Music is a universal language that brings people together, and learning how to make music can begin at any age.

Making your own instruments is a great way to encourage children’s creativity and ingenuity.

You can make some awesome DIY instruments for your kids to play with using simple household items and a little imagination.

This article will show you how to make five simple instruments that will have your kids rocking out in no time!

Shoebox guitar

The classic shoebox guitar is a popular and simple instrument for children. An empty shoebox, some rubber bands, and a few popsicle sticks are all you need.

• Make a hole in the centre of the box, then stretch the rubber bands across it and attach the popsicle sticks as a bridge and a neck.
• Your children can strum away, and with a little creativity, they can even personalise their guitar with paint and stickers!

Popsicle stick harmonica

The popsicle stick harmonica is another great DIY instrument for kids. You can make a harmonica that actually makes music with a few wooden sticks, some rubber bands, and a square of aluminium foil.

• Glue two sticks together to form an L, then attach more sticks to form a long row. Fold the aluminium foil into a square and secure it to the top row of sticks.
• Finally, secure everything with a rubber band at both ends.
• Blow into the gaps between the sticks, and your children will soon be making beautiful harmonica sounds.

Tambourine constructed from bottle caps

Make a tambourine out of bottle caps for a simple and enjoyable percussion instrument.

• A paper plate, a few bottle caps, and some jingle bells are all you need.
• Glue the bottle caps around the plate’s edge, then glue the jingle bells in the centre.
• Decorate the plate with paint or stickers, and your children will have a colourful and fun tambourine to shake and jingle to their hearts’ content.

Drum made of tin cans

Make a drum out of tin cans for a more substantial percussion instrument.

• Collect a variety of empty cans, a wooden dowel (a cylindrical wooden rod available at hardware stores), and some duct tape.
• Attach the cans together with duct tape, with the largest can at the bottom and the smallest at the top.
• Drill a hole in the centre of the top can and insert the wooden dowel to serve as a drumstick.
• Your children will enjoy creating rhythms and beats on their own handcrafted drum.

Kazoo from a toilet paper roll

Finally, make a kazoo out of a toilet paper roll for a whimsical and fun instrument. With just a few common household items, you can make a working kazoo.

• First, wrap a square of wax paper around one end of the roll and secure it with a rubber band.
• Then, at the opposite end of the roll, cut a small hole and cover it with a strip of paper.
• Your children can hum into the open end, and the vibrations will cause the wax paper to make kazoo sounds.

The many benefits of music for preschoolers

Music has a plethora of benefits for preschoolers that go beyond just enjoyment. Here are some of the top advantages:

1. Encourages language and literacy development
2. Boosts memory, attention, and cognitive skills
3. Develops fine and gross motor skills
4. Fosters social and emotional development
5. Improves creativity and self-expression
6. Enhances cultural awareness and understanding
7. Builds self-confidence and self-esteem
8. Provides a healthy outlet for emotions
9. Strengthens family bonds through shared experiences
10. Sets the foundation for a lifelong love of music and learning