Discover how to make fun and creative musical instruments using everyday objects you already have at home. Perfect for kids, classrooms, or beginner musicians!
Introduction
Music is everywhere—even in your kitchen drawers! Creating your own DIY musical instruments is not only a fun and budget-friendly activity, but it also sparks creativity and curiosity about sound and rhythm.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make simple instruments from items you already have at home. Whether you’re entertaining kids, teaching a class, or just want to experiment with sounds, these homemade instruments are perfect for getting started.
What You’ll Learn in This Guide
You’ll discover how to craft five easy DIY instruments using materials like cardboard, rubber bands, jars, and rice. Each project includes step-by-step instructions, and you don’t need any musical experience to enjoy the process. By the end, you’ll have a mini band made entirely from household objects!
DIY Instrument Ideas & Instructions
1. Rubber Band Guitar
Materials: empty tissue box or shoebox, rubber bands, cardboard tube (optional)
- Cut a hole in the box top (if not already there).
- Stretch rubber bands over the opening to create strings.
- Optional: attach a cardboard tube as a “neck” for the guitar.
- Strum the bands and explore the different pitches.
2. Rice Shaker (Maracas)
Materials: small plastic containers (or empty bottles), uncooked rice/lentils/beans, tape or glue
- Fill the container halfway with rice or similar filler.
- Seal the lid tightly and secure with tape.
- Decorate with markers, stickers, or paper.
- Shake to play!
3. Water Xylophone
Materials: several glass cups or jars, water, a spoon
- Fill each glass with a different amount of water.
- Tap gently with a spoon and listen to the pitch change.
- Arrange them by sound and play simple tunes.
4. Straw Pan Flute
Materials: plastic straws, tape, scissors
- Cut straws into different lengths (each length = different note).
- Line them up from shortest to longest and tape them together.
- Blow across the top edge like a pan flute.
5. Paper Plate Tambourine
Materials: two paper plates, dried beans or small bells, stapler or glue, markers for decorating
- Fill one plate with a few beans or bells.
- Place the second plate on top and staple/glue edges together.
- Shake and tap for percussion fun.
Final Tips & Conclusion
- Always supervise young children during these activities.
- Use recycled materials when possible for an eco-friendly approach.
- Let kids personalize their instruments with colors and names.
- Try combining different DIY instruments to form a homemade band!
Creating music from household items is a joyful, hands-on way to explore rhythm and sound. Whether you’re crafting with children, hosting a workshop, or simply experimenting yourself, DIY instruments bring music-making into everyday life—no fancy tools or skills required.
A Real-Life Experience: My First DIY Instrument Jam
A few summers ago, I helped run a music camp for kids where we didn’t have access to instruments for every student. So we got creative—we made our own! We used boxes, beans, jars, straws, and just about anything else we could find. The kids built their instruments with so much pride and excitement.
At the end of the week, we put on a mini-concert using only our handmade instruments. It was loud, chaotic, and completely amazing. The energy was pure joy, and the kids left not only having learned about music—but with something they created themselves. That moment reminded me that creativity doesn’t come from fancy gear—it comes from imagination.
