Water Xylophone

You can make music with just about anything, and kids definitely try too! With our pots and pans, kitchen spoons, boxes, tubs, and the list goes on. Children love music and will seek ways to make music in their lives. Why not introduce them to the varying range of notes with glasses of water? 

How do we achieve deep tones or high pitches? Sizes of an object matter because of how vibrations travel. Read on for more ideas to turn your child’s curiosity into educational lessons all about music and sound.

Check out these other preschool music activities. 

To find more preschool music activities check out Xx is for Xylophone. This week of preschool lessons explores the varying notes from similar objects and the different sounds materials create. In the same free preschool curriculum is the week of lessons, Dd is for Drum. These lessons include making a craft drum and using it in a purposeful way with poetry. The week focuses on finding an appreciation for music. I encourage you to explore either selections that include many preschool music activities by following the links provided. 

Read books about music.

To keep with the xylophone theme, my kids love the book Xavier Ox’s Xylophone Experiment by Barbara deRubertis. This book is a part of a series of books called Animal Antics A to Z. It is a very cute series to dive into for preschoolers learning the alphabet.

Another favorite book among my boys, and one that I adore is Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe. This book is from Dd is for Drum but still explores the world of music in a whimsical and beautiful way.

A water xylophone is the best of preschool music activities.

As far as preschool music activities go, this is a special one for my boys. They are 6, 4, and 2. Anything that involves water is already going to interest them. Then when music is thrown into the mix, it’s definitely a winner! 

Materials needed.

Another great thing is that the set up is simple. All you need are several clear glass glasses that are the same. Be sure that they are the same because otherwise the mass of the glasses will be different. You’ll have more factors to consider than simply water levels. We use small mason jars to keep things consistent but any glass drinking glasses from a set will do.

Additionally, I like to use food coloring to easily distinguish the water levels from each other. Lastly, you’ll need metal spoons, chopsticks, or something similar for tapping on the glass.

Water levels.

Set the glasses up in a row. Pour water into each with a pitcher. Be sure to change the water level in ascending or descending order. Pour from glass to glass until the water levels are approximately changing the same each time. 

Now, add a drop of food coloring to each. Use a different color for each glass to achieve the full xylophone effect. Then, have your child stir to mix the colors in.

Testing the notes.

You’ll want to demonstrate how to gently tap the glass on each jar. Ask your child to listen to the different tones. Compare the glass with the lowest water level to the glass with the highest. Play from lowest to highest quickly.

Test the various sounds and encourage discussion with questions. For example, “why does the glass with the most water give a deep, rich tone?” The vibrations depend on the mass they are having to travel through. The bigger or thicker the mass, the harder it is to move that object. So the vibrations are slower and produce a low tone.

Create music.

After you and your child have explored the world of musical notes through discussion and testing, it is time to let them be creative with their water xylophone. Monitor to ensure they’re tapping the glass gently. But mostly let them play with the water xylophone and as you both sing along or clap your hands. Make it fun and play!

Creative preschool music activities for homeschool.

Creating music is playful and intriguing for 3-5 year old’s. Because of this preschool music activities should be fun and engaging. Water is an awesome addition to a lesson when practical and useful, in this case it’s perfect!

This water xylophone lesson is among a week’s worth of preschool music activities, Xx is for Xylophone. You can also check out Dd is for Drum for more preschool music activities. Either week of lessons features free printables that include coloring pages, book suggestions, and play based learning preschool music activities.

Letter of the Week.

Xx is for Xylophone and Dd is for Drum are both a part of a 26 week free preschool curriculum. Letter of the Week has been reimagined for all that homeschooling has to offer. Play based learning activities, schedules, free printables, book suggestions, and an emphasis on learning the alphabet through dedicated review time is all included. Learn more by following the button below.

The best of preschool music activities: The Water Xylophone.

Activity Instructions