape.

Put in grains like mixed grains, different sizes of rice, beads, or beans.

After you cap it, your Chilean instrument, the rainstick, is complete!

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Making instruments with a plastic wrap core

No drill or cutter needed: Make instruments with a plastic wrap core [Crafts]

Making instruments with a plastic wrap core

Let’s make a Chilean instrument that sounds like rain using a plastic wrap core! First, mark a bunch of toothpicks at the length of the wrap core so they match its length.

Next, cut the wrap core in a spiral.

Glue the cut toothpicks along the spiral using wood glue or similar adhesive.

Once you return the spiraled core to its original shape, seal the openings with duct tape.

Put in grains like mixed grains, different sizes of rice, beads, or beans.

After you cap it, your Chilean instrument, the rainstick, is complete!

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A kalimba that makes a hopping sound

[Instrument Craft] Boing-Boing Sounds♪ Kalimba <Upcycled Craft / Handmade Toy> [Empty Box / Spoon / Rubber Bands] Easy to Make

A kalimba that makes a hopping sound

A kalimba is a traditional African instrument consisting of a wooden box fitted with thin metal or bamboo tines.

This time, let’s make a kalimba using an empty candy box and plastic spoons! The method is simple: just use rubber bands to fasten the spoons to the empty box.

To improve stability, you’ll need to create grooves to hold some chopsticks, but don’t worry—the process is as easy as making small cuts with scissors.

Place your handmade kalimba on a desk, hold the body down with your hand, and pluck the spoons to produce interesting sounds.

Try experimenting with how the way you secure the spoons changes the pitch.

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10 Musical Instruments Made from Plastic Bottles

Summer Vacation Independent Research: 10 Musical Instruments You Can Make with Plastic Bottles [Crafts]

10 Musical Instruments Made from Plastic Bottles

Musical instruments can produce all kinds of sounds and are fascinating, but many people may feel hesitant to buy a lot when they’re not sure how much they’ll actually use them.

Here, we’ll introduce many instruments you can make using plastic bottles.

For example, castanets made by attaching plastic bottle caps to cardboard, a whistle made by punching a hole in a cap and inserting a straw, and even instruments with different pitches just by letting the air out of a plastic bottle.

There are also plastic bottle drums and a “petphone,” made by connecting plastic bottles cut to various lengths.

Use these as references and give it a try!

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Let’s make a professional kalimba

Let's make an authentic kalimba!

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.

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