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Invent an Instrument

Child builds a playable instrument from household materials and explains how it makes different sounds.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home doing Invent an Instrument.
  • Age7 to 12 years
  • Time15 to 30 minutes
  • EnergyModerate
  • CostFree
  • WhereIndoors
  • PrepNone

Your child builds a simple instrument from household materials, gets it to make more than one sound, and explains what changes the sound.

How to do it

  1. Talk about a few ways things make sound, such as plucking, shaking, banging, or blowing.
  2. Have your child pick a material set from what you have, such as rubber bands over a box, or a jar filled with rice.
  3. They build a first version and try to get a sound out of it.
  4. Challenge them to make it produce at least two different sounds, for example higher and lower, or louder and softer.
  5. Have them play a short pattern and explain what they changed to change the sound.

What you need

  • Base object
  • Sound maker
  • Tape
  • Decorating materials

Make it yours

Younger, 6 to 8 years: A shaker filled with rice is a satisfying single build with an adult helping seal it. Older, 10 to 12 years: Aim for a rough scale of three or more pitches, or combine two sound methods into one instrument. Siblings: Each builds a different instrument and they play together as a tiny band

Try this with your child.

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