MAKE YOUR OWN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

July 1, 2024

Homemade musical instruments are a super fun way to experiment with sound!

The outdoors is a magical orchestra. One of my favorite activities to do with our summer campers is to go on a sound walk in the woods. This activity allows us to immerse ourselves in the magical music of nature. There are so many sounds to capture, from the rustling leaves and chirping birds to the whispering winds. It's exciting to think about how every sound we encounter tells a story!

Sound Walk

During our sound walks, we encourage students to focus on the various sounds they hear. We stop at various spots and close our eyes. We tell them, "Time to activate your listening ears!" and they love that! This listening activity not only heightens their awareness of their surroundings and the natural world but also fosters a deeper connection with it. As we stroll through the woods, we make it a point to collect some "nature gifts" — fallen twigs, little pebbles, fallen leaves, acorns, and other treasures that nature has generously scattered on our path.

After the walk, take a moment to reflect on the experience. Ask the children to share about how they felt during the sound walk. Discuss the different sounds they heard and what they learned about nature's incredible ability to inspire music and creativity.

Nature's Treasures

With these materials in hand, we are ready to make our own musical instruments! The joy of creating something beautiful from nature's offerings is just fabulous. It's such a wonderful way to teach children about sustainability and the beauty of repurposing.

Create Your Own Nature-Inspired Musical Instrument

Here is an idea you can try at home or at school with your students:

Nature Shaker

Materials Needed:

An empty container (such as a small plastic bottle or a cardboard tube)
Collected nature items (pebbles, acorns, dried beans, etc.)
Decorative materials (paint, markers, stickers)
Glue or tape

Instructions:

Fillings: Gather the small items collected during the sound walk. These will be the fillings for your shaker.
Container: Clean and dry a collection of recycled containers. If you’re using a cardboard tube, seal one end with a piece of sturdy paper and tape it securely.
Fill the Shaker: Add your collected items to the container. Experiment with different combinations to see how the sounds vary.
Seal the Shaker: Once you’re happy with the sound, seal the other end of the container securely with glue or tape.
Decorate: Decorate the outside of your shaker. You can paint it, wrap it in colorful tissue paper. You can also use stickers and markers to personalize it. Here are some fun materials:

Looking to extend this musical adventure? Try these cute maracas!

I love this set of mini wooden maracas. This is a perfect outdoor activity. We ordered a set of these when our kids were younger for a birthday activity. The kids loved decorating them and were able to take them home as part of their party favor. These bright color markers are easy to use and will add great fun to this activity!