Chinese Drum Craft
A popular old-fashioned noise-making toy, the Chinese drum (rattle) is twisted in the hand so that the beads bounce of it and make a noise. With practise you can get a good rhythm going! Here's one the kids can make themselves..
Musical Instruments
These homemade instruments and noisemakers are for the most part quick and easy to make and based on simple recycled materials. Kids can make a fantastic kitchen band of their own, or perhaps use them to ring in the New Year with style?
Homemade Instruments - Cymbals
These homemade cymbals are perfect for younger kids to make and play in their own kitchen band! Great for New Year too.
You will need:
Homemade Instruments - Rainmaker
This homemade Rainmaker is a fun way to make lots of noise at a celebration such as New Year's Eve or a birthday - or just for a kitchen band!
Homemade Instruments - Shaker
This homemade shaker is quick and fun to make and satisfyingly noisy for younger kids!
You will need:
Homemade Instruments - Trumpet
This homemade trumpet will allow the children to "toot" very noisily whenever a loud noise is required! Great for New Year's Eve parties, birthdays and kitchen bands!
Make An African Drum
Kwanzaa is often celebrated with traditional African music, with the rhythm provided by African drums. Here is a craft idea for making your own.
You will need:
Make Your Own Didgeridoo
Children will have fun designing and then decorating their own didgeridoo in bright colours. The final touch is added with small sticky dots!
Marching Drum
No Mardi Gras parade could be complete without a marching drum! Here is how your children can make their own using simple bits and pieces that you almost certainly already have to hand.
Mardi Gras Castanets
Here is another way for your children to make some noise this Mardi Gras!
Mardi Gras Cup Shakers
These Mardi Gras cup shakers are fun to make and produce a satisfyingly loud noise for your Mardi Gras parade! Our photo of the craft is a little old, but it really did sparkle when we made it!
Mardi Gras Shakers
To make these Mardi Gras shakers you will need to raid the junk cupboard for supplies. Kids can use them in a very noisy Mardi Gras parade!
Paper Plate Castanet
Here's a quick way for kids to make a paper plate castanet - perfect for celebrations (such as New Year's Eve or birthdays) or for a kitchen band!
Rainbow Castanets Craft
The children will enjoy making these rainbow castanets for St Patrick's Day - remember there's a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow!
Rainbow Shakers
These rainbow shakers are fun for younger kids to make - with the added advantage that they can play with them later, too! Great for St Patrick's Day, a rainbow theme, or any time when things need brightening up.
