Rain, Rain, Go Away
by • May 15, 2015 • Music Methods, School-Aged, Young Children • 0 Comments
April showers bring May flowers. But what about those May showers? Even though we don’t have a saying to back it up, May can still be a pretty rainy spring month. Although rain does bring flowers and green grass, it can really put a damper on all those outdoor adventures we can’t wait to have. Sometimes it can be unbearable to have to spend more time inside, especially after a long winter. But just because you have to be inside during these storms, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! Here is a fun instrument that you and your family can make to help wash away some of the rainy day blues.
Make your own Rain Stick
Materials:
- Paper Towel Tube (or a toilet paper, if you want a smaller rainstick)
- Wax Paper
- Rubber Bands
- Toothpicks, Q-tips, or pipe cleaners
- Rice, small beans, or beads
Instructions:
- Use a pencil or pen to poke holes through your paper towel tube. You will want to have at least 5 holes on each side, with a hole directly across from it (so something can slide from one side to the other)
- Push toothpicks, Q-tips, or pipe cleaners through the holes. Each of these will make a different sound when used. Toothpicks and Q-tips will make a louder sound, while pipe cleaners will make a more muted sound.
- Cut a piece of wax paper about twice the size of the end of your tube. Use a rubber band to secure it tightly to the end.
- Put in some rice, small beans, or beads. This should be about 1/4 of your tube full. You can do a little less or a little more, but don’t make it half full.
- Cut a second piece of was paper, and secure it tightly with a rubber band to other other end of the tube.
- Now your done! To play your rain stick, hold it with the rice/beans/bead side down, and slowly tip it upside down. As they fall through the toothpicks/Q-tips/pipe cleaners, it will sound like rain.
Excited to try this with your children? Have a great idea of other things to put inside your rainstick? Share your ideas and experiences with us in the comments. We would love to see what you have been creating!
