Get creative and make some noise with a simple, eco-friendly musical instrument that your little ones will love. This homemade rattle is not just fun to play with, but it’s also a great way to teach kids about music, rhythm, and recycling. Follow these easy steps to create a unique rattle from materials you probably have lying around the house!

Materials Needed

• An empty recycled bottle (plastic water or soda bottle works well)
• Rice or dried beans
• Nutshells, pasta, or beads for different sounds
• Colorful electrical tape or duct tape
• Optional: paint, stickers, or other decorative items to personalize the rattle

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Bottle

Make sure your recycled bottle is clean and dry. Remove any labels and sticky residue to give your kids a clear surface if they choose to decorate the bottle later on.

Step 2: Fill with Musical Sound Makers

Carefully fill the bottle with rice, dried beans, nutshells, pasta, or beads. Each material will create a different sound, so feel free to experiment with combinations. You don’t need a lot—just enough to make a sound when the bottle is shaken.

Step 3: Secure the Lid

Once you’ve added your chosen sound makers, screw the lid on tightly. For extra security, use the colored electrical tape or duct tape to seal the lid to the bottle, ensuring that no small parts can escape while your child is playing.

Step 4: Decorate (Optional)

Now for the fun part – decoration! Your kids can paint the bottle, add stickers, or wrap it in colorful tapes to create a design that is uniquely theirs. Not only does this step allow for additional creativity, but it also makes the instrument more fun to play.

Step 5: Make Some Music!

Your DIY homemade rattle is now ready to shake, rattle, and roll! Teach your kids a simple rhythm or song, or just enjoy the freestyle jam as they explore the sounds they can make.

Conclusion

Creating a homemade rattle is a fantastic way to integrate crafting, music, and sustainable practices into an afternoon of family fun. Not only will your children have a personalized musical instrument, but they will also have learned a valuable lesson on recycling and creativity. Encourage them to put on a performance with their new rattles, spurring not only musical interest but also confidence in their abilities to create and perform.

Remember:

Always supervise young children during craft time, especially when using small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Enjoy your crafting and musical adventure!

For more arts & crafts head to Activities for Kids page.