Tin Can Musical Instruments

Witty Hoots was a bit stumped about what we can make with old tin cans as part of the 60 Day Junk Play Challenge.  But after a little thought about safety and how to use them safely we came up with Tin Can Musical Instruments!

Materials Needed for

3 Different Musical Instruments

Different sized tin cans – washed

Paints

String or Wire

Water

Pebbles

Rice or dried pulses

Pencils or craft sticks

Metal spoons

Newspaper

Tin Can Drums

After washing our tin cans we decorated them with paint.  We put a layer of card fixed with thick insulating tape around the bottom of the tin can for safety because of any sharp edges.  We then stuffed some of the cans with crushed newspaper.  We turned them over and hit the top and sides of the cans with craft sticks or pencils.  We could hear that the newspaper stuffed tin can drums made a softer noise than the other cans plus the size of the can changed the sound too.  We enjoyed making up our own Tin Can Drum Beats!

Tin Can Shakers

These are ideal for tin cans that have reusable lids – such as coffee cans.  Cover the outside of the can with wrapping paper or paint.  Add some crushed paper to some of the cans.  Add some fine rice or pulses to the can and for extra drama (and noise) add some pebbles too!  Shake and move with these wonderful Tin Can Shakers!

Tin Can Xylophone Tree

Take five different sized tin cans washed out and secure some wire or string to make a hanging handle.  Find some sturdy tree branches to hang the cans off.  Fill the cans with water – play around with how much water you use, lots in one can and hardly any in the other.  Take a metal spoon and gently tap the tin cans.  They should each make a different sound depending on the size of the can and how much water is inside.

We are thrilled to be part of the 60 Day Junk Play Challenge hosted by Best Toys 4 Toddlers.  A collaboration of many different bloggers with  huge variety of ideas, skills and thoughts on ways to play.  Each of the 60 days has a particular junk material to focus on and each day one of these bloggers will be sharing their post about that material with the world.