Rain Stick Music Craft 3

Making a Native American rain stick craft is a great musical idea. It 's not only fun, but helps teach kids about other cultures. Authentic rain sticks have little spines inside that slow and change the sound of the beans as they fall down. The basic construction of a kids rain stick is the same, using a paper towel roll or other cardboard tube, but I'm offering a few different variations. The difference is what you put on the inside. You can choose the one that is best for you.

Variation 3

This is the most difficult version, but also the most authentic as to how real rain sticks are made. Put toothpicks or skewers inside. The beans or rice hit them as they fall, creating a rain sound. I've seen other rain sticks that use nails or screws. Personally, I think this is a little bit dangerous. It's important to cover up the holes on the outside with dot stickers or paper.

Materials:

• paper towel roll or cardboard tube
• toothpicks or skewers
• dry beans, rice, or corn
• wire cutters
• pencil
• pushpin
• dot stickers
• glue
• colorful paper or other decorating materials
• scissors
• rubber bands

Directions:

1. Before you start, mark your cardboard tube with a pencil where the holes will go. You can follow the natural spiral line of the tube.
2. Start holes with a pushpin. Roll the pin around to make the hole bigger.
3. Push toothpicks or skewers into all the holes. add a drop of glue into each hole.
4. Cut the excess off the toothpicks on the outside with wire cutters. Make them flush(as possible).
5. Add some glue to one end of the tube, wrap paper or wax paper around the end, and secure with a rubber band.
6. Put dry beans into the tube.
7. Close the other end.
8. Decorate the outside of the tube with paper. You might want to cover all the holes with dot stickers first. You cold also cut a sheet of paper to wrap around the tube, decorate it first, then glue around the tube.

Source: The Jewish Muslimah