10 Easy DIY Musical Instruments for Kids to Make & Play

Let’s get musical! Grab some household bits and craft supplies—it’s time to turn everyday items into real instruments. From banging drums to noisy shakers, we’ve come up with a mix of easy DIY ideas to suit every type of young musician.

Creating your own instruments is more than just fun—it’s a brilliant way to spark creativity, encourage problem-solving, and explore rhythm and sound in a hands-on way. Using recycled materials also teaches children that music doesn’t have to come from a shop. With a little imagination, anything can make music—and it’s kinder on the planet too.

Ready to get started? Below are 10 instruments we had a go at making—why not try a few yourself?

Check out our videos to see the instruments made and played in action.

1. Recycled drum kit

You will need:

• A piece of cardboard (to stick the drum bits to)

• Recycled containers like:

  • yoghurt pots

  • tin cans

  • plastic cups

  • lids

• Pencils for drumsticks

This one’s super simple! Gather a mix of recycled containers—different shapes, plastic types, and thicknesses will all create unique sounds. And don’t forget a classic tin can for that satisfying metallic beat! Use the pencils to play your new drum kit.

2. Cardboard castanets

You will need:

• Cardboard pieces

• Metal bottle caps

Cut two strips of cardboard to a length that comfortably sits in the palm of the musicians’ hands. Fold the cardboard in half. Cut each end in a curve.

Glue one bottle cap to the inside of each end. After you glue the first bottle cap, place the second one in line with the first and indent the cardboard then glue in place so that the two caps line up and therefore make a clicking sound when tapped together.

Use a marker to decorate the outside of the castanets.

3. Cardboard tube xylophone

You will need:

• Cardboard tubes

• Yarn

• Pencil for a mallet (playing stick)

Measure and cut five cardboard tubes, making sure each one is slightly shorter than the one before it (as shown in the photo). Arrange and glue them in a V shape, with the longest tube at the top and the shortest at the bottom.

Wrap yarn around the tubes, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Secure the yarn with a knot at each end to hold it in place. Repeat this wrapping on the other side.

Create a strap by tying a piece of yarn to the top tube. Trim any loose ends for a tidy finish.

Now grab a pencil or stick and run it up and down the tubes—or tap each one—to explore the different sounds they make!

4. Plastic bottle shakers

You will need:

• Empty plastic bottles

• Sticky tape

• Coloured tape for decorating

• Shaker fillings like:

  • matchsticks

  • blocks

  • beads

Start by cutting each plastic bottle about one-third of the way down from the top. Then cut the bottom section a little over one-third of the way up, so the two pieces can nest together.

Half-fill the bottom part with your chosen shaker materials (like beads, blocks etc…), then place the top section over it to form a mini bottle shape.

Secure the pieces together by taping around the join—use colourful tape to add decoration and strengthen the seal. Finally, screw the lids back on to keep everything safely inside.

Now your homemade shakers are ready to shake, rattle, and roll!

5. Stick jingle bells

You will need:

• Stick or wooden dowel

• Yarn or string

• Bells

Start by wrapping yarn around your stick about one-third of the way from the bottom to secure it in place. Leave a long enough tail of yarn to continue wrapping the rest of the stick.

Slide a bell onto the yarn and pull it down so it rests snugly against the stick. Wrap the yarn a few more times, then add another bell in the same way. Repeat this process—wrap, slide on a bell, wrap again—until you’ve covered most of the stick and added several bells.

When you're finished, tuck the end of the yarn under the already-wrapped section to secure it neatly.

6. Paper plate tambourine

You will need:

• 2 paper plates

• Yarn

• Bells

Begin by decorating the underside of each paper plate with fun patterns or colourful drawings.
Once decorated, place the two plates together with the decorated sides facing out. Using a hole punch, make evenly spaced holes around the edges of the plates (as shown in the picture).

Cut a long piece of yarn and tie one end through the first hole to start joining the plates together. As you thread the yarn through each hole, slide a bell onto the yarn before moving to the next hole. Continue this pattern—thread, bell, thread—until all the holes are laced.

Finish by tying off the end of the yarn securely at the last hole. Now you have a colourful, musical shaker plate!

7. Rubber band lid guitar

You will need:

• Metal lids

• Rubber bands

This is the quickest instrument to create!

Just stretch a few rubber bands across a metal lid—try using different thicknesses for varied sounds. Then strum the bands with your fingers to explore the twangy, guitar-like tones!

8. Hair clip thumb piano

You will need:

• A metal lid or a small block of wood

• Bobby pins

Glue bobby pins (hair clips) onto sturdy objects like metal lids, cardboard, or a small piece of wood—making sure the ends of the bobby pins slightly stick over the edge.

Once the glue has dried completely, pluck the overhanging ends to create fun twangs and tones—like a homemade thumb piano! Try using different sizes or spacing the pins in different ways to experiment with sound.

9. Balloon tin drum

You will need:

• Empty clean tin can

• 2 balloons in different colours

• 2 wooden dowels

Cut a few small holes in one balloon and set it aside. Take a whole balloon and stretch it tightly over the open end of a clean tin can to form the base of your drum. Next, stretch the balloon with the holes over the top of the first balloon to create a layered, two-colour effect.

The holes will allow the sound to vibrate differently and give your drum a unique look and sound. Now it’s ready to play—tap away and explore the rhythms!

10. Egg and spoon shaker

You will need:

• 2 plastic spoons

• Plastic egg that can open

• Beads or items to create the shaking sound

• Tape

Open a plastic egg and fill it with small beads, rice, or other items that will create a fun shaker sound. Snap the egg shut tightly. Then, place the egg between two plastic spoons so that the spoons cradle the egg, one on each side.

Use tape to wrap securely around the widest part of the egg and again around the handles of the spoons to hold everything firmly in place.

Now give it a shake and enjoy your homemade musical instrument!