A Banging Drum

[20 Minutes]

Your child will get a "bang" out of creating a homemade drum. It's the perfect instrument for a family parade!

You'll need:

• oatmeal box or coffee can • unsharpened pencil • construction paper • scissors (ADULT USE ONLY) • tape • markers or crayons • stickers (optional)

What to do:

1. Cut construction paper to fit the container. Encourage your child to decorate the paper in any way he chooses.
2. Tape the paper onto the container.
3. Invite him to experiment and create as many different sounds as possible from this instrument.
4. Use the unsharpened pencil as a drumstick. Your child may use his hands and fingers to make sounds also.
5. Sing this song together. (Tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"):

   Play it loud,
   Play it soft,
   "Boom, Boom" everywhere,
   Play it slow,
   Play it fast,
   Music is in the air!

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• How many different sounds can we create with this drum? Let's experiment together.
• Let's play the drums softly.
• Let's play the drums fast.
• Let's play the drums slowly.

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity helps your child develop small muscle skills, listening skills and language skills.