Music Craft: Rainstick

Rainstick

A rainstick is a long hallow tube filled with beads or beans, and has small pins arranged helically inside. Rainsticks were originally made to create the sound of a rain storm and it was believed that they could bring rainstorms.

A rainstick is held at a 45 degree angle allowing the beads to fall gradually to create the sound of falling rain. Rainsticks can also be tapped to make a more controlled sound and can be used as a shaker to create percussive rhythms. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainstick)

Rainstick Craft:

Materials Needed:

1. Aluminum foil
2. Glue
3. Scissors
4. Crayons
5. Paper towel roll
6. Small dried beans

Instructions:

1. Trace two circles around the paper towel roll on construction paper (as seen in photo).











2. Draw a bigger circle around each circle just drawn (as seen in photo).




3. Draw spokes connecting the inner and outer circle (as seen in photo).






4. Cut out the circles along the outer circle lines and cut along each spoke up to the inner circle line.

5. Cup one circle along inner circle line and glue it on to one end of the paper towel roll.

6. Cut out 2 pieces of aluminum foil 6 inches wide, and 18 inches long. Twist the aluminum pieces into a spring shape (Most foil rolls are the perfect width when cut in half).


7. Put the aluminum springs into the roll.

8. Pour beans into the roll.



9. Cap off the other end with the other circle as done in step 5.



10. Decorate the tube as desired.

Have fun making rain!

This craft idea was from http://www.enchantedlearning.com/ .

I am participating in Family Moment Monday.