10 Instruments You Can Make At Home

Jan 19, 2022

Did you know that babies can identify music before words? Or that singing in school helps kids feel better about themselves, while also improving their community spirit? How about that mastering musical instruments can improve the way a human brain processes parts of spoken language?

These are just some of the reasons it’s important to make music a part of your child’s educational and emotional journey.

So why not make music fun, inventive, and accessible for the whole family, with some homemade instruments this summer? Here we’ve got 10 DIY instruments you can make at home with your kids that can help teach them basic musical concepts at an early age.

Harmonica/Pan Flute Instruments

Harmonicas are neat little instruments, with their hand-held size and distinct sound – but how do they work? If you look inside a harmonica, you will see thin strips of brass of different lengths, that vibrate when you breathe into the harp. You can imitate this setup by taping different sized straws together to form something that looks more like a pan harp than a harmonica, and blowing into the airways.

Can Drums

Drums create and maintain the rhythm of a song, so making this instrument is a key element for a tempo lesson. Regardless of whether you dance to the beat, or sing along to it, drums make a wonderful guide to this concept. You can create drums at home using everyday items like soup cans, Pringles containers, or even just a tabletop! All you need is a substitute drumstick to tap along with.

Tambourine

Another popular percussion instrument for kids is the tambourine. This is a popular instrument for singers because they can multi-task with one free hand to hold the microphone. If you’re looking for a fun musical addition for your kids’ music-making, then the tambourine may be perfect.

Plus, this DIY version is a bit quieter than the real thing!

Xylophone

If you’re looking for a homemade instrument that can make a few different notes, you may want to try this water glass xylophone. When you fill the glasses with different amounts of water, then you tap them with a spoon, you and your child will be able to hear different tones. This is a fun activity to do with a friend or sibling – get them started on a beat to a certain tempo with one glass, and then join in with another sound. Before long you’ll be making your very own musical masterpiece!

Rainstick

Often associated with indigenous cultures, the rainstick is another distinctive instrument you can make at home. It works great as part of the band, or on its own, bringing a calming effect to any room. You can make it out of a cardboard tube, some ribbon, a little paper, and pebbles or beans for the sound!

Spoon Maracas

There’s nothing quite like Latin music to get the body moving! And one of the most fun instruments in Latin music is the maraca! There’s just something so much fun about this instrument that you can’t help but dance to the rhythm – maybe it’s the same reason babies love rattles so much. Try these simple to make DIY versions using a pair of spoons, a plastic Easter egg, and beans or rice!

Shoebox Guitar

This isn’t one of those guitars that just looks great and doesn’t actually work – this one works just fine! Just use some rubber bands across the shoebox for your strings, and you’ll be plucking away in no time flat! Check out the tutorial video and get started.

Cardboard Trumpet

You might think that it’s impossible to recreate something as complex as a trumpet at home – but you would be wrong! The ever-popular and universally useful cardboard tube roll comes into play yet again, with a little papercraft mixed in for good measure. It’s a simple design that is sure to delight your children and inspire their own creativity!

Bobby Pin Thumb Piano

Bobby ins are so versatile that they can even make music – if you use them right! With just a wooden board, some placed staples, and a few bobby pins, and you’ve got yourself your very own thumb piano. This is one of the oldest instruments known to man, and has been played by countless people in countless cultures over the centuries. And now you and your little ones can have a turn.

Paper Plate Banjo

Don’t forget to include a little country sound in your fun! Check out this simple yet fun paper plate banjo! Just grab the mic, and you’ll soon have a whole band at home!

These DIY musical instruments aren’t just a fun way to create and play music, they’re also a valuable opportunity for learning. Kids get the chance to learn how ancient people made some of their instruments with the materials they had available to them, and how different cultures have different kinds of music to enjoy. And yet, they can also learn that despite the differences, a good beat and a good rhythm are all anyone needs to get their foot-tapping – that’s the incredible power of music!

Of course, the next logical step is lessons with an actual instrument! The Music Studio has lessons and classes for all ages and all skill levels! Check out everything we’ve got to offer, for your kids and yourself! It’s never too late to start your own musical journey.