DIY musical instruments – make your own hand drum

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How to make hand drums - make your own DIY musical instrument with this fun kids craft from everyday household items

Does your child like to make their own DIY musical instruments at home? Maybe with pots and pans or even just their spoon banging away on the table?
 
If so they may love to make these African style hand drums. They can twist and shake them to make lots of noise and rhythms.
 
These drums take just minutes to make and use everyday household items like paper bowls and straws.

Summary:

Time: 10 minutes
Ages: Little kids to Big kids
Difficulty: Easy peasy

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How to make hand drums - make your own DIY musical instrument with this fun kids craft from everyday household items
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You will need:

  • plastic or paper bowls
  • drinking straws
  • ribbon or string
  • large beads
  • glue gun or strong glue
  • washi tape for decorating (optional) – you can also use stickers or paints

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How to make hand drums - make your own DIY musical instrument with this fun kids craft from everyday household items
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Step 1: Glue the stick and ribbons in place

Take a bowl and glue the tip of your paper straw to the bottom rim.

It can help if you flatten the end of the straw, so that it fits better when you add the other bowl on top.

Then put two blobs of glue on each side and stick down the ends two lengths of ribbon or string.

You need to make sure that there is a good length of ribbon left sticking out (about 6 cm – 2.5 inches or so).

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How to make hand drums - make your own DIY musical instrument with this fun kids craft from everyday household items
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Step 2: Glue the top bowl in place

Take your second bowl and glue it on top of the first. A glue gun works really well for this.

Simply place a line of glue all the way round the rim and stick the two bowls together.

You can also use tacky glue.

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How to make hand drums - make your own DIY musical instrument with this fun kids craft from everyday household items
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Step 3: Tie on some beads

Thread two or three beads onto the ends of each ribbon.

Then tie a double knot at the end to keep them securely in place.

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How to make hand drums - make your own DIY musical instrument with this fun kids craft from everyday household items
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Step 4: Decorate your drum

Decorate both sides of your hand drum. You could use Sharpies or paint or stickers.

We used washi tape for a quick and easy way to create some great patterns.

Now you can make some noise.

Roll the straw between your fingers and the beads will beat against the sides.

 

How to make hand drums - make your own DIY musical instrument with this fun kids craft from everyday household items

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