26 Homemade Musical Instruments to Make

It's easy to get the attention of kids when you say you are going to make musical instruments. Not only will they want to make, or help make, the instruments, they'll love to play them. When I made a Google search looking for musical instruments to make, I found that most of the instruments made were quite simple and easy to make.

In this article I'll share with you the homemade music instrument ideas I found in my search.

To make the sistrum shown above, go to KinderART

Make these bright and beautiful maracas using colorful plastic eggs and the tutorial found at MADE EVERYDAY

There are eight different instruments shown on this site, DEVELOPMENTAL COMMUNITY MUSIC. You'll have to scroll down on the page to find the tubaphone directions.

The directions for these pretty spin drums can be found at julep.

Music is made with these den den drums, or Japanese pellet drums, when the wooden stem is rolled between the hands, causing the beads to strike the heads of the drum. For the tutorial on making these drums, go to LEARNING 4 KIDS.

What could be easier than making drums using tin cans and a balloon? A very simple, yet effective musical instrument that the kids can make themselves. Find the instructions on making this attractive drum at make and takes.

Although there are other instruments included with the bell shakers, I really like those. Visit hellobee to find the instructions on how to make these bell shakers. Very cute.

This is a nice homemade music instrument for the kids to make and enjoy making music with. Housing a Forest is the site where you'll find the tutorial for this instrument.

Now this is an instrument I'd probably be able to master. I like it because it makes lots of noise. Find the instructions for making the tambourine at All Kids NETWORK .

Doesn't this look like a party ready to start? This would make a great activity for the kids at a birthday party. First they could make ankle bells by following the instructions at Ten Kids and a Dog, and then they could sing and dance up a storm.

Small coins or washers are glued to the edges of the painted plate to make the music with these cymbals. Go tofirst palette for the directions for making the cymbals.

MINIECO.CO.UK has the tutorial for making the balloon bongo drums. As you'll see this is really a three in one instrument. Every kid will love this noise maker. Oops, sorry, music maker.

Granted, this may take longer to make than many of the homemade music instruments here, but it really looks like the real deal. There is a great pictured tutorial at Make It & Love It that will make the process simple.

You can make a jingle stick or a jingle ring, or both of them, when you follow the instructions found on the Buggy and Buddy site. Once you have your supplies together, the jingles will come together quickly.

It'll be easy to make this French horn when you follow the instructions given at Savvy Homemade. You can have a whole orchestra when you even include a French horn.

It's really nice when we can teach about recycling while having fun making musical instruments. That's what we can do when following the instructions at Artsy Momma and using egg cartons for the maracas.

There's no limit to the ways a rain stick can be decorated, so when you are finished making your rain stick following the instructions at the imagination tree, then go to town with all the colors and bling.

Did you know that you could make music by blowing on straws? The different lengths of the straws makes different tones. See how to make these singing straws by going to KROKOTAK and following the directions that you'll find there.

I have to admit that this is the first time I've ever heard of a thumb piano. According to ALINA’S ADVENTURES , where you'll find the tutorial, the thumb piano has it's background in indigenous African music. Find a video on the site also that gives you a sample of the thumb piano music.

These wrist bells, with the tutorial at Skip to my Lou is actually made really well and will last for a long time. These would be nice to give as a gift to a child who loves to make music and dance.

This instrument called a panpipe or pan flute is made using plastic pipe. The author says that her pan flute works as well, if not better, that her purchased bamboo one. Find all the information you need to make this musical instrument at Musical Magic.

When the kids hear that this musical instrument is called a Chinese gong, they'll be all ready to make one like it. You'll find the instructions for this project at KinderART . Easy to make with items you have on hand.

Be sure to save your paper tubes so you'll have enough of them when you start making musical instruments. Everyone in the family will want to be part of this band. Then follow the tutorial at MINIECO.CO.UK to make these tubular bells instruments.

Imagine all the fun this project will be. First, there's the painting the paper towel rolls, then adding the beans, rice or whatever, and then playing music. See the instructions at Views From My Window for making the shakers.

Here is another interesting musical instrument to make. You'll find the tutorial at Musical Magic. You'll see that it is an easy project and one that gives good sound. There's a little more to making this trombone, but you'll be pleased with the results.