Tired of discarded cans and containers cluttering the recycling bin? Got kids bouncing off the walls with energy to spare? Let’s turn that potential trash into rhythmic treasure and channel that fantastic energy into musical fun! Making your very own drums from simple household items like coffee cans and oatmeal containers is an absolutely amazing way to spend an afternoon together. It’s a project that sparks creativity, encourages recycling, and introduces little ones to the pure joy of making music without needing any fancy or expensive instruments. Think of it as recycling, crafting, music exploration, and sensory play all rolled into one noisy, happy, and thoroughly engaging package.
Why bother making drums when you could buy them? Well, beyond just being a super cool craft activity, building drums together offers so many hidden benefits. First off, it’s incredibly budget-friendly – you’re primarily using materials you likely already have accumulating in your kitchen or recycling pile! This instantly makes it accessible. Secondly, it subtly teaches children about resourcefulness and the art of seeing potential in everyday objects; that empty can isn’t junk, it’s a future instrument! The actual process of making the drums – carefully stretching balloons, meticulously painting or gluing decorations onto the cans – is fantastic sensory play. It helps develop crucial fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. Plus, let’s be honest, drumming is just plain fun! It serves as a wonderful physical outlet for pent-up energy, a hands-on way to explore basic cause and effect (hit the drum, it makes a sound!), and it provides a brilliant, intuitive introduction to rhythm, beat, and tempo. Crafting and then making music together is also a truly wonderful bonding activity for siblings, parents, and children. Forget complicated instructions or the pressure of perfection; this activity is all about simple, accessible, creative fun.
Gathering Your Percussion Workshop Supplies
Okay, aspiring musicians and crafters, it’s time to raid the recycling bin and the craft cupboard! You honestly don’t need a whole lot of specialized gear to start your very own homemade percussion revolution. Here’s a list of the essentials and some fun extras:
- The Drum Bodies: Look for empty, clean metal coffee cans (these produce a great sound!) and sturdy cylindrical oatmeal containers. Other similar containers like formula cans or large cardboard tubes could also work. Just ensure they are clean and dry inside. It’s also wise to check the open rim for any potentially sharp edges – although the balloon usually covers this, a quick check or smoothing with a file beforehand adds safety.
- The Drumheads: Balloons! Standard latex party balloons are perfect for this job. You might find that slightly larger balloons (like the 11-inch or 12-inch variety) are a bit easier to stretch over the wider openings of oatmeal containers. A variety of colours makes the finished drums look even more exciting!
- Optional Securing Supplies: While a tightly stretched balloon often holds itself in place, especially on metal cans, it’s useful to have some strong tape (like packing tape, duct tape, or even electrical tape) or sturdy rubber bands on hand. These can provide extra security to keep the balloon drumhead firmly attached, particularly on cardboard containers or if the drumming gets very enthusiastic!
- Decorating Magic: This is where individual personality really gets to shine! Let imaginations run wild. Gather things like:
- Non-toxic paints (acrylics adhere well to both metal and cardboard) and brushes
- Construction paper, scrapbook paper, or old wrapping paper scraps
- Child-safe glue (glue sticks or liquid white glue)
- Child-safe scissors
- Markers, crayons, or paint pens
- Stickers galore!
- Yarn or colourful string
- Fabric scraps
- Washi tape in fun patterns
Making Your Awesome Coffee Can Drum
Ready to create the first beat? Metal coffee cans tend to produce a surprisingly sharp, resonant, and satisfying sound that kids love.
Step 1: Prep the Can Thoroughly. First things first, make absolutely sure your chosen coffee can is completely empty and clean. Give it a good wash with soap and water and dry it thoroughly, inside and out. If you intend to paint directly onto the metal surface, you might want to peel off any paper labels first (soaking in warm water can help). If you plan to cover the can entirely with paper or fabric later, leaving the label on is fine. Give the open rim a quick feel for any potentially sharp bits. If you find any, you could try gently filing them down with a metal file, or simply make sure the balloon stretches well past the edge for safety.
Step 2: Ready the Balloon Skin. Take one balloon. You won’t need the whole thing for the drumhead. Using scissors, carefully cut off the narrow neck part of the balloon, leaving just the main round or oval body. A straight cut across usually works best. Discard the neck piece responsibly.
