Activity

Musical Magic: Let's Make Homemade Shaker Instruments

Whispers of rhythm and wonder: crafting homemade shaker instruments.

Join the fun of making homemade shaker instruments! This activity is perfect for children aged 24 to 36 months, encouraging creativity and cognitive development. Gather materials like plastic bottles, fillings, decorations, and music to get started. Through this activity, children can explore sounds, develop fine motor skills, and enjoy a playful introduction to music and rhythm.

Children’s Age: 2–3 years

Activity Duration: 15 minutes

Developmental Areas:

Cognitive Development

Educational Areas:

Music and Instruments

Instructions

Let's embark on a delightful journey of creating homemade shaker instruments with your little ones! This engaging activity is not only fun but also supports their cognitive development. Get ready for a musical adventure filled with creativity and exploration.

Prepare the materials: Gather empty plastic bottles, small items for filling, decorative materials, adhesive, or a hot glue gun, and some lively music to set the mood.
Create a safe workspace: Clear an area for crafting and lay out all the materials within easy reach of the children.
Introduce the activity: Explain to the children what they will be doing and show them the bottles and fillings. Assist them in filling the bottles and ensure the lids are tightly secured.
Let the creativity flow: Allow the children to decorate their shakers while enjoying the background music playing.
Supervise and ensure safety: Keep a watchful eye on the children, especially when using the hot glue gun. Double-check that the lids are secure to avoid any choking hazards. Be mindful of small decorative materials.
Encourage exploration: Inspire the children to shake their instruments in different ways and create a mini music session to discover various sounds and rhythms.

As the children engage in this activity, they will develop fine motor skills, explore cause-and-effect relationships, and unleash their creativity. Through this playful experience, they will also gain an appreciation for music and basic musical concepts.

Celebrate the completion of their homemade shaker instruments by having a mini music concert where they can showcase their creations. Encourage them to experiment with different rhythms and sounds, fostering a sense of accomplishment and joy in their musical exploration. Enjoy this enriching and entertaining experience of crafting and playing with homemade shaker instruments!

Safety Tips

Secure Workspace: Set up a safe workspace away from hazards with ample room for children to move around freely.
Supervision: Provide constant supervision, especially when using a hot glue gun or small decorative materials to prevent accidents.
Choking Hazards: Ensure the lids of the plastic bottles are tightly secured to prevent any risk of choking on small items inside.
Safe Materials: Use child-friendly, non-toxic materials for filling the bottles and decorating to avoid any allergic reactions or ingestion issues.
Music Volume: Keep the music volume at a safe level to protect children's hearing during the activity.
Encourage Exploration: Allow children to experiment with the shakers in different ways but guide them on safe shaking techniques to prevent accidental injuries.
Emotional Support: Offer praise and encouragement to boost children's confidence and creativity during the activity.

Warnings

Warnings and precautions for the activity:

Supervise children closely, particularly when using the hot glue gun to prevent burns or injuries.
Ensure lids on the shakers are tightly secured to avoid choking hazards from small items inside.
Be cautious with small decorative materials to prevent ingestion or choking.
Watch for any signs of frustration or overstimulation in children during the activity.
Check for any allergies to materials used in the shakers, such as certain fillings or decorations.
Avoid placing sharp objects or materials that could cause injury inside the shakers.
Consider the environmental impact of the materials used and dispose of waste properly.

First Aid Tips

Choking Hazard: Keep a close eye on children to prevent them from putting small items used as fillings into their mouths. If a child is choking, perform back blows and chest thrusts as needed. Have emergency contact numbers readily available.
Cuts or Scrapes: Be cautious when using the hot glue gun. In case of minor burns or cuts, rinse the affected area with cool water and apply a sterile bandage. Seek medical attention if the injury is severe.
Allergic Reactions: Some children may have allergies to certain decorative materials. Be aware of any known allergies and have antihistamines or an EpiPen available if needed. Follow the child's allergy action plan if an allergic reaction occurs.
Sensory Overload: Some children may become overwhelmed by loud noises or textures. Watch for signs of distress such as covering ears or crying. Provide a quiet space for them to calm down if needed.
Finger Entrapment: Ensure the lids of the bottles are securely fastened to prevent fingers from getting trapped. If a child's finger gets caught, gently remove it and clean any minor injuries with soap and water.
Skin Irritation: Some adhesives or decorative materials may cause skin irritation. If a child develops redness or itching, wash the area with mild soap and water and apply a soothing lotion. Monitor for any signs of an allergic reaction.

Goals

Engage children in exploration, fine motor skill development, and cause-and-effect learning:

Fine Motor Skills: Filling the bottles, decorating the shakers, and shaking the instruments.
Cause-and-Effect Learning: Understanding that shaking the instruments produces sound.

Foster creativity, appreciation for music, and basic musical concepts in a playful manner:

Creativity: Decorating the shakers in unique ways.
Appreciation for Music: Exploring different sounds and rhythms through the instruments.
Basic Musical Concepts: Understanding that shaking produces sound and rhythm.

Materials

Materials needed for this activity

This activity requires the following materials:

Empty plastic bottles
Small items to fill the bottles (e.g., rice, beans, beads)
Decorative materials (e.g., stickers, markers, paint)
Adhesive or hot glue gun
Music to play
Safe workspace
Supervision
Optional: additional decorative materials (e.g., ribbons, glitter)
Optional: different types of fillings for varied sounds
Optional: musical instruments for accompaniment

Variations

Variation 1:

Instead of plastic bottles, use recycled cardboard tubes or tin cans as the base for the shaker instruments. This variation introduces different textures and sounds while promoting sustainability.

Variation 2:

Turn this into a group activity by pairing children up to work on a shaker instrument together. Encourage them to take turns filling the containers, decorating, and shaking the instruments collaboratively.

Variation 3:

For children who may have sensory sensitivities, consider using softer materials like fabric scraps or cotton balls as fillings for the shakers. This modification caters to diverse sensory needs while still engaging in the creative process.

Variation 4:

To add a cognitive challenge, introduce a color or pattern matching element to the activity. Provide colored materials for decorating and encourage children to match the colors or create specific patterns on their shaker instruments.

Benefits

This activity is designed to support your child's development across the following key areas of learning and growth. Learn more about each area and how it contributes to your child’s overall development below:

Music and Instruments

Music and instruments introduce children to rhythm, melody, and sound exploration. This field includes singing, learning musical notes, playing various instruments, and understanding music theory. Engaging with music enhances auditory perception, coordination, and emotional expression.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development refers to the growth of thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. It includes memory, attention, logical reasoning, and the ability to learn new concepts. Strong cognitive skills are essential for academic success and lifelong learning.

Parent Tips

Set up a safe workspace: Create a designated area with easy access to materials, ensuring a clear and safe space for the children to work in.
Supervise closely: Keep a watchful eye on the children, especially when using tools like a hot glue gun. Safety is key during the entire activity.
Encourage experimentation: Prompt children to explore different ways of shaking their instruments and making sounds. Emphasize creativity and fun throughout the process.
Ensure secure lids: Double-check that the bottle lids are tightly sealed to prevent any choking hazards. Safety first!
Create a mini music session: Play music in the background as children decorate their shakers. Encourage them to engage in a musical exploration session once the instruments are ready.