Preschoolers can enjoy music and movement using homemade instruments. Dance, tap, shake and clap along with these simple homemade instruments that are fun to use at home or in the classroom.
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Get ready to shake, rattle and roll with fun instruments you and the kids can easily make.
This roundup has you covered with fun shakers, as well as string, percussion, and wind options. The instruments are made with a variety of everyday craft supplies, household items, and recycled packaging.
The activities can help kids learn basic principles of music, while supporting fine motor and gross motor movements. They can be used in classroom activities, or to share music at home with the family.
A few musical-themed printables have been included for more hands-on fun and learning with music.
Related article: Benefits of Music and Movement
Homemade musical instruments
The instrument crafts (37 at last count!) include shakers, percussion, wind, string, and printable activities.
Shakers
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.
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.
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 shakers from Taming Little Monsters.
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.
Homemade shakers made from detergent bottle tops at Preschool Toolkit really 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.
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.
These egg maracas from Crayons and Cravings are a fun way to get the music started.
This maraca craft for Cinco de Mayo from Artsy Momma celebrates a special event.
Learn how to make maracas with a tutorial from Sixth Bloom.
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.
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.
These tin can drums from East Coast Mommy Blog are made from an everyday 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.
Wind
Practice the harmonica with this craft from Kitchen Table Classroom.
A flute from J Daniel 4’s Mom s a fun instrument to use to make music.
Make your own pan flute with instructions from Buggy and Buddy.
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.
Printables with music 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.
Homemade instruments for fun music activities
These ideas are sure to provide inspiration for music activities at home or in the classroom. Try a new one every day!
Enjoy more musical fun with Music on Pinterest