Guess the SoundFor ages 4 to 8 This activity will help your little ones learn about musical instruments and the different sounds they make. It will also help your kids fine-tune their listening skills. What you’ll need:
Blindfold; Different musical instruments; and/or Different-sized pots, pans, containers, wooden and metal spoons, and various other household items that might make interesting sounds.
What to do:
Make Sound Cylinders For ages 5 to 9 This activity will help your kids hone their listening skills as they try to match similar sounds. It will also help them distinguish between different sound intensities and give them a chance to practice keeping the beat. What you’ll need:
10 empty film canisters (or other small opaque containers); 2 loud jingle bells (available at most craft stores); 2 soft jingle bells, 4 teaspoons beans (kidney, black-eyed, lima, or black); 2 teaspoons uncooked rice; 2 teaspoons salt.
What to do:
Make a Rain StickFor ages 8 to 14 This is a great activity for kids of all ages. You can help your little ones, and older kids can make the instrument on their own. Your kids will flex their creativity as they decorate the stick, and fine-tune their listening skills as they hear all the separate items in the tube mix together to make one rain-like noise. What you’ll need:
A mailing tube; Packing tape; An assortment of nails, un-popped corn, sand, gravel, and beads; Lots of stuff to decorate the tube – wrapping paper, markers, stickers, glue, etc.
What to do: You and your child may find that “playing” the rain stick can be very relaxing!
