Music Makers for Kids

Kids, get your parents to do this one!

Rain sticks are instruments that sound like rain when you turn them from one end to the other.

To make one, you'll need a long cardboard tube (the kind that wrapping paper comes on), some uncooked dry rice, masking tape, some small wads of newspaper, and two cardboard circles cut to the size of the cardboard tube ends.

First, tape one of the circle pieces to one end of the tube. Insert a few of the wads of newspaper that are about half the width of the tub. Tape one of the ends shut with the cardboard circle. Then add the dry rice. Then temporarily hold the other end of the tube and listen to the sound the rice makes as you turn the tube from end to end. Decide if you need more or less rice and/or newspaper wads, and make any adjustments. Then tape the second cardboard circle in place over the tube end.

Then decorate your tube with construction paper and/or tempera paint.

Now you can enjoy a rain dance. : )

Here's a video with some different variations for making your own rain stick.