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How to Make a Drum for Preschool

Drums, rattles, kazoos and all sorts of noisemakers are a joy to young children. Use drums for music and movement activities, as a background beat for a dance, or for a story that can be punctuated by rhythm. Making a drum is an art activity that will engage many preschoolers, especially when they know that they will have a wonderful musical instrument at the end of the process.

Things You'll Need

  • Reusable chopstick
  • Piece of foam larger than the top of the chopstick
  • Piece of leather larger than the top of the chopstick
  • Two small elastic bands
  • One large, wide elastic band
  • Coffee tin or plastic container
  • 1-foot-by-1-foot square of thick clear plastic sheeting
  • Stickers
  • Scissors
  • 2-foot-by-2-foot square of cardboard
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Instructions

    • 1
      A disposable coffee or yogurt container makes a good drum.

      Collect a large container that fits in the hands and in the lap of a preschooler. A deep family-sized coffee tin or hard plastic container works for this purpose. The container should be sturdy and should not bend when you push on it from the top.

    • 2
      Measure a template for the plastic.

      Measure the top of the container. Take the diameter of the circular top and add 6 inches to that measurement. Cut out a cardboard circle that is 6 inches larger in diameter than the diameter of the container. This is your template for cutting.

    • 3

      Place the template on the thick plastic. Use a permanent marker to trace around the template. Cut out the plastic circle.

    • 4

      Place the base of the drum with the hole side up. Place the plastic circle over the hole. Center the plastic circle.

    • 5
      Choose a thick, sturdy elastic band.

      Hold the plastic down. Put the elastic band around the top of the plastic circle so that it presses the plastic against the base of the drum. When the elastic band is taut, smooth the plastic by putting one hand on the top of the drum and gently tugging on the plastic below the elastic band. This makes the top of the drum tighter and gives it its sound.

    • 6
      Prevent the drum stick from piercing the top by adding foam.

      Curve a piece of foam around the top of the chopstick. Use an elastic band to secure the foam in place. Cut out a piece of leather or artificial leather and place it around the foam. Use an elastic band to secure the leather at the bottom. This is the drum stick.

    • 7

      Bang the drum with the stick. If it does not make a loud enough sound, make sure that the plastic on top of the drum is sufficiently tight. Saggy plastic will not make a good sound. For a louder sound, use a thinner foam on the chopstick.

    • 8

      Decorate the sides and top of the drum with stickers if desired.

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