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Simple musical shakers for kids

January 10, 2016 by Kate 2 Comments

Handmade instruments can be lots of fun to make and these simple musical shakers for kids are no exception. You only need a few materials to make them and they’ll keep your kids occupied as they decorate and play with them. Musical shakers using toilet rolls and wash tape. Simple and fun activity for children who are bored or need help with their fine motor development. It has been very hot and so we have been looking for some simple ways to entertain ourselves indoors. These simple musical shakers turned out to be the perfect little project for Possum (aged 4 years) to make and play with afterwards. 

Recommended age: 3 years + (Active supervision is always required) 

Shake masking tape To make these simple musical shakers for kids, you will need – 

  • Cardboard tube 
  • Washi tape or cable tape
  • Masking tape (optional)
  • Rice

Begin by covering up one end of your cardboard tube with masking tape or washi tape. I personally, however, felt that the masking tape held in place and secured the end better.  Using wash tape on toilet rolls to make simple musical instrument shakers. Now your child can start decorating the cardboard tube with all the tape you have available.   fine motor skills with washi As you can imagine, when children play and use tape they are giving their fine motor skills a really great work out and strengthening those small muscles in the hand. This of course helps them to write, tie their shoelace etc. pouring rice Once the decorating side of things is done, your child can fill their cardboard tube with rice (or similar). I had a funnel on hand, but you and your child can problem solve a way of getting the rice into the tube.  It’s important to only fill the cardboard tube no more than half way. If it is too full then the rice doesn’t move as much inside the tube and you don’t get a clear sound.  making musical shaker with toilet roll Once you have your rice in your tube you can seal the other end using masking tape. Your child might like to decorate over the masking tape if they wanted to.  musical shakers toddlers can make from toilet rolls and decorating them with wish tape. And then it’s shaking time! If your child has the confidence they can put on a little concert or have a go at playing to a familiar tune. You can also ask your child to play in a way you describe, so shake ‘fast’ or ‘slow’, shake ‘up high’ or ‘down low’. These are all great and fun ways to develop your child’s language vocabulary. 

Would your child enjoy making a musical shaker? 

Check out these other ideas –  

DIY wrist band craft for kids   Craft making eye spy binoculars using toilet paper rolls   Shape painting with cardboard toilet tunes

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Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, activities for preschoolers, activities for toddlers, Fine Motor Tagged With: homemade, music, toilet rolls, washi tape

Comments

  1. Betty W. Ettinger says

    August 23, 2016 at 2:43 pm

    Looks like the perfect addition to our homeschool music fun! Many thanks.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      August 23, 2016 at 4:17 pm

      That’s wonderful Betty! Thank you so kindly. 🙂

      Reply

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Hello and welcome!
My name is Kate and I am a mum to two little girls, Possum and Boo. We have lots of fun together learning with play at home and are pleased to share some of what we do with you.
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