By Age: Enjoy Music with Instrument Play! Plus DIY Instrument Ideas

tambourine maracas

[Making Instruments with Children] Tambourine Maracas

Let’s make an original instrument! Here are ideas for a tambourine-maracas combo.

You’ll need deep paper plates, double-sided tape or craft glue, jingle bells, ribbons, masking tape, felt, sequins, and other decorative materials.

How about creating your very own instrument with a free imagination? It looks like a tambourine, can be shaken like maracas, and even played like a drum.

This kind of engaging craft nurtures children’s imagination.

Give it a try!

Tambourine made from a cheese container

Easy tambourine craft with a cheese container

Let’s make one by attaching bells to an empty container! Here’s an idea for a tambourine made from a cheese container.

You’ll need: an empty cheese container, origami paper in your favorite colors or patterns, double-sided tape, an awl, bells, thread, scissors, and tape.

First, stick the origami paper onto the cheese container.

Next, use the awl to make five holes around the side.

Finally, thread the bells, tie them to the holes in the container, and secure with tape—that’s it! You’ll have a handmade instrument that’s easy for kids to hold in both size and weight.

Decorating tambourines is fun

Let's Play with the Rhythm of Handmade Instruments! Plate Tambourine

Here are some fun ideas for decorating tambourines.

You’ll need two paper plates, straws, scissors, tape, a pen, and masking tape.

Put the cut pieces of straw between the paper plates, press them together, and seal the edges with tape and masking tape—that’s it! Use pens in your favorite colors to draw expressions on the tambourine.

It’s also fun to give the front and back different expressions, like a smiling face on one side and a sleeping face on the other.

The simple method makes it easy for kids to follow, which is part of its charm!

Tambourine made from scrap materials

[Childcare/Arts & Crafts] Let’s make a tambourine that makes sounds! [Upcycled materials]

Shake it! Tap it! Enjoy the sounds! Here’s a tambourine idea made from recycled materials.

You’ll need a flat round box, six jingle bells, chenille stems (pipe cleaners), and a tool for making holes such as an awl.

First, make holes at six evenly spaced points around the round box.

Next, cut the pipe cleaners into six pieces, thread a bell onto each one, and attach them through the holes in the box—and you’re done.

Since there’s a risk of injury when making holes or handling the pipe cleaners, be sure to work together with a parent or teacher.

Paper Plate Deco Tambourine

[Make and Play♪] Easy! Fun! Paper Plate Tambourine 🎵 #PreschoolCrafts #PaperPlates #Tambourine #Instruments #Shorts

Let’s make your very own special instrument! Here’s an idea for a paper-plate decorated tambourine.

What you’ll need: paper plates, jingle bells, double-sided tape, glue, origami paper in your favorite colors or patterns, and round stickers.

First, fold a paper plate in half and place the bells inside.

Attach double-sided tape along the rim and seal the plate closed.

Finally, decorate freely with origami paper and round stickers, and you’re done! It’s a fun idea that’s safe and easy to make without any tools.

Encourage kids to create freely with their own ideas!

Tambourine you can make with things at home

[Handmade Instrument] Make a Tambourine with Things at Home ♪ A Fun Activity to Do with Kids

Here’s an idea for making a tambourine using items you have at home.

You’ll need a round container from a six-piece cheese pack, jingle bells, string, animal-themed templates, colored construction paper, origami paper, scissors, and glue or double-sided tape.

Even if children don’t recognize it as a musical instrument, this works as a special sound-making toy that infants can enjoy.

The cute animal motifs will spark children’s interest and curiosity.

Let’s make sounds freely and have fun playing along with music and rhythm!

balloon tambourine

Make an easy drum using balloons♪

You can adapt a balloon drum into a tambourine! What you need: a roll core from packing tape, a balloon, scissors, vinyl tape, masking tape, tissue paper, one disposable chopstick, and two plastic bottle caps.

The balloon drum shown in the video is really appealing, isn’t it? Making instruments from materials familiar to children will likely make them feel more attached to them.

If you attach bells around the balloon drum, you can probably turn it into a tambourine, too.

Give it a try!