Step 3: Stretch and Secure the Drumhead. This is the crucial (and sometimes slightly tricky) part! Take the cut balloon body and stretch it WIDE with both hands. Carefully and evenly stretch it over the open end of the coffee can. Your goal is to get it as tight as possible, just like a real drumhead – the tighter the balloon, the higher the pitch of the sound will be. Pull the edges of the balloon down evenly over the sides of the can, maybe an inch or two down. For most metal cans, if you get the balloon stretched tightly enough, the tension alone will hold it securely in place. However, if it feels a bit loose or you want extra peace of mind, secure it by wrapping a strong, thick rubber band around the can over the balloon edges, or by applying a few pieces of sturdy tape (like duct tape or packing tape) around the circumference where the balloon edge sits.
Step 4: Decorate Your Creation! Now, unleash the inner artist! This is the moment to personalize the drum. Let your child paint the sides of the can with vibrant colours or cool patterns. They could glue on colourful construction paper shapes, cover it completely with patterned wrapping paper, wrap it snugly in different shades of yarn, or simply go wild with a collection of fun stickers. Whatever makes their musical heart happy! Just remember to let any paint or glue dry completely before the serious drumming commences to avoid smudges and sticky fingers.
Crafting the Oatmeal Container Drum
Cardboard oatmeal containers offer a slightly different, often softer and deeper, tone compared to their metal cousins. The process is very similar, with just a minor adjustment for securing the balloon.
Step 1: Prep the Cardboard Container. Just like with the coffee can, ensure your oatmeal container is empty and perfectly clean. Remove the plastic lid; you won’t need it for the drum. Wipe out any lingering dusty oat remnants to avoid messes later.
Step 2: Balloon Time Again. Grab another balloon and, as before, carefully cut the narrow neck part off with scissors, leaving the main body.
Step 3: Stretch It Over the Top. Oatmeal containers generally have a wider opening than standard coffee cans. You might find that a slightly larger balloon (perhaps an 11 or 12-inch one) makes stretching it over the top a little easier. Carefully stretch the balloon evenly across the open top of the cardboard cylinder. Pull the edges down firmly along the sides.
Step 4: Secure the Balloon Firmly. Cardboard doesn’t provide the same rigid surface as metal, and the opening is often wider, so the balloon is more likely to slip off an oatmeal container drum without extra help. This step is usually essential. Wrap strong tape (packing tape works well, or use colourful duct tape for an instant decorative element) securely around the sides of the container, overlapping the edges of the balloon. Go around the container a couple of times with the tape to ensure the balloon skin is held tightly and won’t pop off during enthusiastic drumming sessions. Alternatively, several strong rubber bands wrapped tightly might also do the trick, but tape generally offers a more secure hold on cardboard.
Step 5: Make It Look Amazing! Time to decorate! Cardboard is a fantastic surface for drawing directly on with markers, crayons, or paint pens. Of course, you can also cover it with paint, paper, fabric, stickers, or yarn, just like the coffee can drum. Let creativity lead the way!
Decorating Ideas Galore to Inspire You
Don’t just stop at a plain can or container! Making the drum look special is half the fun. Here are a few more decorating ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
- Paint Power Unleashed: Acrylic paints provide excellent coverage on both metal and cardboard. Experiment with bright colours, bold geometric patterns, abstract splatters, or even try sponge painting for interesting textures. Metallic paints can look especially cool on the coffee can drums.
- Paper Panache Possibilities: Cover the drum body smoothly with construction paper, sheets from old magazines or newspaper comics, leftover wrapping paper scraps, or even maps. Fabric scraps glued on can also add a lovely texture. Use a child-safe glue stick for paper or a stronger liquid glue (like PVA) for fabric, applied evenly.
- Tactical Taping Techniques: Washi tape, available in endless colours and patterns, makes for quick, easy, and relatively mess-free decoration. Create stripes, grids, or random patterns. Colourful duct tape not only secures but also decorates simultaneously.
- Wonderful Yarn Wrapping: Wind colourful yarn snugly around the can or container body, securing the starting and ending points with a dab of strong glue. You can create stripes with different colours or wrap the entire thing in one shade for a cozy, textured look.
- Sticker Shock Fun: Sometimes, the simplest approach is the most fun. Let your child plaster their drum with their favourite stickers – animals, characters, shapes, sparkly ones – anything goes!
- Add Natural Elements: Glue on small, smooth pebbles, twigs (ensure no sharp ends), or pressed leaves (sealed with a layer of glue on top) for a nature-inspired drum.
Don’t Forget the DIY Drumsticks!
Every drummer needs something to tap out those rhythms! You don’t need official drumsticks; plenty of household items or simple crafts work wonderfully:
- Pencil Power Play: The eraser end of standard unsharpened pencils makes a surprisingly decent, readily available, and relatively quiet drumstick.
