Preschoolers can enjoy creative play with music and movement using homemade instruments. Dance, tap, shake and clap along with these simple musical instruments that are easy to make and fun to at home or in the classroom.

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Get ready to shake, rattle and roll with fun instruments you can easily make.

This roundup has you covered with lots of shakers as well as string, percussion, and wind options.

A few musical-themed printables have been included for more hands-on fun and learning with music.

The activities can help kids learn basic music terms and applications such as rhythm and beat, while also supporting fine motor and gross motor movements.

The instruments in this roundup are fun to make for a school project or to involve the family in music activities.

They're made with simple materials like everyday craft supplies, household items, and recycled packaging.

Related article: Benefits of Music and Movement

Homemade musical instruments

Shakers

Tambourine

This  paper plate tambourine from Team Cartwright can be decorated with stickers or markers.

A  rainbow tambourine  from Red Ted Art is perfect for a spring theme with preschoolers.

Bells

A ribbon and bells noisemaker from The Craft Train creates fun sounds.

This hand held music maker with bells  from Craft Bits adds even more bells to the fun.

A national holiday can be celebrated with us at Preschool Toolkit by making a noisemaker like this Canada day shaker with bells.

Explore the sounds of chapchas made by Crafty Moms Share.

Sensory bin

A plastic containers sensory bin from Fun A Day is created with recycled containers to resemble instruments.

Make music in the sensory bin with a musical egg sensory bin from Taming Little Monsters.

Simple shakers

Plain cardboard tubes become cardboard tube shakers with this craft from The Craft Train.

Plastic eggs turn into fancy egg shakers with these instructions from Mama Smiles.

Rain sticks

These long rain sticks made by Gift of Curiosity are a favorite of many musicians.

These cylinder rain sticks by Danya Banya are another version of this popular instrument.

Maracas

These egg maracas from Crayons and Cravings are a fun way to get the music started.

Learn how to make maracas with a tutorial from Sixth Bloom.

This maraca craft for Cinco de Mayo from Artsy Momma celebrates a special event.

More shakers

Homemade shakers made from detergent bottle tops at Preschool Toolkitreally shake things up.   

Recycled cardboard tube music shakers from Picklebums helps recycle an everyday household item. 

A Hawaiian musical shaker from Crafty Moms Share explores international culture.

Percussion

Unique sounds like seed pod percussion  found at Artsy Craftsy Mom are made from natural materials.

X is for a xylophone activity at Crafty Moms Share.

Make a  musical scale with mason jars at Preschool Toolkit to explore musical notes.

Drums

These tin can drums from East Coast Mommy Blog are made from a common recyclable.

These 5 minute drums from Red Ted Art put the drum-diddy-drum in the band.

 Experiment with a den den drum at Learning 4 Kids to learn about a new instrument. 

Cymbals

Add crashing cymbals to the band with this craft from Crafty Moms Share. 

Castenets

This dinosaur castanet from Learn With Play at Home adds music to a dinosaur theme.

Recycle bottle tops to make these bottle top castanets from Red Ted Art.

Wind - String - Printables

Wind

Practice the harmonica with this craft from Kitchen Table Classroom.

Make your own pan flute with instructions from Buggy and Buddy.

A flute from J Daniel 4's Mom s a fun instrument to use to make music.

The simple kazoo made by Buggy and Buddy never goes out of style.

String

Pluck the strings of this banjo with jar lids craft from The Craft Train. 

Strum along with this guitar craft found at Red Ted Art.

Explore the sounds made by a  homemade guitar with rubber bands from Laughing Kids Learn.

Printable activities

This I spy printable at And Next Comes L. is a music themed I Spy game.

A rhythm listening game from Let's Play Kids Music gets kids moving to the rhythm. 

These play dough instrument cards from Preschool Play and Learn show how instruments are even fun to make with play dough.

Free Music Program

Enjoy more musical fun with Music on Pinterest