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Are you seeking an easy musical craft and activity? If so, then this drum craft will challenge your child to practice their fine motor skills. Also, the activity will inspire them to explore the world of music.
I love making this drum with my boys. In short, It’s easy, fast, and provides lots of entertainment after the product is complete. Also, it leads to reciting poetry with my boys. If you are interested in learning more ways to incorporate poetry in your life checkout this post, How to weave poetry seamlessly into your child’s life.
In addition, the drum craft is a part of a week’s worth of lessons, Dd is for Drum. It’s a week’s worth of musically themed activities and a free printable, as well as coloring pages and book suggestions. Go check it out, it’s all free!
Table of Contents
How to make a drum craft.
This activity takes a little pre-planning because you need to save cans. Another option is to place the contents in another container if you’re short on time. Optional cans include coffee, baby formula, or large trail mix containers, as well as nut containers. Anything that has a large flat lid and is at least a quart size is a great container for making a homemade drum craft.
In addition, if I am switching contents of containers I entertain by boys with coloring pages from Dd is for Drum.
Firstly, prep the container for your drum craft.
Depending on the container you’ve chosen, you’ll want to remove the label and wipe it clean. Now, before your child is present, is also a good time to use a paring knife (my preferred method) or scissors to punch two holes on opposite sides. Do this just below the rim.
Secondly, assemble supplies.
The supplies list includes a container and lightweight rope or shoestring. Also you’ll need a hot glue gun, and construction paper. Lastly, paint or another art medium is optional.
Thirdly, create the drum craft.
Cut the rope so that when the ends are tied together the drum craft will sit comfortably below your child’s belly. Also, you can allow your child to choose the color of construction paper they want their drum to be. You may need to help them cut it size. Next, you’ll have your child squeeze the glue onto the construction paper. Then, help them wrap it around the drum of the container. Allow time to dry.
Fourthly, add the string.
Make holes in the construction paper where the holes in the container already are. Then, allow your child to thread the string through the holes. The ends should go from outside to inside, where you can now tie them together. Be sure to caution your child that on some containers the rim can be sharp on the inside, such as coffee canisters or formula containers.
Then secure the lid.
Lastly, use the hot glue gun to secure the lid to the top if it doesn’t twist on. I like to secure it because after it has been used a while the lid will not stay on well and will pop off. Also, I cannot monitor them at all times with it and if the rim on the inside is sharp this makes it safe for them to play with if I am not in the vicinity.
There are lots of containers that do not have this sharp edge, so do not let it deter you from this activity. The ones that twist off are perfect and do not have anything to worry about. However, I have made these drums out of formula cans with two 3 year olds and a five year old with no issues.
Lastly, add the finishing touch.
This step is optional but my kids love painting so I will bring the tempera paint out of the closet or at least supply them with markers. This is the tempera paint I prefer. You can also provide them with stickers, pom-poms, etc. Overall, let your child’s imagination be the limit.
Use the drum craft in a purposeful way.
Now that your drum is complete, it’s time to set the beat to Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem Marching Song from A Child’s Garden of Verses.
You can print this off for free. Invite the whole family to form a line and then recite the poem as you march around the living room, yard, or neighborhood. If there are multiple siblings, give different kiddos a chance to lead the way.
In addition, after I’ve recited the poem a few times, I’ll substitute names. Instead of saying “Mary Jane commands the party, Peter leads the rear.” I’ll use my kids’ names. “Marty commands the party, Mick leads the rear.” They love this personalization and it continues the marching for longer as they request their names in certain parts
Inspire a love for music.
The drum is a fun and useful craft to make with your kiddo. With the poem you have a purposeful use of the drum to make it educational. If you decide to try out this activity with your child, please let me know how they and you enjoyed it in the comments.
Also, do not forget that this is a part of an entire week’s worth of lessons that are offered free, Dd is for Drum.
Homemade Drum Craft
AT A GLANCE ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS
Materials
- Container. Such as, an oatmeal or peanut container. Formula cans work great too!
- Lightweight rope or shoestring.
- Hot glue gun
- Construction paper
- *Tempera Paint
Instructions
Material Prep
- Firstly, remove label if label is not completely glued down.
- Secondly, take the lid off of the can and punch two holes on opposite sides (just below the rim). A sharp paring knife may be needed.
- Cut rope for the drum to sit comfortably just below your child’s belly, leaving enough length to tie the ends together.
Kiddo Participation
- Let your child choose a color of construction paper to wrap on the side of the can. You may need to help to cut it to size. This does not need to be perfect!
- Have your child squeeze glue onto the cut construction paper and then assist them in pressing it onto the can’s barrel.
- Allow to dry. With impatient kiddos you may forge ahead being careful not to rip the damp construction paper.
- Using scissors lightly cut the construction paper through the existing holes.
- Have your child thread the rope or shoestring through with the ends going from the outside to the inside.
- Tie a knot at the ends or tie the string together (my preferred method).
- Lastly, Squeeze hot glue around the rim and press the lid back on top of the formula can. The age of your child will determine how much they help with this. And you’re finished!
*Optional: you can now let your child paint the drum.
*Caution: Some ideal shaped containers have sharp edges on the inside that little fingers could cut themselves on. Be sure to securely glue on the lid.
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