How to Make Paper Instruments

Plink, plank, plunk on a banjo box! Transform an everyday box and some rubber bands into a musical instrument that's sure to provide hours of entertainment.

What You'll Need:

Tools:

Note that this craft requires adult help.

Step 1. Download the banjo pattern as a PDF and download the banjo opening pattern as a PDF. Enlarge the banjo opening pattern to fit on your box with at least a 1-inch margin on all sides, and trace the pattern on a folded piece of paper. Center the opened pattern on the inside of the box lid. Trace around the pattern, and ask a grown-up to cut out the oval using a craft knife. Paint the lid brown if desired; let dry.

Step 2. Enlarge the banjo base pattern to fit the narrower end of your box. Trace the pattern onto yellow card stock. Outline the shape with black marker; use scissors to cut out. Fold the glue flap back on the dotted line, and glue this flap to one end of the box lid.

Step 3. Stretch five rubber bands lengthwise across the box, centering them so they will be visible through the oval opening on the box lid. Place the lid on the box, and glue it in place.

Step 4. Paint the paint stick yellow, and let it dry. Glue it to the back of the box with one end sticking up to use as the banjo handle.

Step 5. Paint the toothpicks red and the beads blue. Let dry, and then slide two beads onto each toothpick. Snip off the sharp ends of the toothpicks. Glue each set to the top of the handle.

Step 6. On the front of the box, outline the oval with small dots of dimensional paint. Once that dries, the banjo is ready to play.

Now that you have a banjo, how about adding some rhythm to the band? Check on the next page to learn how quickly and easily you can make a small drum.

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Use this small toy drum to add rhythm to your band. It's quick and easy to make.

What You'll Need:

Tools:

Step 1: Paint the container blue, the top of the lid yellow, and the rim of the lid silver. Dip the head of each brad in silver paint, and let it dry.

Step 2: When the paint is completely dry, use a sharp pencil to poke holes along the top and bottom of the container, about 3 1/2 inches apart. Stagger the placement of the top and bottom holes. Insert a brad into each hole, and secure.

Step 3: Wrap a piece of red yarn around one of the top brads, and then carry it down to the next bottom brad. Wrap it around this brad, and carry it up to the next top brad. Repeat around the drum. Tie off the yarn and trim when all the brads have been circled.

Step 4: Glue the lid onto the top of the drum.

If you'd like to carry this drum in a marching band, glue about a yard of 2-inch-wide ribbon across the top, and hang the drum around your neck. For drumsticks, use unsharpened pencils, wooden spoons, or wooden dowels.

Keep reading to learn how you can add the jingle of bells to your band of paper instruments.

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Shake, rattle, and roll! Colorful ribbons keep the bells in place and make this musical bell shaker look extra festive.

What You'll Need:

Tools:

Step 1: With a tape measure and pencil, mark positions for eight holes approximately 1/2 inch apart along both edges of the tube. Punch a hole at every pencil mark. Punch another row of holes 1/2 inch above the first row, spacing them between the first holes.

Step 2: Paint the tube the color of your choice; let dry. Apply stickers around the tube. Tie bells to the bottom row of holes using 6-inch lengths of ribbon. Double-knot each ribbon.

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