Nature Cat Band Instruments
Create musical instruments using a variety of materials to make different sounds.
Making Instruments: Reuse Household Objects to Make Music!
Episode: "Pet Sounds" (11 min.)
The Nature Cat Band is ready for The Battle of the Pet Bands! They've been practicing for weeks and cannot wait to compete! But right before the band battle is set to begin, a mishap launches all of their instruments into the ocean! How can they make music and compete with no instruments? Oh no!
Goal of Activity:
Create musical instruments using a variety of materials to make different sounds.
The Basics
What You'll Need
Preparation (Before Children Arrive)
- Set up a few tables at child height, and cover them with paper, taping at the ends.
- Place materials on table.
Tally Ho! What to Do
Welcome participants to the area: "Today we are going to explore how we can use recycled materials to create a musical instrument. But first, let's talk a little about instruments."
- What were some of the instruments they made in the Nature Cat episode, "Pet Sounds"?
- Do you play any instruments at home? Does anyone you know play an instrument?
- What kind of instruments do you think you might be able to make?
- What are some materials that we can use to make an instrument?
Using the materials on the table, encourage children to create an instrument. Depending on the materials you have available, children can explore making a variety of instruments. Here are a couple of examples:
Make a maraca by filling a container (cup, bottle, or tube) with a small amount of pebbles or cut-up plastic straws.
After the pebbles are in the container, please make sure that open end(s) of the container are sealed with tape to ensure that the pebbles do not fall out
Make a thumb piano with a small square piece of cardboard (4"x 4").
Take several rubber bands of various widths and wrap them around the piece of cardboard.
Slide a smaller piece of cardboard (about 1" x 4") under the rubber bands to prop up the rubber bands so you can pluck them.
Children can decorate their instruments with crayons, colored tape, and other supplies. After the instruments are completed, encourage children to test them out by shaking, plucking, or tapping to create a variety of sounds.
Sensory-Friendly Adaptation
Some instruments and materials may not be appropriate for your child depending on their sensory preferences. For example, cardboard would not be the best material for a child with a tendency to eat paper. And maracas could be too loud for a child with an auditory sensitivity. Consider using fewer pebbles or softer materials (e.g., pom poms) to lessen the sound in that case, and using materials that can more safely be put in the mouth (like clean recycled bottles).
Partnership
The Making Instruments Activity was created in partnership with Kohl Children's Museum.
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