- Chopstick Challenge Accepted: Simple, smooth wooden chopsticks are lightweight and work very well as basic drumsticks.
- Rolled Paper Rod Percussion: Roll up several sheets of paper (like construction paper or magazine pages) as tightly as possible into thin, sturdy tubes. Secure them extremely well along their entire length with strong tape. You’ll be surprised how effective these can be!
- Nature’s Rhythm Sticks: Find some smooth, relatively straight sticks from the garden or park (check carefully for splinters and rough spots – maybe give them a light sanding if needed). Ensure they are clean and dry.
- Crafty Mallets: Use small wooden dowels from a craft store. For a softer sound, glue a large pom-pom, a cork, or a small circle of thick felt onto one end of each dowel.
Important Safety Note: Always supervise young children when crafting with balloons. The process of cutting and stretching balloons should ideally be handled or closely supervised by an adult, as balloons can snap. Furthermore, cut balloon pieces and broken balloon fragments pose a significant choking hazard for young children and pets. Please ensure any broken pieces are cleaned up immediately and disposed of safely.
Time to Make Some Noise! Unleashing Rhythm Fun
The drums are decorated, the drumsticks are crafted – the moment has arrived! Let the concert begin! The best part about these homemade drums is the freedom to explore sound and rhythm without any pressure.
- Encourage Freestyle Exploration: First off, just let the kids bang away! Encourage them to simply listen to the different sounds their drum can make. What happens when they tap near the edge versus the exact center? What’s the difference between a gentle tap and a loud BANG? How does it sound if they use their hands or fingers instead of the sticks? This unstructured play is invaluable for discovery.
- Play Follow the Leader: Create simple rhythmic patterns. Try tapping out a basic beat like “tap-tap – pause – tap-tap” and have your child try to copy it exactly on their drum. Take turns being the rhythm leader. This builds listening skills and memory. Start very simply and gradually make the patterns slightly more complex as they get the hang of it.
- Drum Along to Music: Put on some favourite kids’ songs, nursery rhymes, or even just upbeat pop music. Encourage your child to drum along to the beat. Can they find the main pulse of the song? Can they tap faster for faster songs and slower for slower ones? This is fantastic for developing an internal sense of rhythm and timing.
- Create Sound Stories: Make up a simple story together and use the drums to create sound effects. A loud
BANG could be a giant’s footsteps, a closing door, or thunder. A soft, quick pitter-patter could represent rain, tiny animal feet, or someone tiptoeing. This blends imaginative play with musical expression. - Form a Family Band: Why stop at one drum? Make enough drums for everyone in the family! You can also easily make other homemade instruments, like shakers (plastic bottles or small containers filled with rice, beans, or beads and sealed tightly) or tambourines (paper plates folded over with beans inside and stapled shut). Have a joyous, slightly chaotic family jam session. Remember, it’s all about shared fun and making noise together, not achieving musical perfection!
Exploring Sound Variations
Part of the fun is noticing how different drums sound! Briefly chat with your kids about why. Generally, the metal coffee can drum will likely have a sharper, possibly louder, and higher-pitched sound because the rigid metal vibrates quickly and efficiently. The cardboard oatmeal container drum often produces a deeper, mellower, and perhaps slightly quieter tone due to the softer material absorbing some vibration. You can also experiment with the drumhead: stretching the balloon tighter will almost always result in a higher pitch, while a slightly looser balloon will give a lower tone. And, naturally, drums with a larger diameter (like the oatmeal container) will tend to sound lower or deeper than drums with a smaller diameter (like some coffee cans). Trying different combinations is a mini science experiment in itself!
A Note on Clean Up and Care
Crafting, especially with paint and glue, can sometimes get a bit messy! Keep some damp cloths or wipes handy during the decorating phase for quick clean-ups. Once the drums are fully dry, they are usually fairly robust for playtime. Store them in a safe place where they won’t get accidentally crushed or stepped on. Keep in mind that latex balloons will naturally degrade over time or might eventually break with very enthusiastic use. The good news is, replacing a balloon drumhead is just as easy as making the first one!
And there you have it! From humble household recyclables to rockin’, personalized rhythm instruments ready for action. This DIY drum project proves that you don’t need expensive equipment to make music and have fun. It’s more than just a simple craft; it’s an open invitation to play, to create, to experiment with sound, and to make some genuinely joyful noise together. So go ahead, gather those cans and containers, stretch those colourful balloons, design some unique drumsticks, and get ready to march (or dance!) to the beat of your very own homemade drum ensemble! It’s simple, deeply satisfying, promotes recycling, and honestly, sounds pretty cool too. Happy drumming adventures!
