Plastic bottles really come in handy when you’re making DIY projects, like those for summer vacation.
Kendama and pinwheels are classics, but you can actually make impressive musical instruments using plastic bottles, too!
In this article, we’ll introduce instruments that use the bottle itself, as well as ones that use the caps.
By combining them with items like straws and paper plates, you can create flutes, percussion instruments, and even unique folk instruments—so take inspiration from the ideas we’re about to share and try making them yourself!
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Handmade instruments with plastic bottles: Try making flutes, percussion, and traditional instruments (1–10)
A flute with a notch cut into it
Here’s a simple way to make a whistle with a plastic bottle, with no other materials needed.
Just cut a slit about 1 cm wide and 3 cm long near the bottom of the bottle body—that’s it, and yet it produces a surprisingly mysterious tone.
Since you’ll be making the slit with a utility knife, be careful to avoid injury.
A tip is to push the cut section slightly outward after making the slit.
The sound will differ depending on the type and shape of the plastic bottle, so you’ll want to try it with various kinds.
Pet Phone
Here’s a simple craft idea for making a musical instrument called a “Pet Phone” (made from plastic bottles).
All you do is cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle—just slice it off and you’re done! Playing it is straightforward too: simply tap the bottle cap area.
The pitch changes depending on how long the cut bottle is, so if you prepare several with gradually different lengths and line them up, you can create a scale.
It works well to tie the bottle necks together with string to connect them.
Try making your own sticks from items like disposable chopsticks to play the notes.
xylophone
How about making a xylophone using a large plastic bottle as the base? It takes a few materials and steps, but it’s perfect for a summer vacation craft or an independent research project, so I highly recommend it.
Cut slits into the plastic bottle, make holes at the four corners, thread chopsticks through them, and place thick rubber bands over the chopsticks.
Then place cut wooden slats on top of the rubber bands; the sound changes depending on the size of the slats.
You adjust the sound by cutting the slats to different lengths, and even making a small notch around the middle of a slat will change the tone.
If you decorate the plastic bottle, it will look even cuter.
Chafchas
Have you heard of the unfamiliar instrument called chajchas? It’s a traditional Andean instrument made by drying the hooves of animals like sheep, llamas, or alpacas and stringing them together.
The name “chajchas” is kind of cute, isn’t it? Let’s try making a version using plastic bottle caps! It’s easy: use an awl to make holes in the caps and thread them onto a string.
To keep the caps from bunching up on one side, thread one cap, tie a knot, then thread another and tie a knot again—repeat this pattern.
The cheerful sound will make both kids and adults want to give it a shake!
maracas
Maracas are a big hit as karaoke accessories and party-boosting items.
Once you hold them, you can’t help but want to shake them and make some noise (lol).
Let’s try making those maracas by hand using plastic bottles! Prepare two plastic bottles and put beads, glass counters, or other items that make good sounds inside.
Close the caps tightly, tie the two bottles together with a string, and secure the string with masking tape so it doesn’t come off—that’s it! If you make the string longer, you can hang it around your neck.
Using small plastic bottles makes for a cute version, too!